Official Luthiers Forum!

In Cumpiano's book on page 292 he talks about "our preference is wide gently curved apex set slightly off centre" but not discuss further how he measures and achieves this off centre apex.

is thsi familiar to any of you ?

John

One of my nephews has his maternal grandfathers Gretsch Synchromatic archtop guitar made in the 40's. The neck is very asymmetrical, with the thickest part of the neck on the third of the neck under the thumb. It's the most asymmetrical neck I've ever had occasion to work with. It's not uncomfortable to play, but it is much different than symmetrical necks we are used to.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

i have often wondered myself if it would be ergonomical, but i would also think asymmetry might be an invite to neck twist issues

I wondered if the fat part of the neck was on the top or the bottom half, the top makes logical sense. I wonder why Cumpiano didn't expand on the subject further

Brian Howard intentionally makes his necks asymmetric - thicker on the top side (I think).

I'm sure he'll be along to clarify or you could PM him.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

My #100 guitar was made this way per my client's request.
The neck shaft is slightly rounder on the bass side and less so on the treble side.
He is a jazz player with hand issues and wanted the neck to better conform to his hand.

Al Carruth has discussed "egg shaped" neck profiles several times here.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I like it! The "Egg neck" (tm) $150 upgrade.

But seriously, I've wondered about this too. The apex would be on the bass side? Or what I think Todd said, starting on the bass side and moving to the trebble side as you go up? The "compound egg neck" (tm) $300 upgrade!

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Pat