Heel of guitar - Lifting?

Kh1967 · #1 01-20-2018, 01:17 PM

Hi All -

Is this potentially the start of a problem? Or, is it nothing to worry about?

This is a brand new guitar. Thanks, all!

justonwo · #2 01-20-2018, 01:26 PM

Probably a bolt on neck with loose bolts.

Kh1967 · #3 01-20-2018, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justonwo

Probably a bolt on neck with loose bolts.

Its not a bolt on neck. That would relieve my worry!

sdelsolray · #4 01-20-2018, 01:32 PM

Duplicate post.

sdelsolray · #5 01-20-2018, 01:33 PM

Many guitars have or develop that space in the heel. As it was explained to me by two well known luthiers, that end part of the heel is not attached to the guitar body to begin with (because of the binding) and it is nothing to be concerned about.

#6 01-20-2018, 01:46 PM

If there's no visible gap on the side and you can't "move" the neck when the strings are off, this is only a cosmetic issue, and a small one at that. The dovetail stops short of the bottom of the heel, so that part is trimmed so that it just clears the body as the dovetail is fully seated. It doesn't take much to leave just a few thousands gap there. Some builders smear a bead of Titebond (or similar) glue there just to conceal small gaps such as you see. If they don't do that, small gaps like this are pretty common, more so that you would think.

Kh1967 · #7 01-20-2018, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

If there's no visible gap on the side and you can't "move" the neck when the strings are off, this is only a cosmetic issue, and a small one at that. The dovetail stops short of the bottom of the heel, so that part is trimmed so that it just clears the body as the dovetail is fully seated. It doesn't take much to leave just a few thousands gap there. Some builders smear a bead of Titebond (or similar) glue there just to conceal small gaps such as you see. If they don't do that, small gaps like this are pretty common, more so that you would think.

Mucho gracias, Todd! I feel relieved.

wxfloyd · #8 01-20-2018, 02:26 PM

Looks to me to just be the black heel cap, and not the neck joint itself. A lot of the guitars I've seen with any sort of heel cap don't typically have that go flush against the body.

Tony Done · #9 01-20-2018, 02:46 PM

What make is it? I'm interested because 1) The neck was finished separately from and the body and 2) the workmanship is a bit sloppy. Not two things I would expect to see together.

sid45 · #10 01-20-2018, 08:03 PM

I would keep an eye on the string height to make sure it stays the same, also if i payed a lot for the git i wouldnt love it

Mr Fingers · #11 01-20-2018, 11:08 PM

My guess is that Todd Yates' diagnosis is likely the case. More and more makers are doing necks and bodies separately, right through finishing, before joining, even when it's a glued-in neck. Of course, the ideal fit would have no space, and certainly no visible space, as we want as much contact as possible. But, realistically, that's not really very achievable, so it becomes a matter of "how much" space is OK. If there's a visible gap, I would consider that to be excessive. Also, not knowing the make, there remains the possibility that this builder did in fact do a full glue joint that is separating. That would be pretty bad -- a failing neck set -- but it's not likely. Probably just a minor fit/finish issue.

jessupe · #12 01-21-2018, 12:41 AM

As long as the neck has no movement when the strings are off, under minor torquing by hand, then it is fine as suggested, and frankly these little gaps are generally good thing when it comes to repair and neck resets.