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Just finishing up my first guitar. I used a neck heel shape similar to a Martin guitar I have on hand, it was easier I guess carving the first one and being able to use an existing as reference. For the next build I wouldn’t mind changing it up a bit, or maybe a lot. I plan on using a bolt on neck joint again.
Still trying to decide on a heel shape “design”. Please post pics of heels that you have carved and give me some inspiration. Thanks.

Here's a few of mine to be getting on with

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Here are a few. I've posted these before...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

This is my favorite shape. Low profile, so a 12 fret cutaway lets you keep your thumb on the back of the neck up to where most 14 fret cutaways do. You'll for sure need a tenon to do it with bolts, and possibly an extra large one. The fancy curvy cutaway transition is only possible with integral neck, though. The heel is laminated from two pieces, with the seam running up the centerline (much nicer looking than stacked slices, IMO).


Here's another one of my favorites. Designed to look like a crescent moon from the side, fitting with the outer space theme of the guitar.

And here's a shot of what it looked like while carving. It was actually a "necessity is the mother of invention" because I didn't have enough walnut to make a full heel block, so I needed to widen it out with something

Dennis that's pretty awesome man!

This is one of those things that I never do the same. I just grab a french curve mark out what looks good at the moment and cut and carve to shape.

Here's a few:

My current...

I went hunting thru my photos and come to find out, the heel doesn't get much studio photo love. But here's what I found:







In general, the heel shape I use is somewhat inspired by a stelleto for its outside shape. The top comes to a crest and has a bit or re-curve. It's something I've slowly refined over the years.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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Sorry had to


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Nice sox!

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Stealth heel

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That's pretty slick Dan. At first glance you might just think nothing special but then... Oh you worked the entire body into that... Nice!

Thanks!
I do most of my solid bodies this way.
I only have the two faces of the tenon with end grain joints.

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Chris, I don’t know how you worked in the Ebony decorations, but I really like it!

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always try a different heal each guitar, never completely happy with the heal, it's a weird thing.


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last one [THUMBS UP SIGN]

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