How To Make An Acoustic Guitar Ep. 34 (Carving the neck!)

[@anthonyzlahtic6357]

Chris, I have really enjoyed this series. The camera work and narration is brilliant. I am at the point where I will be tapering my neck blank, laminating the fretboard then shaping the neck. This video in particular has been really helpful.

[@grigorievwoodwork]

Hello! =) I love your videos on making this guitar! Could you guys write down a couple of lessons on how you make the neck and the rest of its parts on the CNC? A small master class from the beginning to the end. That would be super cool! Thank you for your videos, I am very happy to watch them.

[@BigJawnMize]

This is an interesting contrast of watching a fossil become a guitar and watching its maker become a fossil.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Best comment yet!

[@bldallas]

No shit. I lost interest in this project months ago. While y’all are at it, hows that $1300 Stewmac amp kit coming? Worth it?

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

We finished that kit, and made a video about it! It’s awesome. Sorry your attention span isn’t cut out for longer projects. Not everything in this world is made over night. To each their own.

[@bldallas]

@@DriftwoodGuitars Overnight? That’s funny. But I jabbed you so I guess that’s your best comeback. Seriously, I used to be a fan of your channel. Even contributed some cash to the effort. That was before you guys started sawing guitars in half; and boy think of all the important knowledge that was gained by that waste of money (and nice instruments, you could have reviewed then donated to some school kids in need). About that time y’all also started dabbling in electric guitars (the dog bone was an interesting neck joint idea, but I’ve never seen Rhett play that prototype since you gave it to him). Oh yeah, and you made these grand announcements about projects like the 3K year old guitar, the (supposed) Woodstock guitar, the amp project, etc., only to drag them out for not weeks, but months. Talk about ADD. Anyhow, my last comment, way back when I stopped following your channel was, “Remember when this channel used to be about building guitars?” And I think your reply was yes with a chuckle emoji. I haven’t been back since. I realize I t’s your channel, so you can do what you want to do. Anyhow, today the YT algorithm decided to throw your Epi 30-something on my home page and there I see Chris with an afro and you’re still promising that 3,000 year old guitar…. Funny. All the best.

[@RaspberrySnagglepuss]

@@DriftwoodGuitars I appreciate the longer series. There are a bunch of highlight videos on guitar building. They’re great, but this is incredible (free) step-by-step content for me as a hobbyist. You may even want to consider adding even more detail and monetizing as a dedicated course (like Blacktail Studio). Newer to the channel last couple months while building my first guitar but have found great use from your stuff from years ago to current. Ignore the whiners. It’s kinda funny actually.

[@justinholub]

Putting those notches in first is a great tip! Thanks! 👍

[@jacobthellamer]

I loved the use of mm on the calipers, easy for me to understand.

[@samue1991]

Everything so far has made so much sense in this series, with good explanation to follow all the rationale and details to pay attention. But now that we're on the neck, you're making it look wayyyy to easy lol

[@gwbuilder5779]

Thank you for sharing the more specific point of reference details Chris. I watch several instrument channels and no-one else gives those type of details, they either skip that section altogether or give extremely vague descriptions. I was very easily able to follow along with you through each transition and could clearly see those referenced sight lines. As a musician and a builder I probably look a lot closer than most and I appreciate the extra steps you take to help people see what you are trying to accomplish.👌 I actually drew up plans for a through neck guitar about 20 years ago, but lost them due to unfortunate circumstances. I am considering drawing a new set of plans after I finish building my house. In the meantime I watch folks like you for tips, tricks, and inspiration for getting back to mine. This series has definitely kept that push alive.🤙

[@TheAciddragon069]

and in this episode of the 3005 year old guitar

[@guismth]

Yes it is

[@rickbaker4571]

OUTSTANDING!!!

[@StinkyParadox]

A Spanish heel refers to a wedge or slot joint connecting the sides to the neck which is glued to the soundboard simultaneously before the back is glued on (usually in a solera), opposed to a mortise or dovetail neck joint.

[@peterflynn850]

Thanks for sharing this excellent video on carving the neck. I appreciate the detailed step-by-step approach you outline. BTW, those dragon rasps and razor files are super-hard on my hands. Although I otherwise almost never wear gloves in the wood shop, I have found that "cut resistant gloves" (

[@Sammywhat]

Since you asked for a tip, one really cool bit of advice I saw was from Tom Sand's channel, where he talks about Somogyi's trick using a flat sanding board for a proper consistency in the length of the neck. Look for it here - Carving a neck from start to finish (SECRETS REVEALED) at about the 19-minute mark. Can't wait to see the flame in that neck all buffed out!! Nicer work fellas!!

[@KBorham]

I’ve seen that video and you’re right. That flat sanding board method is an absolute game changer for getting the back of the neck perfectly straight.

[@DavidDavis-Central_FL]

Gooood afternoon from central Florida! Hope everyone has a great afternoon!

[@plexibreath]

I like that protractor you used on the heal. Who makes that? Great video!

[@flavorkingpluto]

General makes one.

[@michaellegge2177]

my god that rolling pin sander where can i get one of them ..cant believe how fast and confidently you work

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

There’s a link in the description.

[@TheVectorious]

Could you just use the CNC to cut out the negative of your neck to make it a cradle? I would love to see you make that.

[@terryjohinke8065]

Not knocking you but I use a rasp file and actually count the number of times I use the rasp. I was commissioned by a true maestro to build him a Teecaster. It was Ash and a Maple neck. I even gave him some parts I was saving for my dream Tele. Anyway, after a year , I could see he hadn't played it- no fret wear, fingerbouard marks etc. So, as I guarantee, not happy, I'll fix it for free. I actually counted by strokes of 10 until my calipers got the neck to the exact measurements he wanted - exactly like my Hwy .! Telecaster but flattened off the centre of the back of the necks as that's the way classical players like 'em. Funny wht you'll do for customers. BTW- all done he described the guitar as phenomenal. High praise from a great player who was sent to Spain and Italy, with his wife and child all paid for by our government in the 1980s so he could teach other teachers the art of playing. We ended as good friends and played in stores, and gigs , together. I like your work.

[@ShaneDavisDFTBA]

Was there a reason at 24:55 that you pulled it further out of the vice after cutting the chunks off of the heel with the pull saw? You made a point of bracing it closer to reduce chatter, then specifically pulled it back out. Is that just for making more room for your hands? It seemed deliberate and I wasn’t sure if it was another of those thongs you do automatically but forget to explain the reason behind.

[@xdoctorblindx]

I see a strat-style body in the background! Is a Sandcaster in the works??

[@walterrider9600]

thank you Chris and Matt . question please with the neck at this point , not on the body why not place the fret wire on it now as opposed to on the guitar ? well yes do the inlays / tuner holes too then fret wire .

[@davidrachubka5300]

This is similar to building a boat spar. Except with a boat spar you have the luxury of drawing the shape on the ends. Then you would normally draw tangent lines to the shape and then lines along the spar to show how wide the flat should be. For a guitar neck I start with a center line and eyeball the lines for flats.

[@imikewhitaker]

What a champ!!! Thanks for doing this. I feel heard 😊

[@tompass82]

If Wayne Coyen of the flaming lips had become a luthier, it might look a lot like this. A master working their craft is a beautiful thing.

[@flomers1]

Are you ever going to finish this project guys?

[@ryanknuckles8747]

Carving the neck might be my favorite part of building a guitar.

[@dobietoms1463]

have you ever tried cherry neck im building some acoustic guitar and banjo necks

[@benboo6351]

What *is* that Stratocaster thing lying on the bench in the background!?

[@johnjlong]

Glad to see more progress on this. But also, is that a strat and a bass on the bench behind you? new models?

[@coleblanchard5315]

What is happening with the Woodstock guitar?

[@Kevin.odonnell]

A Spanish style heel is definitely more narrow and pointy. Typically paired with a slipper foot inside instead of a neck block. Most flamenco guitars are built this way and often torres style from smaller hand builders. The neck is traditionally glued onto the soundboard face down in the solera, ribs are then inserted and fitted into slots in the heel assembly, wedged in, then the back goes on etc. When you build with a mold or a jig it’s a lot different because you typically have to change the procedure entirely and then the slipper foot is no longer really a sensible choice

[@Sammywhat]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmabmKmHhNafaK8 The link I forgot to add from Tom Sand's channel.

[@bsharp55]

Why no handles on your files? Why no hats or t-shirts on your site?

[@trayco74]

Does Conway Twitty know you stole his hair? Lol. Aqua Net or White Rain?😂😂😂 Seriously. Enjoy watching. Been a subscriber for quite a while. 🎸🎸🎸

[@jeffwalther]

Does the thickness of the neck have any effect on how resistant the neck is from warping or "ski jumping?"

[@xdoctorblindx]

Ski-jumping happens on the area of the fretboard that is attached to the body, not the neck.

[@JamesMears76]

Have you tried a Shinto Japanese saw rasp, they really remove wood quickly

[@tonyhunt4250]

Just fun for a guy like me that just plays acoustic and watch someone create something special .

[@gr6914]

i feel like maybe this guitar should be done by now? did it not have a buyer? if not, how much?

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

It’s for a friend.

[@gr6914]

That makes sense. The thing looks gorgeous. Worth waiting for. What's the normal wait time for a custom guitar a couple years?

[@rexgorman9561]

@@DriftwoodGuitars I was wondering! That makes much more sense. It seems like you've had several guitars going, so I was wondering why this one was going slowly.

[@intersanctum]

@@gr6914 three years.

[@IAM_Reedy]

Bro! Haven’t seen this video series in awhile. I tune in and our host has been replaced by Bob Ross’ brother. 😂

[@Kevin.odonnell]

I like it. A place for loose frets. Loose parts, and someday loose stools!

[@davidedwards7172]

Hello there😊

[@allancopland1768]

Always an interesting channel but those rasps and files need proper handles for your personal safety. Once you have gouged your wrist with a file tang I'm sure you'll agree.

[@jeffgemm5080]

LOVE these videos but, I think they should change the name of the channel to " WHAT I LIKE TO DO" LOL

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

I thought you were using an Obsidian file for the 3000 year old guitar 😅

[@ericgiova1663]

Most of the world use the metric system. About USA, my theory: there's a much longer tradition of individualism in the US… people don't like to move off of things because transitions are costly. So they stay "Imperial" by laziness and stinginess... ; )

[@murphvienna1]

Any time you want to protect something from a massive rasp/file slip, a good thick piece of leather is "cheap insurance"

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

I feel like at one point he was gonna say in a very Bobby's worldesk way... "don't ya know"... and if that was the case, I just wanna say, next time, please just let it fly.

[@brazilianjosh]

S-type in the background :)

[@sebsguitarworkshop]

You should start running !! You seem out of breath quickly !!!!!! :) joke a part ! it was a very helpful video thanks for sharing your experience with us !!! ✌️

[@just_a_guy_and_his_tacos]

Jerry Garcia, is that you???

[@waynejones6215]

Don't mess it up man

[@jmj5150]

The catch is it takes 3000 days to make a 3000 year old guitar.

[@BillySoundFarm]

lol by the time this guitar is done it will be vintage