Does anyone sell...

[Markshan]

I hope this is the right section to post this, because at its heart it is a builder's question. I have a bass build in mind for something that really doesn't exist. But I also only have hand tools and no room to work. I could do most of what I want to do by hand but I think I would have a really hard time gluing up and shaping the neck. Does anyone sell a neck through body neck alone? Like you can buy kits, or you can buy just bodies, or you can buy just bolt on necks? I would love to be able to buy just a neck through that goes from the headstock to the strap pin with nothing on the sides so you can build from there. Preferably five or seven piece laminated but that's not a deal breaker. Does anyone sell something like that commercially?

 

[claudel]

I'm pretty much in the same "no woodshop" camp.

When I wanted to do a neck-thru I shopped until I found an old Aria TSB that someone had already half trashed by routing pickup cavities, changing bridge, etc.

It seemed to work out nicely. Finding a nice donor body can be a challenge, but they're out there.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I’ll add to what I said in the other thread that if you look here Router Planing Fixtures there’s some good information about doing a lot of operations with a router and jigs so if you have or can purchase a decent router. Even before I got a pin router I used a handheld router to thickness and joint.

 

[Crawforde]

Design your project around your capabilities and supplies and you should have some success. Lots of good instruments have been built with hand tools and little space.

 

[Markshan]

These are all great suggestions, but if somebody has a link to what I'm actually looking for that would be awesome. Thanks again.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

These are all great suggestions, but if somebody has a link to what I'm actually looking for that would be awesome. Thanks again.

Twenty years ago, a few companies were selling neck-thru style unfinished necks. Carvin sold them, and Stew-Mac was carrying some for a while. But I guess they weren't that popular, and I'm not aware of anyone selling them today. As an off-the shelf item.

However, there are a few Luthiers who will build you a custom partially-completed neck. To the specs you want, and level of completion you want. It sounds like that's what you are looking for.

Some years back I used to build what I called Stage 2 necks to order for other Luthiers. The main neck structure was built up and machined, truss rod installed, fingerboard radiused and slotted. The tricky machining was done. The headstock was a blank paddle and the back of the neck was only rough shaped. The customers would do all the finish up shaping, details, frets. I built at least a thousand of them for a dozen different Luthier clients. Most were bolt-on necks, but some were neck-through.

Check with Jeremy Kirsch (Freekmagnet here on TB). He specializes in making custom necks, and he's very good at it. Send him a PM and see if he's interested. Some of the other Luthiers who hang around Luthier's Corner may also be interested.

 

[Markshan]

Great info @Bruce Johnson but I think @Matt Liebenau is talking me into trying to do it myself. At the very least, I'm going to look at some of the information that has been supplied to me.

 

[Turnaround]

Sure, make it yourself. Just like this guy. No CNC, no routers, just carve away.



Rob's a master at it. I have one of his basses and played many more that he hand carved. They were consistently superb.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Great info @Bruce Johnson but I think @Matt Liebenau is talking me into trying to do it myself. At the very least, I'm going to look at some of the information that has been supplied to me.

And I completely agree. You should make the neck yourself.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Great info @Bruce Johnson but I think @Matt Liebenau is talking me into trying to do it myself. At the very least, I'm going to look at some of the information that has been supplied to me.

Always happy to lead someone down a questionable path. And you thought it couldn’t get worse then being a bass player!

 

[ZedLepp]

You could do something like this.....
https://www.texastoastguitars.com/product-page/neck-through-workshop-2

 

[Markshan]

You could do something like this.....
https://www.texastoastguitars.com/product-page/neck-through-workshop-2

Do they have scholarships?

 

[Turnaround]

Do they have scholarships?

Only for good football players.