Do I have to cut the neck down for the tuning?

Posted by Bill McNamara on July 31, 2017 at 11:46am

Hello all.

I'm planning my first build of a guitar,and I have a newby question.

Do you have to cut the end of the neck where the tuning pegs go?

My poblem is I live in a apatment and really can't do a lot of sawing. Plus I want to make this guitar as simple as posable.

If I do have to cut the neck dir the pegs. Is there a place that can do it for me? I can drill. I just can't saw a lot.

Thanks.

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Replies

  • John Sawyer July 31, 2017 at 5:26pm
    There are two ways to make a headstock, but require thinning, which can be done with hand tools...

    1- scarf joint... a 15 degree cut then the headstock is angled back... works great, but is a lot more work and not completely necessary.

    2- thinned headstock- this is what I use for my kits that I sell, and they work just fine. Hand tools are no problem, a chisel helps...

    There are multiple variations, but what you want to build is a basic thinned headstock. You want to take your 3/4" thick neck and remove about 3/16" from the thickness. With hand tools, you can do this one nof two ways:

    1 cut slots every 1/4", use a chisel to remove the pieces... a sharp chisel can help you get a good flat surface... (this is how I built my first 10-15 guitars)

    2- use a saw to cut 3/16" off the headstock... this is harder than it sounds, unless you are good with a saw.

    Either way, a thinned headstock will need some device to pull the strings down against the nut. I use #6 sheet metal screws...
    If you look carefully, the screws serve two purposes... they hold spthe string down to the "nut", and they position the string.

    Hope this helps...

    IMG_0503.JPG

  • MadGomer July 31, 2017 at 4:01pm
    Peg length is probably too short as well if you don't make the headstock thinner. You won't have any room to wind the strings around the post.
  • Rose Ericson July 31, 2017 at 1:16pm
    There is a really good video of Glen and Farley cutting a neck with a pull saw. I purchased the very same one at Lowes for 9.00. It is also the perfect size for fretting. Very easy and yes you can cut it in an apt.
  • Jonathan July 31, 2017 at 12:30pm

    you don't need to cut, however then you are left with using a threaded rod for the nut and then using screws to combo guide the strings and hold them down. The cut can be done with a little 8 dollar pull saw. Just clamp it to your kitchen table or something. I build all mine in my kitchen so some modicum volume control is required for me also. The pic is one I cut a little more off then i had intended but I always glue a piece of 1/4 x 2 on the back side to fancy it up a bit anyway so it was fine.

    20170318_104258.jpg

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