Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do this?

[delt]

I posted this is the "neck shave" thread but it didn't get much attention....

What i'm contemplating is shaving off the annoying flat "heel" area from a bolt-on neck, so that instead of looking like this:



it would look more like this:



Of course the challenge is that the back of the neck is radiused, and the area i want to shave off is flat. I also don't want to expose the truss rod from behind the neck.... !! Anyway, this modification would really help to keep correct left-hand position when playing on the upper frets. My thumb always tends to go upwards on the flat area, which is quite annoying.

This combined with my rounded-off joint area on the body (ibanez style) would play just as good as any neck-through. Oh, i have a scrap ke3 neck here that i can use as a "practice shot" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

.... any tips?

[etaeniura]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do this?

I would use a rasp to remove the bulky material quickly, then use sandpaper for the rest. As long as you follow the path of the neck back, you shouldn't expose the truss rod.

[delt]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

what's a rasp?

a raspberry? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Zerberus]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

I´d use a drawknife or a mexican luthier´s Blade. But people that haven´t had prior experience with either should use a rasp and then sandpaper, and be careful as hell.

A rasp is like a file, but MUUUCH coarser. Think "knobbed for pleasure" [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Budman68]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

[ QUOTE ]
what's a rasp?

a raspberry? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

[cobhc]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

nice looking tool lol, looks like a big cheese grater to me :P

[Budman68]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

[ QUOTE ]
nice looking tool lol, looks like a big cheese grater to me :P

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="aqua">.....and it will treat your skin that way too. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] </font>

[cobhc]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

im sure delt doesnt wanna shave his neck, unless he has a lot of neck hair [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[etaeniura]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

It is basicaly a cheesegrater for wood-not to be used on the morning variety however.

[delt]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

Alright, thanks for the tips!!

How should i re-finish the neck afterwards? When i'm playing, only my thumb ever touches the back surface (i play in a classical position)

[delt]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

*boink*

on second thought, how much you figure a luthier would charge me to do it?

[StukaJU87]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

Eh, do it yourself. Take your time and check your progress often. You'll be ok.

[delt]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

thanks for the advice (: what should i use to re-finish the back of the neck afterwards?

[kmanick]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

tung oil or linseed oil, the tung oil is a little heavier but you can fine sand it down to a smooth buff, it works great.

[delt]

Re: Bolt-on mod - which tool would you use to do t

i thought tung oil and linseed oil were for the fretboard.....????