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To mount or not mount... Until finished
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Author:  Mike OMelia [ Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  To mount or not mount... Until finished

I am finishing up a D28. Dovetail neck. I've wondered about this for a while. Should I mount the neck before or after finish/buff? This is a general question, not one related to any specific guitar type.

Thanks!

Mike

Author:  Daniel Minard [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

Hey Mike;
I've never done a dovetail neck, but I do know it's a pain to finish / buff an instrument with the neck attached.

Author:  Tom West [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

If you are doing your own finishing you might find that a guitar with the neck on is harder to spray.Also where the neck meets the body is a bit hard to get right because you are spraying into a corner. For me the bolt on neck has so much going for it. Tradition dies a very hard death. Just my opinion .
Tom

Author:  Fred Tellier [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

I did my 1st 2 builds with the neck on before finishing but now do it after. It is so much easier to do all of the final sanding, filling, and finish processes with the guitar and neck apart.

Author:  Alain Moisan [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

I finish with the neck installed. (Pore file with the neck uninstalled though....)

Although it is undoubtably easier to finish and buff with the two parts detached, I don't find that much of a hassle to do it when the neck is attached to the body. What I like about this method is the final look of the neck joint; the guitar looks more like a single unit, as a whole, when just a tiny build-up of finish lays at the neck joint. Even the best fitted neck joint, when finished separetly, looks (to me) like assembled parts, thus making the work looking a tad like a factory guitar.

Author:  woody b [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

Todd Stock wrote:
I shoot both bolt-on and dovetailed necks separately, as does Martin, etc. There's no real advantage in finishing for either design, other than the holder for a dovetailed neck is a bigger PITA.



Separate for me. I screw a hanger bolt into the dovetail tenon to attach a handle for finishing. After finishing I remove the bolt. Doesn't Martin use an insert in their dovetail neck for finishing? (I think I've seen pictures)

Author:  TonyKarol [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 3:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

Definitely separate ... you only have to remove one neck thats been finished on the guitar to realize that its not a good idea. I have recently had to refin a couple tops on finished gutiars, bolt on necks - took the necks off with no finish damage at all. Try that on a sunburst finished J45 .. good luck.

I like the way a finely fit neck looks thats been finished separately .. looks clean and tight. Sloppy factorys finish with the necks on to hide the fact the joint sucks ....

Author:  Mike OMelia [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

Ok, gonna go separate. New for me. Btw, Tony, ur sig line is hilarious!!

Mike

Author:  Mike OMelia [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

Ok, gonna go separate. New for me. Btw, Tony, ur sig line is hilarious!!

Mike

Author:  coach [ Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To mount or not mount... Until finished

I'm doing a dovetail, and my last was attached. This one I'd like to do separate, cause to me it was a pain. Anyone have any pics or info of how to make a holder for the dovetail tenon and the mortised body?

Sean

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