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I am building my first guitar (steel string acoustic) using Cumpiano's book as my teacher. First problem - does anyone know how I can email Cumpiano with a question? His website suggests others have been able to do it, but I can't find any link there (though I can understand why it's not there).
My problem concerns the heel. I cut the tenon using a table saw (page 61) at 95 degrees - I figure this is done so the edges of the heel are the primary contact point with the guitar body sides. But, after carving the heel, the outer edges of the heel are not at right angles to the top of the shaft because the heel tapers in as you move from top to bottom. So I figure when it gets bolted to the heel block, the neck will be running "down hill" by a couple of degrees (about 3 degrees).

Frank:

There is a back set to the neck. It does not run straight out from the guitar top. Three degrees sounds about right.
When you get ready to place neck on the body you will have to get the proper back set and make sure it is centered (the neck, that is). So you will probably have to do some shaving on the heel anyway. I would not worry to much at the moment. By the way a little shave at the heel can affect the bridge-saddle height big time, so do be careful. Go slow and measure often. There is also the string pull that straightens the neck (actually should put small amount of relief in neck). Bill's book is a good one. I read it and reread it before starting.
I hope this helps and I am sure there are others that can articulate the ins and outs of this procedure better then me. Getting one of the many videos available as a reference really helps as well.

What Ron said. You're on the right track.

Jonathan Kinkead's "Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar" has clear illustrations of
this. Though Kinkead's and Cumpiano/Natelson's numbers don't quite
match up when you first look at them, they're seeking much the same result.

Kinkead's book has a lot of good, clear photos, but is short on text, so it
makes a nice companion to C/N, which I found rich in text, but short on
photos.

Pat

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I have emailed him before and he has been extremely responsive. try searching through his teaching section of his site. his email is in there

Frank V.
I spent some time in William's shop with one of my last guitar builds and had a few epiphanies about these issues.
I hope this helps.

http://www.wadefx.com/GTR7-3.html

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

Thanks to all respondents. This is the first time I have used this forum and I am overwhelmed by this response in less than 24 hours. It will become part of my daily routine.
I also now have William's email address.

I have just found what you have described outlined in Cumpiano's book - pg 304 to 307. I am comfortable with this now. While I have read the book a number of times and think it is a marvellous resource, it's easy to forget some of the things you once read.
Thanks again.