I did it when I fabricate the neck and block but when I use John Watkins necks he does it for me
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| When do you cut heelblock mortise? http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=9610 |
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| Author: | JohnAbercrombie [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:00 am ] |
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I'm going to use bolt-on necks on my next guitars. When do you cut the mortise in the heelblock: before or after assembly of the soundbox? I can do it either way, but thought I'd get some input before making a jig, as there are surely problems I'm overlooking. Thanks John |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:06 am ] |
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Once the box is closed I rout the mortise and drill the holes. I like to do this after the inserts are drilled and installed in the neck tenon. |
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| Author: | JohnAbercrombie [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:10 am ] |
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Thanks, JJ- Do you use dowel centers to locate the hole positions in the body-indexing from the neck? John |
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| Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:16 am ] |
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I did it when I fabricate the neck and block but when I use John Watkins necks he does it for me
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| Author: | old man [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:33 am ] |
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I completely machine my block before I install it. Ron |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:46 am ] |
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I've done it both ways and I like routing it out after assembly. |
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| Author: | Sylvan [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:30 am ] |
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I do it off the guitar on non cutaway instruments on the table saw as shown on my web site. I rout a solid block in the guitar on cutaway instruments in order to insure that the edge of the neck and cutaway are in exactly the same plane and the neck is exactly centered on the top. |
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| Author: | Jim Watts [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:59 am ] |
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I also do it before assembly. |
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| Author: | Alain Lambert [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:27 pm ] |
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I do it after assembly with a 3/4 router bit and a jig |
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| Author: | Don Williams [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:13 pm ] |
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I'm switching to a dovetail joint... 
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| Author: | crazymanmichael [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:30 pm ] |
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i do the dovetail mortice and tenon and i still do it after assembly. |
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| Author: | Andy Zimmerman [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:26 pm ] |
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I do mine after the box is together and the binding is on. I use my endgraft/edge vice from Chris at Luthiers tools I have 2 templates for this vice. One for my endgraft and one for the neck mortice. 
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| Author: | Dave Anderson [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:33 pm ] |
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I rout it out before I glue the block in. |
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| Author: | Serge Poirier [ Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:04 pm ] |
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I'm with those who do it before glueing the block in. |
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| Author: | JohnAbercrombie [ Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:55 am ] |
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Thanks, everybody, for your input. It sounds like either procedure can work fine with the right setup. I think I'll machine after assembly for now, since that allows me more options for changing my mind! Cheers John |
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| Author: | j.Brown [ Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:46 am ] |
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After assembly, using a router with a spiral cutting bit and Robbie O'Briens mortise cutting jig. I've used it on both cutaways and non-cutaways and it works great. My barrel nuts and bolt holes are all done just using a small ruler, no dowell line-ups. -j. |
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| Author: | Howard Klepper [ Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:29 pm ] |
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There is no part of a guitar called a "heelblock." There is a headblock and a tailblock; the headblock is also called the neck block. "Heelblock" is ambiguous and confusing because some might, not unreasonably, think the heel of a guitar is at the bottom of the body, not the top. |
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| Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:15 am ] |
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Set straight there Howard  He is right you know 
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| Author: | Todd Rose [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 3:34 am ] |
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LMI uses the term "heel block" to refer to the block of wood one carves the heel of the neck from, when constructing a neck from 1" QS stock with the head and heel joined on. This seems like a good use of the term. We do have a little anatomy problem, though, calling the base of the neck the "heel". What else to call it, though, I don't know. |
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| Author: | Steve Kinnaird [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:11 am ] |
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[QUOTE=Todd Rose] We do have a little anatomy problem, though, calling the base of the neck the "heel". What else to call it, though, I don't know.[/QUOTE] "Adam's apple"? Back on topic--I don't use a mortise or tenon. That saves a lot of work right there. Just run the brass inserts into the heel of the neck, as I think Mario once mentioned he does. (Apologies to Mario if my memory is faulty.) Steve |
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| Author: | JohnAbercrombie [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 5:32 am ] |
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Apparently there are a bunch of different definitions out there, and I don't want to get in a bunfight about this! (Loved the humor, or is that humour?) Glad to see that practically everybody could tell what I was talking about, in spite of problems with terminology. From the Taylor website (I know, I know, they're only a megalomerate guitar factory...) HEEL BLOCK: a piece of hardwood affixed to the inside of the guitar where the neck joins the upper body, for the purpose of providing structural support and reinforcement; also "head block" or "neck block". Gotta go now and work on the design for the Mohawk coif for my next electric guitar! John |
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| Author: | Howard Klepper [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:32 am ] |
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Thanks Todd. Good discussion. And thanks to all for not mentioning the linguistics class you took and how language is alive and always changing. I took that class, too, and it doesn't mean that some usages aren't better than others. I'm fine with the LMI thing. I was thinking of it when I posted--that is a common construction method in Spain. All the more reason not to call the headblock by the same name and really confuse things. As for Taylor, they want to have it all ways: same piece is both head block and heel block? They don't need to care because the guitars are built by workers who only read 1's and 0's. Todd, I'll take your word for it about how people use "peghead profile," although I can't remember seeing or hearing it. I prefer to call that part of the guitar the headstock; who uses pegs on a guitar except for a few flamenco purists? It's a leftover from the violin world. Coif? Too French, and reminds me of law school. This needs some work. "Head plate" does sound like a metal skull repair. I call it the "heastock face veneer," which I admit is a bit lengthy. But no one ever is confused about it. I never use "back graft." Sounds like taking payments secretly in order to jump someone ahead on the building list. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard it. I use "back strip." It may be stressed, but it isn't really a functional joint. As for the end graft, there already is a common colloquial term: butt wedge. |
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| Author: | dunbarhamlin [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:01 pm ] |
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Odd maybe, but 'graft' always sounds like a repair to me - perhaps subconciously why I've decided to use neither back strip nor tail wedge. I'm striving to reach the point where I'd be happy to emphasise the joint by inlaying a line of purfling to either side of it on back and tail. Think I'm getting there - will see with the three in progress at the mo. Cheers Steve |
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| Author: | MSpencer [ Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:28 pm ] |
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Thanks Howard, I do sometimes wish descriptions were more standardized. I like yours, and I understand what you are referring to. Thanks Mike |
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