Ehlers Neck Reset?

[Steve Baker]

Has anyone ever reset a neck on or had any experience with Ehlers guitars? We tried contacting the company and discovered that Robert Ehlers has passed away and they are no longer in operation or answering questions about them.

We've tried the normal fret-removal-steam-injection approach and can't seem to even find a space underneath with the drill. Wondering if this is a standard dovetail or something different. 

[Mike Kolb]

Hi Steve, I feel for ya'. Not long ago, I had a Framus acoustic in for a neck reset and encountered the same level of results trying to "hit a pocket".  Finally I had to pull the fingerboard to see what was going-on...

http://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/framus-acoustic-questions?id=...

[Hesh Breakstone]

Another option is if you have a client/guitar junkie who is a doc and has access to x-ray equipment.  I know at least a few Luthiers who have asked to have a neck joint x-rayed, after hours, and on the house.... (will Obamacare cover this.... JUST KIDDING...).  I've also seen the results posted on other forums and you can clearly see what's happening with the neck joint.

Although it's a bit of time it's not invasive and depending on what you find your exit strategy options, should you require same, are all still there.

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Hey Steve, I own an Ehlers 15 SRC from 1995 that has a bolt on mortise and tenon. Check your headblock for a veneer cover maybe. As far as I know Robert used bolt on exclusively but I could be wrong. Let us know what you find out.

[Ned Knepp]

Please take some pictures and post them in the "Neck Reset Gallery".

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Here's a shot of my headblock. Hope this helps. 

[Mike Kolb]

AHA! The elusive bolt.... your problem's done been solved. 

[Steve Baker]

I wish it were this easy!  I double checked. This is definitely not a bolt-on. There's not placard or sticker hiding a bolt. It looks very Martin-like.

[Steve Baker]

[Eric Steven Johansen]

All I can think is it may be a glued mortise and tenon, but I think you may have to remove the board to be sure. From your serial number I'd say this is a newer model, maybe after he moved to Mexico?

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Or is this an earlier model? That block looks like it's stamped 4-82 and 81. Could be #81 from 1982. Is there a label?

[Steve Baker]

We finally bit the bullet and removed the tongue to see what's underneath. Turned out to be a very small dovetailed mortise/tenon joint, so I injected steam from the top and bottom to loosen it up. Finally it popped out, revealing shims made from bits of sandpaper and a lot of glue. It looks like this was never supposed to come apart. Anyway, I think I've got it from here but thought you all might like to see what's going on inside in case one comes across your bench. (We're pricing this like a Guild/Gibson neck reset rather than a Martin style.)

Thanks for all your input!

[Eric Steven Johansen]

From the city I'd say this must be one of his early guitars. Thanks for letting us know what to expect.