Mid 1800's James Ashborn peghead dovetail

[Brian Glass]

Does any know of a good resource for information on the dovetail joint used on Ashborn Guitars and Banjos from the mid-ninteenth century? I would like to accurately reproduce the joint on my next project. In fact, photos of a neck that is seperated at the peghead would be ideal but somehow I dont think I will get that lucky....

[Michael Lewis]

What brings you to seeking this particular joint? The "V" headstock joint is simple enough, or if you want something a bit more complicated there is the bridle joint that Martin used in the 1800s. I think Frank Ford has some pics of the latter on his site. The "V" joint is pretty strong and much simpler than the bridle joint.

[Brian Glass]

I am hoping to do a period copy of an Ashborn and would like to get the details right. Thanks for the response. Still hoping to find a drawing or other representation of it.

[Michael Lewis]

You might check with the patent office to see if there are any drawings but you will need wither a drawing or a guitar to study, and from a guitar I had not heard of, so I will hazard a guess there are very few if any examples floating around. Some sources you might try are Gryphon Stringed Instruments, Gruhn Guitars, Mandolin Bros., Elderly Instruments, the National Music Museum in vermillion SD and hope for some leads.

[Randy Cordle]

There as an extensive series of articles in Vintage Guitar Magazine where the author disassembled several Ashborns and detailed their construction. Try this for a starting place for getting the full series:

http://www.vintageguitar.com/3298/james-ashborn/

[Alain Bieber]

It seems this maker was following the standard (at this time) covered V joint method (all over Europe except Spain). A set of videos on You tube by David Schramm can be useful. Also a discussion of possible interest for you on the Delcamp English guitar Forum.
BTW, in American Lutherie N° 104 Winter 2010, I gave under Figure 14 page 38 a little plan of this almost universal type of joint... before almost all luthiers went progressively to the simpler Spanish solution (scarf joint in English).

[Brian Glass]

Great, thanks for the links. David Schramm's videos were just what I needed. I completely understand how the joint comes to tether now and I particularly like the jigs he uses for clamping it together. Can't wait to try it out!