Official Luthiers Forum!

Ok, I just discovered this forum, and I'm already a fan. I also figured, "Where better to ask a question than here with you fine folks?" So here goes:

I'm starting my first project, but I'm extremely nervous about monkeying up the neck. Since this is essentiall a Les Paul copy (althoug the shap of the body is slightly different) I'd love for it to have a Les Paul 60's slim-tapered neck. While I might be able to carve this by hand, I'm a rookie and I thought it might be smart for my first project if I could find a neck. I'm not looking for a fingerboard as I definitely want custom inlays. Does anyone know where I might get a pre-cut/carved LP 60's neck? I checked Warmoth, but they only sell bolt-ons.

Thanks forum!

Hi, Jim, and welcome to the forum. I don't know where to get a Les Paul neck, but one of our members, John Watkins, makes custom necks. Maybe he'll be along shortly. Some one will, I'm sure. You'll probably get more help than you want here sometimes.

On the other hand, I'd suggest you find a piece of mahogany and start carving. It really isn't that hard and mahogany carves like butter. It would be good experience and if you mess it up you can still have one custom made. But I'll bet you can do it. I'm still new to building, but I have carved 8 necks and love every one of them. The first was a little hefty, but it fits me well. Good luck with it and keep us posted.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the reply. I've got a nice piece of Honduran mahogany coming as wek speak. I think it got held up in customs from Canada, as it should have been here by now. I'm definitely going to crack at that first, and as you mentioned I could always find a more than suitable replacement.

I had this idea to get the 60's slim-taper profile correct, and maybe you can tell meif you think it would work:

I was going to create a paper mache mold of an old LP 60's neck I have with the cracked and broken peghead. Then I was going to cut the mache model down the middle from the nut to the neck joint so while I'm shaving and sanding the neck, I can constantly compare.

I guess I'm a bit of a stickler in that I love the 60's neck profile, and I'd like to get it as close to exact as possible. Do you think this would work?

Welcome to the forum Jim!

I dont see why your profile maker wouldnt work, but I would suggest taking slices fo the neck at different intervals instead (like a slice of bread) to have something to actually try the whole profile against.

By the way, I like the web site... even left you a comment   Funny stuff!

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Reguards,

Ken H

Jim-
A lot of people use a couple of 'cross-section' templates from around the fret 1 and fret 10 areas, to guide their shaping.

You can buy neck templates from one of the OLF sponsors- Luthier Suppliers. They're very handy, especially if you can't get your hands on a lot of guitars to copy, and if you want to make a neck that's in the LuthierSuppliers collection..

If you have a neck on hand to copy, things are much easier.

You can make templates from an existing neck with a little effort and a few dollars.
Here's a link (hope it works) to an excellent explanation by Mark Blanchard.

http://www.13thfret.com/articles/blanchard/blanchard1.html

I've used this technique and it works really well. (Thanks, Mark).

The actual shaping process can involve Saf-T-Planer, sanders, rasps, plane, spokeshave, drawknife, etc etc...(and a straightedge) what you have on hand and can use will usually do the trick, eventually. Some of the books like Cumpiano and Natelson have good explanations of the sequence, and there are lots of experienced neck builders around the OLF to explain that part of it. Jean Larrivee said that he could shape a neck in a minute or two- I'm trying to get it down to a morning, so I'm no expert!

Cheers

John

Jim-

Welcome to the OLF!

Yup, what they said, Jim. I've never heard of anyone making a whole neck mold, but it should work. Keep us posted.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Wow, you folks are too nice!

I guess if I molded the neck on my old LP with the beat up headstock, cross-cutting every inch might be best.

Of course the link posted (http://www.13thfret.com/articles/blanchard/blanchard1.html) works great, and the mold you can create with it seems to be much better. I'm going to run with that. Now all I have to do is carve to that neck to the mold - which of course is the easy part, right?

 

PS - Ken, thanks for the comment on my site :)

[QUOTE=jobo5432] Now all I have to do is carve to that neck to the mold - which of course is the easy part, right?

[/QUOTE]

It's not as hard as you might think. Just go 'step-by-step' and keep things symmetrical as you go. Basically you are shaping the neck to the templates at a couple of points, then joining those with a straight section. Use a straightedge (some sticks about 8-10" can be handy) to keep from developing 'dips'. Make a support from 2x4 or 2x8 scrap to support the neck blank so you can work on it.
When you get near the 'end' you can use sandpaper (reinforce with tape on the back) or sanding belts torn open, 'shoeshine-style' to smooth out the curves.
Mahogany is the perfect stuff to work with for this- it shapes easily.
cheers
John

Jim,
If you are having problems getting the neck shape, you can always find one that will work for you at THIS page. Also for instructions on how to carve a neck, you can go to THIS page. Good luck, and ask lots of questions if you get stuck!
Tracy

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Tracy
http://www.luthiersuppliers.com

Frank Ford shows how to make some nice neck shape templates using tempered hardboard and two part ribbon type epoxy and wax paper. Simply applies them to the profile of the neck at numerous fret intervals. www.frets.com Go Frank.

I also am copying a neck from a five string bass. A Wal Bass. I used a Stanley contour guage you can get at any lumber yard for coping trim to fit. Worked pretty good, use masking tape on the copy neck to protect it. The little needles would scratch up a good neck without it.

Welcome.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com