renablistic Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I wanted to teach myself how to build a neck, i have all the tools, just no wood... So i decided i might make a few practice ones with like pine, or some other really cheap wood, but then my father informed me they don't sell Pine as thick as it would need to be... so could i glue a few pieces together? also, can anyone give me the dimensions of a sutable piece of wood for making a neck (bolt-on wizard or fender style) thanks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snork Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 depends on scale. Build the practice out of ply or particle board. Its the cheapest stuff. lets say your doing an average 25.5 or whatever scale. I'd say about 32 inches is fine depending on your headstock the heel is around 5 inches normally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 I've never made a neck from scratch but I have worked with plywood and particle board in construction. I don't think they'll be good practice for a neck, ok for bodies but not neck. What about 2x4 studs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazyderek Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 particle and ply aren't the best choices if you want to include practicing carving the back of the neck. Birch is fairly cheap and easy to carve, or some stock (cheap) soft maple maybe? you're gonna want a peice of wood about 4"x29"x1" try to get something with NO knots, other then that, any old flat peice of wood will do for practice, just look for something cheap that's acutally wood, not partical or ply... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renablistic Posted January 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 the only problem is that the only place to buy wood here is home depot, and my father said they don't sell it as thick as 4 inches, is he worng? i mean he goes there everyday, but i've seen other woods, like these stair blanks, that were a good size for a practice body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazyderek Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 they're probably oak, which may be a bit tough for carving with hand tools, i duno i've never used it, but i've seen the wood before, don't seem like the sofest stuff. But a hardwood stair step might be a good idea btw that's 1" thick, 4" wide, and 29" long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 You can glue piece together, like you asked in your first post in the thread. If you haven't seen it yet, here's a link to Lex Luthier's fretless bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renablistic Posted January 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 only an inch thick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renablistic Posted January 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 and i have power tools, and lots of em. just no band saw... but the other tools out there should make up for it... for a practice neck anyways... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digideus Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 2x4 studs are standard sizes the world over as far as im aware. You SHOULD be able to get them there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveq Posted January 9, 2004 Report Share Posted January 9, 2004 You could also just buy some 4/4 or 3/4 poplar (I'm pretty sure they sell that there) and laminate 3 or more pieces together. That way the thickness is not an issue because the width of the board becomes your thickness (you'll actually cut it smaller). You can get some experience laminating while your at it! I prefer laminated necks usually. Are you planning on doing a scarf joint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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