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Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part A

August 15th, 2010

Acoustic Guitar Neck Removal
Source: Guitar Neck

Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part A:

Since resetting an acoustic guitar neck is a rather involved process, we will split this process into several different articles.

First we will deal with the removal of the fretboard. I am assuming that you have already analyzed the guitar and determined the need for the reset. If not go to the article on Guitar Neck Analysis for more information.

More often than not the need for a neck reset will be for a guitar with a fixed truss rod, in other words, a rod or reinforcement that cannot be adjusted and is fixed or glued solidly in place.

Tools and Materials:

Long Sharp Kitchen Knife:
Propane Torch Kit:
Reworked Fret Nippers:
Reworked Putty Knife:
Old Iron:
1/8″ Ceramic Fiber Heat Protector:
4″ x 8″ Bessey Regular Duty Tradesman

Prepare The Guitar:

Start by preparing the work site of the guitar. Place the guitar on a padded work surface on the work bench. Completely remove the strings from the instrument.

Fretboard Removal:

Next we will need to remove the fretboard. It is usually not necessary to completely remove the fretboard, unless you wish to replace it at the same time. We only need to remove the fret board from the point where the neck joins the body (either the 12th or 14th fret) to the sound hole.

Ultimate Guitar Repair Tip: Start by protecting the top from heat with a piece of 1/8″ thick ceramic fiber board that you cut to fit the guitar and cutout around the fretboard. The ceramic fiber is about the best substitute that you will find for asbestos board. The ceramic fiber board will absorb any heat and protect the guitar finish from damage during the fretboard removal process.

While you are fitting the top protection onto the guitar, heat up your iron.

Next take your Reworked Fret Nippers and pull out the fret at the body/neck joint. If you need help doing this visit the article How to Remove Frets for detailed instructions.

Now set the iron on the portion of the fretboard to be removed. Be sure to leave the frets in place as they will serve to help conduct the heat through the fretboard and into the glue. Keep an eye on the work area and make sure things don’t overheat. It usually takes just a few minutes to complete heat the glue enough to soften it.

Now remove the ceramic fiber top plate protector and carefully ease a Reworked Putty Knife under the corner of the fretboard. If you can slide it under the fretboard, you have done a good job of heating the glue. If it won’t go under at all or it is very difficult, you have some more heating to do. Make sure to completely reset the top heat protector each time you reheat the fretboard.

Once you are able to get the putty knife under the corner of the fretboard, gradually ease it alone the sides and up to the removed fret on each side. Start over at the corner and this time shove the putty knife a bit further beneath the fretboard. Continue this until you have completely separated the fretboard from the guitar top plate.

Now you should have full access to the dovetail or mortise and tenon joint that joins the guitar neck to the guitar head block and that will set us up for the second part of this article, which deals with softening the neck/body joint and actually removal of the guitar neck.