Scarf joint guitar Taylor used the finger joint for about two years between 2006 and 2008. BUT, them puppies run several hundred dollars. Image: Justin Beckner/Guitar. It remains my go-to resource for guitar-making processes, including constructing a neck using a scarf joint. :-D. Nice work, Ripthorn! Guitar building tips. The area of the glue joint plane is slightly larger, I guess. 4” scale. The scarf joint. A scarf joint is a special angled cut which, when glued back together, angles the headstock away from the fingerboard surface of the neck at a specified angle (usually about 15 degrees). No need to sand, no nothing. Oct 30, 2020 · A scarf joint is a means of attaching two pieces of wood together, and is the traditional method of attaching the headstock to the neck going back to the early Spanish classical and flamenco guitars. The body construction and material, pickups and electronics all have MUCH more effect on a guitar's tone. On the other hand, if you scarf it, the grain runs along the headstock, like most normal pieces of wood that you use, and the joint itself is very strong. . : The Vintage G-400 was one of the few guitars to have a one-piece neck with no scarf joint. I don't think there's much strength advantage to the compound joint. often you'll see that type of scarf on electric guitars which don't normally have a head plate or a back plate and usually the neck shaft is painted. Gitty Crafter Supply has an informative blog on How to Cut Perfect Scarf Joints By Hand which features their Cigar Box Guitar Miter Box. Dec 30, 2015 · This video, that I made, is in 3 parts: 1) how to measure and determine the starting position of the scarf joint 2) how to make a table-saw-scarf-joint-jig and make the actual cut 3) how to setup and glue the scarf joint. First place a mark about 350mm (13. I do it free Sep 14, 2016 · For Freeman Keller: This isn't the Danelectro that needs fixing (I don't have the guitar in my possession, it lives with my old man), but the scarf joint has essentially done this: It's my dad's project, but I think he's a bit apprehensive about fixing the neck. Oct 10, 2022 · Scarf-Jointed Peghead. Jul 23, 2023 · The first is Building Electric Guitars by Martin Koch. A scarf joint is typically used to connect two pieces of wood end to end, or with one of the pieces of wood at a slight angle — almost like the wood pieces […] Glenn Watt recently created a great how-to video walking you through how to create a scarf joint on a cigar box guitar neck. Sep 14, 2011 · I have scarf-jointed guitars that sustain like crazy and sound exactly the way I want them to. Mar 26, 2023 · Here is a short description of how I setup my neck assembly jig to cut scarf joints for a typical 14 fret to the body, acoustic guitar with a 25. Upgrade your trimmer router for better stabilityhttps://www. Set a piece of wood against the edge with a 13 or 14 degree, or what ever it was, angle, and cut away. A scarf joint is still a weak joint, it still involved end grain and gluing perpendicular to the wood fiber. A scarf joint is an angled joint made from two pieces of wood that are cut at complementary angles and glued together. In order to have the best of both worlds – a strong headstock that’s less likely to break but also be angled to keep the higher tension at the nut – a 3rd type of headstock was conceived. This simple jig can be found in Patrick Spielmans book What "IS" a Scarf Joint you ask??? A scarf joint is an angled joint between the neck and the headstock. Vedorias is right: method 1 is the preferred because the joint is reinforced by gluing the fretboard on top of the joint. Most guitar makers used a through 'V' joint to attach the head to the neck for quite a long time. Better guitars have one-piece necks. Plus a lot of wood is cut away for the truss rod access, right at the weakest point of the neck. This is the book that got me started in guitar building. Scarf joints are used to save on material costs. Was it really worth wasting a whole day for something like this? For me it wasn't. Apr 7, 2020 · The simplest and most efficient way to glue-up an acoustic guitar or classical guitar neck is to use the Georgia Luthier Supply Neck Assembly Jig. Jun 13, 2013 · One had a nice tight scarf joint with decent wood match, but on the other the scarf joint was very noticeable. The finger joint you ask about was lower on the neck as shown in the picture on this thread. . Jan 7, 2025 · Scarf joint at the neck of a fake Gibson Les Paul. One of the ways around this problem (and it also has the benefit of using less neck stock) is to cut a scarf joint from the same board, reverse the piece, and glue it on at the headstock angle. Here is a demo video of Ben showing you how to assemble the kit, and make your first scarf joint cut: Oct 1, 2004 · One other thing to keep in mind is the thickness of the headstock piece. Video Transcript: Okay, we are ready to begin work on the neck! Glenn Watt recently created a great how-to video walking you through how to create a scarf joint on a cigar box guitar neck. Nov 5, 2005 · I made scarf joints at a guitar factory years ago with a chop-saw. Some types of scarf joints can cause problems, s Oct 18, 2014 · In fact most of my guitars have scarf joint necks and they are all fine. Scarf joint necks aren't new; they've been around for a long time and it's a proven construction method. One thing I can say for sure, though - I'd rather have a scarf joint than a broken headstock. I would assume that a Sheraton, due to its laminated construction, would also be without a scarf joint. Mar 18, 2022 · In this episode of DIY Guitar Making, I demonstrate the truing process of the scarf joint and the assembly of the scarf joint and the heel block to the neck blank. I have learned a lot from all of you in regards to building these awesome guitars. A scarf joint makes a big difference because it changes how sound vibration is transmitted throught the neck to the body. The joint can a tricky one for some! This determines the headstock angle. Oct 31, 2016 · In this excerpt from the Online Guitar Building School, I cut and prepare the scarf joint for the headstock. Oct 23, 2020 · Here is a short description of how I setup my neck assembly jig to cut scarf joints for a typical 14 fret to the body, acoustic guitar with a 25. " Solidbody guitars, bolt-on necks When Leo Fender designed his guitars and basses he used a practical nuts and bolts approach. If you look at Ibanez guitars, the scarf joint is somewhere around the 2nd fret (I could be remembering this wrong) - the point is if you use a thicker headstock piece, you can move the joint back a bit. exetel. com. This will be outside of the cut line of the scarf joint by your saw Apr 17, 2020 · This is the first in a series on how I build a scarf joint guitar neck. On a single-piece neck, this is typically a structurally vulnerable area, often absorbing the brunt of the impact if a guitar is knocked over. Mar 19, 2021 · If you have a topic you want me to make a video about use #TheElectriLuthier in the comments. Gitty shop. They tended to have bumps in the fingerboard above the end of the scarf. Apr 1, 2011 · A type of join used to afix a headstock to a guitar (or other stringed instrument) neck, or for other woodworking purposes. This weakens the neck substantially. Neither of us have tackled somethi I demonstrate my process for cutting the scarf joint for the headstock. Part of the three-piece neck design, this glue joint where the angled headstock meets the neck shaft more than doubles the strength of the neck in this area, giving it more resilience. Show Notes:Some great info here regarding scarf joints:https://hazeguitars. Music tip: Son House In Seattle 1968: http://www. After all, if you’re attempting a copy of a 19th century guitar, it’s desirable – even obligatory – to imitate the constructional methods of the original maker. I could do a single piece and cut an angle in it, but I see quite a few laminates and single piece with the scarf joint. I noticed there is a lot of discussion about how to make the joint and I This miter box is cut from premium 6mm Baltic birch plywood and assembled using 34 screws in pre-drilled, pre-countersunk holes. The scarf joint has the same angle as an angled headstock but is built differently. A cut is made through the neck blank at the desir Apr 17, 2009 · Some guitars may even have a second joint because two lengths of wood may have been used to make the neck itself. I guess they trade off using the scarf joint for higher wood yield savings against adding features like the binding, inlays and rosewood headstock veneer, deluxe-ing up the "finished side" of the neck against the back side. One thing you see in a lot of counterfeit Les Pauls is a scarf joint at the neck of the guitar near the headstock – in layman’s terms this means that the neck and headstock are two separate pieces that are joined together. Though a planed surface gives the best condition for a glue joint you might want to use a router. This tool allows you to cut perfect scarf joints for your cigar box guitar necks using only hand tools. Traditional scarf joints have the endgrain neck glued to the direct side grain of the headstock piece. As far as joint strength is concerned, I don't think there is any difference when properly glued and clamped. This is all about adding some clever craftsmanship as a design detail. It is NOT the same as laminating a neck. This is easy to defend where historical accuracy is concerned. This has proven to be the best way to reach me without the r Nov 28, 2023 · When you do a scarf joint to a neck with angled headstock it fixes the issue with grain direction that a neck carved from one piece has. Nov 13, 2022 · Scarf Joint. Prepare the Neck Billet I started with a classical guitar neck blank (billet) from Stewmac that was approximately 15/16" thick x 3" wide x 34" long. Usually, you will see this joint in a kind of V shape. Elitist have them. com/blog/why-do-gibson-headstocks-break#Why Gibson Headstocks Break So Easily, but The scarf joint might also produce a stronger peghead because the scarf allows the grain in the peghead to follow the length of the peghead. Taylor currently uses a glued scarf joint which joins the face and the back of the headstock at a long oblique angle. Although, I had some trouble figuring out how to make a scarf joint without a table saw, so I came up with this idea. Jun 5, 2005 · I am wondering if it is a good idea to do a scarf joint on a laminated maple/jatoba/maple neck. Fine prep w Jul 15, 2008 · You can do a straight scarf joint on a multi-scale neck. A guitar neck might have a scarf joint, near the headstock. You have a joint on the back of the neck with either method. This joint is stronger than a one piece neck and headstock. 🔴 Register…Read more › Not really. And yes, I've heard of Epi headstocks breaking despite having scarf joints. Dec 20, 2022 · To contact me with questions or requests…please go to my website and use the “Contact Us” page. This article will help you set-up the GLS neck assembly jig to accurately cut scarf joints. You're over complicating the joint and compounding any potential failure chances. com Sep 6, 2015 · What do the luthiers/repairers think of the scarf joints, mostly seen on inexpensive acoustics, in which the neck runs straight-grained into the headstock? Some might say it looks cheap, but what about functionality? In part 1, I show how to measure and determine the starting position of a scarf joint I make a scarf cut and join for a guitar neck. There is much debate on this topic whether volutes actually work. Many of the sought-after and collectible Ibanez copys from the 70's and early 80's had scarf joint necks and those guitars are considered to be decent quality guitars. This makes a poor transition from neck to headstock ( especially since Gibson refuses to use a volute to reinforce it ) and misaligns the grain in the headstock, which is both Dec 21, 2012 · That keeps the scarf joint out of your frets (drawn or cut). On top of that, these designs often have a carved angled headstock, leaving the end-grain of the wood exposed (some use a scarf joint instead of a carved headstock, which is stronger, but is still susceptible to breaking). htmlKen's Faceb This video explains how I prepare a blank for making a guitar neck that features an angled headstock. Jul 15, 2012 · The question is how the headstock joint is configured. A scarf joint is a special angled cut which, when glued back together, angles the headstock away from the fingerboard surface of the neck at a specified angle (usually about 15 degrees). Jun 28, 2018 · Once the piece was cut, I taped it back onto the neck and began to sand the scarf joint to make both faces exact. au/d May 27, 2024 · The second factor is the 17 degree angle that is carved into the neck blank to create a headstock without the use of a scarf joint or any other type of opposing-grain joinery that would help to strengthen the headstock. Like I say i Jun 23, 2010 · Necks cut from a single piece have "short grain" in the headstock. I'll mock this up for you in a sec. Part 1: Assembling the Kit Begin by laying out your parts and verifying your kit came with all of the required components. This is also endgrain. On the PRS S2 series, the neck begins with a quartersawn mahogany neck blank. That said, a fully tensioned guitar does not produce enough tension to stress either a single-piece carve or a scarf joint, so it's a bit of a moot argument. This neck construction method exposes vulnerable end-grain of already soft wood, to potentially great peril. Can't really be certain. Im not disputing either but just having a hard time understanding why a scarf joint would be stronger and more desirable in making angled headstocks than cutting the angle and neck from one solid piece of wood. yout A fender style neck is stronger than both a scarf joint and a Gibson neck. I have a table saw and I saw scarf joints with a hand saw. A sanding jig to simplify making scarf joints. Just offset the treble side guide back and bring it into the same angle as the nut point relative to the other guide and you're cutting a compound scarf which flips and glues up the same as a "normal" scarf. I've seen people sanding down the angle. Build a simple jig for cutting scarf joints quickly and cleanly. However, the task of gluing the two pieces without slipping can still be a challenge. Is it stronger this way, I will be having the truss rod adjustment near the head Feb 24, 2017 · Hi Curtisa Yeah, I didn't like the idea of running a router down the angle. Oct 16, 2023 · I never saw the 'type 1' scarf joint until I ran into in on some low-end electrics back when I did repairs. The only way to avoid it is to cut the entire neck (including headstock) out of one piece of wood, which is a waste of a lot of wood. A volute is located on a scarf headstock joint and is a slight ridge on the weaker area to provide support and tuning stability to guitars with a headstock that is angled. Murdoc_420 March 9, 2016 at 4:04pm Sep 23, 2008 · The reason the scarf joint is stronger is because if you carve it from one piece instead, the headstock is cut across the grain, and being thin, it can break at any weak point in the grain. Not anymore! Thank to the Mad Scien Jun 29, 2015 · right. Using this jig you can cut your neck blanks to size, cut the scarf joint very accurately, and glue the headpiece and the heel blocks at the same time. Aug 25, 2020 · A scarf joint is the right way to make an angled wood joint, nothing like a Gibson angled headstock, which is simply carved from the same piece of wood as the neck. So if I like the way a guitar feels and sounds, I have no problem with a scarf joint, especially if it makes the guitar more affordable. Yes, some have mastered it, but most have mastered making kindling learning to do a proper scarf joint. com The Scarf Joint. I'm thinking that if one of the rails is extended I can clamp the neck to it (as attached), not sure how sturdy it will be though. The scarf joint cut angle is the same as what we cut for the necks we produce in the C. Also, per usual, I answer your Q’s. Makes easy work of getting accurate & square anglesPlans available here Image 1 - http://home. So, technically scarfed neck is a stronger neck. Dec 27, 2021 · C. Trust me. Oct 20, 2008 · Yet most all guitar workings I read says the scarf joint is stronger. Smoothing a scarf joint with the router You should know the book "Guitarmaking - Tradition and Technology" for a complete understandig of how to make this joint. A bit of background needs to be addressed. I spent months front-loading the information that is in this book before I ever put chisel to wood. In your case there’s hardly any benefit, but on the other hand with a proper glue job there shouldn’t be any problem either. If the scarf joint is set back before the angle, then it is stronger than a solid stock neck with an angled paddle, but Hi all, I just recently joined the Cigar Box Nation! I happened upon this site while building my first cigar box guitar. In this Guitar Anatomy Basics article, we take a look at the role scarfed joints play in neck construction. makes Feb 28, 2025 · Let me show you how to cut a perfect scarf joint on your next guitar build!In this in-depth guide, I’ll show you how to cut, glue, and clamp a flawless scarf May 19, 2017 · Sometimes I wonder whether my dislike of a scarf joint is just snobbery, because I tend to associate them with cheaper guitars and Asian imports. But the compound scarf joint looks cooler and neater. Dec 8, 2023 · Interests: guitars, amps, effects pedals, modeling gear Report; Posted May 17, 2024. com/sonhousecd. Mar 9, 2008 · Sometimes the scarf joint is in the headstock. See full list on gluedtomusic. B. That blank is cut, the headstock is scarfed, and the heel is created using a plain splice - all from one piece of wood. The video is in 3 parts. Finally, Scarf Joints Are Easy! The MGW True & Holy Scarf Joint Jig and Universal Oversized Router Base Lets be real, we have all suffered the wrath of the dreaded scarf joint. I did this by clamping a piece of sandpaper to the workbench, and slowly running the face of the scarf joint across the paper, only going in one direction and making sure that the face stayed flat. Jan 13, 2012 · Despite the obvious advantages of a scarf joint, the V joint has become something of a fetish among guitar makers. on jackson's, charvel's, kramer's, schecter's, and some ibanez's, the neck is either finished in something clear, satin, oil, or just left raw wood making the joint clearly visible. Oct 20, 2008 · I'm doing a multiscale neck scarf this week for which I am using these same angled guides. arcolarecords. 75”) from the right inside of the side fence to the cut line on the front fence. When and why would you need one, and how are they made? Fundamentally, two types of guitar neck construction exist; single and two-piece. The photographer example looks needlessly precarious and doesn't add anything to the instrument as a tool for music. unless it's a gibson which just has a shitty or zero engineering that went into the headstock to neck connection. The peghead is laminated to the neck using a "scarf" joint, referred to as a "Spanish luthier's joint. gczrx nwpjtnml kdhyb lurwb dmvmy aulgj jenom bwxrq yvxh ugmnb