Official Luthiers Forum!

Someone brought me a guitar that needs a neck reset. It is a kit guitar that is pretty decently well made (outside of this neck set problem) by an unknown builder. The neck is M/T. My suspicion is that it has never been right. Truss rod adjustments aren't going to get it done.

I unglued the fingerboard extension, took the bolts out and it now appears that there is glue on the tenon and the cheeks of the neck.

I know how to steam the tenon loose, but what should I do about those cheeks that are glued down.

I don't do much repair work (well at least not on OTHER people's guitars).

Any advice?

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Could it be that it was finished after the neck was installed and the finish is just holding it in place?

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

In my early days, I would add a very thin bead of glue to disguise the imperfection of my neck joint. My guess is that the steam will get in there and soften it enough for you.

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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."

Don's right on the money. i would steam it. If it blushes from the steam...oh well...kidding...Butyl Celusolve will remove the blush in one quick wipe. If you get too anxiuos and some of the pieces break off...keep them and rebuild the tenon. Otherwise just smash the thing to pieces, put it in a box, ship it to a friend and then make a claim against the courier...JUST KIDDING!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

It should get in there Brock. I am assuming that there is space between the end of the tenon and bottom of the mortise. I ran across one that was darn near a flush fit. I had to remove the FB to find a space for the needle then temp attach a shim plate with a hole for my steam needle to trap the steam. There was just enough room for the neddle and thats about all.

I have already drilled the f/b I know I can get the needle in, but I didn't want to steam it until I had a plan for the cheeks.

John that was good thinking about the finish. I wondered that too, but after looking at it for a while I am sure it is glue.

Thanks guys. I will try the steam. And hopefully I won't shatter the tenon or the cheeks getting it off..

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com