Rebirth - ES12 to ES6

[Rossc0]

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



Start to strip it down



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



Volia



2 pieces, body still all good



Onto step 2.

[Sonic Mountain]

Nice one, looks like it came off pretty cleanly.

[Rossc0]

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

[FrankenWashie]

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!

[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

[FrankenWashie]

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.

[Rossc0]

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




24hrs later, starting to tidy up




Headstock shape roughed out

[Rossc0]

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



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





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.

[king casey]

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

cheers, Mark.

[Bakersdozen]

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

cheers, Mark.

What do you suggest KC?