chasAK Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I hope you do not mind a question of ignorance, but what isit? What are the mechanics behind the need of a neck rest and what are the visiblesigns of a guitar that needs a reset? Next question, what can be done toprevent this from happening and will it happen to all guitars at some point? Incase you’re wondering my neck looks fine. chasAK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 . You mean a neck reset - right? The pitch of a guitar's neck to the body (neck angle) sometimes gets lower as the guitar ages. This causes the action to rise. A typical adjustment is to shave the saddle lower to lower the action. If the neck pitch continues to degrade over time, eventually there's no room left on the saddle to lower it anymore - that's the sign that it's time for a neck reset. The neck joint is taken apart and the neck is removed so joint can be reshaped to restore the correct neck pitch. The neck is glued back in and now a new saddle, with plenty of height is installed. Here's a short article and a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0-pxNlHbk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfox14 Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I need to give my guitar's neck a rest. She's very tired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Essentially a number of elements of the guitar body all work together to hold the neck in proper alignment. As time goes by the tension on the neck caused by string pull tends to flatten the guitar back (the tops and backs of flat tops are actually not flat when new) causing the tail and neck block to distort and lean forward. Neck resets are alot of work - more so on newer guitars than the old ones which are held together by hide glue. Before you even start you have to loosen the fretboard etension from the top and remove the fret above the neck joint. A hole is drilled in the fret slot and steam pumped into the neck joint loosening it. While you can pop the neck by hand, a commercial jig is generally used to slowly remove the neck. Lots or work but a big payoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Maybe just a massage would do enough .. ? I need to give my guitar's neck a rest. She's very tired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 . You mean a neck reset - right? The pitch of a guitar's neck to the body (neck angle) sometimes gets lower as the guitar ages. This causes the action to rise. A typical adjustment is to shave the saddle lower to lower the action. If the neck pitch continues to degrade over time, eventually there's no room left on the saddle to lower it anymore - that's the sign that it's time for a neck reset. The neck joint is taken apart and the neck is removed so joint can be reshaped to restore the correct neck pitch. The neck is glued back in and now a new saddle, with plenty of height is installed. Here's a short article and a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0-pxNlHbk That's a darned good Luthier BK. You know where he's based? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 . In Michigan, down the road a stretch from me in Big Rapids. They build too. Very nice stuff. http://www.galloupguitars.com/contact-us.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 There are two kind sof guitars out there - those that have had a neck reset and those that will need a neck reset. The lighter built the guitar the sooner you will deal with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasAK Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks for the video and informative responses, and now myguitar's neck has been resting far toooo long! I better go get some playing timein. chasAK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 . You mean a neck reset - right? The pitch of a guitar's neck to the body (neck angle) sometimes gets lower as the guitar ages. This causes the action to rise. A typical adjustment is to shave the saddle lower to lower the action. If the neck pitch continues to degrade over time, eventually there's no room left on the saddle to lower it anymore - that's the sign that it's time for a neck reset. The neck joint is taken apart and the neck is removed so joint can be reshaped to restore the correct neck pitch. The neck is glued back in and now a new saddle, with plenty of height is installed. Here's a short article and a video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0-pxNlHbk This is a really nice commercial for his luthier work, but it kinda reminds me of an old Monty Python skit where they taught children how to play the flute... "Ok now children, we're gonna learn how to play the flute! Grrrrreat! Super! First of all, get yourself a flute... fantastic... now you blow in one end and run your fingers up and down the outside! Super! Grrreeeat! See you all next week when we'll learn how to build box girder bridges! Buh bye children!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spot Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 There are two kind sof guitars out there - those that have had a neck reset and those that will need a neck reset. The lighter built the guitar the sooner you will deal with it. Heheee,...ain't that the truth. I guess Neck resets are like death and taxes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotTheSilver Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Heheee,...ain't that the truth. I guess Neck resets are like death and taxes... I thought the saying was "as sure as death in Texas!" That's what Kelly Bundy said! P.S. I am from Texas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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