69 villager re-build

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:53 pm

im clearing a bit of space on the ole camera. figured i would share something that is for a local.
HISTORY- i got the neck 66" off of a feller shortscaler a couple years back.
the body came with the og neck from an ebay win.
PROBLEMS - the back of the body was seperating, plus numerous cracks in the top. plus the og 69 neck had twisted and warped, the 66 neck however is still in great playing condition.
so now for some pics.
here is the neck, i gotta take off the fretboard, take out the truss rod, and plain it down to get it ready for a new rod and fretboard.

this shows how the warp effects the neck when its completely relaxed with not tension on it.

the frets were shot into the sides of these necks during certain years, i couldn't remember for sure so i just chose to exit then via the side very carefully.

then drill holes in the fret slot areas,
NOTE: im not planning on re-using this fretboard, but you can re-use a fretboard by using this method, the drill holes will serve as guides for re-glueing via a nail stud.

then i proccede to steam it off with an iron a couple metal edgers n putty knifes.

after what seems to only be about 15 mins(it was more like 30) it comes off nice n clean!

the center wood to fill the trush rod area was poplar, fun fact i s'spose!

by the time i got the truss rod out, it was defeinitly bent,(not by me, but just over the years of the neck changing shape)

this is just to show the warp.

it carries on like that thru the neck.
but i made a bit of a jig and was able to find a common ground with the heel in hopes to be able to somehow bring it back to life.
- believe it or not, as low as at that looks, that is within a 1/32nd of the original size. that veneer bulks up the look of the but of the neck.

this is the body in its current state, all the major cracks have patches on them. all the bracing is in order and glued properly.

i was able to use the og ladder bracing and inside bits of the original back on the new one!

(and yeah, its got amber tint on it)
this is the back(raw cut)

i haven't touched this in a couple weeks and haven't really been able to, it will probly end up in the classifieds soon anyway.

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:07 pm

good to see you finally did something with this.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:24 pm

it will probly stay like this for a long time tho.
i thought it would be cool to attach a dwarfcraft device to and tune all fucking weird. but someone in town expressed interrest and offered me cash, which i needs.

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:59 pm

Thats some amazing work there Rob. Wish i had skillz.

Viljami · Post by **Viljami** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:58 pm

Cool to see someone working on a acoustic guitar. I have one that I've been working on (nothing hardcore, just light refin) so it's nice to see how it's really done.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:03 pm

a plus project. look forward to keeping track of it.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:24 pm

if all goes well im going to put a new board on that 69 neck, new truss rod, but use the same dots. altho im going to try and round off the heel for electric applications, normaly this would mean adding wood, but instead im going to make thefrettboard overhang over the guard and give the illusion that its an electric neck.
but its hard to tell what the neck is going to want to do.
you gotta remember, the fretboard nad truss rod are gone nad the shape has been modified, then add in the factory that its already warped out, it might keep going!

JordanD · Post by **JordanD** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:20 am

The skill of so many people on this board absolutley amazes me. Can't wait to see this finished Rob.