Building A Neck Thru Body Guitar

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 11:22 pm

G'Day Dale, have been watching the progress on your project and have a possibly dumb and unrelated question to ask. Is there a quick way to review the list of pics you've posted on photobucket? Going back to the ric forum page then clicking the link to photobucket for the next pic seems a painful way of doing things. I know I'm probably showing my illiteracy re computer techs, but what the hey I'm old enough now to plead ignorance!!!

BTW I look forward to each installment of this and other projects that are currently running on the forum. You guys are very gifted, and it's great that you are sharing your work with all of us! Good stuff eh Howard -(a fellow Aussie!!)

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:11 am

Hey Ron I'm computer stupid myself and gettin' old too. A few post back someone suggested that I make a library out of these pictures, so let me see if that can be done. Eh Mate er's my silly question: What's a Jumbuck?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:05 am

Too right, Ron! Bewdy bottler and all that jazz!

A jumbuck is your ba-a-a-a-a-sic wool-covered farm animal, Dale. In New Zealand it's a dollar note currently in the possession of a guy named Jim!

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:22 am

Hey Dale, I didn't notice that you were in Aloha until just now. If you need any computer help with getting rid of those viruses, let me know and I'll gladly trade the computer help for a look at your shop, and a first hand look at this project you're doing!

Also, if you're interested in a cool blues jam to hang out at, I go to one at Duff's Garage on Wednesday nights in Portland. Suburban Slim hosts the jam and he's a fabulous player. I convinced Ron Cascisa to go there a couple weeks ago. He looked like he had a fun time too!

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:15 pm

For those of you who found Howards description of Jum buck as some how being a $1.00 note in the hand of a New Zealander named Jim, a bit crytic, he's just having a little fun at our kiwi mates expense. The average kiwi might pronounce Jim as Jum! Hence a dollar note, (buck) in the hands on Jim (Jum) is a Jumbuck!!

Now I've heard that some kiwis with gumboots do other things with sheep, but I won't go there!!

So aren't you glad you asked what a jumbuck was Dale!!!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:49 pm

Nice work, Ron!

patrickkelly · Post by **patrickkelly** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:29 pm

Fantastic stuff. Very inspiring work, Dale.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:01 pm

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 8:38 pm

You need a good rasp or two as well as the 'good eye and right touch', Dale. I am sooooo envious of your skill.

dswp · Post by **dswp** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:28 am

Awesome Dale!!!!!!!!!!!

patrickkelly · Post by **patrickkelly** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:05 am

Dale, please describe, in as much detail as you're willing to provide, how you shape the neck and fingerboard profiles. Do you use templates? Calipers? How does the neck/fingerboard radius change as you move up/down the neck?

Also curious about the small volute you used on this guitar--what are the pro's/con's, and how has your thinking changed over the years on the use of volutes?

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:17 am

Dale, been gone over the weekend and what a treat to see the progress this Monday morning. Each session is just fascinating. So many little things that are easily taken for granted regarding construction. The process for the side-dots, worthy of mentioning, as one of gems on your recent work. I have often wondered how those things got in there, now I know, and I am sooooo much more appreciative of each little intricate area of making a guitar. The neck looks fabulous and the full markers are gorgeous!!!

BTW, is the headstock shape and size of a modern Ric (larger than 60s type)? Thanks.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:17 am

Whoa so many questions, I love it. I am happy to answer as best I can. 1st Howard: I stay away from the heavy rasps, they gouge the wood to much and are hard to control. Nice wood files work for me. We learned this in the wood shop at Rickenbacker. When the necks came off the table shaper, I was taught to use the flat on 1 side, 1/2 round on the other side medium grade wood file. I believe it's know as a ******* file, named after some fatherless person, don't know about how it got it's name. Maybe like the 1st indoor toilet that was invented by John Crapper. Seriously, that's how it became known as the "John" or the "Crapper" He was an English Bloke you know. Now back to this: Patrick, the finger board radius is 12 inches, I use a small stainless steel template to shape and check to finger board radius as I'm doing this by hand on the table/edge sander. As for the neck: I bandsaw it to a rough thickness of 1 1/16th inch and go from there, checking with a straight edge and a dial caliper as I progress. When I reach the desired shape I use sanding blocks to finish the job. Most of this is done from touch and feel. The volute is a left over piece after the bandsawing, as much can be taken off as desired. It does add strength to the peg head, so I like to leave a little since this is the most vulnerable spot of the neck.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:52 am

So that's your neck shaping surprise...

The only way to develop that sort of eye and touch is by doing lots of them over a long period of time. And, you have to have the "feel" for it to begin with. Some people never have it.

Great stuff.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:36 am

Looking at the time of your posts I'm wondering if you sleep or work anytime during the week! Great work! We all enjoy the photographic journey. You the man! Have you landed on a color?