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Ive just finished the body of my first Gibson L-00. The neck angle was set to 90 degrees. The fretboard\bridge are both 7mm. The top is dead flat. IS my geometry correct? The more I read, the more I feel Ive done something wrong and it was supposed to be set to something specific. If Im incorrect how should I rectify.....I have cut the tapered mortice in the body but yet to cut the neck tenon?
hopefully this pic helps.
Mike

Im probably overthinking this but do want to mention that according to the plan from "GenOne Luthier Supplies" the neck angle is set at 90.
-Mike

Im probably overthinking this but do want to mention that according to the plan from "GenOne Luthier Supplies" the neck angle is set at 90.
-Mike

Time to draw a fullsize picture viewed from the side, so that the various planes can be seen. This topic needs to be dealt with as a unique event, tops are going to belly up under string tension, and each one is unique. Fret height is also a factor, frets are frequently of an 'ordinary' size, .043" or close enough to 1 mm. String height above the soundboard is generally accepted to be 1/2", or 13mm. Bridge thickness is irrelevant to setup; it's used to reliably give the saddle some support.

There may be a need to tilt the neck so as to offer the strings good clearance at the saddle, in which case tapering the neck and making a corresponding wedge for the fingerboard might be needed.

You need to check out my neck set video on you tube and you can set things up using the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNcbA1P95KE

Genone prints are crap they are not correct. they are off shore and just not accurate
Gibson are a bit different than martin so what is the fret plane in relation to the bridge ?

Hi .....,
Here are 2 pics, 1 depicting the fretboard size the other bridge thickness. The 3rd a pdf depicting neck geometry of 90 degrees at upper-bout. As well as the plane of the neck in relation to top of guitar.
Thanks for you thoughts on this.---Mike

tippie53 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2024 6:04 am You need to check out my neck set video on you tube and you can set things up using the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNcbA1P95KE

Genone prints are crap they are not correct. they are off shore and just not accurate
Gibson are a bit different than martin so what is the fret plane in relation to the bridge ?

Thankyou for this video. Excellent!....
THis one pic should explain that. THe top is deat flat and 90 degrees to top
With the fretboard on guitar and bridge approx. location the straight edge sits dead flat on top of both, not higher or lower that the other. this pic should explain.

If this was my problem, knowing how my mind generally works(?), I'd tape a half-inch-high block at the location of the saddle. We'll assume that we want the strings to be a half-inch off the soundboard. I'd either install the frets or tape forty thoudsandths' worth of shims at the first fret position and twelfth fret position. Then I'd get that straightedge to bridge between the first-fret position and the block at the saddle position. How high is the gap between the bottom of the straightedge and the top of the 12th fret? If the answer is a tenth of an inch, you're in tall cotton. More than that, the neck will need to be tilted down till that gap is established, the heel trimmed at the bottom and a shim installed under the fingerboard.

All the while I'd be thinking of that Disney cartoon, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

And I'd try to remember the next time I close up a body, that I'd done what I described above before I locked up the body's geometry. I've not mentioned how to do that, everybody deals with complex problems in their own way and this topic fills books.

Again I'm speaking for myself and how I'd try to set the neck angle by manipulating the neck alone.

I have not built a Gibson-style guitar, and am not very familiar with Gibsons. But one thing I wonder about is the height of the bridge, at 7.5 mm. I generally expect to see bridges about 3/8" high, or 9.5 - 10 mm. That would change your geometry a lot. And it would affect that 1/2" "desired" string height above the top. But if that's the way Gibson made bridges, then maybe you are okay. Bruce W.

gibsons are not set up likt martins