Neck straightening

[Eddie Sheehy]

I have an old bowlback that has a slight curve (bow?) in the neck. There is no truss rod. Is it possible to straighten the neck?

[Paul Hostetter]

Plane and refret. Forget about heat, or using oversized frets to stress the neck backwards. The usual situation with bowlbacks is that the entire neck pulls up, so the low point in the bow is at the body join. In this case, even planing and refretting may not be an option. It's often a matter of how much of a compromise you're willing to live with.

[dave17120]

I agree with Paul on this one, having now repaired something near 100 Italian bowls. His diagnosis is spot on. Plane and re-fret.(or sand, I have found this easier than clamping a round bowl for planing)

If the fretboard is not very thick you have a problem. You then sand down to level, concentrating on the top end, use the remnants of the old fingerboard as a shim, and make and fit a new fretboard on top of the old. If you are going to make a new fretboard, then you can go the whole way and fit a concert one if you like.

Let us know what you decide to do, Dave

[whistler]

If you are going to make a new fretboard, then you can go the whole way and fit a concert one if you like.


Dave - What do you mean by a 'concert' fingerboard?

[Eddie Sheehy]

Well Dave, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. The fingerboard has binding on it. The "bow" is not severe. The mandolin plays ok. The action is a little high at the 12th fret - but I only go up there to check intonation. The mandolin is very pretty. I guess I'll mull it over awhile... Thanks for your input.