Thanks for the help Barry - your suggestions have been incredibly helpful.

Wow Neil, your work is AMAZING!

I mostly did 2D profiles which I printed to build templates (I also did all work by hand). It's been a long time, but in the few 3D models I attempted to do, transitions were done with booleans mostly, since they work so well, and were only meant for illustration, thus I had no need to be exact.

Are you planning to do CNC work?

Thank you sir! Yes I own two small CNC machines and have done some milling of guitar bodies - mostly simple stuff like tele's but am hoping to do a lot more as I get better with MOI. The newest CNC machine is big enough for necks so am trying to get better in that area. Thanks for the tips. Barry has left some terrific advice using booleans - trim and blend commands in particular that have helped a lot - I just need to get better at it.

ImmortalX...is that blue Soloist-ish guitar have a half scalloped neck (G,B,E) from 15 to 24? I'd love to try that!

....niiiice.

Great looking guitars Neil!

I'd use specific curves for each style of volute you're trying to design rather than a general blend. With specific curves drawn to create the surfaces, you can control the dimensions for each volute/neck style...and/or player preferences, needs, etc.

Being a guitar player this is a great thread!

Mat

@mat10x

That's exactly what it is! It was a request from a friend whom I build this guitar for.

Hi Neil,
I have been trying to get a result with your posted model that matches the Blue Head profile.
The blend option didn't work so good so I modified your red Head profile and then ran the lofted
neck into it. Boolean union neck head and base. Filleted the neck to head with 1"radii.
The neck and base joint was filleted 0.14", this was so I maintained the base profile as Boolean
subtracting which cuts thro a larger fillet would affect the profile.
Cheers
Barry

Hey Barry that is really looking fantastic. Sure do appreciate the help.

Michael showed how to use the network command - is that what you mean? The problem I had with that was getting the necks solid after building the faces. Apparently I need a lot more practice so that my geometry has no gaps anywhere..

Hi Neil,
Not sure if the question about network was for me ?
I haven’t used network in my attempts yet just blend and fillet.
The issue I see is the way the profile of the Head and base is
affected when the Boolean subtract goes thro a fillet.
With the simple method of blend or fillet it quite easy and quick.
Maybe not the best method if you wish to control the profile
of the back of the head and base.
Cheers
Barry

Hi Neil,
Came across this method on YouTube.
May have some use.
https://youtu.be/1kP546QJ_YQ
Barry

Actually it was Mat that suggested the network and I was asking him how he did it because my results were mixed. The best method I've seen so far for neck transitions is the one you've presented Barry - I just need to practice and get better at it.

That's cool - a fellow guitar builder gave me Aspire as a gift - but I've not learned to use it yet. I really want to make MOI my main modeling program.

Mat10x do you have any examples of how you do necks? Thanks, N

Hi Neil,

I don't have a neck example but I think the attached models I built may illustrate the use of "Network".

I use "curve network surface" or "network" all time for surfaces that need to come together under very specific dimensions, with clean transitions from one surface to another. Automotive design, lots of surface transitions, same idea.

The volute is a good example. Couple surfaces coming together at that one intersection. The English guy in the YouTube video also used "Curve Network Surface" (as he used Rhino 3D) or "Network" (in MOI) for his volute.

As a guitar player and Industrial Designer...I'd prefer to specify the volute surface dimensions rather then just "blend" them together.

Just my .02 cents.

Hope that helps!

Mat

Some of your stuff looking dan electro esq!!!

Nice!

Hey Matt!

Thanks for the reply - the problem I have with networking is getting things solid. Seems my necks are always hollow when I use the networking command - see attached. Also - what do you do about seams or lines between the pieces you network? Thanks for the suggestion - would like to get better at this.

Dan Electro? Really? I don't see that at all. But if it's a compliment I'll take it!! :)

Wow those models are awesome Matt! How do you do that without getting seams or gaps? Practice right! :)

Hey Neil,

Your heel surfaces are not aligned with each other. Double check the alignment of your curves. All surfaces must be aligned to each with no gaps...to create what's called a "water tight" model...a true solid.

Hope that helps!

Mat