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Broad Question:

When determing body taper, are we generally looking for a certain percentage decrease from heel to neck block, or are we wanting to end up at a specific depth at the neck block?

I am working on a large body design, and am not quite sure what to do with the taper.

Thanks!
Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

I'm sure there is some dynamic (read velocity of sound, body volume, tonal quality) reason for the taper but one of main reasons for the taper is player comfort.

When building bigger guitar bodies, I think the tapper is important and ensuring the comfort of the player is taken into consideration. I personally like 1/2" of body tapper on thin bodies ie: 4"+/- at the tail, and 3/4" on 'thicker' bodies ie" 4-1/2"-4-3/4" at the tail. I also don't really like a thick body on a big guitar, but I do like a thick body on a smaller guitar.

Personal preference I think will generally determine the body taper.

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Thanks Rod,

That was my assumption, but I wanted someone to independently "affirm" it. Obviously the body depth has mcuh to do with the air volume, and the total amount of air you could theoretically move. Taper, accordingly can have the same affect.

I did look at a good number of models, and it appears that the standard rule of thumb is +/- 20% decrease in body depth from heel to neck...

Thanks so much!!!

Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

I thought a lot about this also and for steel strings found much the same results as you did. I was really surprised to find that with classical guitars there was little to no taper on many models. I thought that was very interesting.

I have made a few with a lot of taper, like 4" to 2 7/8. I think of it as a trade off between clarity (more taper) and fullness (less taper) although of course it is not nearly that simple.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

McPherson makes a reverse taper guitar. Larger towards the front and narrow on the end.

Wonder how that would feel playing?

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Is that for lefties

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

The taper is there to help in structural support on steel stringers. While it sure helps to feel more comfy

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
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You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

The reason there is a taper on the back is because of beer bellies, if the back was flat your left arm would have to be about a foot longer just kidding.