Building a Neck: Should I try it?

[guitarsalad14]

i found the neck and fingerboard blanks on warmoth and thought that this might be a nice alternative to spending $500 on a custom neck. I have pretty minimal woodworking experience but I know people that could help me out. I think I can do it. Well, should I give it a go?

[Eddie_UV777]

I say go for it!!!

[C.Thep]

go for it if you got the extra cash, but don't expect anything good.

[ryanb]

Absolutely do it. It isn't really as hard as you might think. Just take your time and read everything you find. If it doesn't work out, just consider it practice for the next one. You'll get it. Good luck.

[slugman]

Let me suggest you try making the neck with some cheap wood first. I made one out of pine and even fretted it. The neck came out pretty awful but I sure learned a lot in the evening I spent making it. And I spent a whole $12 on the fretwire, the wood was scrap.

[phantoms]

You'd be better off going the pre-made unfinished route.

Click on the bolt-on neck on this page.
http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=KBN

[guitarsalad14]

The thing is though I need a neck with a floyd rose nut or at least cut for one

[Eggy]

Given that you have minimal woodworking skills the simple answer is - NO!

Buy one off the bay and save yourself a whole bucket load of heartache and disapointment.

Ben

[guitarsalad14]

Ok... I'll try the 'bay first

[Chris777]

Where in Minnesota are you? I just built a sweet 15" Jazz archtop with Ed Schaefer www.schaeferguitars.com and I could build you a neck if you wanted, feel free to PM me if you would like to.

-Chris

[ryanb]

Originally Posted by Eggy

Given that you have minimal woodworking skills the simple answer is - NO!

Buy one off the bay and save yourself a whole bucket load of heartache and disapointment.

Ben

The only way to get woodworking skills is to do woodworking. Everybody has to start somewhere. Sure, I wouldn't suggest working on your favorite vintage axe, but there's no reason not to try a new neck. The biggest thing at risk is a little bit of wood. Neck building isn't rocket science. Buy a preslotted/radiused fretboard to take the hard part out if you wish.

[snowfall]

The question is, do you want to same $$, or do you want to build up your
woodworking skills. If you want to save $$, buying off the bay is probably
best, or maybe the unfinished pre-made neck route. If you go whole hog on
the neck thing, you might end up spending more money on tools and such than
just buying a neck. As someone with ok woodworking skills, I know at least
that much. The total cost of the hand tools I own dwarfs the value of the
furniture I've made. For me that's ok -- I'm a tool junkie...