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Member Question; I wasn't thinking of conserving the neck block, more of the potential of reshaping a new one so that for example the ribs could almost be let into the block like some self-neck basses. In other words, the ribs would not sweep upwards towards the heel, more rounded, a bit like your Dodd. I am thinking that this could allow you to set the neck much deeper while retaining the heel projection and most of the outline of the front plate. does that make sense?
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The Block has to be lower into the bass by about 1/2" and big enough to set the neck in deeper. Currently the Bass is modified from and English Gamba style "Neck-thru" blockless type as so described in the Book 'The Brittish Violin'. The book shows an 18th century Violin made like this.
This is the Morelli before the block-cut,
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...s/fullback.jpg
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...es/pufling.JPG
And this is it after the cut,
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...images/693.jpg
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...images/688.jpg
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...images/705.jpg
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/Double...images/692.jpg
The Block area would be flatter than before with wide Ebony strips covering the top view of the Block that the Ribs do not cover as seen in the 'after' photos. The Ribs will be cut back just a bit to allow for this lower set block. Currently the Neck just sits up on the Ribs with only a Dovetail going into the shallow block.
If I can, I will go into NY soon and take some pics while the Bass is still apart. I wish I had done this before any work was started when it first came apart just for comparison purposes.