Neck Reset for Bolt On Neck (Thoughts?)

[mr beans]

Can anyone: (1) recommend a place where I can get a neck reset in the Los Angeles area; and (2) tell me roughly how much it might cost?

I'm hoping to get insight from people who've had neck resets done for bolt on necks. How did it turn out? Was other work done along with the neck reset like removing the frets, leveling the fretboard, and refretting? Any regrets getting the work done? Any nightmare stories?

Searching old threads, a neck reset on a dovetail necked Martin can be $300-$700+ depending on where it's done and the extent of related work needed. I'm guessing (and hoping) a neck reset for a bolt on neck would be cheaper.

I have a Tacoma with a bad neck angle and I like the guitar enough to explore getting this done.

[hubcapsc]

I live in South Carolina, so I can only encourage you that
bolt on necks can be reset. I have a plywood $100 guitar
with a bolt on neck that I really like. The luthier I go to
here reset the neck on it for me and did a GREAT job,
it is a really good guitar now...

-Mike

[EZK123]

I don't recall exact pricing, but I did have a conversation with my local (extremely skilled) tech a while back. He said that it's far cheaper for bolt-on necks because you don't need to steam the joint apart, etc. Far less work, less chance of needing finish touch up after, etc. It doesn't require reshaping of the dovetail joint, etc. "Just" some shims and sanding, etc.

A lot less labor involved overall, so a lot less money.

[Realbluesman]

All of the above and ask about Taylor. They have it down to a science.

[ohiopicker]

Essentially it involves unbolting the neck, using a spatula tool to free the upper fretboard from the body, inserting sandpaper between the body and the back of the neck, and removing the proper amount of material.

[mr beans]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

I did a neck reset on an old Seagull I got for very cheap many years ago. I didn't remove the fretboard extension from the body, but it worked out functionally (not cosmetically). I really like my Tacoma, so I'd like to get it worked on by a professional.

[TennesseeWalker]

Contact McCabes out in West LA if you're in that general area - they have a full repair shop

https://www.mccabes.com


If you're more towards Orange County, The Guitar Shoppe in Laguna Beach has an excellent staff but last week when I was in there, repairs were running a while with a few guys out.

https://www.theguitarshoppe.com


Lastly from me, there are a few good luthiers out there in this general area.
Might give a call to Danny Ott who does guitar repair:

https://www.dannyottguitarrepair.com
(714) 893-5557‬

[kkrell]

(Fren) Asken Guitars, Guitar Repair
(310) 838-3599


David Neely, Neely Guitars
(323) 850-7043

[edward993]

In LA, and both I've used and highly recommend:

1. Eric's Guitar in Northridge

2. Norik Renson of Reson's Guitar Shop in North Hollywood

Edward

[ChrisN]

Some guitars will need some fretwork, some won't - depends on state of frets and amount of material removed for the adjustment.

Some luthiers will work with you and not do unwanted fretwork, while others are perfectionists who won't let an unperfect guitar leave their shop, so they will mandate fretwork, with a corresponding price difference. As the fretwork can cost more than the reset for a bolt-on, it might pay to get 2 opinions.

Bolt-ons like the Tacoma typically need to have the fretboard extension unglued from the top - there may be finish-fix issues for aesthetics.

Many bolt-ons, including pre-NT Taylors, can be reset without ungluing the fretboard extension - they unbolt the neck, leave it in place, and use 1-sided sandpaper to reduce the heel, then re-bolt. Assuming no fretwork was required, you'd be done.

[mr beans]

Thanks for your responses everyone! I really appreciate all the wisdom and knowledge everyone was willing to share. I'll be reaching out to many of the suggestions listed.

[mirwa]

In my locality a typical neck reset costs between 350-550 for a finished job, finished means new strings, full setup, correct fretwork, no fallaway, neck angle reset, finish repaired as required

Steve

[mr beans]

Would that price range be for a bolt on neck or for a dovetail neck joint?

Originally Posted by mirwa

In my locality a typical neck reset costs between 350-550 for a finished job, finished means new strings, full setup, correct fretwork, no fallaway, neck angle reset, finish repaired as required

Steve

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by mr beans

Would that price range be for a bolt on neck or for a dovetail neck joint?

That is my price range for all neck resets except for taylor, the cost is subject to how much finish work is required, a bolt on neck needs less finish work than a glued in dovetail

Steve

[mr beans]

That's very helpful. Thanks!