Reshaping a neck

citesquestion · July 2023

I have a nice (unfinished) rosewood neck that is a bit too fat for me (like a 52 tele, size-wise). Is it a big job to reshape it to something thinner? Anyone good at doing this? Spoke to my regular tech who basically said it's doable but he can't be bothered. I know "sell it and buy something suitable" is probably the more sensible route but I really like it otherwise

WezV · July 2023

There is always a risk when taking meat off the middle as you don't know how far down the truss rod is. ... unless you have access to an x-ray

Better to reshape the cheeks instead, you can make a big difference by reshaping the profile whilst only taking the minimal amount off the thickness

citesquestion · July 2023

WezV said:

There is always a risk when taking meat off the middle as you don't know how far down the truss rod is. ... unless you have access to an x-ray

Better to reshape the cheeks instead, you can make a big difference by reshaping the profile whilst only taking the minimal amount off the thickness

I do know a dentist who dabbles as a luthier but not sure how work-appropriate would that be for him!

SteveRobinson · July 2023

citesquestion said:

WezV said:

There is always a risk when taking meat off the middle as you don't know how far down the truss rod is. ... unless you have access to an x-ray

Better to reshape the cheeks instead, you can make a big difference by reshaping the profile whilst only taking the minimal amount off the thickness

I do know a dentist who dabbles as a luthier but not sure how work-appropriate would that be for him!

Wouldn't he have to X-ray it in 1" sections?

matt_sefton · July 2023

It’s very simple. I’ve reshaped 3 strat necks over the last couple of years using a cabinet scraper, Stanley knife blade, sandpaper and files. Just take it slowly and keep checking how it feels.

Roland · July 2023

It’s remarkable how little you need to take off the change the feel of the neck, and the sound of the guitar. I did one with just a cabinet scraper, followed by 240 and 320 grit sandpaper. Every three or four stokes I stopped to play it, and was surprised at the difference each time.

roberty · July 2023

Roland said:

It’s remarkable how little you need to take off the change the feel of the neck, and the sound of the guitar. I did one with just a cabinet scraper, followed by 240 and 320 grit sandpaper. Every three or four stokes I stopped to play it, and was surprised at the difference each time.

I would believe that based on what I've measured and observed

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Reshaping a neck

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