Forums

Re-enforcing the neck

Posted by Robert Deventer on January 1, 2012 at 5:41pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I am moving on to my third build (my second was a simple 1 string diddley bow on a cigar box). On my first build I noticed the neck bends a lot. Now I did make a rookie mistake and used really heavy strings so that could be part of the problem. I don't believe it was the nut or bolt because they are not set too high above the fret board. And the 5 inches I used for the tuning heads I cut an angle to it so that could also be part of it. So, how can I re-enforce my neck so that it doesnt bend so much?

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Greg Thompson July 7, 2015 at 9:25am
    I have used red oak with no issues, but maple is my favorite ( mostly because I really like the look and I get it free). Even the poplar I have used is doing fine.
    Did you use build a finger board? That adds strength to the neck, too.
    When making the cut out in the the neck, inside the box, I only make that cut 1/8" deep. You don't need a lot of space, just a little is enough to separate the neck from the sound board. Also, what is the dimension of the neck thickness? That maybe playing a factor in the bowing.
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars January 8, 2012 at 5:36pm

    Yes, must make myself a dust collection system.  The tone is nice, but have not used any other wood so I can't compare it.  Maybe someone here should buy one and let me know. ; )

    Wade said:

    Love walnut. The dust is not good for the lungs, but it smells great and finishes well with a little tung oil.

  • Wade January 8, 2012 at 5:08pm

    Love walnut. The dust is not good for the lungs, but it smells great and finishes well with a little tung oil.

  • smokestack guitars January 8, 2012 at 12:25pm

    Black walnut rates 1010 on the janka scale but black walnut to me is a greatly under estimated tone wood. I used a bunch on finger boards but could never get  big enough pieces to build necks. I bet they have a nice tone though!

  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars January 8, 2012 at 11:30am

    I use American Black Walnut and have no problems, what does that rank on the Janka scale?

    smokestack guitars said:

    My suggestion would be to use exotic wood. SOmething ranking at least 2400 on the janka scale. Mahogany is around the 900 range so as you can see the exotic woods really do much more than look good. Carribean cherry is a cheap exotic wood (run about $10.00 a neck) and its like 3200 on the janka scale and also the tone will be much improved due to the tonal properties of the wood.

  • smokestack guitars January 7, 2012 at 4:19am

    My suggestion would be to use exotic wood. SOmething ranking at least 2400 on the janka scale. Mahogany is around the 900 range so as you can see the exotic woods really do much more than look good. Carribean cherry is a cheap exotic wood (run about $10.00 a neck) and its like 3200 on the janka scale and also the tone will be much improved due to the tonal properties of the wood.

  • Skeesix January 3, 2012 at 12:14pm

    Quarter sawn would actually be preferable and less prone to bowing. I actually choose the wood in the board that is as close to quarter sawn as possible on purpose.

    jeff maurer said:

    i dont reinforce any of my necks. some are starting to bow. my main cbg's neck is straight as an arrow. i believe the reason for this is the grain of the wood is quarter sawn. before working on any neck i would recomend that you carefully inspect your wood and pay close attention to the grain

  • Michael Fred Johnson January 3, 2012 at 8:08am

    Rout a slot down the neck and epoxy in a piece of steel flat bar.Cheap and simple.305772426?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

    • Goldsmithexile > Michael Fred Johnson July 7, 2015 at 1:38pm

      Is an arrangement like that sound for a 3 string instrument?

      Does the poxy resin hold it completely well or does it need some steel peg dowels in there as well?

      The I (or T) beam structural influence seems logical enough

      • Michael Fred Johnson > Goldsmithexile July 8, 2015 at 7:03am

        The epoxy resin works fine you don't need any additions.

        I've never used this on a three string

This reply was deleted.