Official Luthiers Forum!

Anyone have thoughts to share, or maybe plans or a tutorial for doing a cantilevered fingerboard? I've been studying the info on Tom Bills' website, which is excellent and quite helpful, but I like to look at things from multiple angles (pun intended) before trying a new procedure.

Thanks,

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George :-)

The Bills guitars are elevated fretboard rather than cantilevered, the extension is still supported on the upper bout.
Is that what you want to do? or do you want to be free floating? I do free floating myself.

Jeff,
Thanks for your response. I definitely need help, as I even need to learn the difference between the two! :-) Help finding a resource explaining either approach would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again,

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George :-)

As far as I can tell, Bills is basically standard archtop practice applied to the flat top with the support for the fretboard extension added to the neck with a short lap joint. This added extension is then carefully fitted and glued to the soundboard.

A cantilever extension, has a gap between it and the soundboard and so the joint (if any) at the body neck junction must be stronger and stiffer to allow it to hang free.
This can also allow for neck angle adjustment.... search "Stauffer guitars"

Gotcha! Thanks again. I'll be try that search.

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George :-)

I think McPherson guitars also have a cantilevered neck. Check out their web page.

Dave

Yep Tom does standard archtop for necks/ fingerboard. This is what we did in the Moll shop