Double Bass safely removing the neck on a double bass.

[treenerd]

Hi all! I am pretty inexperienced when it comes to building instruments. However, i purchased a broken double bass some years ago and have restored it pretty good. Only thing wrong is that the neck twisted a bit when i glued it on, so i need to reglue it.
Do anyone have any good advise as how to safely removing the neck without harming any of the parts? I used hot hide glue.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

A very thin Japanese saw and steam, if the bass isn't plywood.

 

[treenerd]

A very thin Japanese saw and steam, if the bass isn't plywood.

It is plywood...

 

[SAlcott]

Pictures will help.

 

[Ortsom]

Hi treenerd!

I have done this only once, quite a while back, and what I remember is that it was a long time fidgeting with hot knifes & very thin saws. I managed, in the end, but that is not necessarily the best way, and not entirely without damage.

Hopefully someone w/ experience in ply basses chimes in.

Please post some pics.

 

[robobass]

Pickling vinegar in a syringe bottle is also good for breaking hide glue. I know luthiers who use that alone for something like popping a board.

 

[Raymond Kallas]

Denatured alcohol also works. It takes the moisture out of the glue causing it to crystallize and shatter. Here's a good video of a fingerboard being taken off using Denatured Alcohol.