Tail block profile - just checking :-)

[Dave Bagwill]

At the point where the kerfing meets the tailblock, is there any point at all in having the block thicker than the kerfing - at that point on the rim? Pic attached.

[John Link]

That's a very interesting question Dave. One answer might be that it is thicker, traditionally, seems to cause no harm, and provides support for an end pin that will hold a strap, if an end pin is installed. Even then, several experienced builders shy away from gluing the plates to anything more than the footprint that would be provided by the linings. This is to maximize top movement in the lower bout. I notice in your photo that the end block has been tapered to conform to this precaution, and it appears to have a hole drilled for an end pin.

But what of instruments that will not have an end pin? Guitars intended for finger style playing might fit into this category. Sitting with the guitar allows the back to play more than a reflective role, versus playing standing up with a strap that causes the back to damp out against the belly. Does such a guitar really need the additional thickness? Does using a thicker end block harm anything? I would guess the answers to both questions is "no" but it is purely an intuitive guess. Have not encountered any evidence.

I noticed in one tape of Judy Collins playing a dread in a very early song (JOHN RILEY, 1963), that she deliberately held the guitar away from her body, despite using a strap and standing up. She is said to have a through background in traditional musical training, and so might have been sensitive to the effect damping the back has on sound. Most of her videos though, she holds it tighter, as do most who use a strap.

[ken cierp]

I've seen this treatment for tail block on many guitars at all price points -- I like it and have plans to update the KMG manual to show it as an alternative. On the other hand I've seen this done on the neck block to simplify the shaping of the gluing surface. In my view reducing this surface area diminishes the structural integrity of neck joint.

[Herman]

Dave, one my first guistars I left the tailblock traditionally wide. But though the years it shows through the top when it got a belly behind the bridge.
Later on I shaped the tailblock to the width of the kerfed lining. From there the tops look a lot better. And no glue failures seen. So I'm a fan of taking down the fella.
Herman