/ Register

Warped neck, dead end?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by D.Don, Jul 5, 2008.

  1. Jul 5, 2008 #1
    D.Don

    D.Don

    Mar 6, 2008
    Swede lost in the 5th republic
    Got the message today that the neck on the Univox Hollowbody I got on ebay, is quite warped. I will get the package in a weeks time or so, but my proxy in the US told me that "dude, this neck is pretty frakked warped".

    Is there even a chance that such a thing can be fixed within sanity (economy), or should I start looking out for another <$150 project bass on the bay for a neck?

    Apparently the frets where in very well condition and the fretboard seemed to be in good order too, headstock needs wood-filling and refinishing though.

    Thanks!

    D.Don
     
  2. Jul 5, 2008 #2
    ewimsatt

    ewimsatt

    Jul 1, 2008
    Nashville, TN
    Pickup Maker, Luthier, and Repairman, Wimsatt Instruments
    If it were me, once I received it, I would check to see if the truss rod works. If it does and the neck is twisted sideways, I would spend the 4 hours pulling the frets, sanding the fingerboard straight, and refretting. Four hours of solid work to fix it nd maybe $4 worth of frets and sand paper.
     
  3. Jul 5, 2008 #3
    D.Don

    D.Don

    Mar 6, 2008
    Swede lost in the 5th republic
    Wow, sanding the fingerboard straight, that sounds hardcore to a noob like me. How would I even know where to start.. hehe.

    I will go to a local luthier once it arrives and see what he says.

    Thanks for the advice m8!

    Cheers!

    D.Don
     
  4. Jul 5, 2008 #4
    ewimsatt

    ewimsatt

    Jul 1, 2008
    Nashville, TN
    Pickup Maker, Luthier, and Repairman, Wimsatt Instruments
    Really all you need is a straight edge, longish sanding block, and some chalk. Check it with a straight edge to find the high spots, mark those with chalk and sand the chalk away. Check with straight edge again, chalk high spots, sand away chalk. Repeat until there are no more high spots. Then you will probably need to saw out the fret slots since they won't be as deep as they were before you starting sanding. Refret like normal.
     
  5. Jul 6, 2008 #5
    Nelson Guitars

    Nelson Guitars

    Aug 14, 2006
    Novato California
    Custom builder
    By warp do you mean a significant but even bow along the length of the neck or a twist? Two very different problems.

    Absolutely take the time to evaluate the problem correctly. Look at the neck with and without strings. Slack off the tension on the truss rod and see what it does. Give it time between changes to relax into it's natural state. Once this is done if you still have a problem I suggest straightening the neck through heat and clamping before grinding away with sand paper. Not something for a weekend luthier to consider. For one thing the equipment is quite expensive for a one time use, and second there is all sorts of potential to do more damage than good.

    I use a silicone heat blanket with a thermostatic sensor on a timer. The neck needs to be de-fretted since the pressure applied along with the heat would just drive the frets into the FB. Once this is done the neck is placed on a flat surface face down against the heat blanket. Cauls with appropriate protection for the finish are fabricated to fit the neck shape and the whole system clamped together. I start at the lowest temperature that I think will work and move up only as needed. The results are amazing and you don't have to grind off precious fret board thickness.

    Greg N