Thinning a neck

[Dabatross]

I have a question about potentially making a neck thinner than the way it was produced. I have a BC Rich Bronze Warlock that I would like to make the neck thinner. I'm thinking this is going to cause issues with the trus rod as mass from the neck is being taken away and can't support string tension like it used to. I also assume the adjustment to the truss rod would be needed, but are there any other affects thinning the neck out could have on this guitar. Also, what would be the most optimum thin neck in dimension? You read about these guitars that have ultra thin necks such as the Wizard II ibanez neck but I'm not sure what the dimensions are. I know Fender Strat necks are a lot fatter than the BC Rich neck, so how far could you thin a neck before it will become unstable and not be able to support tension?

Alex

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Thinning a neck

Thinning a neck should be left to a guitar maker for sure.... Pete Townshend in the 70's had his Les paul necks thinned and reshaped, then refinnished... At one point i was going to have a guy thin my 70's LP neck... the whole neck has been rebuilt and resprayed once anyways so the resale value is not an issue... It's just after the repair job they did i was left with a super thick fingerboard and makes the neck feel huge!!! It's expensive work having a neck reshaped and resprayed....

Anyways the hard part i would guess would be working around the truss rod... If it's a modern rod it will be in a flat trench rout... if it's a vintage style rod it will be in a curved or bowed rout.... Both have their own issue when thining necks but the modern rod maybe more out of the way... if you thin the walls of the truss rod area on the back of the neck the truss rod could break thru the neck if it's too thin

 

[jmh151]

Re: Thinning a neck

Don't do it with a Bronze warlock. The necks on those imports are made of lower grade maple, and if the neck is thinned the neck may warp

 

[baritone]

Re: Thinning a neck

If it's a bolt-on, you could try selling the neck, but the replacement neck would probably cost more than the guitar originally did. Before making such a modification as shaving off wood from the neck, try out some guitars which come stock with the type of comfortable neck your are describing, and see if it is such a dramatic difference.

 

[Dabatross]

Re: Thinning a neck

thanks for the responses guys.

 

[disturb]

Re: Thinning a neck

Don't do it! If you can't get used to it, sell the guitar and buy one with a neck you like.