1983 Music Man Cutlass 1 graphite neck bowed

[VeryTallBassist]

I've had 2 luthiers now tell me there's not a damn thing I can do to save the neck on my Cutlass 1 because there's no truss rod, so now I'm on the hunt for a replacement. Does anyone know of a source for a replacement neck? I tried Status - they're not taking any new orders right now. I'd even be open to going with a traditional maple Stingray neck. Does anyone know if the 6 bolt models will fit in the neck pocket of the pre EB 4 bolt necks? If so, can I fill the holes and redrill for the 4 bolt pattern?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I've had 2 luthiers now tell me there's not a damn thing I can do to save the neck on my Cutlass 1 because there's no truss rod, so now I'm on the hunt for a replacement. Does anyone know of a source for a replacement neck? I tried Status - they're not taking any new orders right now. I'd even be open to going with a traditional maple Stingray neck. Does anyone know if the 6 bolt models will fit in the neck pocket of the pre EB 4 bolt necks? If so, can I fill the holes and redrill for the 4 bolt pattern?

That sounds like a custom size neck, unfortunately. My friend Jeremy Kirsch (aka Freekmagnet) has a good little business going building one-off custom necks. You could send the Cutlass neck to him and he could build a replica in wood. High quality, whatever level of finish you want.

Jeremy Kirsch 805-514-9804 [email protected]

Jeremy has a long thread of his own over in Luthier's Corner, where you can see many of the custom necks that he's built:

Sirena Instrumentos Musicales - Expositions and Aspirations Regarding Luthiery in Fillmore, CA

Jeremy works right across the hall from me, here in the Secret Underground Lab. He rents a shop space from me and uses my routing room, and many of my special neck-building machines. We're in Fillmore CA, a little north of Los Angeles.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

That sounds like a custom size neck, unfortunately. My friend Jeremy Kirsch (aka Freekmagnet) has a good little business going building one-off custom necks. You could send the Cutlass neck to him and he could build a replica in wood. High quality, whatever level of finish you want.

Jeremy Kirsch 805-514-9804 [email protected]

Jeremy has a long thread of his own over in Luthier's Corner, where you can see many of the custom necks that he's built:

Sirena Instrumentos Musicales - Expositions and Aspirations Regarding Luthiery in Fillmore, CA

Jeremy works right across the hall from me, here in the Secret Underground Lab. He rents a shop space from me and uses my routing room, and many of my special neck-building machines. We're in Fillmore CA, a little north of Los Angeles.

Very much appreciate the info!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Any desire to straighten-out the existing neck?

Riis

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Any desire to straighten-out the existing neck?

Riis

I was told it wasn't possible.

 

[Lesfunk]

Talk to Jerry dorsch at graphite guitar systems.
He’s most likely one of the guys that made that cutlass neck
(360) 273-7744
Address: 13043 195TH Ave SW Oakville, WA, 98568-9633 United States

I can’t verify the info is current but ask Greg @bassman28. He’s an expert and has several cutlasses

 

[Zooberwerx]

Talk to Jerry dorsch at graphite guitar systems.
He’s most likely one of the guys that made that cutlass neck
(360) 273-7744
Address: 13043 195TH Ave SW Oakville, WA, 98568-9633 United States

I can’t verify the info is current but ask Greg @bassman28. He’s an expert and has several cutlasses

I know Peekamoose / NYC handles Steinberger issues.

Peekamoose Custom Guitars and Guitar Repair NYC

Riis

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Sent you a message. Thankyou

Responded

 

[VeryTallBassist]

I know Peekamoose / NYC handles Steinberger issues.

Peekamoose Custom Guitars and Guitar Repair NYC

Riis

This may be a good starting point. I'm in NJ. Much easier to stay local.

 

[vaesto]

Hi. You may try to call warpedneck.com Though, they normally work with wooden necks, but who knows...

 

[walterw]

and this is why i'd never own a neck without a truss rod, carbon fiber or not

i've seen way too many supposedly "unmovable" CF necks from lots of different makers (including electric and acoustic guitars) with too much upbow and no way to fix it

 

[Robal]

I've had 2 luthiers now tell me there's not a damn thing I can do to save the neck on my Cutlass 1 because there's no truss rod, so now I'm on the hunt for a replacement.

Did you ever get a satisfactory solution for your bad graphite neck? if so, what did you do?
From a Cutlass II owner

 

[VeryTallBassist]

No, I found a guy on here that collects Cutlasses and has a personal relationship with Jerry Dorsch. I traded it to him for 2 Spectors. Someday I'll replace the neck on my Ray25CA, maybe once Klos starts producing theirs.

 

[Spronzy MkIII]

I'm a little late to the game here but the problem with the Cutlass necks also affected Modulus and (to a much lesser degree) Status in the early to mid nineties. The recipe for the phenolic resin fingerboard wasn't mixed correctly and lacked stiffness. A fix is to completely replace the fingerboard with something very rigid - ebony or now PEEK reinforced composite is available now too. It's a drastic step however and the extra stiffness will change the sound of the instrument by making it a little brighter.