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So I am working on this Aria 12 string acoustic. I can not figure the neck joint, that is if there is an actual neck joint. I removed the fingerboard tongue ( extension) to get a look at it. I guess there could be a hidden tenon. So I'm looking for some insight as to the removal. Tips and suggestions would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks

Grab a mirror and look inside....

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

It's entirely possible (probable, in fact) that neck has a butt joint reinforced with dowels.

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Cheers,

Frank Ford

FRETS.COM
HomeShopTech
FRETS.NET

If you are on good terms with a veterinarian, you could X-ray the joint.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Seriously did you think I didn't look inside

Thanks Frank, while wincing, I was sort of thinking along those lines. probably will break out the the thin saw today. oh well

could you drill two holes either side of the TR, inside the heel at the joint,
and try a steam and pull?

I worked on an Anteres 12 without removing the fretboard extension. So thinking it was a dove tail keep steaming and jacking. Finally got a slight gap between the heel and body and could see a dowel. Got it apart with a 1/4" s in three dowels. So I agree with Fred prolly dowels.


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Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Turns out it had 5 blind dowels. not steaming these babies off. I used a Japanese razor saw (Yikes) . here are a couple of photos and a YouTube link to a short video on how I would up doing it.. Lutherie what an exciting life

Check out how thick the finish is

I will post a couple of pic after completion

Thanks Again


VIDEO LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln2duV12-Cg

One of the AMGs, been there, done that!

The video is set to private?

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

Think I forgot to click publish. Should be OK ( famous last words )

Dennis I admire your persistence with a difficult task.

There is a lesson here and the lesson is the idea of "serviceability" where the best guitars are designed and built with the idea that they can be serviced as need be in the future. Dovetail joints, bolt-on joints, etc and many variations can be serviced in that the neck can be removed in time and reset as in neck reset something most all acoustic guitars that last very long will need at some point.

Many of the imports are built with glues that will not release with heat and steam making them, when you factor in the going rate for a neck reset unserviceable and as such disposable.... The dowelled joint is king on these instruments and the only way to deal with it is much as you have. Mind you preserving perfect cosmetics is out of the question as well when having to saw off a neck, etc.

Unfortunately the value to you of this neck removal in terms of learning for possible future interest in repair work is useless since most shops would never attempt to reset a doweled neck joint.

If you do want to continue your learning in resetting necks get an old Harmony beater off e-bay - they had dovetail joints and used serviceable glues that will release just like a $5K Martin will. Maybe easier....... too.......

Good going for your efforts and I see that you are in Jersey so I wanted to ask if you guys ever got that fat guy off that bridge? JUST KIDDING!!!!