dovetail neck 1 1/2 degree

[Hugh Anderson]

With a dovetail, do you accommodate the 1 1/2 degree initially, or do you do it with the chisel when you are fitting it?

[Michael Lewis]

I try to cut it as close as I can to "right on", but remember that it is better to cut it at a slightly less angle than too steep because the frets must be a precise distance from the bridge, and it is much easier to remove material from the heel than to add to it. Cut it close and hand fit it with chisels, sand paper, files, etc.

[Mario Proulx]

I'll add that you need to measure the guitar's body, first. A neck block can easily slip a little when clamped and may not be the perfect 90° you think it is. Also, the amount of radius(if any) you built-into the top will change the required neck angle.

Once you determine what the angle needs to be, do as Michael says, and go as close to ideal as you can, but err on being just a bit "shy" of ideal. You will then sneak-up to the "ideal" when flossing the neck to the body.

If this is your first(or tenth, for that matter), grab a section of a straight 2x4 or other suitable scrap, plane 3 sides of it, and cut a practice dovetail and check the fit. Adjust as necessary, and when the 2x4 fits the body well and at the right angle, commit to cutting the neck.

[Hugh Anderson]

Thanks, if I get this right, I should make the neck block exact, and make the adjustments on the neck itself.

[Michael Lewis]

Yes.

[Gilbert Fredrickson]

http://www.jsevy.com/luthierie/guitarma ... joint.html

I used the early version of this article and had good luck.