Having seen the idea for a FAQ for nut files, and having seen many requests here on the MIMF over the years asking 'which neck joint the xyz guitar has', maybe it would be useful for us to pool the experience we have about which guitar models have which type of neck joint?
I recently repaired a really cheap guitar (Martin Smith) which had a butt joint and dowels - I converted it to bolt-on for a friend. That was a freebie as he (as we say in England) 'couldn't afford a brick to throw at a mad dog'. Useful experience for me and the first (of many I hope) bit of the database.
Hope you can help!
How about a FAQ for neck joints?
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Greg Robinson
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Re: How about a FAQ for neck joints?
I discovered recently that the cheap line of "SX" flattop guitars have a traditional dovetail neck joint.
MIMForum staff member - Melbourne, Australia
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Michael Lewis
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Re: How about a FAQ for neck joints?
I have a Goya steel string in the shop now with a bolt on butt joint neck.
Martin guitars have compound dovetail joints, with the exceptions of the guitars with a light colored wood plaque bearing the model and serial numbers stuck on the neck block, and the Martin Shenandoah series. The light colored wood plaques cover a recessed screw and the joint is a straight mortise and tenon. The Shenandoah series have the neck and neck block as one piece and are not suitable for resetting the neck. In the latter case if the neck angle must be reset it is done by slipping the back on the neck block or by sawing the neck off and converting it to a bolt on system.
Martin guitars have compound dovetail joints, with the exceptions of the guitars with a light colored wood plaque bearing the model and serial numbers stuck on the neck block, and the Martin Shenandoah series. The light colored wood plaques cover a recessed screw and the joint is a straight mortise and tenon. The Shenandoah series have the neck and neck block as one piece and are not suitable for resetting the neck. In the latter case if the neck angle must be reset it is done by slipping the back on the neck block or by sawing the neck off and converting it to a bolt on system.