This is a search-engine-friendly text mirror of the TalkBass Forums

VIEW FULL LIVE VERSION : Neck Profile?


count_funkula
10-15-2004, 10:32 AM
How do you guys keep your neck shape consistant across each bass? Each time I have built a bass the back of the neck is close but there is a different feel each time. How can I ensure each one feels the same?

Mon Rominee
10-15-2004, 10:39 AM
make some check guages.

take your reference neck, make some templates,

check and recheck your next neck.

tdogg
12-05-2007, 11:05 PM
make some check guages.

take your reference neck, make some templates,

check and recheck your next neck.

do you make like plywood templates or do you use a radius guage (i think thats what theyre called)

T. Brookins
12-06-2007, 12:38 AM
You could make a radius key from clay.

PaleMelanesian
12-06-2007, 09:24 AM
I use a contour gauge (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=contour+gauge&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi) to copy the first profile. I make some templates from that, and use those to check the new one as I shape it.

wilser
12-06-2007, 09:49 AM
I don't. I shape each neck based on the customer's specific request.

Suburban
12-07-2007, 02:52 AM
I don't.
I improve.

SDB Guitars
12-07-2007, 04:55 PM
I do the final shaping of each neck by hand, and it's done when it "feels right" to my hand...

tjclem
12-07-2007, 05:57 PM
A little off topic but not too much. What do you guys use to remove the bulk of the back of the neck?

SDB Guitars
12-07-2007, 06:08 PM
I start with a bandsaw, make it sorta "baseball bat" shaped... then I move on to rasps/surforms/microplanes (lately I've been using a microplane "drum" chucked into my 1/2" drill for neck shaping and some body contouring... LOVE IT).

I then use my random orbit sander to clean up the chatter, and finish with sandpaper in my hand, until it feels "right", comfortable to touch and play.

wilser
12-07-2007, 10:12 PM
1. rough taper thickness on the bandsaw
2. cut 45deg on each side to remove the bulk on the bandsaw
3. final taper on the safe-t-planer
4. rough shape on the stationary belt sander (idler drum)
5. final shape on the pneumatic drum sander

SDB Guitars
12-07-2007, 11:11 PM
You just recently started with that pneumatic drum sander, didn't you, Wilser? How are you liking that?

tjclem
12-08-2007, 06:07 AM
Yes more info on the drum sander! I might need a saf-t-planer too.....t

cricketfever32
12-08-2007, 07:53 AM
i to it all by hand...using rasps, files and loads of sandpaper, mostly by feel, though i must say the asym neck idea that tobias has is great

Skelf
12-08-2007, 08:15 AM
I do it by feel. I carve an asymmetric neck and stop when I think it is comfortable.
Alan

wilser
12-08-2007, 08:47 AM
You just recently started with that pneumatic drum sander, didn't you, Wilser? How are you liking that?

Loving it! almost as much as my safe-t-planer. I'm also starting to use the pneumatic drum sander to smooth out the tummy cut and forearm contours.