How do I figure where to cut my head stock angle?

I struggled with this same question with my 7-string baritone build, so I made some CAD drawings to help me figure it out. First, I measured the neck blank and made a mockup drawing. Then I positioned my neck design next to it in cross-section. I positioned it so that there was plenty of oops room on both ends. Then I started drawing lines to connect the two and here is what I came up with:



Once I had those measurements, I could simply take out the info I didn't need, and I was left with this:



So the scarf should start from the fingerboard side of the neck blank about 21.5" from the bridge-facing end. Of course, that was a very short scale 7-string piccolo bass...so your measurements will be different.

Hope that helps.

 

You make the headstock and then cut the neck to length. There's no figuring.

 

Yes...but...you want to make sure you make the scarf cut in such a place that you have enough length on each side of the cit, for the headstock piece and the neck piece to both be long enough.

 

Nope. They're there to help.

 

This is also how I would approach it. Trying to account for errors and saw blade thickness is a hassle and relies far too much on my ability to measure and cut accurately.