Neck Swap

[disco1]

I want to swap the tree of life vine neck from a 77vbk Jem onto a 77BRMR that I won on auction. I'd rather have the tree vine than the boring dots. I plan to sell the 77VBK after doing this.

How hard is it for a novice to do the swap on this? I've never done it before and it seems quite daunting. Will I lose a lot on the resale of the VBK too? Any helpful and technical advice please.

[Zgicc]

Why don't you buy a replica neck?

[nickcoumbe]

If the neck joints are the same, not too hard. If it is an older square heel, then forget it.

Yes you will lose the resale value on the 77VBK.

You should probably look at getting a luthier to replace the fretboard or try and by a better neck.

[disco1]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm still going to go ahead and swap the necks. They are basically the same guitar with AANJ necks. Should I just pull the trem out with strings still attached (and springs taken off), or should I block the trem (with a sock or bottlecaps/cardboard) and remove the strings?

Any other tips for (safe) neck removal and re-installation? I've never done this before. Thanks again.

[nickcoumbe]

Block trem and remove strings.

[disco1]

Thanks. Where's the best place to block the trem? In the lion's claw cavity or from the rear trem spring cavity? I've seen on Rich's site, blocking in the lion's claw with bottlecaps, cardboard and styrofoam. Is that the best way? What other options are there? Is a 9V battery/sock useable? Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to **** it up.

The BRMR arrived on Saturday and it looks great. Everyone should have one. With a vine it will be complete.

[nickcoumbe]

If Rich says it is the right way then it probably is.

[jb4674]

Originally Posted by disco1

Thanks. Where's the best place to block the trem? In the lion's claw cavity or from the rear trem spring cavity? I've seen on Rich's site, blocking in the lion's claw with bottlecaps, cardboard and styrofoam. Is that the best way? What other options are there? Is a 9V battery/sock useable? Sorry for all the questions. I just don't want to **** it up.

The BRMR arrived on Saturday and it looks great. Everyone should have one. With a vine it will be complete.

Hold it now... If you're talking in terms of changing strings, then blocking the trem with bottlecaps in the claw area is best. However, if you're talking in terms of blocking the trem altogether, then the spring cavity is the only place.

Just wanted to clarify that for you..

Jimmy

[littlephil]

Originally Posted by jb4674

Hold it now... If you're talking in terms of changing strings, then blocking the trem with bottlecaps in the claw area is best. However, if you're talking in terms of blocking the trem altogether, then the spring cavity is the only place.

Just wanted to clarify that for you..

Jimmy

Definitely, but I'm pretty sure he meant to block it only while he swapped the necks over, so bottlecaps would be the way to go.

[Vim Fuego]

My 2p
Block the trem in the claw, (I use a stack of couple of erasers, cut to size if necessary) as you take the strings off. As you remove the strings, remove the springs to reduce the upward force on the trem posts until you have one left, (the trem is now able to pivot on the erasers pushing up on the posts).
Yup, you'll reduce the resale value of the BK, but the BRMR with a vine will look great!
Jim

[nickcoumbe]

You know the more I think of this, the more it bothers me.

Swapping necks I have no problem with, but I really think that if you try and sell that BK with a different neck you are making a mistake.

Have you investigated getting a luthier to make you a vine neck (try Jaden Rose in the UK, he has some off the shelf!). I think that you will lose more value on the VBK than the cost of getting a new neck. You can always sell the brmr original neck later, or keep it to sell with the guitar later.

[disco1]

I've went ahead and done it!

It was easier than I thought. I used some hand towels in the lions claw to keep the trem up. The vine neck was a little tighter fit than the BRMR neck, but I got it in without much effort.

All up, it looks fantastic. I will see how it is to sell the VBK and see what I can get for it. It still looks good with the dots anyway. I'm pretty confident to reverse the procedure if need be. Thanks for all your comments. I appreciated it heaps!

[pilotfish]

PICS

And if you decide to sell, it is now a jem77bk not a vbk.

[disco1]

Originally Posted by pilotfish

PICS

And if you decide to sell, it is now a jem77bk not a vbk.

True, or maybe a Jem77Bbk? Unfortunately because of my lack of posts on Jemsite so far, the powers that be haven't allowed me yet to post pictures or links until I reach the magic 20.

[disco1]

Ok, I've been posting like a nutter to get to 20, so everyone can see how they turned out. I thought it'd be better to post them in the general section now that they are put together.

Have a look over there.. Might even have something there to make JJemmer777 envious.