Factory 2nd PRS-1S (1/2 Spalted)

**nDR01d** · 31-05-2016, 05:11 PM

Yeah thanks Wokks, IMHO I never thought for my first set neck build it would be finished (fingers crossed) so soon. Although granted, circumstances have been on my side for this build. I am looking forward to plugging her in and cutting loose \m/

**nDR01d** · 09-06-2016, 01:28 PM

So I've been taking my time doing the small things that make the guitar lovely - intonation, fret heights, nut filing etc etc. I did notice that the guitar needed a bit of a neck adjustment as there was a little too of a hump in the middle. So I slowly turned the truss rod ANTI-clockwise. Just about a 1/4 of a turn a day so the strings and neck would adjust slowly. Or so I thought... Now I notice (in the following pic) a crack and I can move the head up and down if I'm holding the body against me, if you know what I mean.

Click image for larger version.

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So, what can I do? I thought I glued everything down the right way. I used Titebond Original. I clamped it for 24 hours as per Titebond instructions for woods under stress. I let it go for another day, without clamps before I strung it up with the setup strings (9-42s?) The only thing I can think of that may have adversely affected it is one of my kids "playing" it when I wasn't watching the guitar like a hawk. Can I break the neck out? Can I drill in a couple of nice black looking furniture(?) screws similar to those found in a IB-5 kit? Is this the end of the world?

All reasonable suggestions/scenarios as to what went wrong will be considered!

**wokkaboy** · 09-06-2016, 01:36 PM

So Ndroid has the neck heel come apart slightly from the neck pocket ? Think the only way is to heat the glue and remove the neck and re-glue it. Putting neck screw bushes in would be risky as the thickness of the neck pocket for a set neck guitar is only about 6-8mm thick at a guess.
Can you remember if there was any stain on the neck heel where it is glued to the pocket ? It is important that the neck heel part that is glued is bare timber, not over sanded. Also important that glue is even around the pocket sides is where most of the strength comes from

**nDR01d** · 09-06-2016, 01:42 PM

So, heat it with a hair dryer and make sure the pocket is clean, but not over sanded (I'm guessing because it will change the size of the thing and generally screw it up more)?. I do remember the glue was come out from everywhere. Atm, it looks like it's holding at the bridge end of the pocket. I have taken the strings off now too, btw.

**WeirdBits** · 09-06-2016, 01:46 PM

The image on page 1 shows a lot of colour on the neck heel, did you clean it up before gluing? What was the temp and humidity like when you glued it? How old is your Titebond and was it 'stringy' out of the bottle? And yes, if the glue is stressed before completely set that can weaken the bonds and produce a malformed joint.

The reduced body thickness below the neck pocket doesn't really make neck screws an option, so if the joint in not sound then removing the neck and re-gluing is probably going to be the only choice.

**wokkaboy** · 09-06-2016, 01:47 PM

Hey Ndroid, would be best to strip all the hardware off and turn the guitar upside down and steam from an iron rises into the pocket. Try get steam up the opening where it has separated. Slowly work a paint stripping spatula in the gap and slowly try and break the glue bond. Don't force it.
By don't oversand the heel if the surface of the heel/pocket are too smooth there won't be any pores/tiny holes for the glue to grip onto.
I'd say adjusting the truss rod has unsettled the neck and put more tension on it possibly has broken the glue bond

**nDR01d** · 09-06-2016, 01:58 PM

Thank you gentlemen. I now have a plan of (slow) attack. I'm going to agree with you Wokka and say that the truss rod adjustments did weaken the loose bond.
@ Weirdy I did try to clean up the pocket, but was a bit apprehensive because of the whole don't overwork the wood thing. I think I'll do the scraper method for my next set neck.

**wokkaboy** · 09-06-2016, 02:15 PM

no worries Ndroid, it is important to get all stain off the neck heel that will be in contact with the pocket. I usually do a dry fit, tape off where the heel meets the body, then draw a light pencil line or tape off the area that will be inside the neck pocket so no stain gets on there. Setting the neck is the most important stage of a set neck kit so it's got to be right, as you have found out