Rebirth - ES12 to ES6

So Christmas 2017 I got an ES-12G, build diary here;

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=8175

Spent a fair bit upgrading everything including more than was sensible on a set of Seth Lover PAFs.

What I have found over the last 6 months or so is the 12 string isn't really working for me, I had always planned on building an ES, but I wouldn't has bought myself the 12 string. So what to do, convert it to a six string.

Adam can get me a new neck, but not till the May/June shipment so plan at the moment is

1. Remove neck (scary), Youtubes not a lot of help.
2. Cut down headstock
3. Dowel and re-drill tuner holes
4. Refinsh neck
5. Refit

and there we have it a guitar I should play more.

First step.

Take one perfectly good guitar

Attachment 29809

Start to strip it down

Attachment 29810

Get out the ozito heat gun, and give the body some protection fro the heat

Attachment 29811

Volia

Attachment 29812

2 pieces, body still all good

Attachment 29813

Onto step 2.

Nice one, looks like it came off pretty cleanly.

Yes it did, just need to clean up the glue residue, and then see how it seat, make sure nothing funky has happened.

There is some awesome skill work going on here.

For posterity Rossc0:

- The heat gun, was this a temperature adjustable model? Was sort of temp setting did you use?
- Did you direct the heat flow straight at the joint or across the top of the board?
- How long did you heat for?
- Did you pull up or wiggle the neck joint at all to release?
- Did you have to employ any other tools (Spatula, putty knife etc) to assist releasing the joint?

Cheers mate, inquiring Igors wish to know!

Thanks Frankie,

- Yes, it was adjustable, but just a cheepie Ozito from bunnings, it comes with a variety of nozzles one of which is fairly small and focused, I had it set about the middle of the range. I could hold my hand about a foot in front of it without too much trouble.
-I concentrated the heat on the tongue to start with, when I could wiggle the neck and see some movement there I then tried to direct it back up the joints on either side of the neck,
-It probably took me 20 mins, suppose depends on how much glue you have used initially
-There was lots of wiggling, at one point I applied a bit of pressure with a clamp, guitar upside down and clamp on heal of neck pulling down to a foxed point.
- No other tools

There is a bit of splintering inside the body, a few small pieces have come out attached to the neck joint, but not a lot, and nothing that will cause any structural issues.

Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rossc0

Thanks Frankie,

- Yes, it was adjustable, but just a cheepie Ozito from bunnings, it comes with a variety of nozzles one of which is fairly small and focused, I had it set about the middle of the range. I could hold my hand about a foot in front of it without too much trouble.
-I concentrated the heat on the tongue to start with, when I could wiggle the neck and see some movement there I then tried to direct it back up the joints on either side of the neck,
-It probably took me 20 mins, suppose depends on how much glue you have used initially
-There was lots of wiggling, at one point I applied a bit of pressure with a clamp, guitar upside down and clamp on heal of neck pulling down to a foxed point.
- No other tools

There is a bit of splintering inside the body, a few small pieces have come out attached to the neck joint, but not a lot, and nothing that will cause any structural issues.

Cheers

---

Thanks mate, that is all valuable information to have.

Now the necks out down to work. Haven't done the dowelling and re drilling bit before, but I know I have the fall back of ordering a new neck if I stuff up, just need to wait till May for it.

Dowels in and glued

Attachment 29829
Attachment 29832

24hrs later, starting to tidy up

Attachment 29830
Attachment 29831

Headstock shape roughed out

Attachment 29833

the power of tooth picks, original screw wholes filled and sanded back with 60 grit to start and even out the dowels

Attachment 29834

Pilot holes for the new tuners, will drill out once I have them to ensure I get the right size, probably be something like

https://www.realparts.com.au/tuning-...ckel-4308.html

Attachment 29835

Attachment 29836

Will hand finish the headstock shape to get the open book as best I can, then sand up to 320 probably.

Interesting fact: Finished this build originally in June. Sanding the black of the headstock, it still wasn't fully cured underneath. gummed up everything. Obvioulsy my painting technique leaves a lot to be desired.

If any of the doweling requires filling, I would not use Timbermate.
Under paint it will shrink.

cheers, Mark.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by king casey

If any of the doweling requires filling, I would not use Timbermate.
Under paint it will shrink.

cheers, Mark.

---

What do you suggest KC?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bakersdozen

What do you suggest KC?

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After trying it myself, I’d suggest veneer.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rossc0

the power of tooth picks, original screw wholes filled and sanded back with 60 grit to start and even out the dowels

Attachment 29834

Pilot holes for the new tuners, will drill out once I have them to ensure I get the right size, probably be something like

https://www.realparts.com.au/tuning-...ckel-4308.html

Attachment 29835

Attachment 29836

Will hand finish the headstock shape to get the open book as best I can, then sand up to 320 probably.

Interesting fact: Finished this build originally in June. Sanding the black of the headstock, it still wasn't fully cured underneath. gummed up everything. Obvioulsy my painting technique leaves a lot to be desired.

---

Hi Ross I, looking great mate. Would you mind sharing that headstock template? Looks better than the one I found [emoji16]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bakersdozen

What do you suggest KC?

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Builders bog will likely be okay

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bakersdozen

What do you suggest KC?

---

I've tried Selley's Maple plastic wood but it's not terribly smooth.
Just go with what Frankie says. (I think Sonic Mountain uses it also)

I would veneer to stain but if it's going to be painted then that's a bit a of a waste IMO.

cheers, Mark.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by king casey

I've tried Selley's Maple plastic wood but it's not terribly smooth.
Just go with what Frankie says. (I think Sonic Mountain uses it also)

I would veneer to stain but if it's going to be painted then that's a bit a of a waste IMO.

cheers, Mark.

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Cheers! Yep plastic wood is pretty lumpy and crumbly when dried. Good suggestions thanks lads [emoji16]

Regardless of finish I'd veneer it, no worries about sagging/shrinking finish in the future.

Maybe an epoxy filler if fill is the the way you wish to go, it won't shrink a proper bastrad to sand and will be a gloss surface

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bakersdozen

Hi Ross I, looking great mate. Would you mind sharing that headstock template? Looks better than the one I found [emoji16]

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Cheers, Loads of templates here:

https://www.electricherald.com/gibso...tar-templates/

Ready to be wet sanded then polish.

Depending on the angle of the light, you can see where the dowels are, and more so under the stain on the back obviously. I've come to not mind, it is the history of this guitar. I could just have bought a new neck but this is more fun.

Attachment 30014

Quote:

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Originally Posted by king casey

I've tried Selley's Maple plastic wood but it's not terribly smooth.
Just go with what Frankie says. (I think Sonic Mountain uses it also)

I would veneer to stain but if it's going to be painted then that's a bit a of a waste IMO.

cheers, Mark.

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Heya, the stuff I'm using is automotive bog, not sure if it's the same stuff. Seems to be working so far, but I have no long term data on how it will hold up.

This isn't the same brand I have, but is the same stuff.

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...=en_AU&start=3

No worries SM.
I've had this stuff laying around for quite a while. It is a 2 part epoxy.
Attachment 30015

I'll give it a trial on my next project.

cheers, Mark.

No doubt a very similar product.

Ready to refit, Headstock sorted and new set of Kluson vintage style tuners.

Attachment 30056

Nice! Looking mint