1966 Rickenbacker Neck Reset

[Dave Gentner]

Has anybody ever reset the neck on a Rickenbacker 360/12? I'm pretty sure the back has to come off. It doesn't look like the binding is going to come off the back easily. It looks tight all the way around, no obvious gaps to get it started. I'm assuming hot knife. Does anyone have any tips?

[Michael Lewis]

Those don't usually need to be reset but if yours does you might try a Google search for your thread title. There are pictures and links to discussions.

[Per Sonnerup]

I was just about to put the pieces together again, here are some pictures of the neck joint, 12-string Rb, time of birth unknown.

[Dave Gentner]

Thanks Michael, I've seen those discussions, that's what made think the back had to come off. Per, it doesn't appear you've had the back off. How did you get the neck out?

[Per Sonnerup]

I pulled the neck straight out after heating the glue joint from all sides carefully for about three hours making sure that the temperature was high enough to make the joint slip when I applied force. The tenon appears to be slightly tapered towards the end and it's glued to top, bottom and sides. You have to pull by means of some mechanical device, just pulling with hand force isn't enough. I used the back vise on my German style workbench, but I am sure there are dozens of ways depending on what facilities you have.