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So I've been working on the build above for about 9 months now. Actually Im a college student so I really only had last summer and a few weeks in december to work on it. Anyhow, when I cam back in december, the change in humidity/temp caused a crack outlineing my trussrod slot. I guess I sanded and carved the neck a little too much. In december I tried to save it, but nothing really worked well. I first added a skunk stripe, but after installing it, I realized that the problem was alot worse that I thought. After a month of debate, Ive decided that the only way to truly fix it and be content with the build is to cut off the neck and replace it (its a neck-thru). I was wondering if anybody had some advice for me, things to watch out for, ect. I figure this will also be a good opportunity to put on some binding (something that I wished I had done). And lastly, Im wondering if anybody knows where I could buy a piece that fits my dimensions (or has a piece that they could sell me). The dimensions arent TOO important, but anything thats around 1.75 x 2.5 should work (Im not really sure of the length, but it should be a little longer that a standard guitar. Even if its a little smaller than this, let me know because I might be interested. I picked this piece up from a local woodworker who was retiring and selling off all his wood and equipment. I have no idea where I can find another piece that will work. I've checked alot of online but theres nothing. If anybody has a piece of curly maple thats around these dimensions (or knows where else I could get one) please let me know. I would prefer to get the neck replacement done when Im home for spring break. Any and all help is appreciated! Thanks! -Alex

Actually, I just went on ebay and search "curly maple lumber" and found alot of wood that fits my dimensions, but now I have another problem. Is there any way to tell if a piece of wood (soft maple in particular) will sound decent without actually being able to hold it, tap it, ect. What should I look out for (grain patterns, ect)? I would hate to put all of this time and effort into my build and have a mediocre sounding guitar because I ended up with a bad piece of maple.

i wouldn't worry about that, maple is basically maple. if youre into figure then go for the nicest figure. 95% of electric guitar tone comes from 1)amplifier settings, 2)the player, and 3)the pickups...in that order

Rather than take the whole thing apart to replace a through neck, i would instead cut off the neck and make a new one to be installed using a long tenon arrangement much like a Gibson. Maple does not vary to much in color and should be easy enough to match for grain pattern.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Bolt on neck?
More authentic anyway.

Thanks for the help fellas! I think I'll end up going with e bolt on neck (and some binding of course!)

I dont understand the photo. does it show the area in question.
Thats a shame to cut the neck off. There may be other solutions, can you post a pic of the cracked area/
Is the FB already glued on?

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You just pick up a chord, go twang, and you're got music. -Sid Vicious

Below is a picture of the bank of the neck before I started trying to repair. I dont have any pictures of after my repair attempts but when it comes down to it there is just not going to be enough wood behind the truss rod. I would be worried about the sunk stripe cracking in future yeas because it is so thin. Yup the fretboard is glued on, but this wont be my first fretboard removal so it shouldnt be much of a problem. -Alex

A different take on a fix: depending on how wide the crack goes to the edges and since the body is already "striped" You might try ripping the whole thing down the middle and add a good stiff wood piece in the centre. Before rejoining you could profile and precut the p/u "holes" and truss rod slot, head, etc on the middle piece prior to gluing it up.
You'd need a bandsaw and a joiner of course.
Reclamping it would probably be the most difficult part of the job.
I Just like to offer up other options. Good luck with the fix.

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You just pick up a chord, go twang, and you're got music. -Sid Vicious