Can I use epoxy or wood filler to fix this?

[rspst14]

Hopefully someone with some repair experience can help. I mentioned this in the "Warmoth question" thread, but maybe Zerb or JohnJohn will see this and be able to help. I got my Warmoth neck today, and I checked the tightness of the neck joint. Apparently, the American Strat body I'm using doesn't have as tight of a tolerance as the Warmoth neck. The neck joint is very loose, and there is a small gap on both sides of the neck pocket with the neck bolted on. The neck is absolutely beautiful, with perfect fretwork. I'm willing to bet the house that the Fender body is to blame for this, not the Warmoth neck. I need to narrow the gap a little to get a better fit. Could I use some type of epoxy or wood filler on the sides of the neck pocket, and then sand it down until the neck joint is a bit tighter? Someone mentioned gluing in shims, but it would probably be easier to use epoxy or wood filler. Does that sound like a reasonable solution, or is there some reason why it won't work? Any help would be appreciated.

Ryan

 

[beandip]

Re: Can I use epoxy or wood filler to fix this?

I would get some very thin wood veneer, or some wooden business cards, and slowly build up, using a rock hard glue inbetween your "stacks" slowly build up to what you need it to be, and then, when it's all done, you can sand it down real fine and finish it with some fingernail polish.

 

[scooter]

Re: Can I use epoxy or wood filler to fix this?

I would also definitely use veneer shims. Do not add filler to the sides as this will be more difficult to make a nice flat surface.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Can I use epoxy or wood filler to fix this?

Add another to Beandip's idea. I'd go with shims, too.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Can I use epoxy or wood filler to fix this?

Thanks guys, wood veneer it is. John, thanks a lot for your generosity, but I just ordered a small amount of veneer and wood glue, so I'm all set. Since the body is olympic white and the neck is goncalo (darker colored wood), I ordered both oak and mahogany, I'll see which one matches better. I thought about looking for alder veneer, but I figured a darker colored wood venner would look better, like an extension of the neck. It's just a small gap, but the neck is still very loose in the pocket. In reality, it's probably not a huge deal, but I've always believed that a good neck joint is important, and I know it will bug me if I don't fix it.

Ryan