Neck Angle

Bones

I've heard some people mention neck angle especially concerning the Gitanes.

Is there any concensus on what the nominal neck angle should be?

What is the neck angle on the new Gitanes vs. old?

Thanks

Bones

Josh/Bob/Michael,

Any input?

thanks

MichaelHorowitz

The newer models like the DG-320, DG-300, DG-340 have an improved neck angle (and top arch). The recent DG-300s also have these improvements (but not the old ones, which had the problems mentioned below)

The older models like the DG-255 and D-500 have a very straight neck and not much top arch. The result is a wetter, more bass heavy sound which is generally not desirable.

The Ciganos also have these improvements (the neck angle on the Ciganos is outrageous! Like a Favino or Busato.)

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MichaelHorowitz

I should also mention that the new Latcho Drom Manouche guitars by Dell Arte have a lot of neck angle on them. IMO they vastly out perform the Sagas...have a brighter, drier tone that is closer to what you'd get from a Dupont or other high end Euro guitar.

the African Mahogany model is just outstanding....very punchy with a stinging high end that will cut through anything.











Manouche
Latcho Drom (Asian made for Dell Arte)

Bones

Michael,

Do you know about what the desirable angle is (in degrees)?

Thanks

richdaigle

The selmac plans show roughly 2 degrees

MichaelHorowitz

Bones wrote:

Michael,

Do you know about what the desirable angle is (in degrees)?

Thanks

that's a question best answered by Bob.

Bones

Hmmmmm....

I'm thinking 2 degrees sounds pretty low.

Bob????

Thanks

Bob Holo

Hi gents, no right answer on this one - other than to say it depends on the design. I've played great vintage and new GJ guitars ranging from near zero neck angle to just over 2.6 degrees. the string length, the string gauge and the action all are contributors to the amount of downforce on the bridge. If you want a lot of downforce on the bridge, you can lengthen the scale, increase string gauge, or raise the action... but here's the thing... you have to have an action that is appropriate so the guitar is playable...

Imagine a given guitar in your head... you know what scale length you want - and you know what string you like to play, and you decide to brace it more heavily because you want to achieve some particular tone goal. That means you need to increase the downforce on the bridge so that you get the soundboard load you want. You increase soundboard arch which increases downforce but is mostly offset by raising the bridge feet relative to the stringpath and also by increasing the soundboard's strength so you also decide to raise the bridge height... and as a result of these two actions you have now the right downforce and the guitar sounds great... too bad about the 8mm action at the 12th fret... so you either have to take up Hawaiian style gypsy jazz or you have to do something to lower the action. Imagine what happens if you increase neck angle. Down goes the nut, pivoting around the 14th fret - and the action gets lower. Presto...

There are so many design variables on guitars - in general, all things held equal, as Michael said, if you see a guitar with a higher neck angle you're probably looking at a guitar with more downforce. Given how heavy some import guitars are made, this is a good thing. On a lighter built instrument it might be a detriment. However the guitar is built, a balanced design makes the most of the guitar.

Bones

Thanks guys!

richdaigle

short answer...roughly 2 degrees