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I am doing my first real neck reset on an archtop. I did not find shims in the pocket when i steamed off the neck. I now have shaved the heel and have it ready to glue. THe neck moves a bit side to side, but not much. Need there be shims put in to mkae it totally imobile? If I clamp and glue her in I don't think she will move. Thoughts?


Thanks
DEnnis

Resets are a great way to learn and practice youe repair skills. I have used so many things when I started. One of the easiest ways to make shims is hand plane curls.
   You want your shims to have the neck tight. I like to have the neck about .010 high so I can press it tight into the block.
    Keep an eye on the heel and top so you can see what to shim and where.
Good luck
john

John,

"Hand plane curls" What a wonderful idea!! So simple.
Just one question, how do you flatten them out?

Crowduck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

I think I saw an article somewhere that the guy used a household iron to flatten out the plane shavings.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Hi Dennis, Yes shims, especially on an archtop with a floating fingerboard extension. Since the fretboard is not glued on a lot of archtops there is a lot of leverage working against the set if it has a short dovetail. Vegas are the worst!! I just sand some scrap wood to the right thicknesses glue them in and clamp.
Evan

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