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I need to remove a bolt-on neck with a glued fingerboard extension. My plan is to heat the extension with a heat gun but my question is what do you use to insulate the body? I'd rather not refinish the top... What do you pros do?

This is easy. CARDBOARD and a towel. NO WATER !!!!!
john hall

i put alfoil on the cardboard and keep it tight against the fb extension.

Use cardboard and foil and I use a heating blanket the proper size of the extension or you could use a heat lamp.I've never tried it with a heat gun.Use a thin pallet knife and work your way under the extension.Leave the knife in until it cools so it won't reattach.That should do it.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I use a small allen wrench....

Ok I shouldn't tease if I can fulfill... sorry...

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John I think in the near future I will go to a bolt down extenion.

That was cruel John I just took my neck off of my 2nd guitar, and I used a spackle knife with an iron. I didn't care about the finish, so I did no protection. But I would do the card board trick if I ever cared about the finish. You should sand the tip of the spackle knife down to thin it, it will be much easier to get under the neck. Since I used hide glue for my neck extension, I wanted to use steam with heat. I put a damp rag on the FB extension then put my iron on top of it and let it sit for about 1 1/2 mins. I then heated the tip of my spackle knife and slid it under the FB extension in front of the soundhole. I worked it side to side while the iron was still on it. Eventually it gave away with no wood being pulled up. You should go real slow, about 20 min total. Do not rush it, and check to make sure the heat is not damaging the finish. Good luck!
Tracy

When prying with the spatula, be careful to just stop a little short of where the fingerboard meets the neck. If the neck hets a little hot, the fingerboard could delaminate from the neck. Easy mistake, tougher to fix. Thanks to Santa Cruz Guitar Company for that tip!

I have used those heat guns for lots of refinishing projects. I have never used one on a guitar though where I'm being more careful about the finish, and what gets loosened. They get hotter than you might think and they put it in a very concentrated area. They will burn wood very quicky, let alone what they can do to finish. I usually heat with something like an iron where I can control the heat alot better. I have to get me some blankets at some point. Just trying to caution you I guess.

Thanks for the input. The heat gun IS a little extreme- I hadn't thought about using an iron. Good idea if I can remember where we keep it...