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Winter Build Off 2022: 5 String Fretless Neck Through

Qüïmsgëfääërdën ÏÏ (rëvïsïtëd)

Then I shoved the whole thing in the vacuum bag and turned on the pump. I just love this method, there is no rush and no panic. The UF glue has a very long open time, especially in colder weather.

Vacuum bag clamping is my weapon of choice for veneer glue-ups as well. Nice even pressure, and no fiddling with clamps and cauls. What kind of mesh are you using there?
 
I felt this in my soul.

I also about spit my tea out, so thanks for that. :roflmao: :laugh: :roflmao:

Yeah, I just feel like I'm spinning my wheels on this project. I think it will pick up soon though... baby steps, baby steps....

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Do you happen to have a side shot of the headstock? I want to see how you profiled the wings, so I can compare it to how wrong I did mine.

Right now it's still just a big 'ol paddle shape, no profiling yet. But, it should be "shaping" up soon. See what I did there? :cigar:

But yeah, I'll take a picture and post it; because something like that would constitute actual progress on this glacial speed build. :p
 

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OK, so now that I'm on the same page, here are some additional pics of the headstock as it currently sits. Might as well use this as an opportunity for a small update as well. :)

Side view. Obviously not down to final thickness or dimensions. The extra material on the wings is waaay overkill and will mostly go away when things get shaped.
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And the back side.
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I planed down the thickness of the headstock veneers where they meet the fingerboard plane, then laid out and marked the headstock outline in preparation for further shaping.
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The reason for my first response to you was that I will be profiling the actual headstock... those little "winglets" will be below the surface of the main headstock if things work out as planned. :thumbsup:
 
Yeah, I screwed up and forgot to account for the volute transition into the wings. So now I have try to carve it a way that makes it look deliberate.
My wings are also contrasting wood to the outer neck lams (not planned). So I'm also looking forward to how that transition turns out on yours, to see what mine might look like.
 
Yeah, I screwed up and forgot to account for the volute transition into the wings. So now I have try to carve it a way that makes it look deliberate.
My wings are also contrasting wood to the outer neck lams (not planned). So I'm also looking forward to how that transition turns out on yours, to see what mine might look like.

I'm sure you can make it look just fine. :thumbsup:

I can show you some pictures of the way the volute on my first 5 string turned out. I built both of these neck beams at the same time, and I'm just now using the second beam on this project. So, these pictures from the first one should be fairly representative of what could be expected. (although I do have some different plans for the overall shape of the volute)

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You can certainly see how little material is actually needed on the outer wings... So, my extra pieces are comically oversized. :D
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Hope that helps. :)
 

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