(newb alert) How hard is it to build a neck?

nutso42 · #1 01-20-2010, 09:17 PM

I'm attempting a new bass build.... now, I know how to do everything, carve the body, route out spots for the electronics, etc. But I have no idea how to build a neck, or how difficult it would be (I've built a bass before, but I just used an already assembled neck). I don't want to buy a Warmoth neck or anything, seeing as that would represent one half of my projects budget. So, any ideas on neck building? (Bolt-on, preferably)

Oh, one thing that helps me out though.... I live minutes away from Stewart-MacDonald!

Taylor Livingston · #2 01-20-2010, 09:25 PM

Have you looked at the Stickied threads at the top of this forum? There's gold in them.

nutso42 · #3 01-21-2010, 01:57 PM

The only one I could find was a tutorial on set necks, not quite what I want.

Also, the instructions were a bit over my head.

jworrellbass · #4 01-21-2010, 02:24 PM

You should look at a few build post and ask questions to the builders.

nutso42 · #5 01-21-2010, 02:34 PM

That's kind of what I'm doing here....

mikeyswood · #6 01-21-2010, 02:39 PM

I believe that John means you should search for someone that has posted a build that is like what you want to build and ask that builder.

To answer your question: It is a piece of cake! And a lot of fun!

Here is my current porn:

vbasscustom · #7 01-21-2010, 02:42 PM

soo, ahh.. whatever happened to that warlock you were working on anyway?

jworrellbass · #8 01-21-2010, 02:44 PM

Damm Mike, you've been working. Looks real nice.

Jim Breece · #9 01-21-2010, 03:02 PM

Before my first one I actually did practice on scrap. I took a piece of clear fir, routed a truss rod channel and then chopped off everything that didn't look like a neck. I was planning a guitar, so I used a tele neck for reference. I came away feeling good about it and my real neck came out fine. My feeling is it's harder to screw up hardwood than fir since rasps, files etc work a lot slower on hardwood. Measure a bunch of times and don't be in a hurry.

jworrellbass · #10 01-21-2010, 03:10 PM

You need to be careful with tear out on the edge of the neck, I started gluing the FB to the neck before carving to avoid tear out.

poomwah · #11 01-21-2010, 04:05 PM

I know its different for everybody, but for me the neck wasn't any harder than doing a body. The fret job is where mine went to hell

vbasscustom · #12 01-21-2010, 05:22 PM

there you go, that sounds about right

mikeyswood · #13 01-21-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

soo, ahh.. whatever happened to that warlock you were working on anyway?

That was my first with a nitro finish and and not coincidentally my last. It is a terrible finish and I do not know why anyonw would use it. Even Leo would run screaming from it nowadays.

I am currently waiting for the weather to break so I can spray a few urethane coats on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jworrellbass

Damm Mike, you've been working. Looks real nice.

Thanks. A little every weekend and I will get this batch done. Pisser is that my Bat Bass had some terrible movement and that body will now be a nifty clock

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Breece

My feeling is it's harder to screw up hardwood than fir since rasps, files etc work a lot slower on hardwood.

Nope. Just as easy. Trust me on that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jworrellbass

You need to be careful with tear out on the edge of the neck, I started gluing the FB to the neck before carving to avoid tear out.

+1