Major Repairs Explained Cont.

Reglueing Braces

Bracing problems arise when the top has separated from the structural braces that are spread across the inside of the instrument. If a guitar has been excessively dried out or humidified, the glue joint holding the braces to the top can fail. The top will then proceed to belly or warp depending on the bracing failure, and can lead to greater damage. Loose braces can be diagnosed by excessive bellying of the top, or rattling noises emanating from the body.

Access to the inside of the guitar can be quite limited and frustrating to work with, so as with all of the repairs in this article, it is best left to a skilled luthier. Hide glue is used to rejoin and repair any loose or cracked braces, and the top returned to its regular position.

Neck Reset

Detail of a dovetail joint at the body

This is one of the most difficult repairs performed on an instrument. As the instrument ages, the wood begins to settle and adjust according to the strength of the wood and construction methods. For many instruments (vintage pieces in particular) the tension of the strings will pull the neck in and into the top, causing an increase in angle between the level of the neck and top. The action will increase until it becomes impossible to lower the saddle any further. In addition the intonation will be compromised as the scale length shortens slightly. If the action of the guitar becomes unplayable in the upper range and little saddle is left above the bridge, a neck reset may be required. On a guitar with a proper neck angle, the plane of the fretboard will line up evenly with the top of the bridge. Too steep of an angle leads to high action, too shallow leads to buzzing and a high saddle.

Detail of a dovetail joint at the neck

This complicated procedure involves removing the neck which usually requires heating up the glued fretboard extension and the neck heal as well (for dovetail joints). A repairman must also take care not to damage any of the body surrounding the joint when removing the neck. When the neck is replaced, some compensation must be taken into account for when string tension is placed back upon the instrument, as a poorly reset neck may settle back into its original, unplayable position. Over compensating will lead to an excessively high saddle, and buzzing in many positions on the neck.

One point should be made regarding neck joints: many companies are introducing "bolt-on" neck joints as a solution to neck resets. Even if the whole joint is bolted on, only a skilled luthier should attempt a neck reset. Bolt-on necks still require knowledge of proper neck angle and setup, and a skilled luthier should have no problem with removing a glued neck joint cleanly.

Concluding thoughts

These repairs are quite complicated and require many years of repair experience to complete cleanly and effectively. We do not recommend a layperson attempting any of these repairs on their treasured instruments as even more serious damage can result from poor repair work. All of the repairs listed above apply primarily to guitars and other stringed instruments. Other instruments such as autoharps, violins, and band instruments may need equally difficult repairs not covered here. In many ways, instrument repair is similar to auto repair: there are repairs involving parts that you never knew existed. Likewise, you should only take a repair to shops that perform in-house work as the repairman should be able to directly explain to you the problems, symptoms, and repairs involved with your instrument. Music Folk has seen many instruments that were deemed in need of neck resets or fretwork, but only truly required minor adjustments as well. Many times these repairs can be quite costly and time-intensive, but should only have to be performed once in the lifetime of an instrument treated with proper care. If you have an instrument that you suspect may need extensive repairs, or even a simple setup, email us, or call us directly at (314) 961-2838.

Return to page 1