Building a custom neck??? or Buy???

[Guest gearwhore]

Ok I got a cool guitar that is like Bellamy's muse midi x/y setup and it has 25.5 really really fat neck..And I CAN NOT stand it..so I am on a quest to solve this issue as the body has this huge brass string block in it and rings like crazy..I just need to get the neck in the "zone" and this Frankenstein noise masher will be a forced to be reckoned with.

So I found..these and was about to hit the buy it now button and started to think even this neck is going to need me to make it what I want.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161267267246?ssPageName=STRK:MEBOFFX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1427.l2649

And even then its ^^^^not what I really want style wise--

this is close.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Made-Neck-with-Nightswan-Inlays-24-75-Scale-/291159927665?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item43ca7beb71

I want this^^^^^ style but not the stupid price,Or am I being a tight wad and its a fair deal..I never bought a neck before...I always get them free.

if I built one how hard is it to get right? what costs are there for a nice wood...like hog and ebony...I have mad wood working skills...just zero guitar building experience...WHAT should I do....i know I can shape one of those pre-built to get me close for under $75.

I need some ,should be patented, hfc incite...feel free to smack me around a bit if its deemed appropriate

[Guest gearwhore]

due to the overwhelming responses and bit of inpatients...I bought this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321408598688

$45 shipped..I know for a fact even if I was neck building god, I could not build this in a hour..so some reshaping and heel fitting and this is a good start...but I am still tossing around a custom to my exact desires...some feedback on the ins and outs of neck building would be fabulous...Cost of materials being the biggie...and tricks for stability.

[polara]

I PMd ya… I'd seriously advise shaving the existing neck down to fit yer hand, as the Muse guitar is 25" scale and any neck swapping will wreak havoc with your intonation.

[burningyen]

Why did you buy a 24.75"-scale neck if your guitar is 25.5"-scale?

[Guest gearwhore]

its a bolt on...not a big deal to change...I did all the measurements already I will have to shave the neckheel back a very little bit and thats it..it will intonate fine... can I slap a 24.75 right in the pocket,no..But it will work with no modification to the body...This is not the first time I have done this either..I might not know how to build a neck Yet...but I have years of customizing everything in my world and this is a walk in the park...Not to mention years as a guitar tech..

But I still want some thing more me....no dots..ebony..narrow and thin...fretless wonder style frets..and reverse standard style head stock and maybe have neck in 5 pieces this

so I dont need to know if can be done, it is being done...I need help with knowledge of necks and fret board building

[cmatthes]

Could the big neck be part of the magic there? I know that there are a few million pages of discussion and debate out there on that topic, but changing that might kill the beast.

I have a couple guitars that I've swapped necks around on a few times. With thinner/medium necks, they were kind of anemic, and not all that special. The thicker, beefier neck changed EVERYTHING. Stike is polishing up a Louisville Slugger for me today that I am really looking forward to getting back. The guitar played so well and kicked so much ass, I almost left the neck unfinished, because I was afraid to take it apart and mess with perfection.

As far as building your own neck - sure, if you have the tools, time and aren't afraid to chalk it up as a learning experience, why not? The downside is that it will end up costing you more in the long run, but it'll be YOUR neck. You may want to revisit your thoughts on pricing though. The sub$200, Chinese made necks are mostly junk. Cheap wood, lots of finish issues and shortcuts given the need to keep labor costs down. I personally wouldn't think a potentially crap neck will do anything to help, but then again, even a stopped clock hits it right twice a day!

I would have probably called Jim Jamerson at Musikraft and paid a little more to get a perfect neck to your specs right out of the box.

[Guest gearwhore]

Could the big neck be part of the magic there? I know that there are a few million pages of discussion and debate out there on that topic, but changing that might kill the beast.

I have a couple guitars that I've swapped necks around on a few times. With thinner/medium necks, they were kind of anemic, and not all that special. The thicker, beefier neck changed EVERYTHING. Stike is polishing up a Louisville Slugger for me today that I am really looking forward to getting back. The guitar played so well and kicked so much ass, I almost left the neck unfinished, because I was afraid to take it apart and mess with perfection.

thats part of why I dont want to change the orig neck..just in case...I will toy with profiles and such and if all else fails..the neck will still be there to go back in...I do have hand damage to my fret hand and short fingers...so big necks are painful for me...I could only play this one a few minutes even though it sounded fantastic.

I will say there is about 3 lbs of brass in the body as the string through block mounted to the bridge..which i am sure does not hurt the eternal ring on this thing

[cmatthes]

Everybody is different, but I've found that I have less problems (wrist, tendons, CTS, etc.) with a thicker neck than with a thin profile. Think about the way your fretting hand is relaxed when holding the spine of a dictionary v. a much thinner book. There's a lot more tendon strain with the paper thin "shredder" necks than something beefier that keeps your hand in a more relaxed state. Try it sometime, and you'll see what I mean.

[cynic]

I too have issues with the larger necks. Big is better isn't a universal truth.

[cmatthes]

I too have issues with the larger necks. Big is better isn't a universal truth.

(That's what SHE said...)

I can totally see that - I have pretty big hands, so actually do get physical strain/discomfort when playing tiny necks (or Rickenbackers!) for any extended time. I used to play the thinner necks exclusively for years, but even the Wide/Thin PRS neck, while an improvement, didn't solve things the way the thicker profiles do (for ME). The necks that work best for me now are the one Stike is wrapping up, and a big "Boat V" profile that is just fantastic. I have found that I can get along with a thinner/smaller nut width neck if the profile is fuller.

That's why I mentioned that everybody is different...because we ARE!

[Guest gearwhore]

I too have issues with the larger necks. Big is better isn't a universal truth.

(That's what SHE said...)

I can totally see that - I have pretty big hands, so actually do get physical strain/discomfort when playing tiny necks (or Rickenbackers!) for any extended time. I used to play the thinner necks exclusively for years, but even the Wide/Thin PRS neck, while an improvement, didn't solve things the way the thicker profiles do (for ME). The necks that work best for me now are the one Stike is wrapping up, and a big "Boat V" profile that is just fantastic. I have found that I can get along with a thinner/smaller nut width neck if the profile is fuller.

That's why I mentioned that everybody is different...because we ARE!

ok that is something I agree I want thin compared to a 1 11/16 baseball style neck....but not gibson "61" thin but I do need narrow nut..strings close together...so 1.5 nut width with medium c for that nut size...it will be thin compared to many necks but med to a paper thin shred neck..if that makes sense...I have 1962 martin that has the perfect to me neck that I want the profile of.

[cmatthes]

I know some of the custom neck makers can match a neck profile exactly for you. They are still very reasonably priced for what they are. I'm a bit of a "bargain shopper" too, but would definitely pay more for a neck that gets it right.

[bubs_42]

If you really like the guitar have someone shave the neck that you already have. Its at least an option.

[Montelovesco]

Two cents from Germany on this:

I build three guitars from scratch/slabs and did it all the way down - from cutting the wood to the fretworks. Will post some pictures here sooner or later.

Even if I got better from guitar to guitar I am far away from some of the geniusses here, but I am ok with my own work - for not being a learned luthier.

About that neck issue of yours:

You need a good workbench, enough clamps, a good router and the fitting bits for the router. Maybe a planer. Files in different strengths. A steel/drawing die (VERY important). Sanding paper. The truss rod you want.

For the fingerboard: Take a pre slotted, anything else is too risky. If you find one with the radius already done, take it. Or you take a plane one and get your radius sanding block from StewMac (where you can get most of the tools you need). Fretwire. A small router and inlay material if you want to do some customized inlay (like SNIKT! Hi Diablo!). And dont forget the glue.

For the wood - take what fits to the guitar, I used to work with mahogany. No prob. As fretboard - it should be possible to find some ebony. At least here in Germany.

Thats for the material on a first glimps.

But first of all you need patience and time. And the will to go the long road, because it is not that easy. For my upcomig project I bought a ready made neck, simply because I am too lazy at the moment.

In case you do it yourself: We want pics.

Have fun (because it IS fun).

[Guest gearwhore]

Two cents from Germany on this:

I build three guitars from scratch/slabs and did it all the way down - from cutting the wood to the fretworks. Will post some pictures here sooner or later.

Even if I got better from guitar to guitar I am far away from some of the geniusses here, but I am ok with my own work - for not being a learned luthier.

About that neck issue of yours:

You need a good workbench, enough clamps, a good router and the fitting bits for the router. Maybe a planer. Files in different strengths. A steel/drawing die (VERY important). Sanding paper. The truss rod you want.

For the fingerboard: Take a pre slotted, anything else is too risky. If you find one with the radius already done, take it. Or you take a plane one and get your radius sanding block from StewMac (where you can get most of the tools you need). Fretwire. A small router and inlay material if you want to do some customized inlay (like SNIKT! Hi Diablo!). And dont forget the glue.

For the wood - take what fits to the guitar, I used to work with mahogany. No prob. As fretboard - it should be possible to find some ebony. At least here in Germany.

Thats for the material on a first glimps.

But first of all you need patience and time. And the will to go the long road, because it is not that easy. For my upcomig project I bought a ready made neck, simply because I am too lazy at the moment.

In case you do it yourself: We want pics.

Have fun (because it IS fun).

Oh i am not lacking on tools or know how..here is a couple pieces I did before I retired

the door is 8 foot by 4 foot...I built every ray of the sun.the entire door is built from 1x white pine pieces...the pictures dont really show all the detail routing I did..there is cove or bead on every edge of every little piece.

every piece in the wall/mantel/trim was logs..I cut them planed them shaped them and installed and finished

all local wood birch ash maple.

so not worried about tools...but more procedure ...the little tricks that you only learn from someone else or by making a mistake.

[Guest gearwhore]

I know some of the custom neck makers can match a neck profile exactly for you. They are still very reasonably priced for what they are. I'm a bit of a "bargain shopper" too, but would definitely pay more for a neck that gets it right.

tell me more...If I could get something made I would save learning for another time when I have time

[burningyen]

Warmoth Arcade conversion neck is an option.

[Guest gearwhore]

Warmoth Arcade conversion neck is an option.

oh I am going to have to call them...good idea...doh hello...I should have thought of this...thanks...They make good necks,

[Montelovesco]

Two cents from Germany on this:

I build three guitars from scratch/slabs and did it all the way down - from cutting the wood to the fretworks. Will post some pictures here sooner or later.

Even if I got better from guitar to guitar I am far away from some of the geniusses here, but I am ok with my own work - for not being a learned luthier.

About that neck issue of yours:

You need a good workbench, enough clamps, a good router and the fitting bits for the router. Maybe a planer. Files in different strengths. A steel/drawing die (VERY important). Sanding paper. The truss rod you want.

For the fingerboard: Take a pre slotted, anything else is too risky. If you find one with the radius already done, take it. Or you take a plane one and get your radius sanding block from StewMac (where you can get most of the tools you need). Fretwire. A small router and inlay material if you want to do some customized inlay (like SNIKT! Hi Diablo!). And dont forget the glue.

For the wood - take what fits to the guitar, I used to work with mahogany. No prob. As fretboard - it should be possible to find some ebony. At least here in Germany.

Thats for the material on a first glimps.

But first of all you need patience and time. And the will to go the long road, because it is not that easy. For my upcomig project I bought a ready made neck, simply because I am too lazy at the moment.

In case you do it yourself: We want pics.

Have fun (because it IS fun).

Oh i am not lacking on tools or know how..here is a couple pieces I did before I retired

the door is 8 foot by 4 foot...I built every ray of the sun.the entire door is built from 1x white pine pieces...the pictures dont really show all the detail routing I did..there is cove or bead on every edge of every little piece.

every piece in the wall/mantel/trim was logs..I cut them planed them shaped them and installed and finished

all local wood birch ash maple.

so not worried about tools...but more procedure ...the little tricks that you only learn from someone else or by making a mistake.

Oops. Sorry. Didn't want to be a smart ##s... Great work!

[Guest gearwhore]

Oops. Sorry. Didn't want to be a smart ##s... Great work!

no was not taken that way...thanks....the door was a evening project for the friend who owned the build its pictured on that I also built. Here is unfinished picture of the building(not sure where final pics are)...Just one other guy helped me build this. I use to be a start to finish contractor. So I have more tools than I have musical gear. I retired 5 years ago.