1. Witness the construction of a
Flat Earth flamed Maple neck!
A quarter-sawn curly neck blank
is chosen for stiffness,
consistency and appearance. A
scarf joint creates the headstock;
a routed channel is fitted with a
two-way truss rod. Macassar
Ebony is used for the fingerboard
and headplate.
Flat Earth flamed Maple neck!
A quarter-sawn curly neck blank
is chosen for stiffness,
consistency and appearance. A
scarf joint creates the headstock;
a routed channel is fitted with a
two-way truss rod. Macassar
Ebony is used for the fingerboard
and headplate.
2. The truss rod route and
planing is completed on the
headplate before it is glued in
place. Flat Earth Guitars have a
generous headstock angle and
straight string pull for improved
tuning performance. The small
headstock profile, carved volute
and laminated headplate
dramatically reduce the chance of
a headstock break.
planing is completed on the
headplate before it is glued in
place. Flat Earth Guitars have a
generous headstock angle and
straight string pull for improved
tuning performance. The small
headstock profile, carved volute
and laminated headplate
dramatically reduce the chance of
a headstock break.
3. This is where Flat Earth
Guitars depart from production
guitars...hand shaping of the
neck. The neck profile is hand
carved using spokeshave, rasps
and files. This is very
time-intensive, but results in a
totally custom profile. Cross
sections are constantly checked
by radius guides to insure
uniformity of the carving.
Guitars depart from production
guitars...hand shaping of the
neck. The neck profile is hand
carved using spokeshave, rasps
and files. This is very
time-intensive, but results in a
totally custom profile. Cross
sections are constantly checked
by radius guides to insure
uniformity of the carving.
4. The vintage volute is carved
in the headstock. The volute looks
and feels great and strengthens
the headstock in the area of the
truss rod route. Inlays are added,
a compound radius- (10" at nut
and 12" at heel) is sanded into
the fingerboard at this stage.
in the headstock. The volute looks
and feels great and strengthens
the headstock in the area of the
truss rod route. Inlays are added,
a compound radius- (10" at nut
and 12" at heel) is sanded into
the fingerboard at this stage.
5. A Flat Earth neck is a bolt-on
for several reasons:
-Bolt necks tend to be more
durable and are replaceable...this
is a working muscian's guitar!
-Bolt necks are much more
adjustable and never require a
reset.
-A well designed and fitted
bolt-on neck will sustain as well or
better than a set neck. (these
opinions are shared by guitar
guru and author, Dan Erlewine in
"Guitar Player Repair Guide."
The Flat Earth neck heel is fitted
to the body for tight tolerances.
This neck is intended for a
One-piece figured Bubinga
(African Mahogany) Heresy body.
This guitar features a USA-made
Bigsby Vibrato, roller
Tune-O-Matic bridge, Cocobolo
knobs and control plate, vintage
20-year old Gibson and DiMarzio
pickups.
for several reasons:
-Bolt necks tend to be more
durable and are replaceable...this
is a working muscian's guitar!
-Bolt necks are much more
adjustable and never require a
reset.
-A well designed and fitted
bolt-on neck will sustain as well or
better than a set neck. (these
opinions are shared by guitar
guru and author, Dan Erlewine in
"Guitar Player Repair Guide."
The Flat Earth neck heel is fitted
to the body for tight tolerances.
This neck is intended for a
One-piece figured Bubinga
(African Mahogany) Heresy body.
This guitar features a USA-made
Bigsby Vibrato, roller
Tune-O-Matic bridge, Cocobolo
knobs and control plate, vintage
20-year old Gibson and DiMarzio
pickups.
See a Flat Earth Heresy body made by hand!
Flat Earth Neck Construction
4. The vintage volute is carved
in the headstock. The volute looks
and feels great and strengthens
the headstock in the area of the
truss rod route. Inlays are added,
a compound radius- (10" at nut
and 12" at heel) is sanded into
the fingerboard at this stage. Next
comes finish sanding, staining,
spraying with several coats of
nitro cellulose laquer, buffing and
polishing.
in the headstock. The volute looks
and feels great and strengthens
the headstock in the area of the
truss rod route. Inlays are added,
a compound radius- (10" at nut
and 12" at heel) is sanded into
the fingerboard at this stage. Next
comes finish sanding, staining,
spraying with several coats of
nitro cellulose laquer, buffing and
polishing.