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Taylor (pre-NT) Neck reset
Well, things were going so well with this until when refitting the neck, I thought it odd that the top bolt wasn’t getting tighter as I turned it. The female fixing in the heel has become detached. It looks like it was originally threaded in (?), and registers against a small washer at the bottom of the hole in the heel.
How best to re-seat this fitting? I’m sort of inclined to think of epoxy, but would really appreciate any thoughts others have on how to get this bugger back in where it should be so I can finish the job….
cheers,
Steve.
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9 Replies
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I think I’d go with epoxy. It’s a safe bet. I suppose a thick viscosity super glue would work too – it shouldn’t be under a tremendous amount of pressure in use. (The other insert though – if that one was loose I’d likely plug and re-drill, as it’s got all the force on it)
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Many thanks Ted! Steve
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Done this probably close to a hundred time in the 19 years I spent in Tayor’s Repair Dept. Drill out for 1/2″ maple dowel and epoxy in. To prep for reinstallation, start with smaller bits like 1/4″, then 3/8″ working your way up to 27/64″ bit. It’s to wonky to drill it in one shot. You’ll need fashion up something like this to screw the insert in. You could also just tighten 2 nuts together on a bolt. You and either use epoxy or thick CA when threading in the insert.
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Thanks very much Dave!
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Hey Dave, as an initial solution, I tried to epoxy in the fitting and it’s failed. One of the local luthier’s forums (ANZLF) has a discussion on this. The consensus seemed to be that the threaded inserts of the type Taylor uses have insufficiently aggressive thread to prevent strip out. From your post it sounds like this is not uncommon for Taylors? Anyway, before going to your recommended solution (drill, plug, redrill and fit) I was considering using a fitting like this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-m6-x-13mm-screw-in-insert-nut-flat-surfaces-8-pack_p0035526 … after measuring it looks like one of these would go right in the existing hole and has more aggressive thread…what are your thoughts?
cheers,
Steve.
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That would probably work.
You actually have the “better” of the 2 inserts they used over the years. There was an earlier one that clearly had thread that was too shallow. But thousands of guitars were built with them, and they hold just fine.
What probably happened here was the builder over tightened the top bolt in an effort to “raise” the neck angle enough to get it through inspection. Yes, you can add a little more torque to the top bolt and achieve this. Over tightening the bottom bolt does nothing really as the heel is so thin there everything just flexes…
I spent 3 years in Final Assembly building these guitars, 4 a day. The builder should have taken 10-20 minutes to remove both bolts and floss sandpaper to raise the neck angle, instead they took a short cut. Or maybe, the neck angle was fine to get out the door and the builder knew he pulled the insert and just didn’t say anything, seen that more times than I would like to admit…
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thank you mate – much appreciated…
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In case this helps someone in future, I replaced the standard Taylor ferrule with a 13mm diameter that is driven in with a hex key and takes an M8 bolt. Medium viscosity Stewmac CA. Ground off the overhang with Dremel tool. It seems rock solid. Thanks @patreon_94549210 (Dave), and @TedWoodford for helping me work out what to do here…It’s not especially pretty, but I do hope never to have to see it again :).
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Hey, what ever it takes! Not rocket science and no one will ever know.
Glad you got it sorted out!
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