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After many hours of getting my dovetail, what I thought was right, I glued up the neck the other night as CAREFULLY and accurately as I thought possible. Only to discover, as the pic shows, one side of the fretboard extension lifted off the upper bout.

I placed a clamp over each side at the end of the fretboard and there was lots of squeeze out as the uncleaned mess shows, so I must have brushed the clamp just before setting it down or some other inexplicable error.

I used LMI white glue and it is set up underneath so it looks like the clamp let loose somehow.

Problem - what to do. I don't feel capable of neck reset and I know I would destroy so much hard work trying to get the neck off.

Still in a bit of a panic and even embarassed at the results but could sure use some help and some options I can't think of right now.

Thanks in advance

Larry

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Thank You and Best To All

Larry, i feel for you man, i sure hope the pros will come and help rescue your efforts, hang in ther bud!

Put some heat to the extension, and when the glue has softened, quickly work some fresh glue in there, and clamp her up solid. If you try to clamp it down without first softeneing the old glue, you'll break something...

Of course, the proper fix is to pull the neck out, clean it all up and start over, but since this is your own guitar(right?), try the above first; it should work. A regualr clothes iron will work to heat it up, but be sure to make something up to prevent damaging the top and finish with heat. A well fitted cardboard mask will do.

Always, always, always make a dry run or two before gluing it down, and always stay near after gluing up a critical part. Murphy lurks nearby all the time, just waiting for you to clamp something down and walk away, and Murphy will then loosen the clamps or move things a bit <bg>

Murphy can be a real bastard at times...Mario38771.9827199074

Thanks for the reply Mario. I've got the weekend to try and fix and yes it is my guitar. Murphy you say? Yeah he seems to have moved into my garage.

thanks again

Larry

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I used to leave Murphy cookies and milk...he was around so much...when I gained his trust, I switched to RAT KILLER! Heh heh....

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

You don't really need to do a neck reset which involves removing wood at
the heel. You just need to pull the neck and reglue. You should give it a try!
There are lots of resources explaining the process online.

[QUOTE=yukonarizona] You don't really need to do a neck reset which involves removing wood at
the heel. You just need to pull the neck and reglue. You should give it a try!
There are lots of resources explaining the process online.[/QUOTE]

He Speaks ! ! ! !



Where you been friend?!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=yukonarizona] You don't really need to do a neck reset which involves removing wood at
the heel. You just need to pull the neck and reglue. You should give it a try!
There are lots of resources explaining the process online.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I mis-spoke (wrote). Still don't feel capable of pulling the neck. That could change over night as I look a little closer at the solution this weekend but it seems a bit complex what with steam generators and such. I also know myself really well and the damage I know I'll do to the finish and the neck joint feels like it will just be too demoralizing to attempt.

Like I say, that could change but what seems like such a simple task to those who have a lot of experience can be daunting, to say the least, to us beginners.

Thanks very much for the advice - it won't go unheeded.

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Thank You and Best To All

Larry,
     You make a valid point. It is important to watch out for getting too
much moisture into your guitar but if you experiment a bit with the steam
source you'll see how to get the steam without a worrisome amount of
water. I use an espresso machine and let the hose get good and hot
before inserting the pin into the dovetail - that mostly eliminates the
condensation that originates in the hose itself. I also keep dry rags on
the ready to keep things dry during the process.
     
Hey Don,
     Been busy buying a house (where I'll have a shop!), getting engaged,
etc. 8^) Good to hear from you too old friend.
     

[QUOTE=yukonarizona]Hey Don,
     Been busy buying a house (where I'll have a shop!), getting engaged,
etc. 8^) Good to hear from you too old friend.
     [/QUOTE]

CONGRATULATIONS !

...on all of the above! I couldn't be happier for ya buddy! Great news...

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Congrats Yukonarizona!

Darn, keep checking this thread thinking someone else might have another thought or idea concerning the predicament.

Oh well; congratulations Yukonarizona - I too am very happy for you. Do you have a first name?

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Thank You and Best To All

Hey Larry,

I'm just as newbie (or newbier (new word!)) than you. Sure the neck removal sounds daunting but hey, when do you plan to learn it? Take it slow, prep, do dry runs and go for it! Don't let it get you down if you damage something. If everything went completely smooth, the whole act of building a guitar would become mundane. Here's where you learn. You can do it.

Good way to see it Alan, i'll think of that if Murphy gets too close to home.

Whatever you do Larry, we are with you bud, let us know how it goes.

I would try Mario's suggustion of heating the finger board and trying to clean all the glue out you can with a hot spatula. Clean it up best you can, apply more glue and reclamp. If that doesn't do it then consider removing the neck or just the fingerboard.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust