Old Gibson: loosen fingerboard extension
Greetings, I'm about to undertake a neck reset on a '32 Gibson flat top (neck was never off the guitar). I want to ask your opinions before I go any further in the process. So far, I've removed the 13th fret, drilled the steam holes, and heated the fb extension using my LMI-type silicone heater..I've done this a few dozen times in the past few years on various guitars..but on this one, I had to use more muscle than I'd like in order to get the ext. separated cleanly from the top..
I got my spatula about as far back as the dovetail, and have put the heater on 3 or 4 times to apply more heat, but I can't get the movement I'd like to finish up the last inch or so..in fact, I can feel/see w/ mirror, the spatula want to cut through the top, so I stopped...the spatula appears to want to ride the spruce/glue line rather than the rosewood/glue line. Here are my questions:
1. Should I apply steam and get on with the neck set, and let the steam take care of this last bit of glued extension; or should I apply more/longer heat and work it with the spatula..which is making me nervous because of the potential tear out (I own the guitar btw)?
2. Because the glue was so unforgiving, (neck was never removed on this guitar) am I not applying enough heat with the silicone blanket? I feel under the top until hot..and I've removed dozens of Kalamazoos, Martin, Washburns, Stellas etc with minimal problems..perhaps I should let it get hotter?
..thoughts, experiences appreciated..thanks, Tom
I got my spatula about as far back as the dovetail, and have put the heater on 3 or 4 times to apply more heat, but I can't get the movement I'd like to finish up the last inch or so..in fact, I can feel/see w/ mirror, the spatula want to cut through the top, so I stopped...the spatula appears to want to ride the spruce/glue line rather than the rosewood/glue line. Here are my questions:
1. Should I apply steam and get on with the neck set, and let the steam take care of this last bit of glued extension; or should I apply more/longer heat and work it with the spatula..which is making me nervous because of the potential tear out (I own the guitar btw)?
2. Because the glue was so unforgiving, (neck was never removed on this guitar) am I not applying enough heat with the silicone blanket? I feel under the top until hot..and I've removed dozens of Kalamazoos, Martin, Washburns, Stellas etc with minimal problems..perhaps I should let it get hotter?
..thoughts, experiences appreciated..thanks, Tom
Views: 91
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Greg Mirken on
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I run the other way when a customer brings in an old Gibson for a reset. Perhaps someone with specific experience will chime in, but if your spatula got to the dovetail, I'd say you're good to go.
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Permalink Reply by onewent on
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gee, Greg, with an avatar like yours, I can't believe you'd run from anything! ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Howard Klepper on
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Get a long blade spatula/knife in one side and out the other, and work it sideways.
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