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A picture is probably worth a thousand words and I didn't come across any that really told me the big picture.

What's the point of a volute? Must it be the diamond shape?

How do I cut a modified V? Is it the best acoustic guitar neck shape that allows an acoustic to play like an electric?

What else do I need to know before I shape this thing?

Thanks,

-j

The diamond "volute" or "dart" as it is properly named , is a remnant of the days when Martin used a bridle joint to join their neck and headstock. Going by the pictures, you won't have enough material to shape a diamond volute on your neck. Best forget about any volute and just shape a smooth transition.

I always put a volute on my electrics only for the sake of appearance.
I'm gonna break that habit and use a smooth transition like most folks do.
I sure like the look of a Vee joint, but I'm not sure how to go about cutting it.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

So it's just tradition at this point. If it doesn't have some "mystical" purpose for tone then why bother?

"Don't worry, I can fix it. My Dad's a TV repairman and has a monster set of tools."

-Jeff Spicoli

I do it for strength... the volute really reinforces the weak joint so it is less likely to break. Gibsons had this problem where they had head adjust necks coupled with a lack of volute leading to necks that would break just because it's having a bad day! (the short grain on their one piece neck blank didn't help)

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Because. There are quite a few decorative elements on a guitar that don't have tonal purposes. We still put them on though.

Although I haven't used a volute yet, aesthetic touches are something that can set a one of a kind crafted guitar apart. I don't like a lot of bling, but there are certain aesthetics that can really make a guitar a work of art and a pleasure to make or own. Guess that kind of makes them mystical to some.

That's funny. I saw that movie so many many years ago and remember that quote, it was after crashing the car or something like that? Anyway in the last two days this is the second time some one brought up that quote

Anyway just think it's funny.

As for volutes I like them. I don't make them myself but they look pretty cool.

Don't know if you still need some info on a Modified V neck shape, but scroll down this page and copy the drawing. Glue the modified V outline on some black acrylic, score the outline and cut it out for some neck templates.

http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.y ... RnNgWdFCic

Bill

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Formerly know as Mandodiddle.

Thanks, I was hunting that.

-j

On a solid neck its just a decoration -- The real deal is a cool addition to a custom period replica guitar. Here's how a master in that arena does it.

http://www.grevenguitars.com/birds-beak-demo.html

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Greven's modified bridle joint is close to how Martin did it, but not quite the same. Martin's method left a bit more real estate on the hidden part of the joint, which I think adds some strength.

Thanks Ken!
I knew there had to be a machine method for cutting the joint.
No way could I do it by hand.
Dan

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I just finished building the jigs Greven shows in his website. I really like the look of the volute,
I think it adds a nice finishing touch, as Michael and Ken said. Before I had left material on
the headstock and carved the volute "in situ", as it were. Greven's method lets you finish
the carving on the volute before you attach the headstock- much easier.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

It is not a bad idea to have a "throwaway peghead" in place when carving the volute. It can take the chisel scars while providing support to the delicate point of the dart.
I have made a couple of jigs for cutting the more traditional form using the tablesaw and bandsaw. there is still some hand work necessary, but nothing too difficult.

I use to put a decorative dart of sorts on my necks but no longer do. It is a time consuming operation.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Now I just put a standard volute on my neck, the kind that I can create in a few minutes using a belt sander. Doesn't look as good as the diamond volute but it still functions to reinforce the neck.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I do like the Greven joint. The diamond volute just seems so much cooler when it has a logical reason to exist Alas, I have no space for a bandsaw, and I don't think I could cut the angles perfectly enough by hand. But I'm quite happy with my volute anyway, which utilizes some hand carving with a gouge and scraper.

I can't cut the diamond with a bandsaw unless there's some wicked bandsaw technique I don't know about. I carve them by hand carefully with chisels and the right kind of planes. I never tried V joints. It was just a lot of work to make sure the both sides of the diamond is symmetrical.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Did you look at the link Ken posted? That's the bandsaw technique I'm talking about.

I've made a couple like that using hand saws and table saws. Honestly, I find that joint easier than a skarf joint.


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Dennis, that's mighty fine.