Carving a recessed AANJ style heel.

[funkle]

In carving out the recessed area around the heel, like you see on a satriani or PRS, what are some approaches to doing this?

Because of the concave shape, tools like surforms, rasps or even spoke-shaves can't get in there. The only thing I can think of is a small violin carving plane, or maybe the angle grinder trick.

Thanks

-Sven

[westhemann]

i used a router on mine and then finished it up with sandpaper

[krazyderek]

don't quite understand (duh) you mean how the back of the guitar is thinner around the neck pocket?

[westhemann]

[funkle]

don't quite understand (duh) you mean how the back of the guitar is thinner around the neck pocket?

Not exactly. I'm talking about the carved out section in the cutaway, like Wes' guitar. (Thanks for the photos Wes). This is what I'm going for, but I'd like to get it to flow more smoothly, like this (ignore the dog in the background):

[krazyderek]

ya that's what i meant, wes is right, use a router with a dish carving bit, or a regular straight cutter and do lots of sanding

[bowser]

check out this tutorial, it might help:

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/heal.htm