Neck reset

[Andy]

Hi all together,

I have a very big problem. A guitarplayer gave me his 12fret handmade guitar for a neck reset.
Its about 12 years old from a british unknown guitarbuilder.
Now, the ugly thing is... it has been build up with a PU glue.
I dont know, how to get the neck and the fretboard off the body.
My only idea is to saw it of an rebolt it later on.
But which saw is suitable for this job, so I can't scratch or damage the body.
I would be pleased if anybody has an advice , not only the sawingsolution to get the neck off.
Tahnks
Andy

[Bob Gaddis]

Have your tried heating the fingerboard to remove it? If you can get it off, then you might try thin thin-blade hot knife trick on the neck joint.

[Andy]

Hi,
you mean to take the fretboard completely off and then trying the hot knife trick?
As I know PU glue can't distored with heat. Am I wrong?

[Jim Bancroft]

I second Bob's idea.
I recently reset an older Martin that had the neck reset in the past with epoxy. Not knowing what glue was used, I tried the conventional steam method, it wouldn't budge.

The fingerboard had been severed at the 14th fret in the previous reset, so I removed that section again. The neck finally released after a number of times of working a hot knife into the joint. I'd apply a little water then worked a thin spatula, heated, into the joint. It took much longer than normal to get off, but I was finally successful.

I would guess removing the complete fingerboard would be the best, then work on the joint removal.

Jim

[Andy]

Then I've to try that method.
I hope I will get it. Its my first neck reset. Till mow I only built 4 guitars, but the owner wants me to do it, cause one of the four was build for him and I got the sound he was searching for 30 years.
I fear I could damage this old guitar,cause its one of a kind.

Thanks for your replys to help me.
Andy
Wish both of you a Merry Christmas

[Erik]

Assuming you're right about the PU, that's not a job I'd accept unless he's a REALLY good friend and not too concerned with the outcome.

Since it's an instrument of value, I'd let someone else do the job. Emphatically not the subject for a first reset!

Sorry...

Erik

[Andy]

Hi Erik,
I will think about and dicuss with the owner.
I'm not happy to do it and probably ruin the intsrument.

thanks
Andy

[Nick Anthony]

are you positive its a polyurethane glue?

[Andy]

Yes very sure, cause I can see around the neckblock a sort of foam. Thats a sign for PU glue

[Erik]

Andy, I've seen "foam" around hide glue joints at least once, on a 1904 Regal.

[Andy]

Hi Erik,
I'll try to soften it with alittle bit of water put on with a small paintbrush
If it is hide glue it will work.
Thanks for your advice
Andy

[Nick Anthony]

yeah he's right ive seen the same thing....but if it's gorilla glue or something that shit is not going to be affected by heat or moisture....your right on w/ sawing it off i think ..take a look at franks reseting a spanish heel section on frets..he uses a bone saw...that might work

[thefishinmusician]

Let's see...where did I leave my bone saw??