Teaming up with my friend Ola Strandberg (Strandberg Guitarworks) for a new project. The plain string end version of the Toone & Townsend intonation adjustable nut is fully compatible with his lightweight EGS headless guitar bridge. This hardware combination will become a potent option for builders seeking a lightweight, high quality, multi-scale (fanned fret) capable tuning system.
Our collaborative process included building Ola a prototype test neck that he could fit to one of his guitar bodies. We were hoping to have a fully assembled instrument ready for the nordic FUZZ Guitar Show 2010 in Gothenburg, Sweden, however it proved a substantial challenge to communicate custom multi-scale neck dimensions on short notice during stressful pre-show preparations.
These experiences communicating multi-scale neck layout math led me to write a detailed article suggesting standardized layout procedures for designing multi-scale (fanned fret) instrument necks. The Toone & Townsend article explores the geometry extensively, including how to correctly position intonation points for the adjustable nut. Looking forward to your suggestions about how to improve the process.
We decided to display my neck unmounted at the show. That seemed the better option than maxing out Ola's bridge hardware in order to get sufficient intonation adjustment range. Instead, he plans to build a custom body this summer, in order to fit the neck and correctly show off the capabilities of our combined hardware. The neck heel is Strat compatible, bolt-on design. This will be an exciting project, because the neck has state-of-the-art features:
• Quarter sawn curly maple
• Ebony fretboard
• Walnut position markers
• Waterproof Gorilla Glue assembly
• Aircraft grade aluminum Toone & Townsend Neck Core
• Stainless steel frets (6100)
• Compound radius fretboard (7.25" vs. 16")
• Multi-scale (25" vs. 25 9/16")
• Aircraft grade aluminum Toone & Townsend Nut
• Fretboard Flare on the treble string side
• Trapezoid Neck Profile
I built the neck using compression fretting to give it a very slight back bow. Under string tension, the neck will pull straight. Elixir .010 to .056 strings will provide correct tension with excellent tone and sustain.
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