To Be.....Or Not To Be

[Sharktooth]

Hello all,

Just joined the site and have found loads of information....good reads.

So, my first question. I have been reading so much about the veneer tops that i want to attempt it myself now. Guitar in question is my old 89 USA Custom. I have "reworked" it once already in its lifetime. It was originally the "Music of the Sphere" model, as I got older i tired of the theme but not the guitar; the rest is history.
So, my body does have the neck pocket crack, possibly a little worse than others. Other than the crack, it is in nice shape.
Take a look at the pics and tell me what you think. I havent ever noticed any problems with it, but i dont really want to do work on it only to see it get messed up.
(Dammit, i cant post pix! - Here are the links)




Anyone with contacts for veneers speak up please. And also, what are the recommended dimensions for the material.

Thanx guys.

[elcid]

http://www.universaljems.com/cart/veneer.htm

I have that bookmarked from when I was going to retop an Explorer, but I never went through with it. I can't personally confirm this, but when I talked to people about putting a Veneer on I was told many times that it will have a negative effect on the tone of the guitar. Again I cant say from experience, but it's something I heard.

[crevis]

Thats a nasty wood crack, most are only in the paint.

[Sharktooth]

Actually, most of the cracks you see are more than likely in the wood. I have read it here on the site, and have experienced it for myself as well.
This crack too looked like just a crack in the clear until i took the finish of, and to my suprise it was in the wood.
Yeah, she is a well played beastie. ; )

[David McCarroll]

Yuh, first step is to stabilise the neck joint crack - that really does look like a wood crack from the photo.

Next step = mosey on over to Projectguitar.com and have a look at:

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/veneer.htm

then within a couple of weeks you'll be wondering how to progress with something which is starting to look like this:

[Sharktooth]

Very nice David.

Yeah, I have no doubt the crack is in the wood...hahahah.

Perhaps maybe my question should be, how do i stabilize the neck (if it needs to be)?
Im hoping to get some advice from people who have seen/worked with a body in this condition and how they would advise on proceeding; or stopping.

How easy is it to pick up a new/used body?

[elcid]

Very easy,
Check the bay or the site sponsors at the top of the page

[David McCarroll]

Originally Posted by Sharktooth

Very nice David.

Yeah, I have no doubt the crack is in the wood...hahahah.

Perhaps maybe my question should be, how do i stabilize the neck (if it needs to be)?
Im hoping to get some advice from people who have seen/worked with a body in this condition and how they would advise on proceeding; or stopping.

How easy is it to pick up a new/used body?

There's a small article on Rich Harris's site (IbanezRules - see banner above) on gluing a cracked neck - the same applies to bodies - if you can get just enough flex into it to work some TiteBond into the crack, then clamp it up, you will most likely be fine.

[Sharktooth]

Thats cool, thanks.

I think this picture makes the crack appear worse than it really is. Obviously the crack is as long as the visible signs, but i cannot even catch it on my fingernail. I dont think i would have anyway of getting any sort of bond in there.

[crevis]

Originally Posted by Sharktooth

Thats cool, thanks.

I think this picture makes the crack appear worse than it really is. Obviously the crack is as long as the visible signs, but i cannot even catch it on my fingernail. I dont think i would have anyway of getting any sort of bond in there.

still, you dont want it ending up like evo...



If you look at it on G3 live in tokyo, its even worse now.

[Sharktooth]

HOLY ****O!!!

Thats pretty bad!!!

Yeah, i have been trying to find companies who route RG's with square neck pockets.

I have visited:

EKG Custom Shop
Legacy One Guitars
MonsterShop Guitars

Can anyone recommend any others?