Harmful to remove neck?

I have an 83' tele coming to me and I want to take the neck off to check the date for sure. I know its just four screws and easy to do and ive done it many atimes before, but this is 30 years old and isnt it bad for the structure or intonation or mojo or something?:confused:

Be. Real. Careful. Not. To. Scratch. It. That`s your main danger, a screwdriver slip! Don`t Worry about the rest! Cheers!

Don't. Get. Drool. In. The. Neck. Pocket. ;-)

Dont do everyday but if you are carefull you will be AOK

Harmful no. Caution required and proper re-installation and alignment yes.

Yup like they already said avoid the slip. I like to smear a little wax on the screw threads before I throw them back in.

While the neck is off, run an 11/64" drill bit through the neck screw holes in the body. Sometimes, Fender makes those holes a little too small. 11/64" will give you clearance so that the neck joint will pull in tight.

Be. Real. Careful. Not. To. Scratch. It. That`s your main danger, a screwdriver slip! Don`t Worry about the rest! Cheers!

Yep. And I put the screws back in the same holes that they came out of.

Be sure to keep the guitar flat of a table and lift the neck straight up and out of the neck pocket. If the neck has been shimmed, you want to certain the shim stays in it's proper position. Doing so will prevent the need to do a set-up when you put it back together. Good luck!

I've got a few 83's... just the same as any other tele/neck as far as removal goes...
the pockets on mine are all matched well with the heels and they're a snug fit, no shims, they have tilt screws for any adjustment....:wink:
... I never had any re tuning/intonation issues taking them off and on....

a few scratches won't effect tone....:twisted:..

I hope you enjoy yours..;).... I love the neck PU's on mine..:grin:

I once wanted to buy a 1962 Lake Placid Blue from a very reputable store. They advised me NOT to take the neck off as it would definitely affect the intonation. The serail # etc. was right on the mark etc.It is a genuine and belongs to a local lawyer. By the way the asking price is $42,000 ( AUD). How's that for prices in Australia!!

I once wanted to buy a 1962 Lake Placid Blue from a very reputable store. They advised me NOT to take the neck off as it would definitely affect the intonation. The serail # etc. was right on the mark etc.It is a genuine and belongs to a local lawyer. By the way the asking price is $42,000 ( AUD). How's that for prices in Australia!!

I wouldn't pay that sort of money for a guitar without having it taken apart to make sure it was 100% If the store thinks you are a serious buyer, they should have no problem taking it apart for you.

A reputable store should have access to a reputable guitar tech who would be able to put it back together and adjust intonation if necessary.

In fact, if they are saying that removing and replacing the neck would cause permanent damage, it must have something seriously structurally wrong with it and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I wouldn't pay that sort of money for a guitar without having it taken apart to make sure it was 100% If the store thinks you are a serious buyer, they should have no problem taking it apart for you.

A reputable store should have access to a reputable guitar tech who would be able to put it back together and adjust intonation if necessary.

In fact, if they are saying that removing and replacing the neck would cause permanent damage, it must have something seriously structurally wrong with it and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

I wouldn't buy it either without seeing in the neck pocket. But, there's probably nothing wrong; they're just being overcautious and you may or may not find a buyer when you do that.

+

My tidbit for the O.P. is to make 100% sure the screw driver is perfectly fitted to the screw heads on those neck bolts. Something almost right is why the tool slips and scratches normally happen, so focus on that tool fit.

Thanks ppl. I will try it out when it arrives, carefully! I have seen some stuff where the 83's are somewhat popular.. is this because of jeff buckley played one..or because there is something good about the 83's?

Thanks ppl. I will try it out when it arrives, carefully! I have seen some stuff where the 83's are somewhat popular.. is this because of jeff buckley played one..or because there is something good about the 83's?

Can't blame folks I guess for wanting to create some buzz about '83s. They took a lot of abuse, in the past, I'm willing to be patient with their fans.

But yeah, I think Jeff was a catalyst and now he's frozen in time, always demonstrating that an '83 was better than detractors said. Jeff can't do an Eric Clapton or EVH and change models on you; Hendrix will never endorse PRS, SRV will never buy a Suhr or Hahn; you have confidence your choice of model will endure.

Amazing to think that Jeff's guitar is now twice as old as it was when Jeff drowned. Wow.

I once wanted to buy a 1962 Lake Placid Blue from a very reputable store. They advised me NOT to take the neck off as it would definitely affect the intonation. The serail # etc. was right on the mark etc.It is a genuine and belongs to a local lawyer. By the way the asking price is $42,000 ( AUD). How's that for prices in Australia!!

I don't see how the intonation (which is primarily adjusted with the string length screw at the bridge) would be affected in the slightest by removing the neck, which HAS to go back in the same position, given that the screws are going back in the same holes. A lot of balderdash...

They advised me NOT to take the neck off as it would definitely affect the intonation.

Yeah... don't wanna mess up that perfect vintage intonation...

:roll:

Taking the neck off is not a problem. Be careful when you're pulling it out of the pocket not to move side to side -- you could crack the paint.

Also, when putting the neck back on, do not overtighten the screws. You can also put it back on, tune it up to pitch, then loosen the screws a bit and then re-tighten them -- this will make sure the butt of the neck is seated firmly in the neck pocket.

and...they're the last of the Fullertons..... ;)