Post by CTGull on Mar 30, 2020 5:44:13 GMT -5
See my Vintage Yamaha FG Neck Reset Procedure for more info.
The purpose of the Neck Removal Jig is to put pressure on the heel when steaming off the neck. The Yamaha neck joints tend to be tight, and many times they glued the face of the heel to the side of the guitar. Most times just pressure or wiggling the neck will not separate the joint. A combination of vertical pressure and wiggling eventually works, although sometimes a little of the side is left stuck to the face of the heel. While more heat and steam would possibly loosen this, it will also loosen the neck block and other glue joints. It’s very important to not use too much steam or leave it on too long.
My version is the same concept as the Stew Mac jig, with some modifications and improvements, using common stock wood. It’s made from ¾” x 1-1/2” oak, 5/16-18 threaded rod, flat washers, hex nuts, wood t-nuts, and drywall screws. A 5/16-18 threaded clamp knob, in a wood t-nut, provides the pressure. I added 5/16” (8mm) nylon air tubing (not commonly available) to cover the threads so you guitar doesn’t get scratched. Anything smooth and non-metallic will work. There is cork on every surface that contacts the guitar, made from cork tiles. I also added some ½” x 1-1/2” oak reinforcements on either side of the clamp knob area, (4) small screws to keep the tee-nuts in the bottom straps from falling out, a swivel pad to the clamp knob, and a U shaped 3D printed clamp block. The previous flat clamp block would spin, shift, or tip sideways, possibly causing damage to the heel. I want the clamp block to stay in place and not tip sideways, but be allowed to tip forward for heels with a slight angle.
The jig is slipped over the guitar from the neck end, the clamp block is positioned just behind the edge of the heel (near the body), and the nuts are tightened to hold the guitar in place in the jig. Then the jig & guitar are clamped to the work table with (2) 12” screw type clamps. This holds the guitar firmly to the table and any neck wiggling force is applied directly to the guitar.
A PDF drawing of my jig is available here ---> NECK REMOVAL JIG V2
The purpose of the Neck Removal Jig is to put pressure on the heel when steaming off the neck. The Yamaha neck joints tend to be tight, and many times they glued the face of the heel to the side of the guitar. Most times just pressure or wiggling the neck will not separate the joint. A combination of vertical pressure and wiggling eventually works, although sometimes a little of the side is left stuck to the face of the heel. While more heat and steam would possibly loosen this, it will also loosen the neck block and other glue joints. It’s very important to not use too much steam or leave it on too long.
My version is the same concept as the Stew Mac jig, with some modifications and improvements, using common stock wood. It’s made from ¾” x 1-1/2” oak, 5/16-18 threaded rod, flat washers, hex nuts, wood t-nuts, and drywall screws. A 5/16-18 threaded clamp knob, in a wood t-nut, provides the pressure. I added 5/16” (8mm) nylon air tubing (not commonly available) to cover the threads so you guitar doesn’t get scratched. Anything smooth and non-metallic will work. There is cork on every surface that contacts the guitar, made from cork tiles. I also added some ½” x 1-1/2” oak reinforcements on either side of the clamp knob area, (4) small screws to keep the tee-nuts in the bottom straps from falling out, a swivel pad to the clamp knob, and a U shaped 3D printed clamp block. The previous flat clamp block would spin, shift, or tip sideways, possibly causing damage to the heel. I want the clamp block to stay in place and not tip sideways, but be allowed to tip forward for heels with a slight angle.
The jig is slipped over the guitar from the neck end, the clamp block is positioned just behind the edge of the heel (near the body), and the nuts are tightened to hold the guitar in place in the jig. Then the jig & guitar are clamped to the work table with (2) 12” screw type clamps. This holds the guitar firmly to the table and any neck wiggling force is applied directly to the guitar.
A PDF drawing of my jig is available here ---> NECK REMOVAL JIG V2
