Official Luthiers Forum!

I have a "Little Blue" Martin that has a flush mount neck but with only one bolt because it's just a small heel. I know there are many others using that joint too. But from what I can tell it's the same as the M&T minus the T on the neck and minus the M on the block and the neck angle has to be set so I would think the neck jig would still be of use for establishing the angle.
Does the Torres surprise you? I've had the GAL plans for a while now. I just have to finish up my lastest side tracking jig and get back to my on going build and a few other neck and FB processing jigs.

Or a table saw or chop saw for that matter.
I see these jigs as a way to not have to transfer measurments from the top to another saw and then making sure the saw is setup correctly. Pretty much a time saver with a lesser margin of error and a little more fool proof which I always like . I guess that's pretty much the same idea for all jigs and tooling. So I can still see these jigs being helpful even to a butt joint bolt on neck.
The cool thing about these jigs are they set up right from the top IMHO.
I remember reading about these jigs or a modification of the StewMac jig over at MIMF several years ago where someone had added the vertical tilt adjustment and possibly a horizontal adjustment in case the truss rod channel was a little off center. I'm not certain if they had the alinement rod or not but I think so. For all I know it could have even been Paul Woolson. I'll have to check out the library over there and see if I can find it.
The one thing I also like about the Simpson design is the alinement rod is inline with the center of the neck, the same for the Luthier Tool jig. Thus allowing for a much smaller footprint and allowing it to be hung on the wall and out of the way when not in use. Which I like having a small shop where open floor space is a problem. I'm sure there are many in the same boat.

Here's a discussion on the neck jig. It didn't have the alinement rod and it starts out with Bill Moll's jig and then Ken Buswell shows his design and then Paul Woolson ask some questions. It sounds like it was before Paul came up with his design. Does anyone know if the alinement rod was Paul's idea or was it barrowed from Charles Fox or visa versa?
If any of you are considering building your own and like the Luthier Tool design this discussion will give you ideas of how to make the Skew adjustment and even how one might possibly modify the Simpson jig if you want the skew adjustment. I think it's also pretty cool to see just how these jigs have evolved and how others have contributed and shared their ideas to Lutherie.
You will have to register to view MIMF's library. The title of the library discussion is, "Fixtures for cutting the neck tenon, both dovetail and straight" and it's from 2002.

http://mimf.com/library/neck_tenon2.htm

"Just based on a reading of the Simpson directions, I'll take the Woolson jig...no fretboards and reads directly off the body."

Todd , I believe the use of the FB and the Bridge and saddle set to 1/2" above the top is just a short cut tip around the math preformed on setting up the Woolson arm pin and location. I'm sure the same tip can be used on the Woolson jig as well and a pin can be used on the Simpson as well or a dial indicator added to either like on the Luthier Tool jig. Plus that tip would also eliminate the need for the shims on some domed tops that you mentioned in the other discussion. As far as I can see they all do the same thing but are just a little different design. Although the Luthier Tool registers the body holder / mortice template jig with the neck jig at setup for a quick or all in one set up too. At least that's what I got from reading the instructions on it and looking at all the pictures of it.
Neat little time saver and well thought out design feature but I don't know if the cost offset is worth it for the non professional.

Just my .02 on this...

I think whatever method you choose Simpson, Fox/Woolson, Luthier Tool etc. each of the systems take a little work to get the hang of it. I used the Woolson system for a while then moved up to the Luthier Tool solution because I felt it was a more complete solution. But even then it wasn't magic. I had to work with it to learn how to get the best results.

My suggestion is to pick one and stick with it until you get the hang of it. I suspect that this is very much like binding systems. They take a little getting used to. None are perfect, but they all work if you spend some time with them.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com