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Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Fingerboard extension gap - new build

I'm nearing the end of my first build. I have about 1 mm gap above the top at the end of the fingerboard extension. I've read and seen some guidance to clamp that down while gluing the extension. Others seem to build in a wedge-shaped shim - although it seems that is mostly done with neck resets and not new builds. A straight edge on the frets is just slightly above the top of the bridge so I think my neck angle is good. What are your t…

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6 replies
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Private member
Brad, congrats on nearing the end. It's a good practice to put a straight edge on the part of the top under the FB extension to verify that the top is flat in the fingerboard plane. I learned from R…
Private member DiscussionTools and Jigs

Getting perfectly flat without a jointer

Hello -- I am trying to joint a Tele-style mahogany neck blank. I have a Metabo planer in good condition, but no jointer. I secured the c. 40 mm thick blank to a flat plywood sled and shimmed it well. It's hot-glued in place, and absolutely no rocking from any corner or edge. But as I plane it down, I still have about 1 mm difference from one end of the blank to the other when I put a straightedge on the surface (see photo, with backlig…

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17 replies
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Private member
I feel this is a big missing element in my workshop (for guitar making at least). But where I live all tools, and especially machines, are a good 2x the price in the US or UK. So I have to think long…
Private member Discussion3D Printing

3D Printed Neck Shims?

I have searched the forums and was not able to find any discussion about 3D printing neck shims. This made me wonder if with the proper density of infill, may be a viable option. Or is this just taboo? appreciate hearing others thoughts on this

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Ian Davlin
One thing you might try is changing the orientation to have it on the side. You might print it as a block of 5 so it self supports and then split after. I bet @member might…
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

Set-neck pocket and angle questions

Hi Everyone, I’m working through building my first set neck electric, an LP Jr. I had some build questions… - if you’ve built these Gibson style set necks before, did you cut the neck pocket straight and angle the heel of the neck? Or did you cut the pocket at the angle and keep the bottom of the heel straight? I’m attempting to cut the pocket at an angle, and it isn’t the easiest thing to do, I’m finding out. First, I’ve had some moveme…

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Private member
Hi Joe, I would recommend putting the taper in the neck pocket, not the neck. Maybe you need thinner shims to solve your router depth issue. I would glue the fingerboard onto the neck and have that as…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Bridge Too Low?

Finishing up a new cutaway acoustic. I thought I had it right before finishing, but now that the finish is done and the neck is bolted on, a straight edge on the frets is 3/32" over the top of the bridge. Can I work with that, or do I need to either add a shim under the bridge, or just cut a new bridge? Any advice would be greatly appreciated... Paul in Chicago

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Private member
You can work with that. Under string tension the neck will come up a bit anyways. I used to build with the straightedge just grazing the top of the bridge like a lot of folks show you to do, but talle…