Mandolin neck resets - ?

[scgc.om]

"A guitar either needs a neck reset now or will need one later." But is the changing of neck angle an inevitability as it is with a guitar? Will any mandolin eventually need a neck reset?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[grsnovi]

Just as I disagree that all guitars will eventually need a neck reset, I don't agree that every mando will need one. I suspect that of the known Loars out there quite a few have never been subjected to a reset. It would seem that it would have more to do with the materials and workmanship originally used along with the care of the instrument over its lifetime.

[peterbc]

Are neck resets difficult to do? I have a cheap guitar that could use one and would never be worth it to pay to do, but is it something a schmuck like me might be able to pull off? It's a cheapie guitar anyway so I'm not too worried if I screw it up.

[grsnovi]

On a guitar, you typically would remove the portion of the fretboard over the body by sawing through at the appropriate fret and then lifting the board - allowing access to the dovetail. Then you separate the joint and redo whatever needs redoing before putting it all back together. If you've never done any lutherie work, I'm not sure I would suggest starting with this as your first task.

[BigJoe]

There are better ways than removing part of the fingerboard, but that is another story. There are books available on repair, but neck sets are a little advanced. As for mandolins, the loar era mandolins are pretty good and few have had to have neck resets. As for the mandolin world as a whole, it is done everyday. Our repair shop is pretty happy that so many need doing http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif . The ones that need reset the most is the bolt on necks. That is one reason I dislike them. Anyway, just like any instrument there are many factors that are the reason a neck may need resetting but not all will need them. I'm not so confident that is true with guitars. Rarely could one last eighty years and not need one or two in its life.

[Luthier]

"A guitar either needs a neck reset now or will need one later." #But is the changing of neck angle an inevitability as it is with a guitar? #Will any mandolin eventually need a neck reset?


It should go without saying The mandolin and guitar are two different beasts.

http://www.cumpiano.com/Home....ck.html (http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Articles/Special%20interest/headblock.html)

Many Guitar builders are now using this neck / body joint system. #I have not seen it to have any adverse effects on the sound of the instrument. #It is a strong, and logical alternative and is IMHO a very viable alternative to the traditional methods.

Don

[Big Joe]

The neckjoint shown in the link above is used by a number of builders today. Even I own a guitar with a bolt neck. I thought that would never happen, but the instrument is too incredible not to own. Just having a bolt neck does not mean it will not sound good. There are many factors involved in tone and that is only one of them. That neckjoint was begun as a way of not having to do neck resets. The truth is that even they need to be reset. The same for mandolins. The real reason they are being used today is not because they may eliminate neck sets, but because it is easier and can be cheaper than using a dovetail joint. Like all processes in building, some are done right and some are not. I reluctantly state...I thing...a bolt neck done right could be better than a dovetail done poorly. There! I've said it. I feel so much better! The monkey is finally off my back! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[John Zimm]

I reluctantly state...I thing...a bolt neck done right could be better than a dovetail done poorly. There! I've said it. I feel so much better! The monkey is finally off my back!
Whew, that was a big confession. Are you feeling liberated now. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I am wondering, and maybe I don't want to bring this up, but is there a major difference between the quality of a well-done dovetail and a well-done tennon joint? Just a curious beginner here asking what is probably a dumb question.

-John.

[Michael Lewis]

Buckley, the quality of the fit of the joint is much more important than whether it is a dove tail or bolt on. Either type done well will be good. One thing to keep in mind however, is that wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes, and seem to loosen bolt on joints more easily than glued joints.