2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

Michel · October 24th, 2009, 09:09 AM

Hi everyone,

I just started removing the paint from one of my old Teles, and I noticed cracks in the neck pocket. Would you have a look at these photographs and tell me what you think?

On the front, there's a tiny crack (almost invisible on the picture) starting at the top right screw hole, and a bigger on both sides of the bottom right screw hole.

Looking at the side, you see the cracks continuing, and then on the back they go to the side screw holes, and then a bit further.

What do you think? Should I do something about it?

Michel

Telenator · October 24th, 2009, 11:35 AM

Yup, someone got a little crazy over tightening the neck screws. Happens pretty often.

I would run a couple screws through the holes and tighten them to the point that the gaps open up a bit, then thin some glue and inject it into the cracks.

Then I would drill a hole across the neck pocket - between the forward and rearward holes - and force a 1/4" gluey dowel in there across the grain.

mellecaster · October 24th, 2009, 11:44 AM

I would finish stripping it completely to bare wood...have a better look at it...and then perhaps take Telenator's excellent advice....It should be as good as New.

Michel · October 24th, 2009, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys.

A couple questions, as woodworking is not my forte:

What type of glue should I use? Wood glue? What should I use to thin the glue?

Telenator, about the drilling of a hole across the neck pocket: which direction should the hole follow?

boris bubbanov · October 24th, 2009, 02:37 PM

Does not look like they took the time to clean out the neck to body holes to 11/64ths inches, and this may have compounded the trouble.

There's also a chance the guitar was dropped and made contact to the neck, first. Probably while overtightened.

How do they do this, anyway? Anytime I've begin to overtighten, the neck plate begins distorting very badly.

Michel · October 25th, 2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

There's also a chance the guitar was dropped

A chance? The poor thing has been abused through years and years of punk and garage antics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

and made contact to the neck, first.

That I don't remember. Which doesn't mean it didn't happen.

david_lewis93 · October 27th, 2009, 09:47 AM

Tight bond original any good hardware store has it ,do not use the 1 or 2 it's not as strong or as warer resistant.

bend em tight and let er scream.

Michel · November 2nd, 2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_lewis93

Tight bond original any good hardware store has it ,do not use the 1 or 2 it's not as strong or as warer resistant.

Not sure if I can find Titebond here in Belgium... I'll have a look around.

Thanks!

October 24th, 2009, 11:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Telenator VENDOR Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,622 5 Photos	Yup, someone got a little crazy over tightening the neck screws. Happens pretty often. I would run a couple screws through the holes and tighten them to the point that the gaps open up a bit, then thin some glue and inject it into the cracks. Then I would drill a hole across the neck pocket - between the forward and rearward holes - and force a 1/4" gluey dowel in there across the grain. __________________ Dogs have the right idea! www.telenator.com

October 24th, 2009, 11:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
mellecaster VENDOR Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 7,658 17 Photos	I would finish stripping it completely to bare wood...have a better look at it...and then perhaps take Telenator's excellent advice....It should be as good as New. __________________ Expert Repair....ReCrafting...and Set-ups Making your World a Better Place...One Guitar at a time

October 24th, 2009, 02:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 15,215	Does not look like they took the time to clean out the neck to body holes to 11/64ths inches, and this may have compounded the trouble. There's also a chance the guitar was dropped and made contact to the neck, first. Probably while overtightened. How do they do this, anyway? Anytime I've begin to overtighten, the neck plate begins distorting very badly. __________________ When i listen

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
strat neck pocket vs tele pocket	GhostofJohnToad	Tele Home Depot	3	May 21st, 2009 01:28 AM
Finish cracks on the back of the neck	97teleplus	Telecaster Discussion Forum	4	November 9th, 2007 12:55 PM
Stress cracks at the neck joint on Teles?	johnnyaquanet	Telecaster Discussion Forum	4	August 5th, 2007 01:50 PM
Nocaster neck pocket laquer cracks	nickyboy	Telecaster Discussion Forum	11	June 8th, 2007 12:31 PM
Finish Cracks In Neck Pocket	Skully	Telecaster Discussion Forum	12	October 20th, 2005 06:58 PM

October 24th, 2009, 12:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Michel NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Zaventem, Belgium Age: 47 Posts: 7	Thanks for the advice, guys. A couple questions, as woodworking is not my forte: What type of glue should I use? Wood glue? What should I use to thin the glue? Telenator, about the drilling of a hole across the neck pocket: which direction should the hole follow?

October 27th, 2009, 09:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
david_lewis93 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: dawson texas76639 Posts: 183	Tight bond original any good hardware store has it ,do not use the 1 or 2 it's not as strong or as warer resistant. bend em tight and let er scream.

2009 TDPRI Giveaway Winners List is available HERE

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.