Repairing Ibanez RG470 neck (pictures)

cruxiform

I've been meaning to do this for ages but just got round to it today. Following the excellent tutorial at the Ibanez Rules website, I have managed to make a start this afternoon. My RG470 was made in Japan in 2002 and is a great guitar but the crack on the neck has always bugged me. It happened when the guitar fell over years ago. First thing I noticed was that it appears that Ibanez used the neck from the RG550, which is no bad thing:



This is the crack, which is difficult to see:



However, it becomes more apparent when a clamp is used to open it up a bit:






I filled the cracks with loads of wood glue, making sure it all got in there with the use of my expired fishing licence





I knew I had put enough in there as when I released the pressure was released from the clamp, it squidged out of the sides like a good 'un. I wiped away the excess with a damp cloth:



Some more glue came out when I attached the clamp again, and I wiped off the excess again:



I'm going to leave it (attached to our dining table!) for 24 hours, then I'll start the next stage of sanding. All going well it should be a good repair.

Fuzzdog

Exactly the same place my MIJ S series cracked at - bit of wood glue and a good clamping, it never opened up again despite falling over a couple of times after, so you should be good.

cruxiform

That's good to hear, thanks for that.

cruxiform

I actually took the clamps off yesterday evening and the glue seems to have done its job. A bit of sanding to blend the repair:



Then applied some tung oil. Job's a good 'un!

DrBob

Good work man !

cruxiform

DrBob said:

Good work man !

Thanks, new strings and setup to be done this morning then it may well become my number one guitar again

Frankieabbot

That looks like a job well done mate. Gonna give you a 'wow' not only for the quality of repair but managing to use your kitchen table...you must have a very understanding partner!!!

cruxiform

Frankieabbot said:

That looks like a job well done mate. Gonna give you a 'wow' not only for the quality of repair but managing to use your kitchen table...you must have a very understanding partner!!!

  She's used to it, bless her

cruxiform

Ready to go. Can't wait to try the Dimarzio Tone Zone/Air Norton combo through my Marshall.

Gizmo

Nice job,Kind reminds me of what an Airline did to Vai's Bo ibby and how it was repaired.

http://guitarnoize.com/airline-smash-steve-vais-guitar-bo/

octatonic

What glue did you use?

Looks like Evostick wood adhesive.

cruxiform

Yeah, that one. Don't tell me it's going to fall apart!

WezV

It will be fine. Titebond original is better but ordinary wood glue is still pretty strong

octatonic

It will probably be fine.

Titebond is better.

The problem with PVA (even 'modified PVA') is it can flex.

Some luthiers look at PVA as the work of the devil.

It isn't ideal but it isn't as bad as people make out either.

cruxiform

Thanks guys, Titebond will be used for any future repairs!

octatonic

No worries, I prefer Titebond 'original' fwiw.

They are all pretty good except for the Titebond 'Liquid Hide Glue' which is pretty useless.

WezV

if you do, make sure it is titebond original.   I remember advising someone to get titebond and they turned up with Titebond 3 - because 3 is better than 1 right.  not sure why they though being waterproof and suitable for exterior use made it better for guitars???

octatonic

WezV said:

if you do, make sure it is titebond original.   I remember advising someone to get titebond and they turned up with Titebond 3 - because 3 is better than 1 right.  not sure why they though being waterproof and suitable for exterior use made it better for guitars???

Playing festivals?