ibanezrocker61 Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 Alright, I want to start an 8-string project, the body id almost done except for the neck joint, and well the neck! I was thinking of maybe building my own neck, altho, I don't know the dimensions of an 8-string guitar neck.. so if possible or if anyone knows, can someone send the dimensions to me? Also, it would be helpful if someone could point me in the direction of someone who can build 8-string necks (besides EKG and LGM). Thanks and let me know ASAP! ~Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goth_fiend Posted February 18, 2005 Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 heres what i did, with the suggestion of jeremy and a few others, measure the space between the strings on one of your guitars and add the space for the B and F# strings (if thats what your going to be tuning it to) i believe mine is 3 1/8th at the 24th fret, i will have to go double check but its pretty beefy! and building your own neck is not that difficult, just take your time and measure twice, then cut once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2005 heres what i did, with the suggestion of jeremy and a few others, measure the space between the strings on one of your guitars and add the space for the B and F# strings (if thats what your going to be tuning it to) i believe mine is 3 1/8th at the 24th fret, i will have to go double check but its pretty beefy! and building your own neck is not that difficult, just take your time and measure twice, then cut once! ← thanks man! i dont know why i didnt think of this, but i can just email and ask jeremy the dimensions he uses too! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2005 Ok so now I'm wondering, what tools are used to make the curvature of the back of the neck? Just a s*itload of sanding? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertonessuckbutigotone Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 most people 'round here would recommend a rasp, a file and some sandpaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 I use a rasp to get the right shape at each end, then use a spokeshave to blend the whole neck in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 A belt sander and RO sander works great for me. I dont use any rasps or files on my necks. Everyone seems to have their own preferences for neck building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 I have an RO and just adquiered an DA, and the DA is far superior for shaping than the RO. they both will get the job acomplished, but the DA just goes a lot easier than the RO, I have reshaped neck backs but I haven't made one complete yet, and I have used rasps and (I don't know the name) those thing that look like a cheese greater that are use for bondo on cars, then use the DA to smooth everything down, I think that Devons method is the easiest for the begginer, that way you won't go too deep or out of shape and a spokeshave is an awsome tool, one in my to buy list, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 ok I know what the RO is but what is a DA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 I know guitars, but as far as the names of tools... thats a question mark, whats a RO and DA? I'm gonna take a guess though on the RO, is that rotary sander or something close to that name? I remember using one of those in wood shop when I was in high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted February 20, 2005 Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 Dual Action sander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2005 (edited) Dual Action sander. ← Ahh! alright, DA is Dual Action and RO is Random Orbit.... just did some research, got it. I'll now have to buy one of those each to try em out. Thanks, I hope my project goes okay, otherwise i'm going straight to EKG or LGM! haha, wish me good luck! Edited February 20, 2005 by ibanezrocker61 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 With regards to shaping the back of the neck. I have a large roundover bit that gets me to a fat boat style radius that I have used. I have sanded with RO,DA,and BS (ha, ha, ha...). I use spoke shave and shaper and a bit of rasp now. Shaving is soooo much faster and cleaner once you get the hang of it, I doubt I would ever do anything else (shaving takes me 1/4 the time sanding did). Unless..... if I had the proper sanding tools (that larger shops use) maybe I would go that way, but I do not. Peace, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted February 21, 2005 Report Share Posted February 21, 2005 Ditto. I've tried other things, but I feel like I have more control with a scraper and spokeshave. And it goes faster, so for me there's really no comparison. It really is my favorite part of building other than stringing up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Good tips guys! Keep em comin.. ill hopefully be underway with this project soon! ill update progress as much as possible when i do start! anyways, like i said.. keep em comin! Thanks! ~Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maher Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 could i do it with a block plane and sander? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 The block plane would be mostly pointless, but plenty of people use sanders. I know a guy that builds for a living, and he does the majority of his neck shaping with a pocketknife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 The block plane would be mostly pointless, but plenty of people use sanders. I know a guy that builds for a living, and he does the majority of his neck shaping with a pocketknife. ← Wow, thats actually motivation for me... I mean if he can do it with just a pocket knife, then sanding and all that shouldn't be all that bad. I just hope I don't f*ck up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted February 22, 2005 Report Share Posted February 22, 2005 Even if you do mess up, you can just start over again and reuse the parts from the messed up neck. You're really only out a few bucks, and it's a learning experience. You'll have a blast whether you mess up or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiewarlock Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I use a chisel for neck shaping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I have access to a 48" belt sander, and I use the drum on the end for neck shaping. I tilt the belt so that it is vertical with the drum on top, then just work the neck back & forth over the drum gently. It does take awhile and you get really dusty, but its pretty controlled. I use a 60-grit belt, then start at 100 grit on the orbital sander and go down from there. I'll have to try a spokeshave sometime; maybe on my neck-thru bass (which will be too heavy to hold over the belt sander for very long...). It must be faster than sanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibanezrocker61 Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 Even if you do mess up, you can just start over again and reuse the parts from the messed up neck. You're really only out a few bucks, and it's a learning experience. You'll have a blast whether you mess up or not ← Deffinetly got a point there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krizalid Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 add one person here to use chisel in shaping the neck, ME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I thought I would post links to the tools I use for shaping the back of the neck. 1. Half round spokeshave. 2.Scraper set. Half Round This is used for bringing down the transition to the body on a neck through. 3.Rotory Plane Beyond that I use an 8" sanding block to double check straight lines,and a dried up sponge w/ sandpaper wrapped around it to smoothe the radius. I also like to take a piece of sandpaper and let it flex around(like buffing a shoe) the back (just a quick little pass or two, not removing much just smoothing). Now I am really curious about how you use your chisels to shape the back of the neck. Could one of you guys that do it that way give me a quick run down on your process. See ya, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmmr Posted February 23, 2005 Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 what about stability issues? you're gonna have a pretty wide neck, can a single truss rod cut it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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