" Name That Bass " aka "This OLD Bass"

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

So, what should be the maximum 'overstand' for the integrity of the neck-heel as far as endgrain strength goes be? .

I don't think anyone can give a "maximum overstand". By what you wrote, the depth of the neck block at the top is 5 3/4". An overstand of 2" is about 1/3 of that total glued length, so the leverage moment is considerably higher than a "standard" overstand which would be about 1/5 of the total glued length. Make of that what you will.

If it's playability you are after, I think a canted fingerboard might allow you to reduce the overstand a bit and still get up into the higher reaches comfortably.

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

shoulder strain (in the player) or even a split neck, as a huge amount of stressed end-grain wood will be hanging out of the body unsupported.

That sounds like something that a decent pair of underpants could fix.