• Tools and Jigs

  The first tool to measure longitudinal neck torsion/twist – the LTwist® gauge

  Posted by Peter Niessen on July 15, 2025 at 11:08 am

  Dear looth community/colleagues around the world,

  During 2023/24 I have developed a digital gauge to measure so-called longitudinal twist of (bass) guitar necks: the LTwist® gauge. Just to be clear, this is about the “cork screw” type of deviation along the length of a neck, not the bow of a neck.

  I think there is no need to explain how a too severe neck twist can make it difficult or even impossible to set up a stringed instrument (guitar/bass guitar) properly without string buzz or rattle.

  After defining the measuring principles and creating a proof of concept tool, it went through several prototype stages by a professional instrument maker (who worked on multiple projects at the Delft Technical University, Netherlands).

  This has resulted in the final design of the LTwist®gauge that has been available on the market since about half a year. In the Netherlands, several luthiers have adopted it as a standard tool to routinely check each instrument on a potential neck twist before starting an actual repair or set up job. This check takes no more than 5 min, so the customer can be advised on the spot accordingly. Also with building, and buying/selling instruments, the amount of neck twist can be a supportive measure to prevent misconceptions about the state of a neck.

  You can find all details at my own Positech design® website:

  https://www.positechdesign.com/

  and a short explanatory tutorial:

  https://www.positechdesign.com/support/ltwist-tutorial

  (Please note that I have formal trademark & model rights/protection for both LTwist® and Positech Design®).

  Kind regards and looking forward to any questions or feedback,

  Peter Niessen

  The Netherlands

  Peter Niessen replied 8 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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