Neck Building advice

kramersteen

kramersteen

PowerMetalRaph
I am attempting to build a 36 fret neck through electric guitar.

Because the neck will be so long i need some advice regarding strengthening options? To give you a idea of how long it is, from the start of the truss rod bolt to the neck heal is 21''

I am thinking i will go with a bass truss rod around 565mm/22.2'' long. Could this be a problem? They appear to be identical to a electric guitar rod just the length is longer. The length is actually perfectly suited to the requirements.

Also Is it worth adding carbon fiber/steel strengthening rods?

Any positive advice would be good thanks.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

BUMP. come on bro's i need some help here. Any one that has some experience with neck building?
 
Re: Neck Building advice

Hardwoods and/or laminate construction would be a good place to start for your design.
Maybe check out bass neck construction.
You'll probably have to go with a longer scale to be able to have useable sized frets in the upper part of the register.

You can also get graphite liners that go into the neck alongside the truss rod cavity to stabilize it.
 
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Re: Neck Building advice

I know what your saying. But i decided one piece construction for the neck through part. The guitar will also be 25.5 scale like most other 36 fretters.

The fretboard is already made.
View attachment 39373
 
Re: Neck Building advice

Wow, what size frets are you going to use and how are you going to offset the fret compression at the end of the board ?
 
Re: Neck Building advice

1 to 12 jumbo 13 to 24 medium 25 to 36 small frets. I plan to use a longer truss rod even if i have to weld one up myself. I think as long as i can get it to about 1 to 2'' past the heel it shouldn't be to much trouble. What do you think?
 
Re: Neck Building advice

Off the top of my head I think it will depend on the tang size for the frets.
Definitely curious to see how the variations in bead size works with the intonation in the upper register.

What about a double action truss rod ?
That may give you the extra stability you're after.

Keep the progress and pics coming on this one, I'm very interested to see how this works out.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

Yeah double action for sure...Do you think a bass truss rod would work? Can you think of any reason it wont?
 
Re: Neck Building advice

I was thinking bass truss as well, but length and pressure point may be an issue.
It might be a good idea to look through supply sites and see what sizes they have available.
In the end you may have to go with a custom truss to remove as many xfactors as you can.

You may also want to hit up Zerberus and/or Bludave for some info.
Both of those guys have a lot of knowledge about this sort of thing.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

I just remembered that years ago Kramer put out a 36 fret guitar, Gary Kramer is also making a comeback and apparently is offering 36 fret models.
May be worth a look to see if it answers any questions or you notice things you haven't thought of yet.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

A few questions to your planned specs before I log out and get to this tomorrow, as these will affect neck construction, some more than others, but the combination of factors could require altering a method here or there

Body style?
If strat or similar, extended cutaway or standard dimensions?
Mayones Heel ( :fart:) or something a little less in the way?
Bridge?
If Floyd, recessed, flatmounted or above the body like on a San Dimas /Early Ontario/Shannon Soloist?
If Kahler (incl. hardtail), Wilkinson, or other trem, topmounted or recessed, recessed how far, if?. Same questions for a Tune-o Matic.
Can you TIG-weld and if so do you have ready access to a TIG-unit and shield? An experienced MAG welder could weld a custom truss rod, too, but TIG is a safer choice on a workpiece this small.
Have you already chosen your neck wood or are you open to suggestions, I see the maple boards there. Have you chosen your body wood(s) yet?

The body wood doesn?t directly affect neck construction, but it` good to know so as to be able to choose a material that complements the other two and the rest of the construction methods instead of conflicting with them tonally.
 
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Re: Neck Building advice

So what woods are you using for the build?
If you're not going to laminate the neck, I'd almost certainly suggest using carbon graphite rods.
I'm on the side of a custom truss rod. That way you know it will fit your specs.

Personally, I'd laminate the neck.
Why go through all the work of making such an exacting neck just to have it warp on you?

What sort of body design will you use? And in particular, will there be a deep treble side cutaway?
Solid bridge or tremolo?
Pickup(s)?

Definitely keep us updated with pics.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

For stability I would use vertical grain/quarter sawn wood in the neck. You also could use a graphite strip on each side of the T rod or a graphite U channel as part of the T rod structure. As far as making a T rod if you were going to do any welding, MIG, TIG, Wire Feed, Flame, Brazing or Silver Soldering are all exceptionable methods if you have the know how and skill. As far as compression of the FB is concerned, proper fret slot width to tang width is essential, especially were they start getting closer to prevent back bow. At this point you may need to either use a slightly wider fret slot or a fret with a thinner tang. You can thin the tangs of frets to accomplish this. You could use a T rod for a bass if the ends and adjuster end up in the proper places. Hope this helps. Keep us up to date when you can. Good luck and keep the faith.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

Zerberus said:
A few questions to your planned specs before I log out and get to this tomorrow, as these will affect neck construction, some more than others, but the combination of factors could require altering a method here or there

Body style?
If strat or similar, extended cutaway or standard dimensions?
Mayones Heel ( :fart:) or something a little less in the way?
Bridge?
If Floyd, recessed, flatmounted or above the body like on a San Dimas /Early Ontario/Shannon Soloist?
If Kahler (incl. hardtail), Wilkinson, or other trem, topmounted or recessed, recessed how far, if?. Same questions for a Tune-o Matic.
Can you TIG-weld and if so do you have ready access to a TIG-unit and shield? An experienced MAG welder could weld a custom truss rod, too, but TIG is a safer choice on a workpiece this small.
Have you already chosen your neck wood or are you open to suggestions, I see the maple boards there. Have you chosen your body wood(s) yet?

The body wood doesn?t directly affect neck construction, but it` good to know so as to be able to choose a material that complements the other two and the rest of the construction methods instead of conflicting with them tonally.
Click to expand...

The heel will be similar to a carvin/ jackson style. I am going for a hamer virtuoso style construction

Bridge will be a schaller 3d6

I have already done a good majority of the work. I have the neck through section completely carved out of maple, i have left room to extend the channel for the truss rod as i realized it may need to be longer after i did it. easy fix. the only problem is if i decide the strengthening rods are a good choice teh routing maybe a bit tricky.

I can weld but i don't want to if i can avoid it.

I haven't decided body wood yet but i was thinking maybe basswood or ash as i can get it locally.

Here is a mock up picture of the body design i am hoping to achieve. I thought about it a lot and despite the shape being fully metal i think it will serve as a good weight balance against the long neck.
View attachment 39379
 
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Re: Neck Building advice

Start with a stable platform: Find a tight-grained, perfectly quartersawn piece of maple with little to no grain runout.
 
Re: Neck Building advice

Up until 1986 Martins had a square tube for a truss rod.To adjust the neck you used frets with thicker or thinner tangs. On another note, will you have room for a pickup?
 
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