How to take off (steam off) neck

[swamprocker]

can west systems be found locally or does it need to be ordered online?

i'm hoping to get started on the repair this weekend, at least sanding the old glue off. I'll take pics along the way.

also, i don't know if there is enough room on each side for two dows ea side. and obviously, something has to go into the back.

[glivanos]

Just out of curiosity, how much would a headstock repair like the one required here cost?

Anyone have any idea?

[djazzbass]

Originally Posted by glivanos

Just out of curiosity, how much would a headstock repair like the one required here cost?

Anyone have any idea?

Had one done by Misha/Anton Krutz and the gang at KC Strings ( kcstrings.com ) in 2001. Cost was $750. This repair was done to a hand carved German flatback, circa 1890. The guy who actually did the repair was older than Misha, spoke very little English, and I wish I could remember his name. When I walked into the shop (3 days later!!!), he handed me a ziplock baggie with four wood screws in it from previous repair(s), I could tell he was apalled. They glued it all together first, pulling cracks tight and then used dowels to reinforce. He said (in a thick Russian accent) no, no, no, to any kind of metal.

I asked him how long he thought this new repair would hold....I will remember his response for as long as I live. He said "I will guarantee it for as long as I live" and smiled, then chuckled a little. This guy was, at that time, getting on in years.

If anyone knows his name, let me know.

DJ

[Martin Sheridan]

Yasha Israeliev. He retired a few years ago. He also designed the KC Strings extensions, endpins and tuning gears. He was an engineer in Russia before immigrating to the US. Also, a man with a great sense of humor and a great lover of and knowledgeable about classical music.

[RevJPBass]

For anyone trying a repair with epoxy, West epoxy and their myriad of fillers, additives, powders, hardeners, goops and so on are available at most larger marine supply stores such as West Marine (no connection between the two that I know of) There are other epoxy systems such as System Three and MAS, which are also available through marine suppliers. I've started using MAS "no-bluxh" resin. It does not have the waxy blush that others have when they cure, and seems a little clearer than West. There is a finely ground sawdust filler that can be added for thickening. All three of those should hold about anything, they're used in boat and wood airplane construction. I've done some dramatic repairs to my boat with this stuff and have yet to see a failure, even in repairs that have literally thousands of pounds of tension on them.