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Anyone using bisected dowels for neck stock?

So I was looking at a friends shop the other day and I find this 2" dowel. Just looking at it it seems like if you ripped it long ways it might make a nice strong CBG neck.

I figure I must be missing something. Did anyone try anything like this?

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on February 18, 2018 at 3:08pm

I'd say go for it, part of the fun is to see what happens. But a couple things come to mind - a 1x2 rectangle even with well rounded edges will be stiffer than a half circle. It would also depend on if it was hardwood or not. Also the headstock will be interesting!

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Permalink Reply by Slim Pickens on February 18, 2018 at 3:39pm

Thanks for the reply. Here I was thinking I was all smart with the idea that a half circle would be stronger than the rectangle. But then even if it was it would only be in the direction of the uncut radius and so probably not the great cigar box revolution.

Going to back burner it though I think I'll try to make it later with an inlaid fretboard. Maybe headless put the tuners on the bottom.

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on February 18, 2018 at 4:09pm

Still could be a revolution. I'm stuck trying to visualize a scarf joint with the dowel, but the tuners on the bottom would definitely work.

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Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on February 21, 2018 at 2:08pm

To do the scarf joint I would cut the dowel then take a 1/4 and scarf it and glue the two together.

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Permalink Reply by JL on February 19, 2018 at 6:08am

Go for it, commercial guitars have necks shaped into a half circle cross-section (well really close)

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Permalink Reply by Brother3String on February 19, 2018 at 3:23pm

I haven't cut a dowel, but I did use a 3/4 round pine stair-railing piece for a neck on one of my builds. Gives new meaning to "baseball bat" neck, but it fits nicely in my hand and plays just fine. Hasn't bowed one bit under three-string tension, although it has only been about 4 months since it was strung up. Cutting the headstock WAS a challenge I wasn't pleased with the result - but going headless is a great idea. I agree with Kigar and JL... just go for it.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on February 21, 2018 at 12:54pm

Depends on what wood type the dowel is made of will determine if a trussrod is needed. Example - Soft Pine

Sledge Hammer Handles would be great being most are made of Hickory.

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Permalink Reply by Slim Pickens on February 21, 2018 at 2:58pm

When I first started thinking of building I thought about Large tool handles ripped in half and then further shaped, Mostly because if done correctly it would unique and allow my ever loving laziness to persist.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on February 22, 2018 at 8:58am

Why work so hard when someone else has done some of the work right? ;)

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Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on February 21, 2018 at 2:12pm

They were remodeling a recovery home and I drove by. The workers had pulled off all the hand rails (maple) and had threw them in the dumpster. I asked if I could have them. My garage has a pile of maple and cherry 1 1/2 hand rail. I just flattened it on the jointer and it is big enough for a 3 string. There is a flat side to it so it wasn't too bad

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Permalink Reply by Slim Pickens on February 21, 2018 at 3:00pm

Nice. Yeah, I would need to find a table saw for this but then again my wallets getting heavy and my arms are getting tired. Keep us posted if you get into it!