I really like cutaways... Especially with a 12 fret guitar.
Old, hard working hands & carpal tunnel syndrome make playing most fourteen fretters a hand numbing experience for me, so last year I completed a 12 fret cutaway with a mid sized body. I like it so much I decided to keep it. It's a very popular guitar & I have two more on the go (one pre-sold) and another has just been commissioned.
Lots of builders make a generous pad for the heel to bear against & make no effort to fair the body into the heel. Aesthetically, I prefer a smooth blend into the heel.
It's WAY easier to leave a ledge on the treble side of the heel And most players don't seem to mind this design.
If you are going to make a smooth transition, you have to be very accurate with mold & the mortise placement.
I build my heels square, but I've been thinking about having them square on the treble side & tapered on the bass side.
Check our C.Fox's site... There used to be a few pics of one of his cutaways where the heel has a traditional tapered shape & the body is contoured to match. Very cool... And very challenging to get right.
As always... There's more than one way to skin that poor old cat.
Whichever way you decide to go, Have fun with it!
Cheers, Dan
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No freezing.
