Official Luthiers Forum!

I've noticed on various plans (never took apart an existing guitar to check) that the end blocks are big hunks of wood. So why? Back before electric lights, guitars were made with a friction-fit tapered end pin, but today we can use metal screws that cancel the need for a deep hunk of wood to accept and retain the end pin.

Seems to me that a quarter-inch-thick end plate (block) with a doubler to accept the screw/end pin might work just fine and lighten the guitar a little bit.

I'd love to have this explained to me.

Thanks very much.

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Peter Havriluk

I normally use mahogany faced birch ply about 14 mm total thickness, tapered at the top of course.
Present or future owners may want an end-jack, and I like to think there's enough strength to resist the odd knock on it.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

they need to be thicker than 1/4 in for sure the torque of a strap pin will split that over time.
I think minimum thickness is 5/8 in

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

One of the most fixated ideas I've encountered in guitar conversation has been the strap pin. Seems to get a whole lot of genuflection when all that's needed to avoid its drawbacks and threats to the well-being of the instrument is a screwed-in strap attachment. Hence my question about end blocks. I have the idea that there's a cart in front of that horse.

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Peter Havriluk

even with a screw that is enough to crack it
I have been inlaying plywood into my tail block for years
you can't see it from inside the guitar and I make it about 3/4 wide 1/2 in thick
that supports the end block very well. Even a screwed in pin will split a tail block if it gets dropped

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

All true, John. That's what plywood and crossgrain laminations are for. Nice to get the advice and observations of a professional. Thanks.

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Peter Havriluk

I use 12 mm baltic birch plywood for end blocks. I have seen where some people end it between the linings, but I still glue it to the top and bottom plates.

I do exactly the same.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I do the same thing. Works well.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Add one more to the chorus...

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Peter Havriluk

High quality plywood, approx. 50 mm wide 15 thick, scalloped down to the lining thickness. The width gives plenty of support to the sides particularly if using a wide tail insert. Dave