Backstraping

[DaveW]

Hi Guys
has anyone done or know anything about backstrapping a headstock
Im attempting it at the moment but am really just going by looking at a guitar I own ,Im trying to use 3 veneers,
anything I seem to find on the net isnt really that helpful.
any help would be appreciated.
Dave

[Allen]

Question is kinda vague. What's the problem?

Thin veneers will bend without heat if required into the volute. Heavier veneer for the show face might need a bit of heat to bend.

Glue it and clamp it. Or am I missing something?

[DaveW]

Hi Allen
so you must have done this before ?
I just wanting to know do I thin the neck minus the total thickness of the veneers and the fretboard
ie if my fretboard is 5mm my veneers are 2.5mm each and I want my neck at the 1st fret to be 20mm I shave the neck down to approx 7.5 to 8mm ?
and how far ,see attached picture ,the veneers are about 2mm and run down to between the first and second frets.
Im just checking that Im on the right track as Ive never done it and the neck looks awfully thin although I know the veneers will strengthen it and bring the thickness back

[Allen]

I put a back strap on all instruments. Helps hide and strengthen the scarf join that I use for the head stock.

You need to take off the amount of material equal to the thickness of your stack of veneers to get to your finished dimensions. I have used a adjustable tilting sled at the end of my belt sander, and now use a fence on my oscillating bobbin sander to arrive at the desired dimensions and transition into the neck. You will want to taper off the amount you are taking off into the neck to get a nice smooth transition into the neck and showing off those veneers.

They will add considerable stiffness to the nut area. As well, I always use a CF truss rod that go into the head stock in ukes and 2 on either side of the Allied double action truss rod in guitars. If you can break that joint, then you really have been doing something wrong.

[DaveW]

Thanks Allen
appears im on the right track
I know my query seemed self explanatory but its always good to have someone confirm your doing the correct thing
Dave

[jeffhigh]

Three layers of 2.5mm thick is a bit much, I think that is where your problem is.
If you have to have 3 layers they will be better at 1mm thick

[Allen]

I must admit, I didn't look at the thickness. My veneers are only 0.6mm and backstrap is generally 1.0 to 1.5mm at most.