Thanks alot Richard. That les Paul neck looks sick. And the idea of sanding the neck in the same shape you hold the guitar neck when playing made me smack myself in the head, that makes total sense.
@scubasteve4093
Жыл бұрын
lots of super helpful tips, thanks!
@TheGreatGig73
3 жыл бұрын
Great video. I built a few guitar bodies but you just gave me some inspiration to attempt the neck. Thank you.
@roberthelmick9574
5 жыл бұрын
Great video. Well spoken and very in depth. It really does help those of us building for the first time!
@francoisvanheerden670
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Richard, thank you very much for sharing some secrets. I'm busy shaping my first neck and really appreciate your advise
@geemac7267
8 жыл бұрын
These are great videos. Very informative and helpful. Thanks for doing them Ric.
@zachcerasani3043
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this!! I keep watching it over and over! Making my first couple necks now and I hope they turn out!!! Thanks again and can’t wait for your next video!
@edadpops1709
8 жыл бұрын
hello, Im enjoying your master class vids alot. Id like to suggest vids on dovetailing and fitting an archtop neck including the neck extention shaping, as well as how best to mount the finger rest without using a Gibson style bracket.
@richardmccurdy9333
7 жыл бұрын
Cutting dovetails really just takes some tooling. I would suggest getting the Bob Benedetto book or videos. Luthiers Mercantile has a good solid jig; and there are many others. I attach the pickguard into the side of the neck with two screws and a small ebony block. If you have built-in pickups I put a small block on the pickguard and screw into the bridge pickup ring too.
@kuhboom22
7 жыл бұрын
Excellent video!
@banjomanToddTaylor
4 жыл бұрын
Great video! you really taught me some great things, you are the man! thank you for this video.
@AvaPxiaO
7 жыл бұрын
A cheaper way to practice this, instead of laminated hardwood and the perfect piece of maple, is to find cheaper wood, as dense and heavy as you can get, like a leg from an old table, and try to make a neck out of it. This helps each one to learn what not to do, what not to overdo, and when you feel more comfortable and have come up with your jig system, then make a real one. One thing I did with a dry stored dead tree trunk of the right size and shape was to make something like a practice through neck headless guitar. It ended up being so good I put pick ups on it.
@Ibaneddie76
6 жыл бұрын
EVEN BETTER ADVICE THAN THIS VIDEO. THIS IS GREAT FOR HIS STYLE OF BUILDING, I CHALLENGE PEOPLE TO FIND THERE OWN WAY TO BUILD. OF COURSE TAKE TECHNIQUES FROM EVERYONE BUT TRYING TO MIMIC SOMEBODY TAKES THE ART OUT OF YOUR BUILD.THIS IS A GOOD VIDEO THOUGH, MINUS THE BELT SANDER, PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE WOODWORKING SKILLS WILL GET THERE SHIRT CAUGHT UP IN THAT THICK GRIT AND YANKED RIGHT INTO THAT SANDER, I'VE SEEN IT HAPPEN ONLY IT WASN'T A SHIRT IT WAS A BEARD, YIKES.
@Jefferson-ly5qe
6 жыл бұрын
WHY ARE WE SHOUTING?
@absolutmauser
5 жыл бұрын
If you just want to practice you can just go get a half decent 1x4 of a cheap hardwood and saw and glue til you have a moderately stable blank. I agree, starting your first neck with meticulously assembled blank of nice hardwoods is just a recipe for being sad about ruining said hardwood!
@Ibaneddie76
5 жыл бұрын
Great Idea man, shit if it turns out good use it as well.
@keithclark2136
5 жыл бұрын
@@Jefferson-ly5qe SOME OF US DON'T SEE THAT WELL.
@rockereb
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing Rick!
@MrMarkmegaro
4 жыл бұрын
I agree about asymmetry but i like the guitar to get slightly wider at the nut build all my guitars that way assymetrical, taper to the nut, thin by the binding
@jonathanbennett3000
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! These videos are excellent! This was especially informative. This neck was for an electric hollowbody jazz guitar? How does it differ from an acoustic dread?
@richardmccurdy9333
2 жыл бұрын
They are the same, except where they join the body.
@michaelre4192
6 жыл бұрын
Fantastic video
@nojyeloot
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this! Amazing instruction that is super helpful. If I lived near you I would be on your doorstep demanding you apprentice me
@persephonecarden5751
6 жыл бұрын
Great stuff! Thank you!
@richardmccurdy9333
6 жыл бұрын
The metal leveling disc has been discontinued. I’ve seen something similar at Home Depot; or you can have one made by a local machinist.
@danparsons6566
6 жыл бұрын
Nice video, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am interested in that metal sanding disc you use to thickness your neck. Do you have a link or contact information for that product? Thanks again!
@jettramel
7 жыл бұрын
Great video, for me it's all in the neck it you get that feel whether you like Fender, Gibson, Guild. (I like them all) if the neck is right you can overlook flaws in the body. I'm going to make necks first. Awesome, now for Stew Mac gift card? lol
@barryharrell3355
4 жыл бұрын
"When you ruin one neck, you will never ruin another" Ain't that the truth! Thanks for the awesome video!
@xh4r744
7 жыл бұрын
Any bass guitar projects in the future?I really want to build.
@tolerbearALTII
6 жыл бұрын
Could you do a video on the different scale lengths of a guitar neck? How can one replace a 21 fret neck with a scale length of 25.5 inch with a 22 fret or 24 fret neck with the same 25.5 scale length? Or even if it can be done?
@richardmccurdy9333
6 жыл бұрын
Of course you can. However the neck length and number of frets will vary when you put on a different scale neck.
@vic3390
2 жыл бұрын
perfekt thank you
@denischambers930
6 жыл бұрын
I don’t have any problem with the method of neck shaping but using “tanged” files or rasps without handles is incredibly dangerous. The bigger they are the more dangerous it is. Either remove the tang or buy a handle.
@roberthelmick9574
5 жыл бұрын
Well Dennis, maybe this job ain't for you if you're afraid a of getting yourself killed while using a rasp...
@thatellipsisguy8984
4 жыл бұрын
Stabby Stab McStabstab disagrees...
@denischambers930
4 жыл бұрын
@@roberthelmick9574 A good point well made there Robert.
@peteroconnor8687
7 жыл бұрын
Thank you sir
@josephgrande8933
5 жыл бұрын
$10,000 damn i knew it was pricey but am certain worth every penny!
@georgebarnett7388
7 жыл бұрын
On the fret surface of the hand made guitar (fingerboard) is it shaped to the individuals hand and finger shape , preference or are they all the same.? l ask this because i have never seen any kind of shaping done to it, and l believe it may help my own playing enormously .
@richardmccurdy9333
6 жыл бұрын
There are standard fingerboard radius. Buy a shaped radius block and use that to sand the fingerboard surface with. Stu-Mac,Luthiers Mercantile and E-Bay carry them.
@richardmccurdy9333
5 жыл бұрын
Buy those radiused sanding blocks from Stu-Mac. They make it so easy....
@andresgutierrez6953
8 жыл бұрын
Hi Rick, how can I contact you ?? I need help with my 1952 Gretsch synchromatic. Thank you!!!
@richardmccurdy9333
8 жыл бұрын
+Andres Gutierrez All my contact info is on my website, mccurdyguitars.com
@pablorar
5 жыл бұрын
you're cool dude
@RyRytheCatfishGuy
6 жыл бұрын
Is there anything you would do differently for a neck-through guitar?
@richardmccurdy9333
6 жыл бұрын
Nope, just protect the gluing edges while you are shaping.
@joeballs5669
8 ай бұрын
great !
@davidflaa2730
6 жыл бұрын
Great video. Regarding the neck contour tool, I suggest you check the “Frets.com” web site. Frank shows an easy way to make a permanent copy of fret contour jig.
@jacklacrosse7518
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. No need to call it a master class though.
@ekw555
6 жыл бұрын
I'm going to be "that guy": farrier's rasps are not for shaping horse *shoes*. they are wood rasps used to shape horses' *hooves* as part of the shoeing procedure.
@MrFritzzz666
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for being that guy.
@absolutmauser
5 жыл бұрын
Ah they are for shaping horse feet! 😁 thank you for being that guy ten months ago.
@megusta9045
5 жыл бұрын
ekw555 unimportant fact that makes no difference on the context of the video. You earned a cookie for the effort!
@jasonrickett561
4 жыл бұрын
Well played sir.
@buddybeetle
4 жыл бұрын
It’s a big bastard.
@blueskycrying
4 жыл бұрын
Wow if your charging 10k for a guitar, I definitely need to adjust my prices lol
@andyp4851
2 жыл бұрын
great job I'm not sure I will use a belt sander as I don't have one in my shop but will for sure be using and thinking about all your finishing techniques, thanks man....
@johnnypk1963
6 жыл бұрын
Very much like your simple approach. Also the back of headstock laminates’ tail blending into the neck is a great look. Thanks.
@fretpoint
5 жыл бұрын
Great video on shaping the neck. Thanks so much for putting this on KZitem 🙂
@barrymoretzky8084
Жыл бұрын
Great video. Can you leave links/list to all of the hand tools you used? How thin can I make a Mexican Strat neck? I do not have the longest fingers.
@D.Guitar
4 жыл бұрын
Great video. I use a Hand held 3×21 belt sander... Because I'm broke....lol. But the same rules apply. Especially the "cheeks" (which I call shoulders) of the neck....it really is what makes a neck feel slim...or clunky.. I'm going to have to concentrate more on the transition.. to nut. And heel. What You say makes perfect sense..
@thatellipsisguy8984
4 жыл бұрын
Dana Guitar Lanke pretty easy to knock up a jig to run it either upside down or on its side, the access isn’t perfect, but better than holding it by hand...
@Ibaneddie76
5 жыл бұрын
Can't find that steel sanding disc anywhere, I use a safety planer the same way but would rather use that cool sanding disc.
@rustyporte
Жыл бұрын
Shaal: we melt glass into bocks and throw them into an ocean? What did the Oceans ever do to us?
@Roy1271
Жыл бұрын
Great stuff sir. I enjoyed this so much. Saving me some money on tools as well.
@markgrimm3564
2 жыл бұрын
nice job a video on neck joint and setting would be awesome thanks so much for your time rick
@javanthomas4122
4 жыл бұрын
You could use sand paper on the neck instead of the belt sander since you said there's a problem that happens in the center.
@sandervandervoor9238
Жыл бұрын
Great video, thank you for sharing this with us. Very clear explained and very clever to set the hight in the middle of the neck before removing material from the edges. i am going to do it the same way with the neck of my first built guitar as is seems very logically. Thanks again. Regards Sander van der Voort from the Netherlands.
@richardmccurdy9333
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks.
@joecurmaci5880
2 жыл бұрын
You're very impressive I like your style kind of go right at it
@patrickluley555
3 жыл бұрын
I like that backstrap. Would be cool to see a video on how you did it.
@elduderinounemployed3438
2 ай бұрын
Is it advisable to do this on a finished neck with the fret board on, or can you do it on just the maple? In case you mess it up I mean..
@richardmccurdy9333
Ай бұрын
@@elduderinounemployed3438 ahhh… it’s a craft not a trick. The first time you shape, will be rough , the more you do it the better you get.
@rosalindacaseley6996
4 жыл бұрын
Showing my lack of knowledge... Should the belt sander have a safety screen to stop the operator getting caught in it?
@richardmccurdy9333
3 жыл бұрын
I have been doing this for 40 years and it is safe for me to do it this way. Everyone must decide for themselves their comfort level on safety. Don’t take any unnecessary risks just because you saw it on the internet.
@vincewhirlwind574
6 жыл бұрын
Just check your work often, using a belt sander. It's oh-so-easy to take off just little bit too much! But a great video, I subscribed.
@absolutmauser
5 жыл бұрын
Vince Whirlwind I’m terrified of doing it with my belt sander for that reason. It’s way easier to sneak up on it by hand, though it takes a lot longer!
@chrispaulick
2 жыл бұрын
Nice job, thanks for sharing.
@Bishalr1037
4 жыл бұрын
Hi, do you have a video showing the initial neck shaping?
@georgelackey622
3 жыл бұрын
This must the roughest, most obtuse demonstration I have ever seen!
@jeremybrooks6705
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video, I did try out a most of the steps (I used a Shinto Saw Rasp to rough out because I don't have a belt sander) and few tools used here and I got a neck very similar to the one I was copying and much better than the others I completed before. A couple things I picked up in my experience trying these things out: the Nicholson 4 in Hand that I picked up at Home Depot didn't cut well at all, the 36 grit flat board worked very well, and the contour hand sanding worked great. I did have trouble with the contours around the heal and the headstock with the tools I had since the 4 in hand didn't work well, but I eventually got the results I wanted with a dowel and sandpaper. Thanks Richard!
@richardmccurdy9333
5 жыл бұрын
You are right. I like that Shinto rasp too and Nicholson has been bought out by a hedge fund. . The new files are duller than my 5-year-old ones.
@gennyhaley7014
6 жыл бұрын
Wow, this is great--you are not only a master builder but a master teacher, Thanks!
@toddmayer6859
Жыл бұрын
I've been watching these tutorial videos for hours ... and glad I watched this one last. One tutorial is pretty sad. Anyway, I learned the most from your video Rick. Thanks much for all the fine detail of tips. I have an Epi Dot which I like quite a bit ... except for the wide neck. I love the Player series necks that Fender has ... the Modern C shape. So I am going to get the contour of one of those, and then reshape the neck of my Dot. I realize that going up past the 10th fret I will not be able to get the same contour of the Fender bolt on neck, but I will transition into that area. Thank you! The neck is mahogany and the finish on the rest of the guitar is that cherry red. Some state to experiment with red dye & water on a blank piece of mahogany till I get the exact shade I want ... and then apply that to the neck. One luthier recommends Watco Teak Oil Finish, applying it with 1000 grit wet or dry. Do you have a red dye brand you would recommend? I intend to have the headstock finish wind up into that sort of V shape you did on this neck, to get the two finishes to blend together better
@richardmccurdy9333
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks. Tinting it to the correct color will take much time and a full set of TransTint stains from Stu-Mac. Why not mark a hard transition to the colored section with masking tape and oil finish the neck. It will feel great to the hand. I’ve used both Watco oil and Tru-Oil gunstock finish which are easy to apply and are a durable, professional finish.
@toddmayer6859
Жыл бұрын
@@richardmccurdy9333 Thanks much Rick. I bought the scrap piece of Mahogany to test out the TransTint, which is Cherry Red. I may need to also purchase black, in case the red is too bright. The Epi Dot colors are not all matching anyway. I did use blue painter's tape to mark off heel and headstock before I lightly sanded the finish to get a satin feel. That turned out very well, like you stated, it looks like a natural transition doing that .... ( both ends it juts into the neck area, not a straight line). Thanks again Rick!
@ProfileP246
3 жыл бұрын
I like the shape of Gibson necks also but when I shape my necks I have to use a more methodical approach, I've observed Gibson shaping necks in this manner and I'd love to be able to do it but even after 12 years of shaping my heart would be in my mouth every time.
@richardmccurdy9333
3 жыл бұрын
Master Luthier Bob Benedetto once told me,” trust your hands”. Every guitar I make is better than the last. I don’t think I’ve learned anything, but my hands have.
@ProfileP246
3 жыл бұрын
@@richardmccurdy9333 That's a great philosophy, if it feels right it's right!
@larrycortner6321
2 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, thanks for the good tips.
@claymationwaves
3 жыл бұрын
once again a video with no neck creation only finishing hints
@americansamiam
3 жыл бұрын
Great Video and So helpful.. Appreciate it Richard! About to attempt my first Guitar - Firebird!!! Wish I had your skills!
@absolutmauser
5 жыл бұрын
That jig for getting the neck taper is genius. *dashes to the workshop*
@davepuxley7387
7 жыл бұрын
I agree - this is the best neck shaping video I have seen. I have a question regarding your comment about a favourite neck. My favourite neck is a classical guitar I have had for nearly 20 years. What I would like to build is an electric version of that neck, flat fingerboard and all, for use on a piezo loaded electric guitar. This would be neck through construction; could I reasonably continue the general shape of the neck (as you were showing with the straight edge relative to transitions at either end of the neck) into the body - like a long groove on the bass side of the neck - without weakening the instrument structurally?
@Jefferson-ly5qe
7 жыл бұрын
I'm not a luthier, but I would expect it to be stronger than a regular guitar, as you could build it from one piece of wood and avoid the weak point of the join between the neck and the body. It's a cool idea, I'd like to try it myself sometime!
@richardmccurdy9333
7 жыл бұрын
My experience has been it will work fine. I would leave as long a tenon as possible. Good luck!
@davepuxley7387
7 жыл бұрын
Richard McCurdy Thanks!
@trackie1957
2 жыл бұрын
Very helpful description of the criteria you look at. Like the taper jig, too, but I have no power tools. I use a sharp draw knife to remove the bulk of the wood (quickly!) and proceed with rasps, wood files and chisels. You are right in that you learn something with each neck. That’s part of the reason why I’m not bored yet!
@benjaminwharton1595
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, some great tips there for my banjo neck building - much appreciated!
@onpsxmember
7 жыл бұрын
I just found you O.o Which is weird cause i binge on guitar building videos for years. Very helpful video. You tell how it is. You have to DO it at some point and you surely need to get a feeling for it to get better but those small details you share make all the difference. I also got a question for you: You don't want to see the binding or only see a hint of it, so do the sides where the neck meets the binding looks straight like the top ends of an "U" or are the ends slightly pulled inwards like you cut off the upper 48% of an ellipse? What is your take on lacquered (polished or slightly sanded) vs oil finishes vs bare wood? Is a lot of the "i get stuck on the neck" more about the shape on the sides?
@18roselover
7 жыл бұрын
Hi richard, I build ukes and small guitars in KC MO . I/ve been doing my necks with hand tools.. Do you have any plans for that neck tapering jig .? I am interested in building one . Or could you direct me to where you got the idea for making one. Thank you . I really enjoyed the video
@richardmccurdy9333
7 жыл бұрын
I don't know of any, but the one one I made is just two pieces of hardwood with a good hinge at one end and a screw adjuster at the other end. You can just use a bolt and a T-nut set into the top end to adjust it if you don't have a knob. I also made a non-adjustable one if all your necks are the same.
@ArkRed1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. I've got the acoustic body done, but shaping the neck really had me at a standstill. This video explained and answered a lot of questions for me. I feel more confident now. I only wish you lived closer.
@rickeydenler4272
4 ай бұрын
This is the best neck shaping video I've seen thank you very much you carve an awesome guitar neck
@azalea_moon-kee
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! This video popped up on my feed exactly when I needed it. I'm about ready to start my first guitar neck on a CBG and it's interesting to know the kinds of things that make a neck feel good or bad. I have stubby fingers and tiny hands and I was thinking that the CBG guitar neck would feel more comfortable naturally, but with the things that you pointed out about what makes a neck feel thick or thin or comfortable showed me that there's some counterintuitive things to the art of neck making. This was a very nice clear Master class.
@buddybeetle
4 жыл бұрын
Try a spokeshave and a cabinet scraper.
@NeoRichardBlake
4 жыл бұрын
I will never be able to afford or own a hand made guitar, I'm sure (unless I make one myself some day), but I'm glad that so many people still do this. It's that's an awesome neck.
@ukguitaryogi2888
4 жыл бұрын
hey Rich thanks for this super great video man.. I am amateur hobby guitar tech about to make my first neck and this is a true master class . can you make some on hand carved strat / tele / les paul bodies and show your secrets as a living master? thanks from the UK
@alandust2188
5 жыл бұрын
Is that large file the Nicholson 49 or 50 file? Also, are you going to be making any more videos, please!
@donosogutierrez
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Richard! Men.... would love if you could keep making videos like this... You´re such a gret builder, and your designs are amaizing. Even really good at explaining. Wish you the best and greetings from Argentina.
@tonybennett5377
5 жыл бұрын
Wow you are the best, I've made five guitars, those finer points you gave me puts me in the ballpark, next l hope you do one on fretting and setup. I know it's an extreme skill set, but I've taught myself the basics. Thank you so much.
@barrychristiansen4579
6 жыл бұрын
probably not running out to build any necks in the forseeable future but if i was i would really be looking over this info. for sure. most interresting. i love woodwork but love playing guitar more . thx Richard. well presented and explained very intelligently. Blessings!
@hellbillyaustin6883
6 жыл бұрын
Im greatfull that people like you are keeping the trade alive, watched many vid on making necks, but they only go so far, not explaining the main points and ways of doing the job properly. Thank you. All the best.
@rustyaxelrod
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing a look at a professional way to get this job done correctly. As you pointed out, there is no substitute for skill and knowledge (unless you count luck, lol) and what you showed us can go along way to learning how to get a good result. KZitem at its best when a true craftsman is willing to film a post like this👍
@Badhands55
Жыл бұрын
Awesome instructional video
@ravvij9643
5 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed this! I'd love to get into making my own guitars someday and I think this has been one of the most informative videos I've seen! I'd love to know your thoughts on the Siggi Braun guitar necks and how they bolt to the back of the guitar instead if the top.
@Kirk1795
Жыл бұрын
"Owned it in previous life" 😂 you are the best teacher for aspiring builder
@garymontgomeryguitars3153
2 жыл бұрын
Great video Richard. You can always learn something new.
@newsoundacoustics7973
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You don't know how much you have helped me. I hope to meet you one day and shake your hand. I had a client that wanted a left handed neck and I had all my necks in righty CNC'd. Your video helped me nail the lefty! Thank you!
@calvinhobbs7809
6 жыл бұрын
Ric, thanks for the info! Can you please let me know where you purchased the metal sanding disc that is on your drill press? I could not make out where you said you purchased it and am having trouble locating one. Thanks!
@madgeniusmusic
7 жыл бұрын
Best neck carving video on the net, thanks Ric.
@danagos
7 жыл бұрын
Very impressive skills demonstration and knowledgeable explanations .. I finally know what to look for in a comfortable neck .. Thanks & keep up the good work .. - Dan
@karlstine2065
2 жыл бұрын
Well done and explained. Thanks.
@dave1812
7 жыл бұрын
That Drill Press Jig is such a brilliant yet simple Idea! Gotta build one too
@DwightMS1
5 жыл бұрын
You did a great job with that belt-sander, but I wouldn't trust myself to do it that way. I'd use a spoke-shave.
@josephgrande8933
5 жыл бұрын
amazing guitars you make rich, am sure the price to get your guitars i know arent cheap thats for sure,dont know if i could ever afford it
@bigfootingermany
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video Richard! That's a really good video! Very helpful. Bob in Germany!
@toddgrossman7333
Жыл бұрын
You're my favorite "unwitting mentor" Richard. This kid from the suburbs sends a gratitude filled Thank You. My shoulders are particularly happy about this video.
@richardmccurdy9333
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, and keep making sawdust !
@porandi6202
5 жыл бұрын
You must see, how indonesian people make a guitar customs just use the simple equipment tools...
@donvanco3078
5 жыл бұрын
I love this video - I come back to it time after time.
@mikaylaboo1
6 жыл бұрын
Richard, I like your style! I just subscribed for more tips. I am a newbie, so this is very important education.
@robking5896
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the extra tips as you made the neck. Lots of things I have noted and will use.
@brianknickerbocker8518
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks, very cool. I should have been doing this 20 years ago.
@artanddesign8561
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for making this great video it’s very kind of you to share your knowledge!
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