1975 Yamaha FG-360 Neck Reset+

CTGull,

That was very interesting, and extremely well documented, well done.

Update!!  The fretboard is striped ebony!!  

yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/507/1975-yamaha-360-neck-reset?page=1&scrollTo=3727 

Although I had hoped to keep the original patina, I think the fretboard & bridge are going to look great oiled!

ME TOO!!  I can't leave work for 6 hours!!

I love to document stuff!!  And I love to write!  And I'm back to being excited about working on guitars!!  Which is good, because I have so many to work on.  And sell!!

I've only had one visitor, he lives in the same town.  I did a neck reset on his FG-360!!

I've been told by a few people I should write a book.  But that takes so much time!!  And most of it is stuff other people probably do, but I may have my own methods.  And books are old school.  Everyone is looking for video!  I do not have time for video!!  I've noticed many of the people doing guitar videos have big followings, but I think some of their methods are questionable at best.  It seems many of them like to hear themselves speak to inflate their ego.  Most people who "worship" these guys have never actually done the work and don't know the difference.  THERE!!  I said it!!  I've watched a few videos of one well known guy and he totally butchered a vintage Yamaha FG neck removal ( and hour of steam and FAILED!!).  He DARED anyone to show him how to remove the neck!!  I emailed him links to my forum, including explicit directions on how to remove the heel chunk stuck in the guitar, and his reply was "Thanks good info".  This "professional" uses a tea kettle on a Coleman stove to make steam for neck removals!  It took him 10 minutes to remove a Harmony neck that I (or most anyone else) can get off in 1 to 2 minutes.  It doesn't get much easier than an old Harmony, they have loose joints and lots of glue that dissolves quickly.  Oh damn!!  I'm ranting!!

But, I'm not perfect.  I'm sure a few of my methods would be questioned by some.  But I'm constantly refining my methods, always looking for a better, easier, more efficient way.  "I've always done it that way" is an excuse for not experimented and innovating.  I could probably patent a few of my tools.  They are completely unlike anything else available.  I try not to show them much, hoping no one will copy them or make money from them.  I think I've tooted my own horn enough!!  Is it time to go home yet??  Less than 4 hours!!

You are correct.  The forum could easily disappear.  The server with all the pictures on could disappear.  It would take forever to redo all of that!!

Guitar repair takes a lot of expensive tools (or make your own) and knowing how to use them properly.  Probably half the money I've made fixing them went into buying more tools.  And you'll find there are far more than 1 way to screw up a repair! 

I'm actually not a big fan of doing refrets, it's very labor intensive, time consuming, working to very close tolerances, MANY expensive tools, and many ways to screw it up.  But the end result is very satisfying.  I think this one will be more satisfying than normal!