Seagull Epoxied Neck (2006 & up) Neck Reset
Feb 28, 2019 21:41:13 GMT -5
Derick and ancient1 like this
Post by CTGull on Feb 28, 2019 21:41:13 GMT -5
While thinking about options for guitars, woods & features for the SeaBass (seagull 6 string guitar convert to a 4 string bass), I thought of an option for removing the neck of set neck (epoxied) Seagulls 2006 and up. I’d rather use a pre-2006 model Mini Jumbo body for the SeaBass so I can remove the neck (bolt on) to work on the headstock. But there are only (2) MJ models from that era, the MJM6 and the MJM6 CW (which I had and sold). I don’t want a cutaway. I’d like the woods to be warm, not bright. Cedar over mahogany would be nice. The only common post-2006 MJ is the Entourage MJ (Cedar over Wild Cherry with a Maple neck), since it was made from 2007 to 2017 there should be plenty out there. It has the advantage of the narrow 1.72”, since 4 string basses aren’t normally wider than 1.65”.
Michel at Godin has said to replace a neck they cut the neck off and mill out the neck extension, without any other detail. That sounds brutal.
I was thinking instead of doing that, just remove the fretboard and cut the neck extension off vertically just before the edge of the body, and leave it there. This turns the neck back into a bolt on. That sounds fairly simple. Lining up the fretboard afterward isn’t as simple.
Then it dawned on me the truss rod is in there somewhere! Would I need to mill a pocket in the neck extension to expose the truss rod?? Then how would I cut the neck extension off with the truss rod in the way??
So I emailed Michel and asked him if I could do this AND if the truss rod is exposed and could be removed after the fretboard has been removed. He said yes! That is how they remove necks, then they cut off the neck and mill out the neck extension.
So now I know the secret!! But they aren’t reusing the neck like I want to do. Lining up the fretboard afterward isn’t simple. There would probably be a little sanding and refinishing. I don’t like refinishing!
Now I need a suitable candidate to try this out! I think all the post-2006 Seagulls I have, have good action, as they should with this neck construction. The only one that would be a good candidate is the 2010 Maritime dread that has some drop damage that I attempted to fix and failed. I doubt I could sell it as is, even though it is playable. Do I sacrifice it??? WHY do I want to sacrifice it?
I thought curiosity killed the cat??!! In my case it kills guitars!!
Michel at Godin has said to replace a neck they cut the neck off and mill out the neck extension, without any other detail. That sounds brutal.
I was thinking instead of doing that, just remove the fretboard and cut the neck extension off vertically just before the edge of the body, and leave it there. This turns the neck back into a bolt on. That sounds fairly simple. Lining up the fretboard afterward isn’t as simple.
Then it dawned on me the truss rod is in there somewhere! Would I need to mill a pocket in the neck extension to expose the truss rod?? Then how would I cut the neck extension off with the truss rod in the way??
So I emailed Michel and asked him if I could do this AND if the truss rod is exposed and could be removed after the fretboard has been removed. He said yes! That is how they remove necks, then they cut off the neck and mill out the neck extension.
So now I know the secret!! But they aren’t reusing the neck like I want to do. Lining up the fretboard afterward isn’t simple. There would probably be a little sanding and refinishing. I don’t like refinishing!
Now I need a suitable candidate to try this out! I think all the post-2006 Seagulls I have, have good action, as they should with this neck construction. The only one that would be a good candidate is the 2010 Maritime dread that has some drop damage that I attempted to fix and failed. I doubt I could sell it as is, even though it is playable. Do I sacrifice it??? WHY do I want to sacrifice it?
I thought curiosity killed the cat??!! In my case it kills guitars!! 
