OpenGuitar Neck (and Frame ) Construction Process
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Here is where I learnt all about constructing experimental classical guitars (the guitar workshop from Jost & Malte, photo from 20th January 2020).
Now, this is our aim!
But we have nice adventure if we start from here (just after CNC routing the neck).
We first install the double-action Truss Rod
Cover the truss rod with a 5mm carbon-fiber stick with round corners.
Use epoxy to glue so it remains solidly attached.
If epoxy was used, wait 2 days (have some mate!).
Wood gluing the 3mm plywood layer on the headstock.
Installing the rosewood dots (use fast drying glue - gel or liquid) and pre-cutting the frets.
Start sanding, don't skip grits (80, 180, 240, 320, 400).
Back side (remove marks left by the CNC routing).
Top side (remove marks left by the CNC routing). Remember to put the pearls first.
Use straight edge to check flat surfaces.
Cut the frets slots and hammer the frets (use liquid glue on the sides, if wished).
A fret press can be used too (see here for various techniques applied for hammering frets).
Remove/file the fret sides (30 deg. angle).
Leveling frets: I use a StewMac's fret Kisser, a fret Rocker, sand paper and steel wool (please see these tutorial videos: A Tip For Spot Leveling Frets You Probably Didn't Know About, Are You Using Your Fret Rocker Wrong?, The Fret Kisser).
Frets levelling and finishing (600 grit paper).
Straight edge to check the neck after fretting. Adjust with truss rod if necessary.
Nut and string action (press string on 2nd fret and look for 0.3mm gap to the 1st fret, more on bass strings).
Action/distance in the 12th fret to under the string should be 3mm for the 1st string (E treble), 4.2mm for the 6th string (E Bass).
If your action it too high, grasping chords can be tiresome and frustrating, and the natural bending of the strings can cause problems with intonation. If the action is too low, the strings may vibrate against the fretboard or other frets and create dull, buzzing tones (tutorial video string action).
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