Removing/Reattaching bolt on necks

Jalapeno

Of course you can, but ..... if one is doing it often for (say) a "travel" Tele the screw holes will get pretty loose eventually.

What's the answer ?  Cocktail sticks/matchsticks ? Bits of paper ? Wood Glue ?

octatonic

The solution is a machine bolt/threaded insert.

Bill Kirchen (Tele legend) does this- just chuck the two pieces in a suitcase and reassemble when you get there.
Don't forget to pack a screwdriver and any tools you may need to adjust intonation.

ICBM

If you’re careful to always allow the screws to find the thread, so they don’t try to cut a new one, it’s usually not necessary - maybe if you’re touring and taking the neck off dozens of times a year it might be, but otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it.

octatonic

ICBM said:

If you’re careful to always allow the screws to find the thread, so they don’t try to cut a new one, it’s usually not necessary - maybe if you’re touring and taking the neck off dozens of times a year it might be, but otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it.

Fair point.
I should point out that Bill Kirchen is always flying and touring- IIRC he does hundreds of gigs a year like this.

Maynehead

I’ve removed and reattached a neck about 5 times in one night while setting up the relief and neck angle. As long as you’re gentle when relocating the screws back into the neck holes you will do no harm.

ICBM

I also forgot to say, putting some wax on the screws helps avoid wear on the wood since it lubricates the threads - ordinary candle wax is fine.

Jalapeno

octatonic said:

The solution is a machine bolt/threaded insert.

Bill Kirchen (Tele legend) does this- just chuck the two pieces in a suitcase and reassemble when you get there.
Don't forget to pack a screwdriver and any tools you may need to adjust intonation.

UK based ?

octatonic

Jalapeno said:

octatonic said:

The solution is a machine bolt/threaded insert.

Bill Kirchen (Tele legend) does this- just chuck the two pieces in a suitcase and reassemble when you get there.
Don't forget to pack a screwdriver and any tools you may need to adjust intonation.

UK based ?

Bill Kirchen is based in Austin, Texas.
He's a guitar player, not a repairer.

Any tech can make this mod for you though- you drill out for the insert, glue it in place with epoxy, wait for it to dry and then reattach the neck.

OilCityPickups

octatonic said:

Jalapeno said:

octatonic said:

The solution is a machine bolt/threaded insert.

Bill Kirchen (Tele legend) does this- just chuck the two pieces in a suitcase and reassemble when you get there.
Don't forget to pack a screwdriver and any tools you may need to adjust intonation.

UK based ?

Bill Kirchen is based in Austin, Texas.
He's a guitar player, not a repairer.

Any tech can make this mod for you though- you drill out for the insert, glue it in place with epoxy, wait for it to dry and then reattach the neck.

I've done this to a couple of Teles I've had in the past ... it really does make neck removal and re attachment a breeze.

FatPete

Jalapeno said:

octatonic said:

The solution is a machine bolt/threaded insert.

Bill Kirchen (Tele legend) does this- just chuck the two pieces in a suitcase and reassemble when you get there.
Don't forget to pack a screwdriver and any tools you may need to adjust intonation.

UK based ?

@SteveRobinson is a bit of a specialist I believe. It's also not that difficult a DIY job.