The School Strat Build - Best Bolt-on Neck Method...ever!

This is a new…well…partially new project series. Meet the Maximum Guitar Works “Belle” guitar. Belle is a Strat type guitar that I was building as a demonstration guitar build for my beginners Electric Guitar Construction class that I teach at Red Rocks Community College. The semester was cancelled half way through because of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. So…here is the rest of the build for my students…and I hope you enjoy it.

This episode started off to show the final alignment processes…but first I would have to mount the neck to the body. Of course…that process ended up eating all of the time…so we will have to do the alignment verification next time! However, this video is still worth watching…as it goes over in great detail the absolute best method for attaching a bolt-on neck!

Maximum Guitar Works is a custom guitar shop based in Colorado that focuses on creating hand build guitars to meet the exact requirements of our clients. Extensive consultation is provided to ensure that a precise plan for execution is developed. Not only do we build musical instruments with excellence, we also create a unique experience for our clients by documenting progress with regular media updates.

[andresguzman]

Please don’t stop making these overly detailed videos, they are beautiful, they teach a lot and they are greatly appreciated by us starting luthiers. So don’t apologize, on the contrary, we THANK you!

[Ttenkampf]

I'd rather have thorough detail than worry about builders with tic toc level attention spans....they need to find a different hobby.

[TexasToastGuitars]

I love when people say threaded inserts are easy. They usually have never done this or only done it on MDF.
Great video Steve

[greg]

I am a woodworker (joiner) also making my own guitar, and I also watched it till the end.
I can confirm, that your measures of detailing the process is right, and necessary for those who hasn't got much experience. So don't be shy, reveal the details, someone has to do that! :) 90% of "how to" videos are just a overcut visual magic bullshit, always leaving out the crucial details, jumping to the finished process, and are no good for anything than wasting other peoples time.
So you are the refreshing exemption, keep on detailing! :)
And THANK YOU for doing so!

[robmaguire]

These videos are for the benefit of perhaps those less experienced luthiers starting out and I REALLY appreciate the effort that you go to and the amount of information that you teach. So thank you Steve. Especially during these lockdown periods which allows me to get on with it!👏

[larsdahl]

Not too long at all, I love the attention to detail (I just wish I had a workshop like yours). A few suggestions.Use your drill press (since you have it anyway) to drive in the inserts, not _as close_ to perpendicular as possible, but _perfectly_ perpendicular (hand crank only!). And since we're going totally overboard, brush the outer threads of the inserts with some epoxy glue before setting them and finish off with a drop or two of blue Loctite on the threads of the machine bolt when time comes to final install of the neck.

[CMDPromptify]

100% appreciate the "I screwed up so you don't have to" approach to instruction. Nothing about this hobby is easy, but things go much better when something is hard because it is inherently difficult rather than because we didn't know about this or that trap. Thanks!

[Pharesm]

How do you worry about cross threading in steel? I'd worry about cross threading in wood first. Secondarily, going counterclockwise until the click will prevent counter-threading every time!

[brianboudreau]

You are the greatest example of how detail is so important, just watching this video shows your experience. Thanks!

[reliot]

Greetings again, I ran my mouth on this fine page a few days back. I would like to comment again and say I've watched this video a couple of times and it looks great. The fit, attention to detail. Nice work. Some of the better boutique builders use bolts like these on their steel string acoustics now. Robbie O'Brian has said he can't tell the difference with his ears. And the inevitable reset down the road is way easier. I am a fan of Romanillos wedges with very little glue. That's another subject. Good contact between the components like this example always sound great. Thanks for a great way video.

[CMRWoodworks]

Man, I‘m so glad I came across this video. I didn‘t know you had a YouTube channel until today. I‘ve heard a lot about you through Todd‘s videos over at Sweet T Guitars. I have seen him do this and am planning on doing the same in my first electric build. Thanks for the detail! I appreciate it. I am now subscribed as well!

[ruialbuquerque]

I have a bass with a bolt-on neck with inserts. And i have a big problem with that because of the body holes wear over the time. The holes are now loose and the neck slightly moves. If the bolts are not tight through the holes you're done. This doesn't happen with wood screws.

[mrfrontranger]

20-30 minutes is what you need for the detail you present. Great tips

[darrylcarstensen]

I have been building guitars for several years as a hobbyist, but I still watch every minute of your videos. I enjoy the detail that you provide as well as your subtle humor. Thanks Steve.

[JasonECI]

Though I don't think guitar players will take off their necks that often and guitar makers will spend extra time installing bolts instead of screws, you do demonstrate how a perfect neck joint can be and explain why of each step looks like, and the reasons behind them are the most precious and important experiences you spent time sharing with us. Very much appreciated!!!

[mattmeyer]

I love the detail! Thank you for your thoroughness.

[Ibaneddie]

Great video, I use the same method to drive my inserts into the neck but I chuck the bolt and nuts into my drill press and use the downforce of the press while hand turning the chuck. I really like your videos and it's because of the amount of detail you provide.

[nowthatsbetter]

This is absolutely excellent material. All the tiny details add up to a beautifully completed project. The beauty is in the details. Picking up all kinds of little helpful tips here.

[dougsmith]

This is awesome! You spoke early of aligning neck/body with low and high strings. Did you do that in-between shots? It looks like you just forced the neck in the pocket, slapped 6 stamps on it, and sent it! Do the bolts/inserts have enough wiggle room to do alignment after inserts are installed?

[Crazy_Dave]

The time you've taken to carefully explain what can go wrong using this method to secure a neck is vital information to us all if we are to avoid making the same mistakes. If people want to leave your video after just 10 minutes then that's their loss. I will admit that I intend to do my neck joint this way but didn't foresee some of what you have shown me so, I personally thank you for the long video and taking the time to explain everything in such detail. Don't ever feel you need to apologize for being thorough. Great job 👍