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I am working on an archtop neck and thought I'd show a few jigs I use that have worked for me. I'd be interested in how some of you other archtop builders approach the same issues.

Here's a multipurpose jig that serves as a router guide to rout the ledge for the extension and as a clamping jig as well. Keys in the truss rod slot.



Also holds the extension in place and allows clamping in all planes during glue up. The extension piece has to be thickness sanded to exactly the same thickness as the ledge cut.





Here is a jig for routing the continuation of the reinforcing bar slots. Keys in the existing slots. Same principle for the extension of the truss rod slot.





Rubber tubing works well for pulling the neck bolts into their holes. I usually put a rubber washer on the inside to retain them.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

That's clever with the rubber tubing but how in the world do you get a wrench in there? I use a bolt on for Selmer guitars and have a cool little flexi shaft tool but I can't imagine using it through an F-hole. Do you have a back or side panel or something?

i

You have to drill your Jack hole and use a long Allen wrench through it. I just epoxied a ball end Allen wrench to a length of threaded rod and put a handle at the other end.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Nice stuff, Terence. I've been dovetailing my neck extensions on, but it appears your routing jig would work for dovetail necks as well as bolt on necks.

Some very clever stuff here !!!

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Very timely.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

I love archtops and yours are consistently gorgeous, Terence. Awesome jigs, too!

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George :-)