Guitar Neckrest

Design Process WOOD vs FOAM
After seeing the version "DIY Neckrest Luthier Tool" By unknownstuntman in WorkshopWoodworking Instructable. Which is a great springboard for simple solution for building a neckrest. https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Neckrest-Luthie...

I decided to come up with my own solution after seeing what was available for purchase online I saw a simple sloped block idea in solid wood that I was going to try and reproduce. It was a little labor intensif to cut the rounded cutaway but viable on a table saw.

I thought what I could use instead is maybe a wood block and 2 flat board offcuts so I just clamped them for a trial run - something easier to cut and then planned to cover the support area in foam, the wood version would feature 2 neck heights by rotating the tool 90 degrees as shown. So I am showing this as part of the build because seeing the functionality required allowed me to realise there maybe an easier way to do it.

After taking a moment to think about it - I really wanted something even simpler and easier - Thats when I thought -I need something strong, light and easy to carve ??? bingo! insulation foam. I used hard/closed cell insulation foam - a scrap i had lying around. You could also use a styrofoam block or even some of that flexible plastisized foam thats in packing.You can stick it together to make a larger block if need - just test the glue as some neoprene/shoe glues actually chemically react and eat/destroy certain foams.

• Foam 50mm thick - hard insulation foam or whatever you find, just stick together with glue or double sided tape to get a block.
• Saw any will do miter, hack or wood - even a steak knife we are just cutting foam
• Round rasp or file.
• Optional Finishing - sandpaper, sock, ziptie, tape, u shaped foam (see last step)

I think this is a great solution as it cheap, light, easy to build and very stable.
Its so light in the smaller version you could even throw it in your guitar bag to adjust things on the road. Zero risk if you have it bumping around your bag or forget/loose the block. It is no loss - it takes 5 minutes to make another one - you could probably even remake it on the spot with pocket knife/steak knife and any foam block from a dumpster.

Cut a your 5cm(50mm) panel into a block approx 11cm by 11cm (8cm x10cm for small version) try and keep the base as square as possible. Pencil in a curve cut for the neck and then use a saw to V cut the bulk of the recess. Use your round file to smooth it out a little, now you can test fit it with the guitar, and file the recess to suit the angle the guitar sits. The cuts don't need to be perfect as long as the neck seats well in the saddle cut.
I found at this stage the curve cut needed a little more angle so I filed that, then the neck became very stable. At this stage its totally functional if you want to finish it off a little better then you can do some sanding or goto step 2 doing a sock wrapping. I made 2 versions a small and a large.

TIP: The support has direction that follows the neck angle so if you find it is not as stable as you though just spin it 180 degrees.

TIP 2: A dual height version can be made using a more rectangular shape and adding a second curve cut to the longer side.

If you want a little better finish or are worried about varnish/finish on your neck reacting you can put a sock around it. I used an old sock - or even those airline socks which are super stretchy and free. I made covers from 1 sock. Just turn the sock inside out and use a zip tie to seal the end. I used some automotive electrical cloth tape to finish off or even just an elastic band. This is the 8cm x10cm smaller block version

This is the block larger version 11cm by 11cm with sock cover and the cloth electrical tape.

TIP: If you have some u shaped foam this can be put on the base of the body and with the neck support in place your guitar is totally protected. The picture foam is u shaped packing foam the overall size is 95mm wide and 85mm high and 15mm foam thickness.

I will be making a complete travel / lean stand using the u foam so you can check that out.

I had another thought for a quick fix. A cardboard cracker box or wheat grain box un-opened - soit keeps the structural integrity is a good no fuss work around. Plus you get a to eat the contents once the job is over.