Am I using the right term when I say neck block and tail block?
Also what is your preferred material for these blocks? Would there be any benefit to using baltic birch for these blocks? I have seen some top shelf guitars that use baltic birch, i.e. Bourgeois, of which I am a huge fan.
Am I using the right term, neck block?
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Re: Am I using the right term, neck block?
Yes, those are the right terms. I've used mahogany and cherry for the neck and tail blocks. I've rehabbed project guitars made of birch and they were wonderful sounding. I don't see any reason why you couldn't use birch.
If you look through John Halls tips, you'll find a tip about inlaying a piece of wood into the tail block. This prevents cracks up the side of a guitar if it's dropped on end. I'm restoring a 1954 Martin D-18 with multiple 18" cracks up both sides of the guitar and my guess is that it was dropped on end. John has a lot of videos that are really helpful.
If you look through John Halls tips, you'll find a tip about inlaying a piece of wood into the tail block. This prevents cracks up the side of a guitar if it's dropped on end. I'm restoring a 1954 Martin D-18 with multiple 18" cracks up both sides of the guitar and my guess is that it was dropped on end. John has a lot of videos that are really helpful.
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Re: Am I using the right term, neck block?
Thank you Diane, you are always helpful and willing to share. I appreciate that. Are we referring to the same birch material? Baltic Birch is a high quality plywood.Diane Kauffmds wrote:Yes, those are the right terms. I've used mahogany and cherry for the neck and tail blocks. I've rehabbed project guitars made of birch and they were wonderful sounding. I don't see any reason why you couldn't use birch.
If you look through John Halls tips, you'll find a tip about inlaying a piece of wood into the tail block. This prevents cracks up the side of a guitar if it's dropped on end. I'm restoring a 1954 Martin D-18 with multiple 18" cracks up both sides of the guitar and my guess is that it was dropped on end. John has a lot of videos that are really helpful.
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Re: Am I using the right term, neck block?
I've worked on solid birch guitars. The word Baltic flew right past me. Lol
I've used the plywood as inlay in the endblock (tail) and I can't think of a problem for using it as your end block material.
I think your decision on whether to use it as a neck block, should be based on the type of neck you're going to use. If installing a dovetail, I can see problems with Baltic birch. Neck Resets on dovetail necks require heat and steam. Your neck block would swell and deform. If you're installing a bolt on neck, then I don't think that there would be a problem.
I've used the plywood as inlay in the endblock (tail) and I can't think of a problem for using it as your end block material.
I think your decision on whether to use it as a neck block, should be based on the type of neck you're going to use. If installing a dovetail, I can see problems with Baltic birch. Neck Resets on dovetail necks require heat and steam. Your neck block would swell and deform. If you're installing a bolt on neck, then I don't think that there would be a problem.