Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
- Jon Whitney
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:04 am
Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
I posted this over on BanjoHangout.org but the joint can be used on any instrument with a neck.
http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/280571
http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/280571
-
- Posts: 1674
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
Hi Jon,
Nice job on the joint. It does look pretty involved. I'm still using the modified bridal joint, although my methods have evolved since the first time I cut one. One of these days I may try a covered "V" like some of the better European makers used, but it does seem like it would take a fair amount of skill.
Nice job on the joint. It does look pretty involved. I'm still using the modified bridal joint, although my methods have evolved since the first time I cut one. One of these days I may try a covered "V" like some of the better European makers used, but it does seem like it would take a fair amount of skill.
- Jon Whitney
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:04 am
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
Well, the nice thing about the split-V is that it doesn't take any skill at all, even I can do it!
Seriously, once you understand how to angle the drill press table (Shopsmith table in my case), and the miter gauge, it's really fast to get the joints trued and ready for glue. Of course, this joint is designed for laminated necks - it wouldn't be work for a solid neck because you have to have two neck halves. The center strip is optional, however.
Seriously, once you understand how to angle the drill press table (Shopsmith table in my case), and the miter gauge, it's really fast to get the joints trued and ready for glue. Of course, this joint is designed for laminated necks - it wouldn't be work for a solid neck because you have to have two neck halves. The center strip is optional, however.
-
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
Covered V joint? That's called a V joint with a face plate and backstrap, right?Clay Schaeffer wrote:Hi Jon,
Nice job on the joint. It does look pretty involved. I'm still using the modified bridal joint, although my methods have evolved since the first time I cut one. One of these days I may try a covered "V" like some of the better European makers used, but it does seem like it would take a fair amount of skill.

-
- Posts: 1674
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
"Covered V joint? That's called a V joint with a face plate and backstrap, right?"
Nooo....
It's where the "V" joint doesn't show on the face of the peghead and there is no peghead overlay to conceal it either. It is an angled mortise and tenon where string tension actually makes the joint tighter. I believe Louis Panormo used this joint.
Nooo....
It's where the "V" joint doesn't show on the face of the peghead and there is no peghead overlay to conceal it either. It is an angled mortise and tenon where string tension actually makes the joint tighter. I believe Louis Panormo used this joint.
-
- Posts: 1554
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:05 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
Yeah, I know what it is. That's what the smart-ass emoticon
was for. I retroactively add this one, too, then 


-
- Posts: 1674
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
Hi Jason,
I thought you might, but as some recent discussions on the OLF have shown, nomenclature seems to be getting muddled these days. You guys have got me thinking about the covered "V", and the possibilities of using a router and jigging to take some of the manual skills out of making it.
I thought you might, but as some recent discussions on the OLF have shown, nomenclature seems to be getting muddled these days. You guys have got me thinking about the covered "V", and the possibilities of using a router and jigging to take some of the manual skills out of making it.
- Jon Whitney
- Posts: 170
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:04 am
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
It seems like you could do it with a dovetail bit and the proper templates, if you don't mind the point of the V being rounded.
-
- Posts: 1674
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:04 pm
Re: Photo essay on building the Split-V peg head joint
That's what I was thinking, Jon. It might also be possible to chisel the last little bit to a point.
One thing I've noticed on some of the old guitars is the "V" has the end cut off so it appears as a trapezoid shape on the back of the peghead. This may have been done to allow the use of thinner stock for the neck shaft (it wouldn't have to follow the angle of the peghead as far.)
Joining the peghead to the neck shaft seems to be done a lot of different ways, and it is interesting to me to see the pro's and con's of each method.
One thing I've noticed on some of the old guitars is the "V" has the end cut off so it appears as a trapezoid shape on the back of the peghead. This may have been done to allow the use of thinner stock for the neck shaft (it wouldn't have to follow the angle of the peghead as far.)
Joining the peghead to the neck shaft seems to be done a lot of different ways, and it is interesting to me to see the pro's and con's of each method.