My first bolt on.

[rocket]

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So now that i've got a few self inflicted hiccups out of the road, IE, move house, settle into new job, guitar festival, i'm back in the shop with a vengeance .
I started this build for a customer about Feb this year and am just now fitting the neck, now that's what i call dragging the chain!! Thankfully the customer is very understanding .
Anyways it is evident that it is a 17" archtop featuring, curly maple b+s, sitka top,Indian rosewood f/b , Qld maple neck and jarrah bindings, laminations and headstock veneers.
This is my first bolt on job, i usually use a set dovetail neck, and my question to the forum is,, should i and specifically where would i also add a bit of glue on final assembly?? neck joint is at the 14th so i'm thinking a bit of hide glue between the extension and the top around the 15th would be suitable, My thoughts are that if one of my instruments come back to me and a neck removal is necessary a bolt on is the go but i still like the the idea that i have some glue in there to help with stability and with some hide in that position it should be fairly easy to loosen, what say Ye??
Cheers,,,
Rod.

[Trevor Gore]

For mine, if you have two decent bolts, forget the glue.

[ozziebluesman]

I've built two bolt on 17" archies with two bolt neck joints and no glue. They haven't moved I am very happy with this type of neck attachment. I too have a specially made tool that inserts through the input jack hole and the neck can be removed very quickly.

Cheers

Alan

[Craig Bumgarner]

Very nice guitar!

I use the William Cumpiano joint and a 20mm diameter spot of hide glue between the extension and the top, as close to the end of the extension as possible for maximum leverage. This helps prevent any slippage of the bolts and insures no funny vibrations between the top and extension. Getting the glue spot apart takes 10 minutes with a hot spatula (I've done it twice to make neck angle adjustments). I agree the glue may not be needed, but it gives me a little piece of mind and is a very minor hinderance to getting the neck apart if need be.

What size/kind of bolt and washer do you use? What is the configuration of the business end of your wrench. I use 1/4 furniture bolts ala Cumpiano, the kind with the large flat head, 4mm allen socket, but this is with a sound hole, not f holes, so access is not an issue. I ask because I have an f hole guitar project coming up.

[Nick]

Firstly I will say there's something rather sexy and organic about an Archie in the white and never tire of looking at them
As far as glue on the neck joint I'm with Trevor and Alan, sort of defeats the purpose of having a bolt on neck if you are then going to put some glue on it. As long as you have a structurally strong neck area (which you will being an archtop),the neck registered adequately with the body (by way of a mortice and tenon or some other positive registration method) and the bolts snugged up firmly, I'd put money on it that it ain't gonna move.

[rocket]

Thanks for your opinions there people, all preferences are duly noted. My next observation is that now that the bolt on neck is imminent i'll have the opportunity to finish to polish stage the neck and body separately and then bolt the two components together and setup, this would give unhindered access to the neck/ body intersection for a complete rub back and final polish and avoid the uneven sheen that is apparent when the instrument is polished with the neck in position. For those of you using the bolt on method, is this your preferred modus operandi??,, once again your thoughts will be greatly appreciated
Cheers,,
Rod.

[Trevor Gore]

"Flat" tops only, but definitely finish separately, buff separately, assemble. After the final finish coats and a hardening period (i.e. just before rub out and buff) I do a test assembly to make sure everything still lands where it should and make any adjustments before the final cut and polish.

[woodrat]

Hi All....I have been doing bolt on necks since day one of my building and have recently started to do the BoltOnBoltOff neck joint from Trevor's book and it really is an impressive connection. Solid as a rock. I really like the concept of a continuation of the neck support under the fingerboard on the body and how it is built into and around a massive head-block. Four bolts, no glue, take it off and put it back on with everything going back exactly where it was before. A simple jig to make and your away....Thanks Trevor!

[rocket]

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Good weather for a bit of jam today, here's a couple of pics of that bolton job.
Cheers,,
Rod.

[woodrat]

Wow Rod....that is a lovely look you have going there with the Maple and the Jarrah....

John

[colburge]

Trevor's bolt on design is great, I can't wait to try it out on my next build. Guitar looks awesome too!

Col

[Jeremy D]

Stunning