'65-'66 Hofner neck reset

[dadagoboi]

  Huh? I am more than perplexed by this and I'm not doubting yours or Hofners wisdom but why would you use a glue that will possibly fail? Why not use something that won't make neck resets necessary?  I knew Hofner used hide glue in the past but i am shocked they use it still. My head is reeling 

Because of the nature of hollow bodied instruments they will eventually need a neck reset.  It's basically maintenance and has nothing to do with the glue failing if the joint was properly cut.  The tension of the strings eventually deforms the wood changing the neck angle.

http://guitarless.com/2010/07/why-does-my-acoustic-need-a-neck-reset/

I'm sure there's a lot more info on other sites.

[ilan]

Hide glue, if you use it correctly, is very strong.

[godofthunder]

   I got the bass back yesterday and I am quite pleased, Bernie did his research and did use hide glue. With the neck at the proper angle it feels and sounds great! It wasn't cheap in the end it cost me $313.00 and change  I'm glad I had it done it needed doing for a very long time. If I could have gotten it apart I could have done it myself. My only complaint is that the touch up work is a little crude............ I can fix that no problem. Unlike me not to complain but Bernie was such a nice guy and so proud of his work I didn't have the heart. Pictures later today.

[drbassman]

I've chatted with Bernie a couple times while in his shop and he mentioned that he loves building but isn't crazy about finishing things as it's not a strength of his.  We all have our gifts!

[godofthunder]

Pictures. 

[godofthunder]

Sorry about the top picture I rotated it but it still copies upside down. Huh? It fixed itself.

[Pilgrim]

Well, that particular shot does look like the glue was applied with a caulking gun.  But...I imagine it won't be hard to clean up.

[godofthunder]

  Thats not glue that's a touch up where some finish had chipped.

[Pilgrim]

  Thats not glue that's a touch up where some finish had chipped.

EEK!!  But if you have the finishing skills of Dr. Bassman, I predict a very pleasing outcome.  That looks like something you can fix.

[godofthunder]

 Like I said I was a bit surprised how amateurish the touch up is but i couldn't bring myself to bitch mainly because I can do a much better job myself. Not like me at all, I must be mellowing in my old age....................not sure how I feel about that.

[drbassman]

A little sanding would help for starters!  I'm sure you'll fix her up as good as new.  The reset looks great.

[copacetic]

That is a little shocking and know you are probably a little perplexed? Will require a little refining in that area. Some years ago when I had my 500/5 neck reset (with hide glue of course) the guitar luthier told me that it was a job better suited forma violin/ cello/ bass maker/ luthier for exactly the reasons mentioned and pictured. As you know Hofner redesigned their neck bass & pocket in the mid 90's.  Some are still holding up since the 60's but only a matter of time. You might look up a local violin/ bass luthier for the slight refin. Good luck, at least it still has that lovely Hofner sound and feel!

[hollowbody]

I'm glad to hear that you had it done with hide glue. That picture of the heel is exactly why I wouldn't do a neck reset on any guitars other than my own. It's a tricky job and there's always a bit of touchup to be done no matter how careful you are.

[Dave W]

I don't think the price is unreasonable for a neck reset but it's shocking that he would allow it to leave his shop looking like that.

[Pilgrim]

As Bill said, I'm thinking that some judicious progressive-grit sanding and polishing will fix it up.