How do you tell a Spanish heel neck from a dovetail neck on a guitar?

Answer 1

To distinguish a Spanish heel neck from a dovetail neck on a guitar, examine the neck joint. A Spanish heel neck features the neck carved from the same piece of wood as the body, creating a seamless transition without a visible joint. In contrast, a dovetail neck has a separate neck that fits into a joint shaped like a dovetail, typically visible at the body where the neck meets. Additionally, the Spanish heel often results in a thicker body at the neck joint, while the dovetail may allow for a more pronounced neck angle adjustment.