Sharing the current state of my first from scratch neck build.
Walnut and cocobole, tunneled fifth, truss rod from heel. I am pretty satisfied, lots of fun. I noticed, that the right side of the peghead bottom is uneven (I sanded by hand) and now I need to decide how to deal with it.
Options could be:
- leave as is and declare it art
- add ebony overlay on bottom and even it out
- build bottom with walnut and even it out
The peghead is pretty thin, I am using small guitar tuners here. As the truss rod is from the heel and ends at first fret, the connection peghead/neck is super solid.
Any suggestions how to fix the uneven peghead?
If it were me. I’d forge ahead and be more careful next time.
You can use a heavy rasp, I use a farrier’s rasp (horseshoer).
File/rasp it down even. It needs to be uniform thickness. Sand it smooth to at least 220 grit.
Then you can glue a veneer onto the back to bring it back to the thickness you need.
You may need to bend the added wood over the volute (steam/hot water).
When I do this I use a contrasting wood. I’d probably use the same as the peg head overlay.
The idea is to make it look purposeful.
I’ve cut peg heads thin on purpose and accident. 100% of the time they come out fine.
Just know you can fix anything and enjoy the experience
Read your post again. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to bend Edony to form to the back of the peg head. Too stiff. But walnut will work
Look at my media. I will upload a picture of a neck I built 20 years ago. The exact issue you have.
quote:
Originally posted by GallaherRead your post again. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to bend Edony to form to the back of the peg head. Too stiff. But walnut will work
Look at my media. I will upload a picture of a neck I built 20 years ago. The exact issue you have.
Thanks George! I will go that route.
How thick is the peghead at the thinnest part counting the thickness of the overlay? If it's anywhere close to 1/2" thick, you could probably just call it folk art and play it as is. That ebony overlay on top is pretty thick. That will stabilize it quite a bit.
Leave as is and declare it art.
Years from now you'll be revered as the inventor of the highly coveted Graeber assymetric peghead. PhD theses will be written about the sonic characteristics, the proper thicknesses and tapering, whether it should be linear or not, and why didn't anyone think of this sooner?
quote:
Originally posted by reubenstumpLeave as is and declare it art.
Years from now you'll be revered as the inventor of the highly coveted Graeber assymetric peghead. PhD theses will be written about the sonic characteristics, the proper thicknesses and tapering, whether it should be linear or not, and why didn't anyone think of this sooner?
I am looking forward to this! Genius advice.
I applaud your work..! :0)
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
