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Question about grain orientation on square neck construction
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Author:  kenjeffs [ Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Question about grain orientation on square neck construction
I am getting ready to glue up my neck stock. My neck material is not the best quartersawn stock (I really thought I did a better job of picking this out-so much for my visual skills). I have two 4/4 x 3+ x36 " sticks. If I lay them out to use the 3+" as my fingerboard surface and then glue on a short piece for the heal I have a good blank. However, the grain is running more flatsawn than quarter. With the strength of lamination and a metal truss, do I have a strong enough blank? If not, I will just laminate 3 pieces so that the grain orientation is stronger (more quartersawn) and I have the width for the fretboard.

I am going to shoot the top and bottom plate edges and glue them up this week. Except for the neck blank question, beginning layout looks pretty straight forward.

I am sure I will have more questions when it comes to soundwell location. The beard plans are complete but I can see a challenge in getting the soundwell located properly. The Dusina article uses open sound posts for support so is not much help with soundwell issues.
Author:  alan stassforth [ Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about grain orientation on square neck construction
I know this is kind of an old post with no replies,
but I was wondering if a truss rod is even necessary on a squareneck.
Do the plans call for it?
I think if you could make the neck 1 1/8" thick it wouldn't need a truss.
Especially if it was a laminated quartersawn deal.
Is it maple yer using?
I built an elec lap with a koa squareneck, 1 1/8", and an 1/8" fb,
that thing is pretty stiff.
Author:  kenjeffs [ Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about grain orientation on square neck construction
Alan,

I have the Dusina articles. He uses a 8/4 maple 3 x 24 blank with a 3/8 " squre steel truss rod for reinforcement. I was concerned with the poor quarter sawn grain in the mahogany blanks I had. I took and laminated 3 (4/4 x 2 7/8 x 24) and created a 12/4 x 2 7/8 x 24 blank. I was overkill but I should be able to cut from any orientation and still have a stable and solid neck.

Question:

What orientation will I choose? should it be on end or flat? I am leaning toward on end. What do you think.

I may not need a truss rod but routing and installation is not a big issue.

Alan thanks for replying. I was wondering if maybe I was talking too much. :)

Ken
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about grain orientation on square neck construction
If it was mine I'd go for quartersawn.
It might not make much difference either way.
Good luck and have fun!
Author:  kenjeffs [ Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about grain orientation on square neck construction
Yes, I agree.... I am going to cut out the neck this week..

Thanks Alan. I will share some pics when I get them.
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