To set or not to set? That is the question (neck joint qu)

[slowlearner]

Right, so I'm in an interesting situation. Love some input from seasoned builders...

I've got to the point where I was ready to drill neck screws and get this sucker bolted together when...
My client/friend decided to ask me to glue it in instead. So we've been having a back and forth about whether to glue it or not...





So, one part of me says, "No! Bolt on neck!"
While another part says, "You could glue that sucker on like a boss!"

My friend is worried about the B string being less substantial with a bolt on. I'm worried about not having enough heel to carve away if I glue it. The body is 3 piece Kauri Pine & the neck is tas oak btw. So, thoughts?

Should I bolt it on or have a go at gluing it? :help:

[kiwigeo]

If your friend is worried about the B string then why not glue it AND screw it???

Sounds like an electric version of the glued versus bolt on neck debate.

[slowlearner]

Yep, it's precisely that debate.

[Trevor Gore]

Ask him to show you a guitar where there is a causal relationship between a crook B and the neck being bolted on...

[slowlearner]

I've just asked him that exact qu. I wonder what his answer will be?

[Allen]

You're the builder. You're the one to decide.

[Gsanbrook]

Bolt it, don't glue.

[Mark G]

Pete,

I've seen the guitar. The tenon is quite shallow so I'd be a little bit concerned you wont have enough purchase/gluing surface to make a really solid glue joint. I could be wrong but it still worries me. Of course this could all be rectified by deepening the slot and adding material to the neck heel but do you really want to do all that because on a whim the friend has changed his mind. I'd leave it as a bolt on- it's as close to perfect as it it so I just hate the idea of fluffing it it you have to go changing things.

[Mark G]

Pete,

Sorry, I meant to say the mortise is shallow - for a glue in, it's perfect as is for a bolt on.

[slowlearner]

Thanks guys. I think you're right Mark, I'll be going ahead with a bolt on and the owner of the bass is happy enough.

[Ormsby Guitars]

That will be more than enough to glue it in just fine.

By making it deeper, and gluing a bit on the bottom on the heel, wont add anything... just more glue joints.

Think about it like this.... if the headstock was scarf jointed, you'd have EXACTLY the same string tension on that joint, but MUCH LESS glue surface area. And you wouldn't even worry about that for a single second.

Not sure what he means by the B string. However, bolt-on = slightly snappier attack, glued necks = slightly more rounded smoother attack.

[timbuck]

Thanks guys. I think you're right Mark, I'll be going ahead with a bolt on and the owner of the bass is happy enough.

Is this a Six String Bass ?? ...The "B" string confused me...Nice bit of carving you did there

[simso]

Gluing will be fine, also gets rid of that horrible heel plate

[Mark G]

Happy to stand corrected by Perry re: glue joint. Guess you can do either and all will be good.

[slowlearner]

Is this a Six String Bass ?? ...The "B" string confused me...Nice bit of carving you did there

It's a 5 string bass with a low B string.