Set Neck Replacement

Set Neck Replacement

A friend asked if I could repair a broken headstock on his Les Paul Standard. I said I’ll need to see it first so he brought it over. He walked in and I immediately knew it wasn’t a broken headstok. The neck was completely shattered. When I asked where the rest of the neck (the part with the headstock) he said he couldn’t find it. I told him this was a full on neck replacement. He then asked if I could do the job. This being a set neck I told him I might be able to do it, however since I’d never replaced a set neck I couldn’t guarantee it but I was willing to give it a shot.

So I ordered a replacement neck and while waiting for it I began the process of removing what was left of the original neck.

I should point out that when the factory attaches a set neck it is NOT done in such a way as to facilitate removal.. So this turned out to be very difficult. Luckily I had all the tools to get the job done.
Drill
Hand held steamer
Various wood rasps
4′ aluminum straight edge
A set of Irwin clamps
Titebond wood glue
Sandpaper
Primer
Gloss black lacquer paint.
A set of locking tuners