Fitting a neck into a tight body

Godfather · #1 09-28-2011, 07:15 PM

Hi folks

The neck I am trying to mate up is about 1/16 inch too wide....I am leaning to gradually sanding it down to fit, rather than widening the pocket, which would also require reshaping the pickguard....just looking for some feedback as to whether my approach is the overall safer way to go....
thanks !

Godfather · #2 09-29-2011, 10:29 AM

C'mon, I am just looking for some confirmation folks, are you such elitists that you can't take a minute to give a fool with 10 thumbs some feedback before they damage a potentially workable instrument ?

stflbn · #3 09-29-2011, 10:32 AM

Great way to get help...

"I'd" sand down the butt end of the neck to where it would fit. But I'm not a luthier.

WilliamSandoval · #4 09-29-2011, 10:37 AM

With my Mighty Mite jazz neck, I had to sand down the sides. I would avoid widening the neck pocket as any other neck would most likely be too small for it.

Rickett Customs · #5 09-29-2011, 10:38 AM

Relax there guy.......... If it's 1/16th too wide then yes, sanding it would be the way to go, getting a 32nd on each side would work. However, if you sand both the pocket and the neck, you'll get better results vs. just sanding the neck. Start with 320 and gently sand the outer edges of the neck (around the pocket area), take a scrap block, true up one side and use it, backed with 320, on the edge, to take a bit off the pocket sides. You can trim what little bit of pickguard off with a razor blade.

Insinuating we're "elitists", won't get you too far, just an FYI.

gjbassist · #6 09-29-2011, 10:38 AM

I was gonna reply but I'm too much of an elitist to be bothered with your question.

electracoyote · #7 09-29-2011, 10:40 AM

1/16" is 1/32" on each side of the neck butt.

Sand it down, slowly and evenly in turns.

EDIT: Oops, just saw Rickett's post. +1

Godfather · #8 09-29-2011, 11:32 AM

In regard to my use of the word 'elitist' - point taken and apology offered, I was just anxious to get going on this....

that being said....

Thank You , to those who made constructive responses, I appreciate it

ctmullins · #9 09-29-2011, 02:05 PM

I suppose, from my perspective, it depends on whether the neck is too big or the pocket is too small (or both). If the pieces are intended to fit as replacements for a name-brand instrument, then the standard dimensions are well-known, and can quickly tell you whether your neck heel needs to be sanded down or your neck pocket needs to be enlarged. But this is only really necessary if there's a chance of swapping out for another neck/body in the future. If these two are going to mate for life, then go with Rickett's advice.

bvdon123 · #10 10-25-2011, 08:33 PM

Get a piece of scrap wood of the same type the neck is made of... say hard maple. Then get yourself the Nicholson Cabinet Rasps #49 and #50. Learn how to use them on the scrap wood... the #50 is probably all you would need for a small change. Finish up with sandpaper...a fresh 220, finish with 320. Doing it all with a 320 grit will take forever.

Musiclogic · #11 10-26-2011, 12:10 AM

As a notice to other anxious beginners, a lot of us have actual shops that we must work in as customers come and go, and do not keep computers in the shop. Others have day jobs, and are not always online. Anxious can lead to mistakes. Relax and your question will be answered.

In mating a neck to a body, the idea is to figure which is improperly cut. If this is a traditional F type pocket, then we know it should be 2 1/2" wide at the widest point, from here you measure the heel and the pocket, find which is incorrect, and apply the above points of advice to correct the inaccurate part. Good luck and have fun with it.

This may be a combination of what Jason and what CT said.