#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Step by step how to on neck construction

Hi folks, I've just finished updating my 'how I make my necks' guide. You can see it here:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/blogs/how-i-make-my-necks

It's a long read, in 3 parts. Not aimed at experienced builders, but there are plenty of tips I wish I knew during the early days of making these.

Enjoy,
Richey Kay

3 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by George Mesheau on October 30, 2015 at 9:31pm

Great articles for sure.. tks for sharing

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sparky37 on October 31, 2015 at 9:51am

Your craftsmanship and your ability to show and tell your techniques is brilliant. You really should write a E book, you have the talent. The only thing is maybe you should brush up on your shop woodworking techniques with power tools. Just imagine the tablesaw jigs you could design with the abilities you have, I have already used your techniques to make now to be known as the Richey Kay floating bridge. They are stunning and without you I would not have made them, Thank you for you brilliant ideas. You also have change my ideas on straight necks and my next build may have a tapered neck. Keep up the good work and I will be watching for any future techniques to upgrade my builds.`

Attachments:

GEDC5767.JPG, 2.3 MB
GEDC5762.JPG, 2.1 MB

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on November 1, 2015 at 4:56am

Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it. This info is all 'out there' for people to use as they wish. Maybe it would make sense to have it all in the form of a .pdf that people could download. I'm pleased that you used my tips to make your bridge - that's some impressive work!

I see what you mean about the power tools thing...the main problem is that I don't really have the space for them at home, and I'm completely self taught - I have quite a healthy fear of power tools, you could say ;-)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Barry Simon on November 5, 2015 at 3:36am

In order to taper the neck, do you start with a polar/oak 1x2 - apply a wide fret board and then taper?

Or are you starting with a neck that is wider than 1x2?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on November 5, 2015 at 4:31am

Hi Barry. If you have a look at my blog posts in my page, there is one which has step by step instructions on how to taper a neck.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark on November 5, 2015 at 5:57am

This cats got skills!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on November 5, 2015 at 7:02am

As always,Richey has done great work,for those worried about their fretboard on a tapered neck,make your fretboard un tapered if you want,slot it,fit to your neck,then trim to match taper,and fret after.Great stuff Richey