modifying heel on a neck-thru soloist

[kramer]

Hey all, i have a neck-thru soloist with a bulky heel:

I'm wondering if I could sand it down so it is less obtrusive like the heel on this stagemaster:

Would there be any adverse effects as a result of this?, anyone done this before?
thanks,
Matt

[Benjy_26]

Re: modifying heel on a neck-thru soloist

I'm sure it's possible, but keep in mind that whenever you remove wood from a guitar, it's going to change the sound a bit. Personally, I would get the best luthier I can find to do a job like that one. I am tarrible at wood working.

Good luck.

[Hot _Grits]

Re: modifying heel on a neck-thru soloist

That is not a bulky neck joint. A Les Paul is a bulky neck joint.

I'd suggest leaving it alone. You don't want to be weakening that area of the neck joint, and it may well result in loss of sustain and the appearance of dead spots on notes higher up the neck. Besides, the difference between the two joints you have shown is pretty miniscule. It's not like you're chopping out a bolt-on strat heel.

Unless you're absolutely crazy about playing at the top of your guitar's register and have abnormally small hands, I wouldn't worry about it.