So I have the basic Gitty CBG kit and I ordered a Gitty neck as well and the neck has a scarf joint which is key to this question ...... So I look at the instructions in the Gitty booklet where they are assuming you are using a piece of straight 1x2 hardwood from a big box store. And one of the first things they do is of course cut a 1/4" rip on one end where the tuners will go to create more of a break for the strings from the nut. And then glue the 1/4" piece you cut out to the back of the head stock ..... So of course I've been fixated the past couple of weeks on how to do this ect. ...... rip or cut with coping saw a 1/4" off the head stock ...... well now that I've committed and done some damage it really occurs to me that the benefit of a neck with a scarf joint is that you don't have to do the 1/4" cut in the head stock because the angled relief of the scarf joint plus a nut will give you plenty of break for the strings ....... would that be a correct assumption .....
Just a small example of the level of over thinking I am capable of .... I will continue forward and hopefully learn more lessons ....
Replies
Henry, if I understand your question correctly, there are two different techniques here. One: cutting out a section of the neck to create a steeper string angle over the nut and Two: Doing a scarf joint where you cut on the diagonal (15deg or so) then flip that short piece over and glut to the neck. Either way works. Sometimes it is hard to get the scarf cut precise so the two pieces match up with out ugly gaps. So it is not necessarily the easiest way.
Oh and there are no dumb questions on here....
I agree there are no dumb questions - but one can feel dumb after paying a nice price for pre-cut neck with a scarf joint and then doing unneeded work and hogging out a 1/4" of head stock because the Gitty book said to ..... hooooooo boy
Yes, a correct assumption..The strings need some break angle at the nut (and bridge). This gives you the working part of the string or scale length.