Neck back contour .. how to measure it?

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How do i measure a neck back contour shape?
thatīs the crucial point on the construction of my Custom guitar
Q:p

[WezV]

I use one of these tools to get the contour:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=20302&name=template+gauge&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=24

Push it up against the neck and then copy it onto paper

I will measure the thickness of the neck at the 1st fret using a vernier, then use the profile gauge to draw an accurate cross section of the neck at that fret.  I will then repeat at one fret near the end of the neck (usually around the 16th) and somewhere in the middle of the neck (around 9/10th)

The other important measurements needed would be the width at the nut, the radius of the fretboard and the width further down the neck.

Now getting this set into the actuall wood is a whole different story - and tbh, i can get close to copying a neck shape - but as with all hand-made things,  it will never be exactly the same!!!

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Hails and thanks Man
iīll check this
JP

[WezV]

he most important thing really is that you give the person making your guitar measurements they can work with.  Thats how i take maesuremetns when copying a specific neck shape but it might not be how your fella does it - ask them what they need to know

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Hails man, besides of that link you gave me ,to buy that device tomeasure the neck.. is there any otehr way to measure it?

[Oli]

You could probably do a cheats way like this:

Get some modelling clay and some paper.
cut the paper so you have a piece about 1-2cm wide, and about 10cm long.
get some modelling clay, and make a 'flat sausage' about 8cm long, and push it onto the paper.
now press this (paper first) onto the back of the neck so the modelling clay takes the shape of the neck, but the paper stops it touching the guitar.
then you could probably lay it 'sideways' onto a piece of paper, and follow the shape carefully with a pencil, so you have a sketch of the contour.

It works in my head, but i've never tried it- as long as you get something that isn't viscous that you can 'set' round the neck (blutack probably won't work-to soft and maleable).

yea :)

[WezV]

yeah, like oli said - modelling clay and paper is one other way

You can also try juts taking a peice of paper  - cutting a few slots into it and folding the edges back iuntill it fits you neck , then draw it onto another peice of paper.

I have also seen people do it with a oversized peice of card already cut to fit the neck - then they get a washer - and draw through the washer as it follows the back contour.  That will give an oversized neck contour - but it will be exactly oversized by the width of the edge of the washer

Those are hard to describe but easy to do, try a few to see what works best for you.  the most important thing is to make sure you do it at sepcific fret locations!!

You could always do what gibson did when copying eric claptons 335 (i think there is a good youtube video of it!

They made a clay mold of the whole neck, took a 3d scan of the whole neck . . .   and then handed the original guitar to a guy on the factory floor who finalised the neck shape by feeling it.  The videos quite funny really because it makes you think that the 3D scanning and clay molds were a complet waste of time and money - but i guess thats what the price tag on such expensive instruments goes towards