How to Cut a Guitar Neck Accurately

Guitar necks fit into guitar pocket routings.

Guitar neck blanks fit into routed pockets in guitar bodies. The contact between the neck and the pocket has to be perfect. The integrity of the guitar depends on it for tone, reliability and tuning. If you need to replace a neck on a guitar, the new neck must fit squarely into the pocket. If it doesn't, it can be cut to fit. It's essential that the cuts be made accurately. You can do it on a miter saw.

Things You'll Need

• Miter saw
• Orbital sander (optional)

Instructions

1. Insert the neck blank into the pocket cavity routing on the guitar body. Place yourself at eye level to the point where the sides of the neck contact the sides of the pocket. Using a pencil, reach up and mark the sides of the pocket where they contact the bottom of the neck on both sides. it should be less than 1/16 inch on both sides.

2. Transfer the measurements from the bottom of the neck to the top of the neck.

3. Place the neck on the miter saw table under the blade. The tuners should be facing out. The bottom of the neck is square. It should be perfectly flat against the miter saw fence. Rock the neck back and forth to establish this position. When it's square to the fence, you can feel it.

4. Bring the blade down to within 1/8 inch of the neck with one hand. Slide the neck to the left or right so that the blade aligns with the mark you made on the side of the neck. Hold the neck square and tight against the fence with the other hand. Turn on the saw and bring the blade down to cut a small portion of the neck.

5. Slide the neck over and repeat Step 4 on the other side of the neck. Test the fit by placing the neck into the pocket. You should be able to push the neck into the pocket with a moderate amount of force. If it's too tight, repeat Steps 4 and until it fits.

Tips & Warnings

• If your neck is just a bit too big to fit into the pocket, before or after you cut it, sand it to size with an orbital sander.

• If the saw blade leaves a small cut line on the side of the neck, sand it out with 100-grit sandpaper.