Dave:
I thought I should un-lurk here and share a concern with you. As Evan mentioned in his post the screw is there (according to Martin) only to hold the tenon tight while the glue dries. If you were able to tighten it and snug the heel up any at all, I'm concerned that the glue joint might have failed.
As you probably noticed, the guitar has a plywood neck block. What you probably couldn't notice is that there is only about 1/4" of unreinforced plywood between the head of the screw and the and the neck tenon. In other words, I think it's much too fragile of a connection to depend on the screw holding the neck in place. But maybe I worry too much and everything will be fine. If the guitar lives near you though, it might be a good idea to check on it a bit down the road.
As far as removing the screw cap, (yes it will break sometimes.... don't ask how I know that
)I use a short, thin, 90 degree spatula. Before I made that, I just removed the 'barn door' electronics (4 small screws) and used a long spatula through that opening.
It sounds like Evan and I could rant for a while about this type of neck joint. While I like m&t joints, I think doing it the way they did put Martin about half way between a bolt-on and a glue joint. I wish they had taken a step or two more in either direction. I'd be bit happier anyway.
I've lurked around here for quite a while. I don't build them but I spend most of my days putting them back together. I've always been in awe of the folks that can take a few chunks of wood, carve it down to 5 or 6 pounds, and have it live under 175 lbs. of stress all it's life and still sound good. Many of the guitars I've seen pictured on this forum are some of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen.
Great work, great forum.
Jay
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