Neck Wouldn't Come Off-- Help! - FRETS.NET2024-03-29T11:57:37Zhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/neck-wouldnt-come-off-help?commentId=2177249%3AComment%3A57086&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHang tight Gary,
What is th…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-14:2177249:Comment:573982011-05-14T22:41:09.363ZGuitar Fixerhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GuitarFixer
<p>Hang tight Gary,</p>
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<p>What is the model and year of this CF Martin guitar?</p>
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<p>Skip</p>
<p>Hang tight Gary,</p>
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<p>What is the model and year of this CF Martin guitar?</p>
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<p>Skip</p> Martin's glue with Titebond w…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-14:2177249:Comment:573942011-05-14T19:08:21.670ZJim Bancrofthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JimBancroft
<p>Martin's glue with Titebond will take more steam to release the neck than those glue with hide glue. If it's never had a neck reset before, it should come off without problems. If it's been reset before maybe epoxy was use. If it was, then I'd remove the fretboard extension to access the joint to work a super heated spatula into the joint.</p>
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<p>Jim </p>
<p>Martin's glue with Titebond will take more steam to release the neck than those glue with hide glue. If it's never had a neck reset before, it should come off without problems. If it's been reset before maybe epoxy was use. If it was, then I'd remove the fretboard extension to access the joint to work a super heated spatula into the joint.</p>
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<p>Jim </p> You can glue it on before or…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-14:2177249:Comment:575842011-05-14T19:03:17.179ZJim Bancrofthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JimBancroft
<p>You can glue it on before or after, doesn't matter a whole lot, but you want the neck in perfect alignment with the bridge and the fretboard extension helps with that alignment. You can also use a straightedge placed along the edge of the fretboard, without the extension, to get it aligned. If I was doing it I'd glue the extension on before installing the neck, you have plenty of gluing surface being it was severed at the 13th fret. You also don't want to alter the extension at the 13th fret…</p>
<p>You can glue it on before or after, doesn't matter a whole lot, but you want the neck in perfect alignment with the bridge and the fretboard extension helps with that alignment. You can also use a straightedge placed along the edge of the fretboard, without the extension, to get it aligned. If I was doing it I'd glue the extension on before installing the neck, you have plenty of gluing surface being it was severed at the 13th fret. You also don't want to alter the extension at the 13th fret slot, if there is some slight misalignment.</p>
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<p>Another problem you could encounter is forcing the neck too far into the dovetail joint without the extension there to stop it.</p>
<p>You definitely eliminate some potential problem by gluing it on before installation.</p>
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<p>Jim </p> I am in the middle of the sam…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-14:2177249:Comment:571532011-05-14T15:54:16.830ZGary Friedhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/GaryFried
I am in the middle of the same type of problem as you. I have a Martin in my shop that the neck will not move. I steamed it for a long time and got the neck to wiggle but it simply would not come out. I stopped after a while because I really do not want to damage the finish. I spoke with the customer and informed him of what was going on and he insisted that I try again and told me that he wouldn't hold me responsible for cosmetic damage. I will get the neck out of this guitar sooner or later...
I am in the middle of the same type of problem as you. I have a Martin in my shop that the neck will not move. I steamed it for a long time and got the neck to wiggle but it simply would not come out. I stopped after a while because I really do not want to damage the finish. I spoke with the customer and informed him of what was going on and he insisted that I try again and told me that he wouldn't hold me responsible for cosmetic damage. I will get the neck out of this guitar sooner or later... I'd glue the extension on aft…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-13:2177249:Comment:568772011-05-13T02:49:16.159ZMark A. Kanehttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/MarkAKane
I'd glue the extension on afterwards. If you glue it onto the neck beforehand and have even the SLIGHTEST misalignment, it will show up in glaring fashion at the soundhole.
I'd glue the extension on afterwards. If you glue it onto the neck beforehand and have even the SLIGHTEST misalignment, it will show up in glaring fashion at the soundhole. A follow up question. I had t…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-13:2177249:Comment:573822011-05-13T01:31:02.398ZPhilip Secristhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/PhilipSecrist
A follow up question. I had to remove the fret extension at the 13th fret in all this. Is it better to reattach the extension on the neck before the reset, or after the neck is glued back into the joint? Or is it sixes?
A follow up question. I had to remove the fret extension at the 13th fret in all this. Is it better to reattach the extension on the neck before the reset, or after the neck is glued back into the joint? Or is it sixes? One thing I always do when re…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-11:2177249:Comment:568532011-05-11T11:19:37.352ZJim Bancrofthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JimBancroft
<p>One thing I always do when removing a neck is rock it slightly. Once I've steamed it to the point that I think it should come off, I grab the neck in the nut area and try rocking it sideways and watch the neck to body joint for movement and moisture seepage. At that point the neck removal tool should be able to push the neck off. </p>
<p>The Gibson's have the neck glued to the sides, which can cause problems, and it was what was causing your difficulty, I'm sure.</p>
<p>Hide glue lets go…</p>
<p>One thing I always do when removing a neck is rock it slightly. Once I've steamed it to the point that I think it should come off, I grab the neck in the nut area and try rocking it sideways and watch the neck to body joint for movement and moisture seepage. At that point the neck removal tool should be able to push the neck off. </p>
<p>The Gibson's have the neck glued to the sides, which can cause problems, and it was what was causing your difficulty, I'm sure.</p>
<p>Hide glue lets go easily with steam. Your neck may have been reset in the past and glue with Titebond, which is tougher to loosen. Next neck removal try the neck rocking method I mentioned, it will help. Also when you have steam holes, on both sides of the fretboard, you can move the steam needle between holes to get the steam evenly into the joint.</p>
<p>I also use a large pressure cooker(maybe about 4 to 6 quart size, I don't want to run out of steam) with only about an inch of water and a 2 1/2 to 3 foot heavy rubber hose with steam needle. </p>
<p>Congratulations!</p>
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<p>Jim </p> Halleujah!! I got the neck…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-11:2177249:Comment:571082011-05-11T02:18:27.938ZPhilip Secristhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/PhilipSecrist
<p>Halleujah!! I got the neck off! I cut the fretboard at the13th fret and removed the fretboard extension. The dovetail was not covered by the soundboard. I then proceeded to steam the joint. It took 30 minutes of steam and when it came off I could see that it had also been glued to the sides. If it was hide glue, it was tough stuff! With the dovetail open I had no problem with steam overheating the neck. It took forever, but it finally came loose and looks good! Now I can do the reset…</p>
<p>Halleujah!! I got the neck off! I cut the fretboard at the13th fret and removed the fretboard extension. The dovetail was not covered by the soundboard. I then proceeded to steam the joint. It took 30 minutes of steam and when it came off I could see that it had also been glued to the sides. If it was hide glue, it was tough stuff! With the dovetail open I had no problem with steam overheating the neck. It took forever, but it finally came loose and looks good! Now I can do the reset and get onto fixing the damage that occurred the first go around before I removed the fretboard extension.</p>
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<p>Thanks everyone for the advice and help!</p> If it's hide glue, it easily…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-11:2177249:Comment:571052011-05-11T01:01:03.606ZJim Bancrofthttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/JimBancroft
<p>If it's hide glue, it easily lets go with minimal steam, you won't need the spatula to work through the joint. If it was hide glue it should have let go on your first steaming attempt. You may have one of the Gibson's where the top is glued over the dovetail joint, but you will find out once you remove the fretboard extension. </p>
<p>All repair people run into problems on occasion, It's a good thing because we learn from it.</p>
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<p>Jim</p>
<p>If it's hide glue, it easily lets go with minimal steam, you won't need the spatula to work through the joint. If it was hide glue it should have let go on your first steaming attempt. You may have one of the Gibson's where the top is glued over the dovetail joint, but you will find out once you remove the fretboard extension. </p>
<p>All repair people run into problems on occasion, It's a good thing because we learn from it.</p>
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<p>Jim</p> Thanks Jim. I think the 13th…tag:fretsnet.ning.com,2011-05-10:2177249:Comment:572082011-05-10T23:26:09.264ZPhilip Secristhttp://fretsnet.ning.com/profile/PhilipSecrist
Thanks Jim. I think the 13th fret cut make the most sense. I am very leary of re-steaming the joint...it causes so much finish bubbling on the neck. Would the spatula method work even if it is hide glue, or is the moisture important to release the hide glue?
Thanks Jim. I think the 13th fret cut make the most sense. I am very leary of re-steaming the joint...it causes so much finish bubbling on the neck. Would the spatula method work even if it is hide glue, or is the moisture important to release the hide glue?