Official Luthiers Forum!

What should the orientation of the tail block be.....end grain facing the top and back of the guitar or end grain standing up and not contacting the sides?

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Tail block grain should run parallel to the grain of the sides.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

got it.......thanks..........

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

With the side grain and end block grain all lined up, it helps to inset a cross grain piece to avoid a split should the guitar get dropped on the strap pin.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

I laminate mine from two pieces of mahogany with the grain going in oposite directions for the same effect. Others simply use plywood; why not?

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Also, consider using plywood. Won't crack.

well......I used a mahogany one. Once I got the profile on it....it was all good to go....

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

That's what I use, light, stiff, and virtually indestructible!

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

BB ply for me too. Make sure it's the good stuff, not the asian import.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

Where do you guys get your Baltic Birch ply? I don't recall Home Depot selling these...do I need head down to lumbar yard ?

Thanks, David

David you'll have to go to your local wood vendor, most retailers who sell an assortment of hardwoods will usually sell Baltic Birch plywood.

I too use 1/2" BB for my tail blocks and am considering using two laminated 5/8" pieces for the head block.

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'home made' plywood (well, usually about 3 to 5 mm thick plys) made of mahogany and spruce, or just mahogany. It's not like I don't have the scrap, looks nice and clean, and the lamination (I use polyurethane glue) works just fine. Cheaper than baltic birch ply, since I don't pay myself for the time...