The Impossible Neck Reset? Shoot! Frank already did it!

[David Burns]

Just when I think I've got an original idea... should have know Mr. Ford had already been there, done that...

 

I've been playing the Gibson J-45 I did a refret on a few months back; and while I really like the tone and the comfortable neck of this old beast it has a 4/32" high action [12th fret at both E strings] with no room to lower the saddle so my fingers get sore after 10 minutes or so of playing.

I mentioned a neck reset on the forum awhile back and heard some horror stories about 70's Gibson's neck joints that makes me nervious about doing a neck reset.

I started thinking about how easy a neck reset would be if this guitar had a bolt on neck joint; then started thinking, "would a conversion be possible?" After a little net surfing, sure enough; not only is it possible it's already be done by that "Central Scrutinizer" of guitar repair Frank Ford. And using of all things: An Electric bone saw! Too cool to be true!

The guitar Frank modified was a B.C. Rich deadnaught so not much vintage value there; I feel like this 70's Gibson may fall in the same catagory. The guitar was given to me so I'm not out any money. Dilema is the evil Guitar Center will give me $500.00 for this instrument, which means I could get a bit more on Evil Bay....

It's kind of a crap shoot I know. I guess I'd like to hear a few opinions; if someone will talk me in or out of such a procedure. Take the money and run or attempt open heart surgery?

Any thoughts?

 

David Burns

[Mark Pollock]

You like the tone and the comfortable neck. That is worth a lot. These aren't Gibson's finest instruments, but if you are happy, that pretty much settles it. If you were able to trade it evenly for something else that makes you just as happy, then you should do that, but if not, then you are justified in fixing this one up.

When I did a reset on a Japanese Epiphone last year, I ran a flush-cut saw through the joint, then glued it down and secured it with a large screw through a strap-button from the outside. It is holding up just fine, despite several dozen children abusing it over the last year. (It's my classroom guitar.)

My suggestion would be to get a REALLY cheap crappy guitar, I mean a $30 beater from Craigslist here, do a reset on it first, even if it doesn't need it, and then go the Gibson. You need to get the feel of cutting through that joint, and the issues that come up as you do it.

[Jeff Highland]

I would not do a saw off conversion on a J45 for two reasons

- it already has a dovetail joint capable of being reset

-Gibsons have very low profile heels, if you saw it though at the body joint, removing the dovetail tennon, the heel may be too weak to accommodate a bolt on arrangement

[Eric Steven Johansen]

I'm with Jeff here. The Gibson dovetail is a touch more difficult to separate but does come apart and that heal is the weak link.

[Mark Pollock]

I agree with these two gentlemen, and disagree entirely with Mark up there. He should know better. :)

[David Burns]

Mark.... your truely A MAN to be able to look at yourself so objectively; I applaud you!

 

Look like I need to just take the money and run... I'm not feeling it's worth the expense to pay for a neck reset and although I feel like I possibly could pull off the reset myself there's also the likelihood I could mess it up.

 

Thanks for the reality check folks....

 

DB

[Mark A. Kane]

Patience gets this neck out. I've done lots of them. if you are very careful you can get away with little to no finish damage. Go easy on the steam, tread lightly with tools and don't get frustrated. It will come apart. 

[David Burns]

I appriciate your insight Mark; I guess I'm concerned about the possiblity of running into a snag like one repairman mentioned, like; the factory laid the spruce top right over the dovetail joint instead of cutting it around the joint. Now I'm looking at a fingerboard removal too.

Then there's the correct fret to remove for the steam hole. Since the 15th fret is right above where the body and neck join I assume I need to remove the 16th fret; but will I drill the hole in the correct spot? Will I need to reset the frets above the body?  Sorry, I know I'm simply borrowing trouble... I think I have the skills and patience to pull it off, now it's finding the will to do it...

 

Thanks Again,

 

DB

[Mark A. Kane]

I've not run into any undue difficulties with these, but maybe one's around the corner! Make friends with a chiropractor. They have great XRAY equipment and I've never paid for the XRAY because my friend finds the concept of imaging a neck joint novel. It's a darn handy resource. I've had it done maybe 5-6 times. I really don't think, however, you need it on this guitar. Good luck!