Prostheta Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Instead of adding an "ear" onto one side to extend the width of a scarfed headstock to achieve the drop (or lift for reversed!) would it be a better idea to align the grain of the wood in the same direction as the tuners when scarfing an angled headstock? I presume a 13° scarf would be just as strong with a 10°-12° direction change in grain between the two pieces (sorry, 10-12 is an approx as my 3D trig is a bit sleepy right now). I'm 99% sure on this one. I suppose the only downside I can see at the moment is the loss of an inch or so of wood with the join end of the headstock piece being higher/lower either side of the centre point where it meets the neck. I would draw pictures, but I trust that the people who know what i'm on about are more than happy to deal with words as an adequate method of communication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Sounds painful in terms of having to true everything back up. Don't know if the grain orientation aligning with the tuners would be a big deal, but I can't imagine any harm either. If the goal is to be able to use a single piece for the headstock (no ear), and a little extra work is worth it to you. Then go fer it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Having to plane a pyramid of wood off the face of a neck blank shouldn't be too much of a deal. Trueing everything back up should be part of the work anyway really :-D It's not like it's overcomplicating the job really! Perhaps an inch of wood and jumping in the seat with your plane for a couple of minutes. Easy. I guess i'm a little bored of seeing offset headstock with gluelines. Ears seem better if used for necessity, like LP headstocks etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Having to plane a pyramid of wood off the face of a neck blank shouldn't be too much of a deal. Trueing everything back up should be part of the work anyway really :-D It's not like it's overcomplicating the job really! Perhaps an inch of wood and jumping in the seat with your plane for a couple of minutes. Easy. I guess i'm a little bored of seeing offset headstock with gluelines. Ears seem better if used for necessity, like LP headstocks etc. Yep, not a lot of extra work, and if you have a good reason it sounds worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 As long as the scarf isn't compromised by the change in grain direction, great. I've seen some shockers of scarfs and ears on old 80s BC Richs. Some real Fender style economising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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