Neck and Tail Blocks

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twenty2late
Posts: 81
Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 8:48 am
Location: Savannah, GA

Neck and Tail Blocks

Post by twenty2late »

What are the approximate overall dimensions used for Martin neck and tail blocks? Do they need to be quarter sawn? I know there's a big debate over grain running perpendicular vs parallel to the side grain...but I don't see where how it's cut is that important that I can't just thrown some mahogany in there. Thoughts? Thanks for the help!

V/R
Ken
tippie53
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Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Neck and Tail Blocks

Post by tippie53 »

the blocks changed during the years
I use the old heavier block 1 9/16 thick
3 in wide
grain running parallel with the sided
if you run grain vertical and use a dovetail you can split a block
tail 9/16 by 3 also grain parallel to side
I prefer face grain to quarter sawn
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
twenty2late
Posts: 81
Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 8:48 am
Location: Savannah, GA

Re: Neck and Tail Blocks

Post by twenty2late »

Thanks John!!! I just ordered a set for both dreds and 000s from Martin to compare. I will contrast that with those dimensions below. Face grain is perfect, because I can get that easily. Finding quarter sawn mahogany around here is apparently a real challenge.

V/R
Ken
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