Safe/easy to remove & put back on Fender strat neck?

[David]

Hi all,

I want to ship my Fender mex stratocaster overseas with other stuff in one
box. (I'm moving).
I'd like to remove the neck and put it back on later - this way the neck and
the body will fit into the 24x24x24 box I'm sending with USPS. (Instead of
checking the guitar in as extra baggage on the plane - I already have too
many suitcases).

So my question is: is this a bad idea? Is it easy and safe for me to do this
neck replacement myself, or will I need a pro to set up the neck again?
E.g. I don't know if the neck will need adjustment to make it straight again
etc.

People remove guitar necks all the time to check the date etc, right?

If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in and pay
for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.

Thanks for any input!

David

[Andy \(Slick\)]

David wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I want to ship my Fender mex stratocaster overseas with other stuff
> in one box. (I'm moving).
> I'd like to remove the neck and put it back on later - this way the
> neck and the body will fit into the 24x24x24 box I'm sending with
> USPS. (Instead of checking the guitar in as extra baggage on the
> plane - I already have too many suitcases).
>
> So my question is: is this a bad idea? Is it easy and safe for me to
> do this neck replacement myself, or will I need a pro to set up the
> neck again? E.g. I don't know if the neck will need adjustment to
> make it straight again etc.
>
> People remove guitar necks all the time to check the date etc, right?
>
> If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in
> and pay for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> David

Hi. David

there shouldnt be a problem with removing the neck for the journey. however,
make sure you keep any shims that might be under there & re-fit them.
I'm sure the more knowledgable folk in this group will suggest the best way
of packing them but, I would suggest you wrap the neck in a cotton towel &
seal in a plastic bag if it is going in the hold!
I don't think the cargo area is pressurized so it might be a good idea to
carry the neck as hand luggage.

Andy

[gozy]

> I don't think the cargo area is pressurized so it might be a good idea to
> carry the neck as hand luggage.

.. . . which will not arouse the suspicions of the security people at all.
Why not carry it in a gun case?

[Ed]

"David" <xx@boohoo.com> wrote in message
news:bhv56c$3fb@dispatch.concentric.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I want to ship my Fender mex stratocaster overseas with other stuff in one
> box. (I'm moving).
> I'd like to remove the neck and put it back on later - this way the neck
and
> the body will fit into the 24x24x24 box I'm sending with USPS. (Instead
of
> checking the guitar in as extra baggage on the plane - I already have too
> many suitcases).
>
> So my question is: is this a bad idea? Is it easy and safe for me to do
this
> neck replacement myself, or will I need a pro to set up the neck again?
> E.g. I don't know if the neck will need adjustment to make it straight
again
> etc.

Shouldn't be a problem. If the place you're moving to has a different
humidity/temperature level than where you live now, then you'll want to
adjust it anyway once you've moved.

[Patrick Keenan]

"Andy (Slick)" <Slick@no.thanks.com> wrote in message
news:bhvbu8$jgq$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
> David wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I want to ship my Fender mex stratocaster overseas with other stuff
> > in one box. (I'm moving).
> > I'd like to remove the neck and put it back on later - this way the
> > neck and the body will fit into the 24x24x24 box I'm sending with
> > USPS. (Instead of checking the guitar in as extra baggage on the
> > plane - I already have too many suitcases).
> >
> > So my question is: is this a bad idea? Is it easy and safe for me to
> > do this neck replacement myself, or will I need a pro to set up the
> > neck again? E.g. I don't know if the neck will need adjustment to
> > make it straight again etc.
> >
> > People remove guitar necks all the time to check the date etc, right?
> >
> > If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in
> > and pay for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
> >
> > Thanks for any input!
> >
> > David
>
> Hi. David
>
> there shouldnt be a problem with removing the neck for the journey.
however,
> make sure you keep any shims that might be under there & re-fit them.
> I'm sure the more knowledgable folk in this group will suggest the best
way
> of packing them but, I would suggest you wrap the neck in a cotton towel &
> seal in a plastic bag if it is going in the hold!


> I don't think the cargo area is pressurized so it might be a good idea to
> carry the neck as hand luggage.

Cargo holds are generally pressurized. However, even if they weren't, that
would not be a reason to carry the neck into the passenger area: it's a
strat, the neck is solid and not a balloon. The temporary change in
pressure will have no effect.

-pk

[Patrick Keenan]

"David" <xx@boohoo.com> wrote in message
news:bhv56c$3fb@dispatch.concentric.net...
> Hi all,
>
> I want to ship my Fender mex stratocaster overseas with other stuff in one
> box. (I'm moving).
> I'd like to remove the neck and put it back on later - this way the neck
and
> the body will fit into the 24x24x24 box I'm sending with USPS. (Instead
of
> checking the guitar in as extra baggage on the plane - I already have too
> many suitcases).

That's a valid reason to dismantle it.

>
> So my question is: is this a bad idea? Is it easy and safe for me to do
this
> neck replacement myself, or will I need a pro to set up the neck again?

The Fender guitar is designed to be easy to disassemble and re-assemble. If
you are careful about any shims then the guitar should go back together
exactly as it was, particularly if you do not disturb any other settings.

> E.g. I don't know if the neck will need adjustment to make it straight
again
> etc.

I expect that you are moving to another climate with a different 'normal'
relative humidity. As the guitar acclimatises, yes, you may need to
perform some minor truss rod adjustments, but that's all.

> People remove guitar necks all the time to check the date etc, right?

Yes, it's not at all unusual. The design is very good and extremely tough.

-pk

> If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in and pay
> for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> David

[John Manning]

Here's some advice I got before I removed the neck. It's really quite
straightforward, though:

Just make sure you lift it out straight and slow. Sometimes paint build
up can cause it to stick in the pocket and if you are not
careful.....big chip broken out of finish and lot's of crying to
follow.

when you put it back it....make sure you snug the screws and re-string
but not to full tension. Then, with the guitar facing you, make sure
the string spacing from outside strings to edge of fretboard is equal
and that your strings bisect the pickup pole pieces in approximately
the same place on each pup. If it is off it will be obvious....shift
the neck in the direction you need to, to make everything even and then
tighten up the screws.

[Nobody]

David <xx@boohoo.com> wrote in article <bhv56c$3fb@dispatch.concentric.net>...

> If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in and pay
> for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> David

I would do that, and take it actually on board and put it over your head in the bin and don't let it leave your sight.

--
Jason
http://www.geocities.com/nobody_upstairs

[Patrick Keenan]

"Nobody" <nobodyupstairs@aolDELETE.com> wrote in message
news:01c36725$240eb3a0$b8a2580c@715162529worldnet. att.net...
>
>
> David <xx@boohoo.com> wrote in article
<bhv56c$3fb@dispatch.concentric.net>...
>
> > If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in and
pay
> > for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
> >
> > Thanks for any input!
> >
> > David
>
> I would do that, and take it actually on board and put it over your head
in the bin and don't let it leave your sight.

An assembled guitar will usually not fit in an overhead bin, and the crew
will often not allow it in the cabin for safety reasons. You could buy a
seat for it, and get around it that way, but that is expensive. There's
really not a huge problem with checking a Strat in a decent case.

-pk

[Billy Beck]

"Patrick Keenan" <test@dev.null> wrote:

>"Nobody" <nobodyupstairs@aolDELETE.com> wrote...

>> David <xx@boohoo.com> wrote...
>>
>> > If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in and
>> >pay for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
>> >
>> > Thanks for any input!

>> I would do that, and take it actually on board and put it over your head
>in the bin and don't let it leave your sight.
>
>An assembled guitar will usually not fit in an overhead bin, and the crew
>will often not allow it in the cabin for safety reasons. You could buy a
>seat for it, and get around it that way, but that is expensive. There's
>really not a huge problem with checking a Strat in a decent case.

I have flown my gig-bagged Les Paul in overhead bins many times
without the least problem. I have never seen any airplane bigger than
a regional commuter in which it would not fit, from MD-80 (the old
DC-9's, and now called B-717's, I think) all the way up to 747's.
Nothin' to it. I have also had crews offer to stash it for me in a
hanging closet.

Very recently, a band I was traveling with had issues with Delta,
who very suddenly told a guitarist and a sax player that they would
have to buy seats for their axes. We're talking major
frequent-flyers, and this was something new, and vaguely security
related. It's been worked out, though, and Derek carried his bagged
Strat on board last week. Overhead bin, as usual.

I would never, ever, put a guitar in checked baggage without an
Anvil case. I've seen too many guitars utterly destroyed that way.
Those gorillas on the flight line can wreck a "hard shell case" faster
than you can believe it, and that means the guitar inside it, too.


Billy

http://www.two--four.net/weblog.php

[Nobody]

Patrick Keenan <test@dev.null> wrote in article <A8O0b.5099$HB4.914421@news20.bellglobal.com>...
> "Nobody" <nobodyupstairs@aolDELETE.com> wrote in message
> news:01c36725$240eb3a0$b8a2580c@715162529worldnet. att.net...
> >
> >
> > David <xx@boohoo.com> wrote in article
> <bhv56c$3fb@dispatch.concentric.net>...
> >
> > > If it's too much of a hassle I'll just have to check the guitar in and
> pay
> > > for the extra baggage and a hard shell case.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any input!
> > >
> > > David
> >
> > I would do that, and take it actually on board and put it over your head
> in the bin and don't let it leave your sight.
>
> An assembled guitar will usually not fit in an overhead bin, and the crew
> will often not allow it in the cabin for safety reasons.

I have never had a problem storing it in the overhead bins, and I'm talking my Les Paul w/hardshell case.

--
Jason
http://www.geocities.com/nobody_upstairs

[Sheldon]

> there shouldnt be a problem with removing the neck for the journey.
however,
> make sure you keep any shims that might be under there & re-fit them.

This is something most people don't think about. A lot of techs will place
shims between the neck and the body to change the angle of the neck for a
proper setup. You may find something in there, and you may not, but look
carefully for everything from pieces of plastic, to screen, to paper, and
try to put it back in exactly the same place when you put the neck back.

> I don't think the cargo area is pressurized so it might be a good idea to
> carry the neck as hand luggage.

It's a piece of wood! Never heard of this problem before, and I'm almost
positive cargo areas are pressurized. If they weren't, every bottle of
shampoo and tube of toothpaste in your luggage would explode.

Sheldon
>
> Andy
>
>

[Jim Anable]

Sheldon wrote:

> > there shouldnt be a problem with removing the neck for the journey.
> however,
> > make sure you keep any shims that might be under there & re-fit them.
>
> This is something most people don't think about. A lot of techs will place
> shims between the neck and the body to change the angle of the neck for a
> proper setup. You may find something in there, and you may not, but look
> carefully for everything from pieces of plastic, to screen, to paper, and
> try to put it back in exactly the same place when you put the neck back.
>
> > I don't think the cargo area is pressurized so it might be a good idea to
> > carry the neck as hand luggage.
>
> It's a piece of wood! Never heard of this problem before, and I'm almost
> positive cargo areas are pressurized. If they weren't, every bottle of
> shampoo and tube of toothpaste in your luggage would explode.

Pressurization and temperature varies. That's why animals are placed in
special holds.

[Kate Ebneter]

Andy (Slick) wrote:

> I don't think the cargo area is pressurized so it might be a good idea to
> carry the neck as hand luggage.

I don't know why a lack of pressurization would do anything to the
neck.

Regardless of which, cargo areas are definitely pressurized. It
turns out to be easier to do it that way. What they may not be
is _heated_.

Kate Ebneter
Collector of Noise Toys

[howldog]

On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 21:00:47 -0700, Jim Anable
<jim@seattle-attorney.com> wrote:

>Sheldon wrote:
>
>> > there shouldnt be a problem with removing the neck for the journey.
>> however,
>> > make sure you keep any shims that might be under there & re-fit them.
>>
>> This is something most people don't think about. A lot of techs will place
>> shims between the neck and the body to change the angle of the neck for a
>> proper setup. You may find something in there, and you may not, but look
>> carefully for everything from pieces of plastic, to screen, to paper, and
>> try to put it back in exactly the same place when you put the neck back.


just staple the damned thing in place.