Day 6: Getting to grips with the neck.

The neck is a key structural component and must, for the life of the guitar, bear a constant 100 pounds or so of pull from tuned strings. It is also the primary area of physical contact between the player and the instrument.

I have several guitars. No two necks are the same. Some are wider than others, some thicker, different cross-sectional profiles, different shapes where the neck joins the body and headstock and so on. Over a period of a few days I can adjust to a particular neck and feel comfortable with it, however, today I have an opportunity to create the perfect neck. One which is a natural and unique fit to the size and shape of my left hand. One which requires no mental adjustment or compromise on my part. It remains to be seen if my carving skills are up to the task and my ability to judge when the neck 'feels' right.

The work begins with rough carving of the neck blank to which the fretboard and headstock veneer have been glued. Measurements and templates are used to establish some approximate dimensions at three points along the neck which allows for fairly aggressive removal of wood between with spokeshave and rasp. As the work progresses small planes and chisels are used and gradually the hand tools give way to sandpaper wrapped round blocks of wood and dowels of various sizes.

The heel of the guitar, where it will join the body, is carved such that the functional part of the neck transitions into a graceful ornamental shape consistent with the overall dimensions and style of the instrument. The laminated center strip serves as a guide to symmetry. At the headstock end, a volute or raised shape is carved for reasons both aesthetic and functional. It adds visual balance and provides the player with tangible indication of the location of the first fret. It also adds strength to an inherently vulnerable part of the guitar where the angled headstock meets the narrowest part of the neck.

When approaching the desired shape, touch replaces sight as the primary means of assessing and making minor adjustments. It feels good. I look forward to checking it with a fresh mind in the morning to see how close I am to having achieved my goal.