Official Luthiers Forum!

From My Previous Post (The Problem): How to fill gap between the neck and body. (Very slight gap)

Feedback received: Wide range of suggestions from pull the neck and re-do to many suggestios for invisible repair

WhatI Did: I was planning to pull the neck but combined some ideas provided by group as a first alternative. The gap was really minor and hated the idea of possibly damaging finsih or having to do more adjustment to setup as I was very pleased with both.

Created some fine Mahogany dust and mixed with 6 min epoxy. Taped off the neck and body so the only thing showing was the gap. Packed in the filler mixture and then rubbed some of the dust over the epoxy filler.

Once dry I packed additional dust in between the neck and the body wherever it would fit and then drop filled some True Oil to seal. Drop filled a few times.

Results: I am very happy with the results. I ended up with a near invisible repair.

For the purists in the group I know I have probably committed a mortal sin - but the gap was vevry very slight and not along the entire joint but only about 1 inch near the heel. The rest of the joint was pretty darn good but after considering the suggestions of the group I felt the true oil idea would make it even better.

In the future I will drop fill all my joints with true oil which did wick into the joint and create a nice seal without any damage to the finish (French Polish body and Ture Oil neck).

Thanks again for your help

Great job Rich!!!!!

and how are you going to get it apart when you need to reset the neck?

It was a tiny amount Michael (epoxy), more of a filler, and I dont think taking it apart will be a major problem.

Most epoxy will separate just like titebond with a little heat. Some will release with less heat than titebond requires.
Maybe some of the other builders will share their "hollywood make-up" sorta fixes as well?
-j.

_________________
“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy