Demystifying the dovetail: Part one.

[Eonratslea500]

Thank you for keeping the knowledge chain alive and well.

[mercy]

The bridal joint demonstrates the ability of this builder. Im glad hes demonstrating the dovetail as it is a signature of a skilled builder. And hes right, build to eliminate resets rather than bolt guitars together. Theres just something wrong with the idea of bolting guitars together.

[charles Tauber]

edited........

[Bruce Sexauer]

I would be disappointed if this thread devolves into yet another argument about the merits of the dovetail vs the bolt-on. This is a thread about how to make a dovetail. A lot of modern builders appear intimidated by the dovetail, But it is not the hardest thing about the work we do. It is an elegant solution, and a pleasure to accomplish. I hope to make it seem more accessible by sharing some of my knowledge and experience.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

I would be disappointed if this thread devolves into yet another argument about the merits of the dovetail vs the bolt-on. This is a thread about how to make a dovetail.

You are absolutely right. My apologies for heading it in an undesirable direction.

Thanks for sharing how you make a dovetail. I appreciate your efforts as I'm sure many others do.

[Jim88]

Bruce

Did I pick that up right ,you use two different dovetail bits ,14 for the neck,,and 13 for the body?

Again Thanks for the thread

[Bruce Sexauer]

Originally Posted by Jim88

Bruce

Did I pick that up right ,you use two different dovetail bits ,14 for the neck,,and 13 for the body?

Again Thanks for the thread

For many years I always did that, and recommend it. Lately I just wade in and make my undercuts, so the 14 alone is getting more use. If one were more dedicate to a specific model than I am, using a 13 and a 14 could make undercutting the dovetail cheeks unnecessary in a production situation.

[viento]

So far I have unfortunately not found a 13 degree routing bit. But a lot with 14 degrees. Would a 14 degree bit be sufficient?

[Bruce Sexauer]

Originally Posted by viento

So far I have unfortunately not found a 13 degree routing bit. But a lot with 14 degrees. Would a 14 degree bit be sufficient?

Of course! I think it is a good idea to hand cut a dovetail joint, if just to get a hands on feel for exactly how they work.

[mercy]

I was not intimating that one was better than the other for great, great guitars are made with bolt ons, one of which Id be thrilled to own. I was stating that it takes skill to do a dovetail that wont cause problems.
Thank you again for sharing your info of what seems to be a dying skill for the ease of the bolt on.

[lar]

It never occurred to me that you could design and build a neck to eliminate the possibility of a reset. I just figured it was the nature of the beast. Good to know it's not.

[Bruce Sexauer]

The flaw in guitar design that necessitate neck resets is not the neck OR the neck to body connection, assuming those things are done right. The problem is top structure. A dovetail joint, properly fitted and glued will last at least 100 years. Because screws unscrew themselves over time, a bolt-on will likely require occasional tightening, but it is easily done.

[murrmac123]

Excellent thread Bruce, and it is indeed gratifying to see that you are one of the select few who are unconfused by the tenon/shoulder/cheek terminology.

I do, however, feel compelled to point out that the joint you employ to attach the neck to the headstock is properly called a "bridle joint"'

A "Bridal Joint" is a different affair altogether, and I attach a pic below to illustrate the difference.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I am uneducated, and although I did get through high school, I spent a lot of time drawing motorcycles on the margins of my notepaper. I always liked tests though, as I could generally figure them out no matter what they were about, and had fun doing it.

If I were naming a joint between two unaligned pieces of wood, it seems like alluding to marriage would be more appropriate than to rope and a bit.

[printer2]

When you get a chance Bruce, I am sure the fitting of the neck would go over well.