Center Blocks

[MartyGrass]

I apologize if this has already been addressed 10 times.  HOC is now old enough that it has a lot to search through, even when using the search feature.

So here's the first point.  The Roy Clark model is supposed to have a floating center block.  Mine doesn't.  It has a full one.  I'm happy with it.  I was a bit surprised though.

Two questions:

1.  What does Heritage use for center blocks and is that variable?

2.  Does Gibson use the same wood for their 335-355?

Thanks, fellow nerds.

 

 

[ElNumero]

I have no idea about the answer to your two questions, but I always love the questions you ask and the insights you provide. And that’s a beautiful Guitar by the way. 

Edited yesterday at 07:55 PM by ElNumero

[DetroitBlues]

That's a good question.  I always assumed the Roy Clark was a single cut version of a 555., particularly when I see a full stop-bar tailpiece.  Having never seen one other than the prototype, let alone play one, its hard to say what its made out of.  For some reason, I'm thinking its a block of maple.

[MartyGrass]

The center block may be cedar.  At least the Asian Epiphones use that wood.

[MartyGrass]

The Roy Clark early on had a floating center block.  But you know Heritage back then.  Flexible.

[skydog52]

Hard to answer.

I've ordered solid blocks on floating block guitars and floating blocks on solid block guitars in the past.

The good old days.

Glad I was involved in the Golden Years with Custom Shop Service.

[TalismanRich]

Here's an old video of them building a semihollow.   It appears that the main block is maple.  You would want a strong wood, since you need to put your neck joint in there, just like a solid body.  Its definitely not mahogany,  it's way too light colored. You can see the color difference of the mahogany kerfing below.

From what I have read,  an ES335 will have a maple block and the filler piece is spruce which is kerfed to bend more easily.

 

 

If you listen closely,  I think that he says they use a basswood insert for the filler section that goes between the top and the block.  It's about 3:30 into the video.    He also explains about doing floating blocks (top is fixed,  back is not).  

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by TalismanRich