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These are three fretboard-related topics that I have been asked about and answered enough times, I thought they might just warrant a dedicated post (and I happen to have some photos handy). I'll begin with some definitions: Relief describes a deliberately induced (or permitted) forward neck...

It is largely an aesthetic (cosmetic) issue with those numbers, not structural. That bottom section of the heel can go down to zero (if you can stand to look at it), so long as the upper 2/3 of the dovetail is fitted with excellence. You can always rebuild the heel (cut it off, glue on a new...

Arntt we awl?

I never looked to see if there was a weld… I had always assumed them to be a “peened” rod/plate combination. They are not a threaded barrel nut. The pocket is a massive hole drilled horizontally from the heel end. A lot of material is removed from the tenon of the dovetail.

Agreed, Walt. When all the wood darkens up, the look will be consistent, and it should be really lovely. I think it may have taken me longer to cut that little “G” than it did for me to make the fretboard, cut the Mother of Pearl, and inlay the headplate - all combined! Man, that thing is tiny...

Here is a photo of the arm bevel (I replaced the Walnut with Ziricote). Naturally, the wood appears much darker when a finish or oil is applied. The Bridge, Fretboard, and Headplate will all darken as well. It makes for a very nice contrast with the Mahogany sides.

Though not quite as hard as Rosewood, Ziricote is much harder than Maple, which has been associated with fretboards for longer than I have!

I have high hopes for this 12 string. It is getting prettier and prettier, the closer it gets to completion. Of course, nobody gets to hear it until the very last step, after everything is all done. But that is just part of the fun, part of the suspenseful process of building stringed instruments.

I settled on a Ziricote theme for the headplate (faceplate on the headstock), fretboard, bridge, and (new) arm bevel (the Walnut was putting me to sleep!). Ziricote is so visually interesting… I tried several wood combinations for the Chesterfield inlay, and they all either disappeared in...

Ah yes, the travel section. I think that was where, after looking at all the books, he was overheard saying, “I Can See For Miles." Otherwise, “I Can’t Explain.”

Hi Rob, I do NOT use chemical strippers of any kind. I rely on a scraper developed by Al Caruth. (StewMac sells it, currently - https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/scrapers/stewmac-ultimate-scraper/). I will sharpen it several times during a session. Using a...

I am sorry, what was that? Could you please speak up? 🤭 :) Have you tried Taylor? :D You keep this up, and we’re all going to start coming to *you* with questions.

At some point, aren’t we all? :) In my experience, not without altering the Martin neck. Others have already correctly pointed out that it is unlikely you would be able to detect the difference between a 15-3/4” and 16” radius. Let’s assume 16” is your target radius, one you are comfortable...

No, not cosmetic. The dual-action truss rod in the M-20 is functional. Unlike compression rods, which must be secured into the wood at one end, held in a hole at the other, and “pinned” in place in a bowed position beneath the fretboard, a dual-action truss rod is a fully independent machine. It...

A truss rod is a feature of the neck of an acoustic guitar, not the body. This is true for nearly any acoustic guitar, irrespective of whether you access the rod(s) at the headstock or through the soundhole. As a result, you can remove the neck, color it purple, put it back on, and whatever...

Congratulations, Seiki-san! You have a stunning collection of Guild jumbos (I especially admire the F-50R Artist Award - Wow!). Ha-ha. Good to hear they are all safe! I did the same to my wife, once. But only once. I lived. ;)

I grew up around logging, milling, woodworking, cabinet-making, etc. and I had no idea that natural Cherry was such a varigated, light and dark appearance until I was well into my late 20s. I had always associated a “Cherry” finish with that deep red wine / Bing Cherry juice color that everyone...

Yes. :)

I like the Walnut!

This is a CA finish. It is a variety of cyanoacrylate formulated just for this task. I have been working on perfecting the technique for years. It produces just spectacular results. As the finish is applied by hand, it is more comparable to a French Polished Shellac than to a sprayed-on...