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Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=43093		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  LaurieW [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
I was cutting out a neck blank on my band saw, but the blade had drifted on the bottom I so cut a little inside the line. Once I sanded out of the saw marks, I get 19.2mm thick (0.755") Just before the heel starts. This is a flamed maple neck, intended for my own steel string, 25.5" scale guitar.

My necks have generally run slightly thicker than this, so I see a few options...

1) Use it as as, maybe with a slightly thicker FB to compensate just in case.
2) Use it as is, but add CF reinforcement which I've never done.
3) Sand the area flat and add a piece of maple and hope I can live with the results. I saved the piece from the blank that goes there just in case.

Any suggestions if it will be adequate would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Laurie
Author:  cphanna [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
Hi, Laurie,
I am not sure how to advise you with regard to the strength of the neck. I'm certain many others will chime in on that aspect. For me, it's a playing comfort issue. For years I played a Guild Starfire with a very thin neck. Later, as I got more into barred chords all the way up the neck, my hand would occasionally cramp. I bought another guitar about ten years ago simply because I wanted it, and I noticed that my hand never cramped while playing it. I became curious and measured the neck thickness and, sure enough, it was a slightly thicker, rounder (not "D"-shaped) cross section. I would be tempted to use a thicker fingerboard as you have suggested. There is another, potentially beautiful way to add thickness: You can glue two or three contrasting veneers to the neck's top surface before installing the fingerboard. If your neck-to-body joint is not already established, you can stop these layers at the body. Otherwise, you could add them to the bottom of the fingerboard and allow them to run out over the guitar top. Veneer layers can be quite beautiful with or without a bound neck. You can also "cross-band" a middle layer to make position markers. I'll attach an image of a banjo I recently made, which shows a little of this cross banding technique right under the fingerboard binding--enough to give you the idea. The veneer sandwich with darker cross bands in the center runs completely under the fingerboard its full width and length. It gives the impression of wood inlay, but it's a full part of this neck. There's no reason this won't work on a guitar.

Patrick
Author:  DannyV [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
I think you should be fine. You're talking without FB right. I try to have my necks finish up at about 21 MM at the 1st fret. If I understand you right you have 3/4" neck blank. If so, that's good.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
Mine are 16.5 mm at that point. I think you're good.
Author:  DennisK [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
My standard starting taper is 5/8" at the nut to 3/4" at the heel, and I usually end up shaving it a bit thinner after I get the fingerboard on... so I'd say you're fine.
Author:  mkellyvrod [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
Measured a couple of mine and they are 0.75 inches at the heel; so I agree with others, you should be fine structurally.
Author:  Terence Kennedy [ Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
Mine are .72 at the 10th fret.
Author:  Colin North [ Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
I think you'll be just fine.
Including 6-7 mm fretboard, thickness I shoot for is 21 mm at the 1st to 23 mm at the 10th on a 14 fret neck.
Some regard this as a tad thick, and I have gone thinner.
Author:  bluescreek [ Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
you are within the martin specks
with a fret board apx.880 at 1 and .980 at 10
Author:  Quine [ Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
I make my necks 0.75" at the 10th fret with mahogany and a regular truss rod. I think you'll be fine with a maple neck at 0.70-0.75"
Author:  LaurieW [ Mon Mar 31, 2014 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bandsaw Error - Minimum SS Neck thickness before heel?
Thanks everyone, I guess I'll have fun shaping that very hard flamed maple!
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