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I'm starting build 3. The first 2 were kits but this one is "almost scratch". I'll be using a Martin neck billet, fingerboard & bridge but the rest is from scratch.

All the plans I have are for dovetail necks which call for a 1-1/2" thick headblock. Is 1-1/2" sufficient for a bolt on? I'm planning on using barrel bolts in the neck tenon.

As for materials, I have 4/4 Sapele which I could glue up to get the additional thickness - I don't have any mahogany. I could also make the block out of Baltic Birch like the Martin M&T head blocks. It's ugly but probably a superior material?

Thoughts, opinions, experiences?

Thanks,
Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Addendum -

Looks like my Martin neck billet will only provide a 5/8" long tenon so I'll have to use threaded inserts screwed into the tenon. Does this sound ok?

Also, do most of you mortise the block before assembling the box or rout it out after the box is closed?

Thanks,
Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I'm not an expert builder, but that all sounds fine to me. I think my tenons are either 3/4" or 7/8", so not too different.

You can rout the mortise either way. My first few guitars I did it before I glued it to the guitar. Now I do it after the box is closed up. I think it would depend on what sort of jig setups you have.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
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That's plenty for a bolt on neck.
You might want to make adjustments for your bolt length. I did a bolt on joint and all the bolts I could find were too short or too long. Cutting a bolt isn't that hard but just a hassle easily avoided

If I were you I'd just go with threaded inserts. They will do fine with your neck block size. They weigh less than the barrels, too.

_________________
Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com