Need help finding a decent tele neck build guide

[blakejcan]

No, this is not an invitation for someone to write a 6 page novel about how to do it. I've seen a bunch of videos, I'm about to jump into but I can't seem to find one specific video that I am looking for and if anyone knows of one I would appreciate the help.

Anyone know of a good "how to make a tele neck" video where the truss rod is accessible from the headstock? Everything I am finding has the old style truss rod in the neck pocket thing.

Thank you dear friends of Seymour

 

[beaubrummels]

I don't find videos, but several threads on TDPRI and The Gear Page discuss the differences enough to do it. Apparently it takes a longer truss ( >= 18" ) to reach the bullet nut on the 1970's style Tele neck. Guys were using either a Martin, Gotoh or Stew Mac truss for this. Single action truss rod was commonly recommended.

https://www.tdpri.com/threads/which-truss-rod-for-first-time-neck-build.262614/

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/70s-tele-bullet-truss-rod-neck.2295959/

 

[AlexR]

Is this for a 1 piece neck, or something with a separate fretboard??

Quite frankly if the latter I'd just go for a 2 way with a channel rout and have it exit as the shaft wood thins down to tuner thickness.

 

[blakejcan]

something with a separate fretboard is the idea here. What you're saying makes sense......I think haha

 

[GuitarDoc]

The length isn't all the important...14-18" works fine. I've used them all. I make a lot of necks (50-60 so far) and my preference is 16". The main things to look for are dual action and low profile. Here's a good one...

https://www.amazon.com/Hordion-Guit...fix=low-profile+2-way+truss+rod,mi,348&sr=1-8

A must, is a good template...

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...routing-templates/truss-rod-routing-template/

Pretty expensive if you're just doing one guitar so you could make your own by just using 3/8 - 1/2" thick MDF. Two straight pieces about 3" wide and 20" long spaced exactly 1/2" apart. You'll need 2 router bits...(1/4" wide for the shaft and 5/16" for the adjusting head). Both with 1/2" bearings to fit your template. Here is a good selection...https://www.amazon.com/Router-Carbi...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[AlexR]

^ I just make a fence for the neck blank too. A small router like the laminate trim type helps with control. And take shallow passes - maple tends to be hard so a small machine won't be able to cut the full depth all at once.

Most of the dual rods have a wider bit at the end where the adjustment is. You might have to predrill a hole for this access. Given this hole tends to be where the fender type neck slopes down its often better to rout the headstock down to finished thickness first, leaving a vertical section at the point you want to start this transition. This vertical part is much better for drilling as the bit wont want to wander. Bradpoint bits are good too as they have the locating spike in the middle.