#1
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How to measure a neck
I like the neck on my current decades-old acoustic. How do I determine the shape, measure the profile and radius to compare when shopping for another guitar? Would like to narrow the field of what I consider, or have a spec if I requested something custom.
As simple as this (although the resource links don't work for profile pics and radius guide)? http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/20...a-guitar-neck/
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Kevin Krell, Executive Director, International Traditional Music Society, Inc. A non-profit 501c3 charity/educational public benefit corporation Wooden Flute Obsession CDs https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=572579 |
#2
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You CAN take a length of solder, wrap it around the neck and then trace the resulting contour onto paper which can be made into a template to use for comparison purposes. This quite often works better than numbers, as those are not always easily available and the labels used (I.e., shallow C, modified V) can vary greatly from maker to maker.
Last edited by terrapin; 08-24-2016 at 10:36 AM. |
#3
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Sounds like what you want is a contour gauge like this one from Harbor freight. You should be able to transfer that to heavy card stock and take it with you.
Cheers...................Todd |
#4
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Terrapin, thanks. OK, that, or something similar to hold the shape, makes sense. And I could measure at different frets to get a sense of changes along the length of the neck.
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Kevin Krell, Executive Director, International Traditional Music Society, Inc. A non-profit 501c3 charity/educational public benefit corporation Wooden Flute Obsession CDs https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=572579 |
#5
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for fretboard radius
There are printable radius gauges online. Here's one:
http://handmademusicclubhouse.com/gr...etboard-radius |
#6
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My suggestion is far less ... technical. Play the guitars you are considering and buy the one that feels right.
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#7
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Quote:
But then again, I guess I would have to go around to different stores with solder and Never Mind. I guess I will have too try them each.
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at 4. No more for awhile. Moving soon. Less is better until I settle. |
#8
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I was speaking to a luthier about a possible build.And how much i liked
the bigger vintage neck profile of a guitar i have. He told me to cut off a strip of paper.Pull it tight around the neck at the 1st fret,to the top edge of the finger board - mark both side's at edge. Then lay the piece of paper flat and measure the distance between the two. (said to do this at the 1 - 3 - 5 -7 - 9th fret) On my 12 fret dreadnought at the 1 fret and measurement is 71mm - (2.79528" inch) On my Martin with a "modified low oval neck" the measurement at 1st fret is 67mm (2.6378" inch) I was surprised at the difference between the two. By no means is it all the picture but ive found it really helps. And of course the physical profile in the posts above,where you can compare the two in person is great. Also neck depth at the 1st helps. |
#9
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Quote:
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#10
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To determine your neck size, measure around your neck just above your collar bone, putting 1 finger between the tape and your neck. Or simply measure and add 1/4 inch. Round up to the closest ½ inch size.
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Fingerpicking Acoustic Blues/Rag/Folk/Slide Lessons https://www.tobywalkerslessons.com/ |
#11
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Quote:
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(2006) Larrivee OM-03R, (2009) Martin D-16GT, (1998) Fender Am Std Ash Stratocaster, (2013) McKnight McUke, (1989) Kramer Striker ST600, a couple of DIY builds (2013, 2023) |
#12
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Heres my attempt with a thin bit of ply / laminate.
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#13
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Hey that works!!
__________________
at 4. No more for awhile. Moving soon. Less is better until I settle. |