Acoustic guitar kit - Help please!

[chgorugbyref]

I could use a little guidance please. A couple years back I bought a Martin acoustic guitar kit. It is a great project and the kit is fantastic, but the instructions are a bit lean. I built the body and got to the point where I need to connect the neck to the body. The neck is dovetailed to connect to a matching part in the body. This seems like a make or break point that will impact the playability of the instrument.I have one of the books that is the encyclopedia on how to do it from scratch, but it’s just not giving me what I need for the next step. I’ve watched about every video.

If anyone has experience in building acoustic guitars, I would like to connect (virtually or in person) to get some guidance and encouragement to take the next steps with success.
Thank you!

 

[Ricksmi]

Not sure if this is of any help but West Penn in Conover sells lots of guitar kits and wood for making and the owner is a wealth of knowledge on building guitars. Might not hurt to give them a call or maybe they can point you to someone in the area that builds.

 

[JNCarr]

I have two very good books on guitar making that might help you - you are welcome to borrow them.
"Guitar Making: tradition and technology" by Cumpiano and Netelson
"The Steel String Guitar - It's construction, origin and design" by Brosnac.

I'm in Durham just off of I-40 - PM me if you'd like to borrow.

 

[Burly John]

Like you, I want to build acoustic guitars. Unlike you, I'm still building a workshop.
However, Kevin LaDue's YouTube channel has been very encouraging and has provided me with a lot of useful information.
Here's a jig for routing a neck tenon. The preceding video describes making the corresponding heel block.
To me, the big take-away idea is to cut a neck tenon in a scrap, and then make a heel block to match - in scrap if you wish.
Of course, you could check the instrument makers' forum and look for a luthier near you who might be willing to give advice.
Musical Instruments Makers Forum

 

[chgorugbyref]

I have two very good books on guitar making that might help you - you are welcome to borrow them.
"Guitar Making: tradition and technology" by Cumpiano and Netelson
"The Steel String Guitar - It's construction, origin and design" by Brosnac.

I'm in Durham just off of I-40 - PM me if you'd like to

Like you, I want to build acoustic guitars. Unlike you, I'm still building a workshop.
However, Kevin LaDue's YouTube channel has been very encouraging and has provided me with a lot of useful information.
Here's a jig for routing a neck tenon. The preceding video describes making the corresponding heel block.
To me, the big take-away idea is to cut a neck tenon in a scrap, and then make a heel block to match - in scrap if you wish.
Of course, you could check the instrument makers' forum and look for a luthier near you who might be willing to give advice.
Musical Instruments Makers Forum

Thanks that sounds like a good one to watch. I’ll have to check it out. I have the Cumpiano book and it’s great, especially for scratch builders. I’m just missing the nuance with the kit in doing the neck/body connection correctly. Everything else after that seems within my mental and physical skillset. I appreciate the responses!