end strip/ end graft tapered which way?

jarfly · #1 04-04-2010, 12:07 AM

So I'm building something a little out there. Walnut sides with walnut burl headstock/ rosette and a quilted maple neck. The back is quilted maple with a mini wedge of walnut. Interesting to say the least and even I am wondering what it will look like finished and it's practically in front of me

I planned to make the end strip out of quilted maple and have it taper from the bottom to the top, so the widest part of the wedge will be as wide as the mini wedge on the back. It seems every single guitar I look at has the end graft tapered the other way around with the exception of this ONE acoustic bass image I found.

am I right to think this would make the most sense in this particular application or would you look at it and think it looks wrong? the mini wedge is only about 1 and 3/4 wide at its base iirc

runamuck · #2 04-04-2010, 05:23 AM

There's no structural reason to run the taper one way or the other or for it
to be a taper at all. Aesthetics is always a matter of opinion. You can either
accept tradition or start your own.

martinedwards · #3 04-04-2010, 01:18 PM

do your own thing.

I can't imagine folks walking out in disgust from a gig cos the tail wedge doesn't go the ame way as their grandaddy's did.....

jarfly · #4 04-04-2010, 07:18 PM

thanks guys. okay. no more input necessary. Back will be glued on tonight and I'll post some pics in the build thread. tail wedge next weekend.

Coke_zero · #5 04-05-2010, 04:45 PM

My guitar I am building has the graft the way you are asking. It doesn't really matter. It depends on which way you want the grain and personal preference.

Tone Gopher · #6 04-06-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarfly

... or would you look at it and think it looks wrong?

Much as I am a fan of personal expression, yes, this does look wrong.

Coke_zero · #7 04-06-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tone Gopher

Much as I am a fan of personal expression, yes, this does look wrong.

To you, not everyone of course.

JohnM · #8 04-06-2010, 01:22 PM

It's not traditional but who cares. If you want it that way then do it.

Tone Gopher · #9 04-06-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coke_zero

To you, not everyone of course.

No, to everyone else - as represented by you - it looks just right...

Sheesh... Where do I have to apply for the right to state my own opinion?

jarfly · #10 04-06-2010, 04:52 PM

it's okay George. I appreciate your honesty. The design of this guitar doesn't lend itself to the traditional way and I'm keeping #1 anyways. Next guitar will be more traditional.
Let's close this thread

cpabolting · #11 04-11-2010, 06:44 PM

Kevin Ryan's approach.

jarfly · #12 04-11-2010, 10:15 PM

ryan guitars ARE amazing but this end graft in the pic looks pretty traditional to me. Am I missing something?
Oh, made up a jig and routed my end graft area out tonight. Yup, definitely looks backwards. I will forever pick up my guitar and attempt to play it before realizing i'm strumming the back :o
but the design warranted nothing else.

It'll be great. I'll dig out a more figured piece of quilted maple then the fiddleback looking piece I was about to glue in with the purfling and probably post some pics tomorrow.