Official Luthiers Forum!

When we build acoustic guitars we typically spray finish the neck and body separately. It's easier to wet sand and buff and it allows for an easier separation in doing a subsequent neck reset.

On electric guitars there is no need for the neck reset. So my question is:

Assuming that I will be using a glued-in neck (LP inspired), what method should be planned for in spraying the guitar with Polyester? Neck separated or attached to the body?

Joe White, if you're reading this, please comment since I plan to be one of your first customers! Hopefully...my upcoming electric questions will be addressed adequately since I'd prefer to stay on the OLF for advice.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

JJ, I believe the standard practice is to fully assemble the guitar (minus
hardware), tape off the fretboard, plug any holes and then spray the entire
guitar at once.

That is how I did my recent LP Special style guitar.

Dave

JJ, I spray after the neck is set on my guitars. The only time I don't is when I am building a double cutaway with a rosewood (or other unfinished wood) neck. The trick is not so much in the spraying with these but in the buffing stage. There is not that much room with the neck in the way and it is easy to buff through trying to get into the cutaway area. I suggest spraying a couple more coats over that area as a precaution.

~David

One thought: If they were sprayed separate then glued up this seems to me would make separation if neck work was later need less damaging to the finish at the neck/body joint. Not that it is likely

JJ, Since you are glueing the neck in place, I think it should be done before finishing. It could be glued in after finish but the finish itself could create problems with your neck to neck pocket.

JJ, my archtops use a dovetail joint to attach the neck. The neck is laminated and then the guitar is sprayed. The trick for Joe will be spraying and letting to much poly build-up at the neck body joint.

Gibson sprays their LP's, 335's etc with neck/body assembled.

JJ, my archtops use a dovetail joint to attach the neck. The neck is laminated and then the guitar is sprayed. The trick for Joe will be spraying and not letting to much poly build-up at the neck body joint.

Gibson sprays their LP's, 335's etc with neck/body assembled.

Cool a double post! Don't read the first one

I've done it both ways. My last thinline archtop was finished separately and then the neck was joined. Sure makes those dreaded inside corners easier to buff. Not much downside to this approach so I will probably do the next one the same way.

JJ I rub the guitar all over for hours with one of these silicon impregnated drawer liner pads and then finish the neck and body together........



Sorry folks - private joke.....

I agree with Barry. My 2nd & 3rd were preassembled but #4 (dovetailed - see current thread) and #5 (bolted - soon) were both finished separatley. Easier to handle (not as cumbersome), more consistent finish, everything. I masked just inside the joint edges & then feathered off any build-up before assembling

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Dave
Milton, ON

Ohhhhh...the horror of it all!

If you ever stop using that stuff, you just might become a good little luthier some day!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com