Sometimes referred to simply as a “dovetail,” a dovetail joint is created by joining two pieces of wood using an interlocking flaring tenon and mortise (a notch and a tab that slides into the notch, in layman’s terms) that fit tightly together. This is a common method of affixing set necks to acoustic guitar bodies.
What is a dovetail neck?
The simple dovetail neck joint is a timeless design that consists of a dovetail-shaped projection on the neck fitting into a corresponding recess in the guitar body. This joint provides a secure connection, facilitating good tonal transfer between the neck and body.
What is the purpose of a dovetail joint?
A dovetail joint is a joinery technique used in woodworking, traditionally used to join wooden furniture. Dovetail joints are known for their inherent strength and resistance to being pulled apart (tensile strength).
What are the different types of guitar neck joints?
Quick Guide. The three main types of neck joints used on guitar are bolt-on, set neck, and neck-through. Bolt-on necks are attached to the body using screws and often a metal plate; set necks are glued to the guitar body and with the set-through the neck is actually a part of the body of the guitar.
What kind of neck joints does Martin use?
Martin has three neck joints now: the traditional dovetail, the simplified dovetail, and the mortise & tenon. Martin standard series guitars like the D18, D28, D35, HD 28, D45, Authentic series, etc. still have the traditional dovetail. Some models more recently introduced may have the other joints.
What is a dovetail neck?
The simple dovetail neck joint is a timeless design that consists of a dovetail-shaped projection on the neck fitting into a corresponding recess in the guitar body. This joint provides a secure connection, facilitating good tonal transfer between the neck and body.
What are the disadvantages of a dovetail joint?
The disadvantages of dovetail joints are that they can be fairly difficult to mark out and cut, and if they are made badly these joints lose the advantages listed above. Depending on the project, function, and design, there are a number of different types of dovetail joints to choose from.
Are dovetail joints worth it?
Making sure that you pick a drawer joint that can withstand this type of wear and tear is crucial to the longevity of your kitchen cabinets. Dovetail joints are considered one of the strongest joints used in kitchen cabinetry construction and are the best solution for a kitchen cabinet drawer box.
What are the pros and cons of a dovetail joint?
The interlocking dovetail joint has a large gluing area, further adding to its strength. Hand cut dovetail joints require precise handsaw and chisel skills, and can be fiddly to mark out and cut. If dovetail joints are poorly made they will lose the advantage of strength and durability.
What does a dovetail joint look like?
This joint type has two parts, called pins and tails. You can tell the difference between these two pieces because the tails are flared triangular shapes, while the pins are thinner. The tails, which look like those of a dove, are what give the dovetail joint its name.
When did they stop using dovetail joints?
So manufacturers moved away from dovetails. Hand-cut dovetailing was the default until 1860 when uniform machine-cut joints were introduced. But fine cabinetmakers persisted in fitting their joints by hand until the early 1900s, and cabinetmakers in Europe cut dovetails by hand well into the 1930s.
Which guitar neck is best?
C-Shaped Neck Profile This is the most common modern neck profile: C-shaped necks have a comfortable oval profile that works well for most playing styles. They are usually not as deep as most U- and V-shaped neck profiles.
What is the joint on a Les Paul neck?
Les Paul necks aren’t designed to come off – they use a mortise and tenon joint that’s about 10cm deep, which is a HUGE amount of glue surface.
Should guitar neck be straight with body?
Ultimately though, a good straight neck is the first step in a proper guitar set-up and should help to make your instrument play better. If a straight neck makes the guitar play worse, the neck is either too straight for your playing style or it is a sign that more work is needed.
What is the difference between Martin dovetail and simple dovetail?
Martin’s traditional dovetail is a compound dovetail. It is more suited to hand fitting, and that is how Martin does it. Their new Simple Dovetail is a straight dovetail that has been adapted to CNC fitting.
Why do guitar necks have scarf joints?
Pros: Strength, scarf joints are the strongest method of angling headstock, and with this method of gluing, the headstock is made entirely of wood that’s grain is in the same direction as the headstock; similar to the strength of the Fender style non-angled headstock.
What is a scarf joint on a guitar neck?
A type of join used to afix a headstock to a guitar (or other stringed instrument) neck, or for other woodworking purposes. A scarf joint is typically used to connect two pieces of wood end to end, or with one of the pieces of wood at a slight angle — almost like the wood pieces are interlocking together.
What does dovetail mean in dentistry?
A cavity whose shape is flared, created to provide a retentive lock for a direct or indirect restoration. From: dovetail in A Dictionary of Dentistry »
What does a dovetail look like?
This joint type has two parts, called pins and tails. You can tell the difference between these two pieces because the tails are flared triangular shapes, while the pins are thinner. The tails, which look like those of a dove, are what give the dovetail joint its name.
What age of furniture is dovetail?
The English cabinet maker first started using the dovetail joint in the mid 17th Century on walnut furniture and carried on doing this by hand until the late 19th century when they were produced by machines, mainly in the Edwardian periods.
What is a dovetail neck?
The simple dovetail neck joint is a timeless design that consists of a dovetail-shaped projection on the neck fitting into a corresponding recess in the guitar body. This joint provides a secure connection, facilitating good tonal transfer between the neck and body.
What is the most popular dovetail joint?
Single-lap Dovetail The single-lap (known to many folks as a half-blind dovetail) is the best known of the dovetails since it’s used to join the front to the sides of a drawer.
Do dovetail joints need to be glued?
Michael Dresdner: The only areas that require glue on dovetails are the diagonal faces. All the diagonal faces are long grain, all the square faces are end grain, and all the flat faces abut end grain. Therefore, you need only apply glue to the diagonal faces on the tails or pins, or both.
Is dovetail joint permanent?
The strongest and most permanent right-angled joints made in wood are the ‘dove-tail’ joints, as illustrated below. The so-called tails and pins fit together to form a secure joint.
Is a finger joint stronger than a dovetail joint?
For box joint, some people put a lot more fingers than it is possible to do with Dovetail. In this case, the gluing surface is larger, and the joint is likely stronger. Also, some find a way to hide a finish nail in the joint. Dovetail has the advantage of a mechanical lock independent of the glue.
What is stronger dovetail or finger joint?
Although the finger joint is not mechanically interlocking like a dovetail, the joint is amazingly strong. Today’s modern adhesives and the large glue surface make the finger joint equally as strong as the dovetail throughout the life of the adhesive.
