Official Luthiers Forum!

I use a tapered neck heel and am considering changing the shape. What shape neck heel do you use and why? If you make laminated necks, does that make a difference of what shape you will use? If you do not use a neck tenon, how does this influence the thickness of the heel. Pics would be helpful.

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John Ressler

Heel shape is for the most part is aesthetic but will play a part in the mass therefore have a sonic effect on the guitar. It dos not mater if the neck is a laminate 5 piece or a solid one piece neck, the heel's shape is not dependent on either factor. Now a bolt on butt joint neck will need a heal with a cross section that can accommodate the threaded inserts and take the load of the bolts.

Straight for a cutaway, so the hand doesn't bump into a ledge when playing up the neck. Also IMO this looks better with a cutaway; taped with cutaway looks like two designs got tossed together. Obviously there are many who disagree.

Tapered w/o cutaway, mainly for the looks.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I'd say, for the most part, it's aesthetic. If I was making a cutaway, I'd use a heel that matched the cutaway side in profile which would mean a straight heel or a tapered heel if I could bend the side to blend into it. I just don't really like the look of the 'corner' sticking out past the heel as much as a smooth transition. There are a few guys using tapered heels and blending the side in, though I can't remember many names offhand except for Michael Collins (the Selmer guy)

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I think there's something very elegant about a tapered heel, but I'll use a straight one for a cutaway that's on the drawing board.

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

I like the looks of tapered heels with or without a cutaway. The exposed ledge of a cutaway with a tapered heel doesn't bother me or most players I've worked with and talked to for two reasons.

One, most people rotate their hands as they play up the neck and don't hit the ledge.

Two, most people play with a strap. Since my favorite strap pin placement is about half way up the heel on the treble side, a tapered heel gives you room for the strap pin. With a staight heel, the pin and strap can protrude into the cutaway. Of course, there are ways around that too.

So I tend to push the tapered heel but I offer a square one on cutaways if a player wants one because the player is what counts.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

My preferred button location on a square heel is in the center of the heel, as in this photo. Bottom of the heel tends to tip the guitar forward (as Todd was compensating for), and I just don't like the way the button looks in the heel cap.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

While off-topic, if I haven't said this before then : Howard, you make one sexy guitar.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

My Larrivee not only has a tapered heel on a cutaway but also the fingerboard sitting a good quarter inch in from the edge,not flush. He also does a very deep cutaway, beyond the 21 st fret. But neither the taper or "ledge" ever bothered or hindered my playing. As stated above, you rotate your hand as you move up the neck. Clinton

I have a client I have been doing fret work for for years. every guitar he has is a cutaway. yet I never have to touch frets past the 5th fret.

Whats up with that?

I think it was Mark Farner who said I can play the world on the first three frets

I've seen that too. L

Like "needing" 4 WD when you live in New York City.

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

Yes, you need 4 WD in New York...and a monster truck. How else are you going to get over all those cars that are in the way?

Howard!
Too nice - too too nice!!!
Cw

Could we see some more pictures of heel designs with cutaways?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Why do some of the manufacturers leave the fretboard far away from the edge of the cutway? Is it to keep from getting too close and "just" missing the mark, thereby making it look like a mistake? This has always bothered me a bit.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I couldn't agree with you more, Howard.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Here's one:




I don't see the compound curve as a clash or blend of designs. Looks elegant to me, kinda like a hint of what you see in a wooden boat.

(This neck is adjustable, thus the binding sitting proud of the neck heel.)

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Here's another one with the tapered heel flush to the side.