This is the absolute BEST neck building tutorial I've ever seen. Very descriptive, thorough, and this is the first time I'd heard of this neck rounding technique and it makes things seem much less scary! The one fear I have with building a neck is screwing it up in the last stage.

Knowing a trade is one thing , sharing that knowledge free is another ! You are a "Master"-"Craftsman".

This actually helped me to figure out how to model a guitar neck in SolidWorks. I had designed a Strat neck for fun, but I couldn't figure out how to map out the radius. The converging lines you drew on the back side of the neck made it click in my mind. Thanks again for sharing. It really is a gift for people like yourself to share with the world what took you years to perfect. You are very generous.

I know this is an eleven year old video but I just have to say what an amazing artist Mr. Fletcher is. Watching him shape that neck makes it look so easy that I feel like I could do it myself. Oh, sure, I get it that when I actually try it, mine won't look anything at all like his or even like a guitar neck but I can always use file dust as fire starter powder and the neck wood in the wood stove this winter. So I might actually try it.

Hands-down, the best tutorial, how to shape an electric guitar neck! I watch this video the first time I started building 10 years ago and been using this technique ever since even on my acoustic guitars! Much appreciated. Thank you so much❤

I tend to rough out the transitions at the body/neck joint and the headstock but use a spokeshave plane to remove the straight section. It's easier than filing it all out

Hi, Yeah its definitely possible and probably quite a time saver. I've seen it done by a few builders but also quite dangerous as well. I've seen necks thrown across the room when a router has caught. You are removing quite an amount of wood from the back with a BIG round-over bit ,which can be a recipe for disaster. If you take small incremental passes, it should work great. Call me old-school but shaping the neck by hand is one of the most satisfying parts of a build :-) !

It's NOT just that you know your trade, it is clear that you are a perfectionist. Amazing work. You have a lot to be proud of.

Well I bit the bullet today, plucked up the courage and started with my rasp, following your technique and markings. 90 minutes later, I had an absolutely fantastic neck, dead straight, blended to the headstock and the heel, sanded to the first level. I have to say it was 10 times easier than I feared. The markings worked a treat, the facet approach just turned into a round neck profile with very little fuss. Thanks again for guiding me through this process so clearly and professionally.

I love working with wood. And I thought about building an electric guitar. So when I found your site I watched the whole series! To me the daunting part was shaping the neck so I just bought one. I then watched your video again and said I can do that. I am in the middle of doing the neck and will start the carving soon. Your directions and comments are very clear. Being American, I love your accent! I can tell you are truely a craftsman. Thank you for taking the time to do the whole series!

I always thought that neck shaping was a conspiracy until I watched your video. Thanks.

This is the best video I've seen on this subject. I used this method recently and it turned out perfectly. Even for a beginner like me. Thank you so much

right now I'm standing next to my workbench, with my laptop in front of me, learning a lot and building my first guitar. Thank you Mr. Fletcher for your awesome lessons!! I wish I could meet you some day, shake your hand and say: thank you !! ;)

this is great stuff, I wish this was out there back in 1978 when I made a guitar in shop in jr high.. long story short I never knew about a TRUSS ROD.. and I used 2 different scales for frets, so the guitar was really umm... different, left it in my locker over the weekend and on monday I was shocked to find it had bowed really bad.. teacher said if it even makes a sound it is an A.. of course it did.. but I really wish I hadnt smashed it now, would have been neat to show ppl. :)

Thanks for doing these vids David. Its people like you that make you tube so watchable. Im new to guitar building but carpenter 22yrs. So Im gonna have a go soon. Thanks again from UK.

Your videos have been so helpful! I am making my fourth neck and I view these videos every time. Your method of carving really took the mystery out of the task. Thank you!

Absolutely incredibly amazingly awesome you sir are an inspiration to so many of us who want to learn the craft

Cheers for the great vids David - they are an absolute goldmine of clever tips and tricks. You've already saved me so much time by helping me avoid mistakes. Good on ya mate!

WOW! Thank you so much for making this information available. This will get me in the right direction to making my own instruments.......

David Fletcher... ...U R AWESOME!

Thanks David, my first three turned out OK. Still need to find information showing how to install double action truss rod with thru headstock adjustment. So I'm using e-bay necks, and that is turning out OK. But I sure would rather use one I made to justify all the tools I purchased watching your videos!

Thanks to your video, I've just remembered that I was taught just this technique by my Granfather when I was about nine. I was making something completely different but if nothing else, thank you for bringing back some great memories!

this playlist is really gonna help me with my industrial tech hsc major, thank you

HI Ray, I made sure that that I ordered tuners that had the same spacing as the template had. Most tuners you order will have a diagram showing the recommended hole placements.

Thank you so much for this informative video, it really helped me out building my first neck!

I love watching your video. Very interesting explanation. You’re the best video that I saw.

Hey there Thank you for these videos. Yesterday I began to make a guitar with the intention of buying a neck to use but after watching these videos I feel that making my own neck is achievable. Thanks for sharing knowledge Trevor

@TheSchlereth

5 жыл бұрын

How’s it going?

Everyone will be happy to know I bought a 10-pack of pencils :-)

@dalepres1

5 ай бұрын

And, hopefully, by now you have a brass head hammer instead of a framing hammer for delicate fret work 😁. I know you're an artist and a pro so your use of the hammer isn't like it would be if I did it as just a poor beginner (why am I beginning anything at 68 years of age, I don't know) but it's fun to watch you.

Beautiful work

best video ever for a guitar neck!!!! bravo!!!

these videos are so interesting! thank you for making these!

Part 3 of my 10 part Stratocaster Build

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Hi Henry, Sure, I can be reached via enquiries@fletcherhandcraftedguitars.com Regards, David Fletcher

@keefjunior4061

9 жыл бұрын

***** You are like the Roger Smith of luthiers! It's a compliment, believe me.

These are awesomely entertaining and helpful.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris

Great video. Thanks! Makes me wanna try building my own.

Hi, Yeah definitely heard of them but I have not tried them yet. I need to check them out I think. Those Stew Mac Dragon rasps can remove some wood pretty quick too !!

Hi, its a contour gauge - You can get them from most hardware stores or you can buy them online from Ebay most probably

I've checked out a few of your videos... all I can say is genius! :)

love these videos. totally helps me out

Started to watch last night and felt compelled to watch until 3.30am. Great stuff, always wondered how the struss rod was installed and now I know. Did you buy a new pencil yet?

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Wow, late night huh ?! ;-) Yeah, I got a 6-pack of pencils , I'll be set for life :-)

This video has given me a lot of confidence in building my first neck now. As shaping it was one of my main concerns and now that I've seen you do this method I would like to do the same. If there some where I can look up the measurements to draw on the lines for the facets?

Thank you. Yeah, its almost a fatback. I still have the final shaping to do though so its not 100% decided yet

Hello Fletcher, was delighted with its ease of drawing the lines to make the perfect curve of the arm of this Stratocaster. I wonder if you have any tips to draw the lines in Precision Bass, to facilitate the creation of the bend? Thank you!

Great ! Glad it went well.

In this profession, thank you so much for sharing with us. Thanks to you, I'm doing guitar walnut.

Great job

Not all tuner spacing is the same, I'm using Gotoh "Kluson-style" locking tuners. The hole spacing for these tuners is 23.8mm with an 11/32" (8.73mm)-diameter tuner hole.

you really go into detail on your videos they are great bu i have a request. could you do ideos on how to build necktrough guitar im having trouble finding good videos on how t do it

You can use a hard auto body block and sandpaper to run up and down your neck to get it level.

Great video. Love your techniques. Interesting that your neck is the same thickness on the 1st fret as it is on the 12th fret.

Do you know how many builders buy arbors to press the tuner parts in with rather than using their drill presses and most have drill presses?

Great videos sir. Subscribed. love a lot the technics you use. One question about radiusing the fret board (sorry that might have been the vid before this one) I learnt to use a white china marker on even a pencil to shade the finger board and when the shades are gone, check with the radius gauge. haven't seen using the calipers like that before. your thoughts? p.s. you are a fn beast with those files!! I have only built 2 guitars and am still afraid to go at it that hard lol.

Yes, including the fretboard. I should have explained it better in the video

Hello Fletcher, I'm a big fan of your work and your videos are extremely helpful!!! I just have one question, what's de diameter of your spindle sander in mm??? Thank you!

I've never got on with a spoke shave - Dunno what it is but I much prefer my rasps for neck shaping. That's not to say a spoke shave isn't perfectly for the job - LOTS of people use them for shaping necks. As I always say there's more than one way to get the job done. Probably more sanding involved but that's ok ;-)

Hi Dave, love the videos..im gonna take a stab at making my first neck...learned alot from your vids....Im gonna try a 1/2 inch roundover on the edges of the back shaping & then try to do the middle witha rasp & spoke shave... Im looking to make a very thin neck like an old school Charvel san dimas strat neck...I put the roundover next to the neck i want to copy & it fits like a glove...Think it can work?

These videos are fabulous and keeping me from getting to bed on time! :) Thanks for posting them and... dammit. I used to live in Wollongong. If only I'd known I would have pestered you to to let me watch you work. haha!

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks :-)

@VenenderViper

8 жыл бұрын

+aggmedia same thing! its 2:00 already!

@VenenderViper

8 жыл бұрын

+Fletcher Handcrafted Guitars Thank you very much for your kind videos! Greetings from Russia!

Very good job!

Your tips sir, are amazing. Thank you very much.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Your welcome ! :-)

Best carpenter in Life!

Hi Aldo, Maple for the neck and Rosewood for the fretboard

Hello, very good tutorial, can you tell me how thick the fingerboard is before editing and after editing? How this is the neck at the heel and at the first fret without fretboard and finally how thick including fretboard from fret 1 and the heel. I would really appreciate this and other viewers too. Again, many thanks for the recordings! Mike The Netherlands.

Cheers Kenji !

Before you route the head stock what is the measurement you make just behind the first tuner hole or how far behind the first tuner hole is that line drawn? You are doing such a great job making the neck, I have a video to build a strat by that leaves a lot out and does not describe nearly as well as you are. Electrics are quit different to build than acoustics are and I was having some troubles with measurements, you've helped a lot, thank you.

thank you for sharing! this is great

Hi David, first I have to thank you for your videos, I've learned a lot. I would like to know which type of neck profile are you making in this video, sorry if you mention it, but my english is not good enough to understand all the things you said there. Greetings from Argentina!!

Thanks and I'm going to just make one got some brazillian rosewood but thanks you for the quick response

great videos and great builds, i love watching you @work, really clean job :D how is it called the tool @ about 15:00 used for check the neck profile shape?

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Hi, Its called a Contour Gauge

Thanks! Keep up the good work.

Great stuff David--I've watched this series on the Strat build a few times now, and catch something new each time through... Have you ever worked with roasted maple, by chance? I have a Warmoth roasted maple neck in the "fatback" profile, and I'd really like it to be in the "boatneck" profile now. So I was thinking of just doing a re-contour, but I wasn't quite sure how to establish the profile. Certainly the cross-section is out there for viewing, but I'm not quite sure how to transfer that over to the neck. Obviously I'd have to shape the thing by hand like you're doing in this video, but the trick might be in getting the profile even--because I am starting with an established rounded profile. Also, I have never worked roasted maple so I'm not sure how well it will hold up to standard tooling like you're using here. Any idea?

Great vids. As usually

hi im using a rose wood fret board which already has frets in which is slightly too wide for the neck can i just sand or file it down or will i have to somehow take the fret wire out? thanks and great video very helpful.

muito bom os seus videos.

Queria entender a divisão que você fez no fundo do neck para esculpir o shape

guy is a genius.

What kind of pencil would you use on dark wood such as rosewood? It's almost impossible to see marks made with a regular pencil. Thanks for the videos, and very impressive work

Hi David any ideas where I can buy timber in Australia so I can start my guitar build really love you builds wish I had found them earlier I live in Newcastle nsw have been buying stew mac gear for about 18 months now and now need to use them keep up the great work your videos r the best your hands r magic

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

G'day mate, you could try The Lumber Bunker in Gosford - Been years since I went there but they used to stock a pretty good range of mahogany, blackwood, American Oak etc...

Absolutely, get back into it ! ;-)

When you make the second facet, to you file between the center line and the center of the first facet?

Hey, David, I really enjoy your videos and they have been very helpful in explaining how to build a guitar, accurately. But i was wondering, since i plan to start building my own custom guitars, how much exactly you pay for all the equipment, wood , specialty tools, etc. you have to build this brilliant fender clone (P.S. id rather have this than a fender just because i can see all the work that went into it.)

For that rough wood removal why not use a 45 degree router bit?

measures headstock holes spaced every 1 "? measures are the same for all types of tuners for me when I did the" F "vintage fender 70's had to put right because I came in, supposedly would have to be crossed

well, it doesnt make sense to me. Take Ibanez's AANJ heel for instance, they dont stick out at all, and they hold up just fine :D

All builders fear building necks until they actually build one and realize its not so hard ;-)

I think the fretboard also counts to the neck thickness.

Mr Fletcher, this is my forth time viewing this video, could we get more updates. Please!

May I ask how do you calculate the tuning keys holes?

Buy this man a BEER !! That was fantastic !! puts video into favorites.. a custom strat cost about 4k or les pual custom. I have priced materials all pieces needed pick ups bridge tuner gotoh duncan mahogany wood rosewood fret board nickle frets EVERYTHING..but the paint or stain was right at a thousand dollars.. OHH can I make a Tron blue Jake E lee strat -OR Iguana burst les pual- ? for a thousand BUcks..

Hi David, have you seen and tried the newer cheese grater files? They remove the bulk of material much much faster.

Is it the V neck shape? How can I made a modern C shape?

Mr. Fletcher, could you please tell me how can I practise on these handcrafting skills, in order not to spoil a nice piece of wood like that? Thank you!

Hi David. I was wondering if the lines you use to facet the neck (5MM/10MM etc.) are also pertinent for doing a fatback contour, leaving the neck 1 inch thick. Thanks!

Have you ever tried to make a jig to use with a router to shape the back of the neck?

hey man, winter is over I’m back in business :) I was a bit worried about the time it would take to shape the neck, but rasp + file = winning combination for me so thanks for your advice. I didn’t even need to use a grinder, to me it seems like it would not be worth it even if it would have sped up the process.

I know what you mean. As you can see by my profile pic, I have an Ibanez RG which has an all-access neck joint. And it does look very stylish. (One of my favorite guitars I own as well.) :) But I do think Stratocasters with the longer tenon are still stronger, and for this particular body style, I think this neck joint does look better. But if you plan on building your own guitar, like these videos have inspired me to, you can build it however you want! :D

Have you considered using a spokeshave instead of the rasp for the removing the bulk of the wood?

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

I use a Microplane now for the bulk of the removal. Ive tried a spokeshave but I cant get comfortable with it

"Yes, I know I need to buy a new pencil." I was thinking that back at the first video!!! Haha

so I am thinking a lot about making a guitar..and I think I would be able to make it..the neck.. I have some experience working with wood..but theres a thing I don't have all these tools..like these machines for example :..like for making this kind a "hole" for a trust rod?..if there any chance to make it without all these machines ..like with a hand tools ? and which tools are the main tools for making electrc guitar? thank you in advance

awesome

The line for the transition how many mm is it from the fretboard

Very great job So 5 mm at the first fret and 1 cm at 12 fret from the central line...but how in the lateral side ? (4 mm ??) What is the rational ? Thanks so much

@esquinasrotas

5 жыл бұрын

Lorenzo Paffetti is 4mm or no? Thanks