Have you ever had an issue with a glued guitar neck? If so, this article is for you. Here are ways on how to remove a glued guitar neck. Glued on guitar necks are an issue that plagues many players. The neck can be glued on to the guitar body in a number of ways, but this article will focus specifically on a glued-on neck joint that is at the top of the headstock. In this case, the glue is fairly easy to remove because it’s only a few inches long and not very thick. However, if you’re dealing with a neck joint that’s longer and thicker, then you might need some more tricks up your sleeve.
Related Article: How to remove guitar tuner cover
What Is A Glued Neck?
A glued neck is what happens when the edge of your guitar’s neck is glued to the body. This adhesive joint can be either on the top or bottom of the headstock and sometimes it can be hard to remove.
Why do guitars have glued on necks?
In order for guitars to be able to hold their tuning, the neck needs to have a tight fit on the guitar body. With this technique, the neck is glued onto the guitar body. This provides a snug fit that can’t be taken off without cutting it off or breaking it. The glue is strong enough to hold the neck in place but weak enough that you can remove it without damaging either the guitar or the neck.
The Advantages of Glued-On Necks
A joint that is glued on has some advantages over a neck/body junction that is bolted on. A glued-on neck can be made lighter because the wood at the joint is thin and doesn’t need to be reinforced for strength. This allows for more control over the tone of the instrument, as the wood in this area would not dampen vibrations as much as an attached neck.
Glued-on necks also allow for greater flexibility with how high or low you want to set your action. Players who prefer to play on the lower strings will enjoy this extra range of adjustment.
How to Remove a Glued Neck From a Guitar
Glued on guitar necks are an issue many players have to deal with, but luckily it’s fairly easy to remove. Glue is often used at the top of the headstock and there are four different ways to remove glued-on guitar necks without damaging your instrument. First, use a heat gun for short glue beads. Next, boil water and soak the neck joint in it for a few minutes. The boiling water will soften the glue and make it easier to scrape or peel off with another object
The Importance of a Glued Neck
The neck of your guitar is glued in place and is important to the tuning of your instrument. The neck sits in the body of your guitar and has a section on it, called a headstock, that attaches to the tuning pegs or machine heads. This part is what changes the pitch (or sound) of your string when you turn it. If you’ve ever had an issue with a glued neck, don’t fret!
How to Remove a Glued Neck
Have you ever had an issue with a glued neck? If so, this article is for you. Here are 10 ways to remove a glued neck.
1. Have the glue gun removed from the neck by heating up the glue and then using a putty knife to scrape off the softened glue.
2. Cut around the neck with a utility knife to make an even line and then remove it from the body of the guitar.
3. Place masking tape over either side of where you want to cut and then use a saw blade to cut through it quickly and create a clean break.
4. Place masking tape over either side of where you want to cut and then use your hands (or vice grips) to twist it back and forth until there’s no resistance left in the neck or instrument body when pulling them apart.
5. Use clamps that are bigger than the width of what you want to remove and place them on either side of what you want to remove, then use your hands or vice grips on top of them while twisting back and forth until there’s no resistance left in the neck or instrument body when pulling them apart.
Heat up the glue and scrape it off with a putty knife
To remove a glued guitar neck, it is important to heat up the glue and scrape off the softened glue. This can be done by using a putty knife and putting the glue gun on a metal table or any other surface with heat.
Cut around the neck with a utility knife to make an even line and then remove it from the body of the guitar.
Cut around the neck with a utility knife to make an even line and then use clamps to pull apart the neck and instrument body.
Use a heat gun to soften the glue, then scrape off as much as you can before reheating it again.
Use a chisel on either side of where you want to cut and insert them into the line where you want to cut, then hit them with a hammer until they break through the glue line and create a clean break.
Place clamps on either side of where you want to cut, then use them together to pull apart the neck and instrument body without damaging anything else in that area of your guitar such as electronics or pickups.
Place masking tape over either side of where you want to cut and then use a saw blade to cut through it quickly
Use clamps that are bigger than the width of what you want to remove and place them on either side of where you want to cut.
Apply a generous amount of boiling water to the glue and allow it to soften before scraping it off with a putty knife or scraper.
Place masking tape over either side of where you want to cut and then use a saw blade to cut through it quickly and create a clean break.
If the neck is glued straight onto the body, use an electric saw with a blade at least one inch wide (preferably wider) and slowly start cutting around the neck until it falls off.
Use clamps that are bigger than the width of what you want to remove and place them on either side of where you want to cut.
Place masking tape over either side of where you want to cut and then use your hands (or vice grips) to twist it back and forth until there’s no resistance left in the neck or instrument body when pulling them apart
Use a hacksaw to cut through the neck of the guitar.
Drill a hole in either side of where you want to remove the neck and then use a chisel or wood rasp to pull it off.
Use a heat gun to soften the glue and then use your fingers
Use a blow dryer to soften the glue and then use your fingers or pliers
Cut around the neck with a utility knife to make an even line and then use a saw blade to cut through it quickly and create a clean break.
Heat Gun Method
A heat gun works best for short glue beads, such as those found at the top of your headstock where the neck meets the body. The heat from a heat gun will melt the glue and allow you to remove it without damaging your guitar.
Boiling Water Method
Boiling water is a great way to break down the glue and loosen it up. This can be done by boiling some water in a pan, or better yet, an electric kettle. Once the water is at a rolling boil, take your guitar out of its case and submerge the neck joint into the boiling water for about 10 seconds.
Electric Kettle Method
The electric kettle method is a popular tool for removing glued-on guitar necks. It’s one of the best options for necks that are longer and thicker, because boiling water can be used to soften the glue and dissolve it completely. The first step in this process is to fill your electric kettle with water and place it on the stove. Then, turn the stove burner on high and wait for the kettle to boil. Once it’s boiling, use a wet towel or cloth to cover your fretboard/neck joint. Next, place the hot wet towel over your neck joint for about 20 seconds or until you feel some heat from the glue melting through the joints. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. Finally, take off the hot wet towel and use a knife or scraper knife to remove any excess glue that hasn’t melted yet./p>
Hair Dryer/Fan
A hair dryer or a fan can work for larger glue joints that are at the top of the headstock. The idea is to heat up the top of the joint until it softens and then use an appropriate tool to carefully scrape off the softened glue.
Use care to avoid overheating, which can damage your instrument.
How to remove a glued guitar neck FAQS
You should never attempt to remove a glued guitar neck by cutting if you are unsure about the integrity of the instrument. If you feel confident about the strength and stability of your instrument, then scraping should be fine.
To remove a glued guitar neck from an acoustic guitar, cut around the neck with a utility knife to make an even line and then use your hands (or vice grips) to twist it back and forth until there’s no resistance left in the neck or instrument body when pulling them apart.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever had to remove a glued guitar neck, you know that it’s not an easy task. Thankfully, as you’ll see in the post below, there are many different ways to remove a glued guitar neck.
Whether you’re repairing your own instrument, or giving someone else a hand, this post will get you on your way to a successful removal with no fuss.
