Replace a Guitar Neck
In some cases, it might be better to replace a guitar neck rather than replacing the entire guitar. Cracking, worn frets and warping are common ailments of guitar necks, and replacing a bolt-on or bolt-in guitar neck is considerably easier than repairing the damage. Replacing the neck may also be a matter of comfort for the musician, particularly with young or novice players who haven’t yet built the strength needed for long fret reaches. Depending on the construction of the guitar, replacing the neck can be a simple project for the guitar owner.
Contents
Steps
Replacing an Acoustic Guitar Neck
- Determine if you need to replace a guitar neck or reset it.
- Older flattop acoustic guitars often need their necks reset. Fortunately, this repair does not require a new guitar neck. Unfortunately, attempting to reset a guitar neck without proper training in this type of repair can result in significant damage to the instrument.
- You will know your guitar neck needs to be reset if you’re experiencing high string action that you can’t fix with adjustments to the saddle or adjustment rods.
- Know your guitar’s construction.
- Bolt-in or bolt-on guitar necks can be replaced fairly easily. A glued guitar neck will likely require a professional to perform the replacement because he can evaluate the type of glue and use the proper steaming or heating method to remove the neck.
- Order a replacement guitar neck.
- When ordering a new neck, make sure it works with your guitar. This may require a phone call to both the manufacturer of the neck and the guitar manufacturer. A loose fit will negatively affect your guitar’s tone.
- Remove the guitar’s strings. You’ll need to restring the guitar after replacing the neck.
- Cut through the guitar’s lacquer finish at the joint between the neck and the body.
- Leave the fingerboard attached and remove the neck bolts.
- Work the neck out of its pocket using a gentle back-and-forth motion.
- Some guitar necks will be wedged into their pockets so tightly, this process can be arduous. Be patient and continue wiggling the neck until it becomes loose enough to pull out of the pocket. Being too rough can chip the pocket.
- Slide the replacement neck into the pocket. If the neck is too wide, use sandpaper or a dremel tool to widen the pocket. Do not force it in.
- If you’re not confident in your abilities to shape the guitar’s pocket, it’s time to take the guitar into a repair shop. Removing too much of the pocket’s body can destroy the instrument.
- Measure both the neck and the pocket before you begin sanding so you know exactly how much to remove.
- Bolt on the replacement guitar neck.
- Touch up the lacquer.
Replacing an Electric Guitar Neck
- Unstring the guitar.
- Take out the neck screws and remove the neck plate.
- Remove the guitar’s neck.
- If the neck is wedged in too tightly to simply remove, gently wiggle it back and forth until it becomes loose. Being too forceful can damage the pocket.
- Check the replacement neck’s fit within the pocket. If necessary, use sandpaper or a dremel tool to widen the neck to accommodate the new neck.
- If the pocket needs to be altered, measure carefully before you begin. Taking off too much can render the guitar useless.
- Clamp the neck in place once you have a snug fit.
- Place a piece of cardboard between the clamp and the guitar’s frets to avoid damage.
- Drill your holes for the screws.
- Try out different drill sizes in scrap wood to make sure you’re drilling the right size for the neck’s hardware before you drill into the guitar.
- Mark your drill bit before you start so you don’t have to estimate the correct depth.
- Screw in the new hardware and replace the neck plate.
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