Jack's Instrument Services:
Neck reset coming up! This time it's a Yamaha FG180 from the Nippon Gakki Factory
Jack's Instrument Services:
The action is about 5mm at 12th fret with the truss rod and bridge set tight and low. Time for a neck set....
Jack's Instrument Services:
First off, I must measure the amount of top deflection or "belly" the guitar has with it's strings on
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Careful planning. Here's my trigonometry in action. Calculating the distance I need to change the neck angle by
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Into the neck removal jig where it will be gently steamed off. Acoustic guitar neck removal
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We have lift off, after 20 minutes of steam being pumped int the neck joint the neck start's to come off. What a relief!
Jack's Instrument Services:
Yamaha FG-180 Neck set in progress, here's the neck removed!
Jack's Instrument Services:
The neck heel doesn't look in too bad a shape - no air pockets. This is quite a clean removal
Jack's Instrument Services:
Taking that 1.77mm off the heel will get the angle of the neck bang on! Freshly sharpened chisel gets a work out
Jack's Instrument Services:
Checking the loose fit of my neck before I make the joint flush and glue - we're on target!
Jack's Instrument Services:
Making the corrected neck join a tight now by flossing it with some emery paper. Veneer will be used in the dovetail joint of the neck to re-inforce
Jack's Instrument Services:
There was an air gap at the bottom of the dovetail joint. No wonder the neck shifted in the first place! I will install this shim to keep solid contact on the neck and stop it from moving again in the future
Jack's Instrument Services:
The dovetail joint shim is glued in ready for the rest of the neck. Stressful times!
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In goes the neck (at the right angle now) Frantic clean up and clamping time!
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Trying to control the glue oozing out of the sides. This is a good sign and means that the surfaces of the dovetail joint are all covered
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All the clamps are installed and I have also checked again that the angle is correct. now to leave it to dry for 2 days, phew!
Jack's Instrument Services:
I'm eager to see how this turns out... want to get those clamps off!
Jack's Instrument Services:
The clamps are off and the joint is cleaned up. Pretty neat.. Well, about as neat as the rest of the well-used guitar!
Jack's Instrument Services:
12th fret is glued back in and the frets are levelled. Here's my fret file in action, see all that fret dust??
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The whole board has been given a fret dress and some almond oil. The fingerboard over the body join has turned out well too
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A new (higher) bone saddle has been made and the guitar strung then set up with a set of .012"s. Great sound!!
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Firmly seated and now the neck join is without a huge air gap underneath it, no wonder it sounds better!
Jack's Instrument Services:
Yamaha FG 180 Neck Set and full setup complete. VERY nice guitar, look out for one!
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Another show off shot, would you be able to tell the neck's been off?
Jack's Instrument Services:
The resulting action at 12th fret. All of that work for 2.5mm!