#1 easy fast neat new approach to steam guitar neck removal

Had to use a long drill bit! See #2 and #3 of same title for complete removal.

Facing several neck resets and always trying to use my head to find a better way, this occurred to me, I tried it, and it works great! Dare I say I invented it!

Since the pocket surrounding a dovetail neck joint is accessible from more than one area, why not try an easier and simpler approach? I used a long thin drill bit (finding one could be the hardest part-mine was 8” I believe), to drill through the soundhole into the neck block feeling for the “drop” when I hit the hollow space surrounding the dovetail, the space you want to steam.

In my case I pushed on some more and the bit (luckily) emerged behind a piece of back binding. This through is not necessary, but in this case it (happily/coincidentally) left me with two options for steam in. Conversely if you can drill into the neck block from the back by lifting binding without pricing the neck block, you will avoid the appearance of a hole in the neck block - a completely invisible repair with not a fret removed!

I chose to inject steam through the back. This neck had a very tight joint prior to any steaming. Zero movement even after some pounding.

After ten minutes of steam there was some side to side lateral movement. I put some muscle into this to increase the movement, and then with a pop the neck cane off cleanly and neatly.

To remove the fingerboard tongue from the body, (Sorry not part of the video), I masked all but the fingerboard with cardboard and added some extra paper tape over the fingerboard binding. I used a heat gun evenly up and down the tongue alternating hot and warm with breaks, allowing the surface heat time to penetrate deeper without setting the fingerboard on fire.

And after about ten minutes of this I was able to begin to work flat metal blades (spackling knives) under the tongue separating it from the body. The fingerboard gets very hot and black tar spots appear in the grain and two plastic position markers disappeared in a puff of smoke. This required a lot more finesse and care than steaming and removing the neck. Try to keep the heat away from the edges to save the binding. And watch the temp. I’m sure I can clean it up but I scorched the rosewood a bit. Take your time, work slowly and keep your eyes open.

Good luck!