help: gap within neck and body on strat copy

[wayne1991]

hey guys, i have this samick strat copy that i have customised, the whole thing is quite good except the neck keeps getting separated from the body, around 1mm of gap inbetween, i think the screws used to keep the neck and body cannot keep it tight anymore cause the holes in the neck have widened..
any suggestions on what i can do? i was thinking about trying to keep it as close as possible and let it last at least 1 gig then thrash it and buy a new neck, or maybe any one can suggest a better solution to this problem? thanks..

ps: dam irritating ah, everytime the neck shifts by a bit, the tuning shifts by alot, ive setup the intonation alot of times already, everytime the neck comes out a little, i squeeze it back, then have to tune and setup again..
gap is around 0.7mm for the top 2 screws, and around 1mm-1.5mm for the bottom 2(closer to the pickup) ones


edit: hey, thanks guys, sorry i cant post, the post number is too awesome to spoil it..
oh, yeah, i think i know what im gonna do with that guitar already, most probably refilling the hole and then drilling and making a new threading inside, really appreaciate ur replies..

 

[Everdying]

glue the neck to the body, making it effectively a set neck.

thats what a friend of mine did b4 anyway.

 

[wayne1991]

hmm, any types of glues to recommend and what type of glues not to use??
thanks for that response anyway, i was thinking about it..
not sure what type of glue gibson uses to glue their guitars anyway, they are really really strong i must say..

 

[Everdying]

gibson uses wood glue...thats so if a neck needs to be reset/adjusted they can steam it to weaken the glue.

 

[bin4christ]

do u have to strip of the paint on the surface(s) to be glued?

 

[obzervr]

Bro, for short term solution, insert the holes at the neck heel with three match sticks each hole (Matchstick are soft enough to allow the screws to drive through, toothpicks may work but haven't tried), Fill up with the white glue that you can get at the bookstore and let it dry. Level it up and screw the neck on (with the matchstick in the screw holes) to the body. Why three? cos you'd want the pressure to spread evenly.

Long term solution, mix wood filler with epoxy glue (get the 15 min set type as you wouldn't want it to dry up too fast) about 60% wood filler and 30% epoxy. Fill it up quickly after you mix them thoroughly. Let it set overnight. Sand the spillover (depending on how neat you do it the first time) and the screw holes is ready to be redrilled and screwed on to the body.

Gluing on is another option but do it with care as you may not be sure if the alignment is off or the glue is too thick that it will affect your action.

Always keep a wet cloth by your side and if possible some thinner when you're doing these stuff... but always seek Parental Consent (kidding)

hey guys, i have this samick strat copy that i have customised, the whole thing is quite good except the neck keeps getting separated from the body, around 1mm of gap inbetween, i think the screws used to keep the neck and body cannot keep it tight anymore cause the holes in the neck have widened..
any suggestions on what i can do? i was thinking about trying to keep it as close as possible and let it last at least 1 gig then thrash it and buy a new neck, or maybe any one can suggest a better solution to this problem? thanks..

ps: dam irritating ah, everytime the neck shifts by a bit, the tuning shifts by alot, ive setup the intonation alot of times already, everytime the neck comes out a little, i squeeze it back, then have to tune and setup again..
gap is around 0.7mm for the top 2 screws, and around 1mm-1.5mm for the bottom 2(closer to the pickup) ones

 

[aero_91]

stuff a pick in to keep it in place

 

[edder]

obzervr gives good advise. I'd suggest you follow his first one with matchstick or toothpick. If you don't have white glue, super glue will also work fine. Gluing is a must, don't skip this step as sometimes the existing thread in the hole may have smoothen out and even with additional wood stuffed in, it may slip out.

And remember, when tightening the neck screws, screw tight and not overtighten till you strip the neck threads.

I definitely will not recommend glueing the neck to the body at all.

 

[fgl]

go to art friend

buy the thin strips of wood

cut to size

paste on either side of the neck pocket

trim off excess

glue in bits of satay skewer sticks into widened hole

refit everthing and redo

should be ok