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Replacing the neck on a guitar

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 3:24 am
by Innocent Bystander
So we had a house-guest from the Netherlands - Berti Peeters! Anyone remember her? One of the things we discussed was she had a guitar - a good one, and quite expensive - that she found difficult to play because the neck was too wide.
She had found a luthier who might be able to do something about it.

Actually, I was horrified. I've replaced the gearbox on my classical guitar, but having the entire neck replaced just seemed so drastic to me. I can't think of another way you could treat it. Maybe you could shave the neck down on each side, but that seems almost worse in its way.

Am I too squeamish? Is this something that gets done from time-to-time?

Re: Replacing the neck on a guitar

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 6:40 am
by kkrell
Innocent Bystander wrote:So we had a house-guest from the Netherlands - Berti Peeters! Anyone remember her? One of the things we discussed was she had a guitar - a good one, and quite expensive - that she found difficult to play because the neck was too wide.
She had found a luthier who might be able to do something about it.

Actually, I was horrified. I've replaced the gearbox on my classical guitar, but having the entire neck replaced just seemed so drastic to me. I can't think of another way you could treat it. Maybe you could shave the neck down on each side, but that seems almost worse in its way.

Am I too squeamish? Is this something that gets done from time-to-time?
Sure, I remember Berti, and the horrors of that time. Still see her postings on Facebook. She has definitely accomplished a lot once she got her (defective) Cochlear Implant replaced. Being able to play and enjoy music must have been a welcome relief.

From what I've seen on the Acoustic Guitar forum ( http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php ), it's more common to sell the guitar, and replace it with one more closely matching the specifications the player seeks. Sometimes a proper setup is enough to return a guitar to good playability, or a change of nut & saddle to change the string spacing. In extreme cases, an otherwise much-loved guitar might get a neck shave to a more comfortable profile. I'd consider going that far, depending of course on the instrument.

Neck replacements are not common on acoustic guitars, and even then, easier with bolt-on style necks (like Taylor, and some boutique custom luthiers). I would think the cost would be prohibitive for dovetail assemblies, between the cost of the new neck, and the equivalent labor of a neck reset plus any further changes in geometry (possible bridge relocation, finish touchup, etc.). Very rare and discouraged on anything vintage.

I personally wouldn't do it. However, I have considered a conversion of an old Harmony 12-string. The guitar needs a neck reset, and the soundhole has collapsed inward, so repair would either be to do a standard neck reset, and reinforce the other structural failures, or a full conversion. Here's an example of what gets done in a conversion:
http://baxendaleguitar.com/conversion.html

Although it would likely be a significant change from the ladder-braced sound of the original, it would return the guitar to excellent playability, and allow tuning to standard pitch. Older 12-strings such as this were normally tuned from 2 to 4 semi-tones lower.

Re: Replacing the neck on a guitar

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:21 am
by Innocent Bystander
That's comprehensive. It reinforces with examples my own emotional reaction. I know Berti doesn't want to sell the guitar, but I don't understand why. Still it's down to her and not to me, so I'll wait to see what happens. :thumbsup:


Baxendale, eh? I'm more familiar with Leo Baxendale, who used to draw the "Bash Street Kids" in the Beano. :D

Re: Replacing the neck on a guitar

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:16 am
by Tor
Competent luthiers will have no problems with replacing a guitar neck, including dove tail necks.
But it won't be cheap, of course. On the other hand it'll be possible to keep most of whatever distinct sound that particular guitar has. If there's no particular reason to really want to hold on to a guitar body then yes, getting another guitar instead would be better. For some people that's not an option though.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhQuJTc5yFY