While adjusting a Guitar Neck by eye is a skill many experienced luthiers possess, employing precise measurements can significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of a guitar neck reset, especially when aiming for a specific neck angle. Mathematics offers a reliable pathway to achieve this precision.
For guitar technicians and guitar repair enthusiasts, understanding these measurements is crucial before even considering neck removal. Forgetting this pre-removal step would be a critical oversight.
The following method is inspired by the invaluable teachings of Dan Erlewine, specifically from his “Neck Resets” instructional video. Dan Erlewine’s contribution to guitar repair knowledge is immense, guiding countless repairers, including myself, towards effective techniques.
To utilize this method effectively, three key measurements are necessary before detaching the guitar neck from the body:
- (A) Neck Underset at the Bridge: This measurement quantifies how much lower the guitar neck is positioned relative to the bridge. We’ll delve deeper into understanding and measuring this shortly.
- (B) Heel Length: The length of the guitar neck heel, specifically from the bottom edge of the fingerboard to the heel’s end.
- (C) Distance to Saddle: The measurement from the point where the neck joins the guitar body to the center of the saddle, located between the D and G strings.
These three measurements provide a solid foundation for calculating the necessary adjustments for an optimal guitar neck angle, leading to improved playability and tone. Understanding how to obtain and apply these measurements is the first step in achieving a successful guitar neck reset.
