Ken Parker Archtoppery - The Neck Journey - 18) The Backstrap - Chapter 3 of 3

[@wrstew1272]

So happy for the new additions to the saga, always informative in many aspects. Thanks for your knowledge!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed it. You are most welcome!

[@GuitarQuackery]

I've done quite a few backstrap repairs on Gibson headstock fractures. My backstraps are carved from a block, and yours are bent veneers. I have actually been thinking of doing the bent veneer backstrap repairs for a while, and it's nice to see some good tips in your videos. Bent veneer backstraps are of course superior in strength, so I really want to try some day. Of course, in a repair scenario it has to be the right fracture, the right value of guitar and the right customer that is willing to pay for the repair technician's time. The last customer that brought a Gibson with a broken headstock to my shop was a perfect candidate for a backstrap headstock repair, as that headstock had previously already been reglued and it failed at the glue joint. But the customer didn't want to pay what my time was worth and wasn't convinced that the repair needed a backstrap, so he decided to look for someone else who could do it cheaper. If he in fact got it done cheaper, I'm sure it's just a matter of time when he'll be calling me again, for his annual headstock re-gluing. The one thing that never works out ideally on a Gibson backstrap is the fact that I can't put a backstrap all the way to the upper edge of the headstock, because I would have to carve away the serial number. Of course, I can always stamp a new serial number, but most Gibson owners would object to that. So, I have to taper off the backstrap around the B and A tuning machine holes. In any event, thanks for sharing all these tips and techniques for the veneer method.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I never got the sense of sawing out a backstrap, sorry, it just seems nuts to me, although there's someone on KZbin who also shows how he does it. I love how your customer "knows" that his guitar doesn't need the best repair solution. The whole point of this big job as a repair is to add fibers that are continuous, so I suppose you could try to find a tree or a piece of lumber with the right angle branch or grain change like the old boatbuilders did (called "grown knees"), but it 's so much work to fit the block, I'm just amazed that anyone would choose to do it this way. Maybe folks don't know how to make a slice of veneer? I understand that some customers can't afford the shop time for a repair as time consuming as this, but hey, that's life. As far as Gibson's stupid # is concerned, many times it's wrong anyway, and who cares? Maybe saw it off and inlay it into the backstrap veneer it should have been shipped with in the first place? Or make a key fob out of it?

[@GuitarQuackery]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 One reason I have not used a veneer type backstrap overlay for a repair, is because I would have to start with a thicker plan of wood, anyway, then carve it to the final shape. I would still need to match the gluing surface, by placing self adhesive sandpaper on the carved-out area and sanding off the matching surface of the overlay. I'm thinking I would start with a 1/2 inch rift sawn piece, then bend it, then match the surfaces, then glue it, and then carve it. It would definitely be a stronger repair, but I would add extra steps to a job that already doesn't pay enough by the hour, despite the fact that it's already an expensive repair for most customers. Some have also done backstrap repairs with carbon fiber.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Maybe I'm not being very clear, but when you use a bent veneer to create a backstrap, you enhance the strength and toughness of the neck by reinforcing it with long fibers, something that just doesn't happen if the backstrap veneer is sawn. First decide what thickness is correct for the job, and then create a veneer of this thickness with nice smooth surfaces. I think that the correct range is 1.5 - 2mm. This must be done before anything else happens. Next, you remove material from the back of the headstock and down the neck shaft that is precisely equal to the veneer thickness. Thus, once the veneer is glued, the thicknesses of the headstock and neck shaft are restored to their correct thicknesses, and don't require any further thinning or other work except for edge cleanup. I show this method in the backstrap films, and I don't think this method can be improved. Although this is most definitely not a beginner's project, it's pretty straightforward woodworking and can be done correctly using several methods. I am very confused by your statement "I would have to start with a thicker plan of wood, anyway, then carve it to the final shape. " Maybe watch the backstrap films? Using carbon fiber for this job is an inelegant mess, and much more challenging than using a straight - grained piece of hardwood. Hope this helps.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

This whole process of fitting and shaping the backstrap is kind of a lot of work but the end result I think is worth it!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

If you think this is a lot, try just doing it by hand. Really challenging stuff!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

@@kenparkerarchtoppery9440 Yes I can imagine!

[@GooseYArd]

I loved reading about how much stuff Wayne Henderson used his pocket knife for when building flat top guitars

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Oldest cutting tool. Why not?

[@jeffmoe2660]

Excellent, as always! Thank you.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thanks for watching!

[@samhouston6750]

Another great series Ken! Not how i expected it was done, i had imagined that the shape was made by an end mill in your bridgeport. Still jealous of that master spindle sander. Happy halloween!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Hi Sam! HHalloween yourself! Check EBay for the master sander, they're out there, just make sure to get one that's fully accessorised with allll 6 plates and lots of spindles. The good news is that the spindles are a breeze to make, as the "Universal double angle collet" will take any size straight shank up to 3/4", and so easy to switch out!

[@Aeidotronics]

Thanks Ken.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@roberttaylor505]

Awesome upload. Droolworthy luthiery 🤤

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Thank you kindly!

[@zounds13]

"And of course this one has a curved bottom as well..." Those are the best ones. 😁

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Don't we know it!

[@trueherbsman]

that's not just blood.., that's genius juice!

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I took me many years to understand that genius = obsession x time. Guilty of the latter, I'm afraid. Persist!

[@RaxFx]

Have yout tried Gluboost MasterShield Sandable Perimeter Shield tape? Love it to protect from sanding/fileing the wrong surface.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

This is something I have in a drawer, and never think to use. Thanks for your reminder! Cyano adhesives are a marvel, very useful, of course although much misunderstood and mis - applied.

[@larryatha3221]

Regarding the use of knives in Guitarmaking, Have you ever seen the film that Ron Hernandez (GAL member) made of Benito Huipe? Benito is a guitar builder that trained in Paracho. These guitar luthiers use big curchillo knives for almost all the operations in making the guitar. I would be happy to send you my copy if you have a vhs. Thanks for all this, Ken. I hope you are having a good fall.

[@DavidRavenMoon]

I had no idea how you did that long backstrap! Fascinating! Hey Ken, what’s a good size of violin maker’s knife? I had been thinking of getting one, and I see you’re using one. I see they come in several sizes.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

I like the "big" one, which is about 3/4" or 19mm. There's also a 1/2", or 13mm size that folks find useful. You're allowed to get them both, I'd say! I like to sharpen them with convex bevels, and add a slight convex curve to the edge.

[@davidgoen3026]

Looking at the headstock, I am reminded that the Gotoh Stealth Tuners have been discontinued. What would you recommend now?

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

OUCH. I just don't know any other worm geared tuner like them for weight. Maybe we should all sign a petition to Gotoh promising to buy them if they re-continue them?!??!? There are lots of pegs (fancy$) to be had now. Gotohs offers other fine products, then there's Sperzel, Waverly, Schertler, Roberts, K-TAR, and my latest heart-throb, the stunning Rickard Cyclone tuners, truly a marvel of modern manufacturing. As long as we're in the non-worm gear section, check out Pegheds and Wittner for the lightest options.

[@badscrew4023]

"clean off my blood" haha

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Well, I sanded off some of it, at least. DNA marker of authenticity?

[@davidparnum2476]

There should always be a little blood shed on the project.

[@kenparkerarchtoppery9440]

Inevitable, no? My favorite new album is titled "A Little Blood", just released by my amazing god-daughter, Grace Bergere. It's an amazing bunch of originals in the deep end of the pool. Wow, Grace! A Little Blood - Album by Grace Bergere Spotify open.spotify.com › album

[@bluglass7819]

I don’t know if there should be but I doubt I’ve ever done a project without some sacrificed.