Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part E
Source: Guitar Neck
Tool and Materials Required:
36″ Steel Straightedge
Wood Chisel Set
Sanding Surfaces:
Garnet Sandpaper Assortment
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part E
In this article, the 5th in this series on a neck reset, we will discuss the fitting of the guitar neck to the guitar body. Be absolutely sure that the neck aligns perfectly both horizontally and vertically to the global centerline of the guitar before you go on to the next step, gluing the neck.
Make sure that the neck joints are completely dry before continuing.
Next complete a final cleanup on all surfaces of the dovetail joint. Go lightly with your chiseling and sanding because we don’t want to take too much material off or we will need to reshape the joint.
Check The Joint Position:
Upon finishing cleaning and sanding the joint it is time to check the fit of the joint. Press the neck into the body and gently work it down as far as you can. The neck should seat perfectly level with the top of the guitar. Check the tightness of the neck and make sure there it is not loose.
If the neck seats low, you will have to add some wood shims to both sides of the dovetail joint. I usually use varying thicknesses of hardwood veneer and add the same thickness to each side of the joint. Adjust the dovetail itself as required to get the neck to set perfectly level with the guitar top plate.
If the neck sets too high you will need to take material off each side of the dovetail. Try to use the same amount of sanding pressure on each side and count your strokes so they are exactly equal.
Check The Horizontal Joint Alignment:
With the guitar neck firmly seated in the dovetail joint. Check the alignment of the neck to the global centerline of the guitar by placing a 36″ Steel Straightedge spanning the entire neck length up to the bridge. Mark the centerline on the fretboard if needed.
If the neck is not centered you will have to take a little material off one side or the other of the neck joint where it joins the guitar body with a sanding surface. By this I mean the neck itself where it meets the guitar body.
If you were careful in the removal of the old glue, horizontal alignment is not usually a problem. If you have to make an adjustment, remember that a little bit of sanding on these surfaces goes a long way, and just a few strokes can change the horizontal angle by 1/32″ to 1/16″.
Check The Joint Alignment Vertically:
Next, take your 36″ Steel Straightedge and check the vertical alignment of the neck to the guitar body. Lay the straightedge on the neck and all the way to the bridge. The neck and body should be in one plane and there should be no gaps whatsoever in this joint.
If the neck sets at an angle, either pulled up or pulled down, you will need to shave some material off the joint.
This will involve the surface of the neck that contacts the guitar sides. If the neck is pulled up you need to take material off from bottom to top on a taper. If the neck is pulled down you need to take material from the top to the bottom on a taper.
Be sure to take exactly the same amount of material off each side so you don’t throw off the horizontal alignment.
Once you have checked both alignments one final time, you are ready to glue the neck back on, and that will be covered in our next article:
Click The Links Below To Go To Other Articles In This Series
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part A
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part B
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part C
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part D
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part E
Acoustic Guitar Neck Reset – Part F
Tags: fitting the acoustic guitar neck, Guitar Neck Repairs, guitar neck reset, how to reset a neck
