Official Luthiers Forum! :: View topic - ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!

Best course of action in my opinion would be to saw the neck off and convert it to a bolt on, I don't think the bolt you see there is what's holding the neck on.

Do you think bolt is anchoring the truss rod?

My dad has an old Aria like this that needs a reset. 25 years ago he noticed the action was absolutely terrible and the guy he took it to then (who is a very respected Luthier) basically said it wasn't possible to reset. I assume he meant without spending too much money for my dad, and that the work would be prohibitively unfulfilling for himself.

Sawing it off and converting to a bolt on seems like the "industry standard" on this one...

It might be a mortice and tenon joint, with the bolt added to help secure the joint. If the tenon had been glued in, the joint would still be tight. Or, if the tenon is a tight fit at the bottom, then even if unglued the joint might be held together if the fingerboard is still glued down.

I'd start by releasing the fingerboard over the body to see if the joint moves then. If it doesn't, you still have the two options of removing the fingerboard at the 14th or cutting the neck off to make it bolt on.

Do I win the office pool?

Author:	LuisLujan [ Fri May 21, 2021 11:31 am ]
Post subject:	ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Hi: I was looking for information, about the neck joint of an old model, ARIA 6480 (J-200). I have to do a neck reset. I have seen a bolt and a nut inside. Fingerboard and neck hill are glued. I don't know if there is some tenon. I would greatly appreciate your help. Anyboby have experinece on the neck and body joining system? Best regards

Author:	DanKirkland [ Fri May 21, 2021 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Best course of action in my opinion would be to saw the neck off and convert it to a bolt on, I don't think the bolt you see there is what's holding the neck on.

Author:	Conor_Searl [ Sat May 22, 2021 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
DanKirkland wrote: Best course of action in my opinion would be to saw the neck off and convert it to a bolt on, I don't think the bolt you see there is what's holding the neck on. Do you think bolt is anchoring the truss rod? My dad has an old Aria like this that needs a reset. 25 years ago he noticed the action was absolutely terrible and the guy he took it to then (who is a very respected Luthier) basically said it wasn't possible to reset. I assume he meant without spending too much money for my dad, and that the work would be prohibitively unfulfilling for himself. Sawing it off and converting to a bolt on seems like the "industry standard" on this one...

Author:	Freeman [ Sat May 22, 2021 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
I've done a sawn off neck reset and it is not trivial. I would start by removing the nut and see if the neck loosens (I'm assuming the picture is oriented so the top is up putting the nut towards the top of the neck). If there was no movement I would at least free the f/b extension and pull 15 and shoot some steam in - see what happens. Last choice is to saw that sucker off but be prepared for finish damage. ps - I have pictures of the saw job if you decide to go that route. It does work and saved my old FG-150 when nothing else would work

Author:	DanKirkland [ Sat May 22, 2021 10:50 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Conor_Searl wrote: Do you think bolt is anchoring the truss rod? My dad has an old Aria like this that needs a reset. 25 years ago he noticed the action was absolutely terrible and the guy he took it to then (who is a very respected Luthier) basically said it wasn't possible to reset. I assume he meant without spending too much money for my dad, and that the work would be prohibitively unfulfilling for himself. Sawing it off and converting to a bolt on seems like the "industry standard" on this one... Yes I'm about 90% sure that the bolt is the other end of the truss rod. The biggest thing with these is that the finish over the heel is very thick and the glue they used is not easy to separate hence why my first reaction was to saw it off and do the conversion. If it's converted to a bolt on once the work is done then it'll be servicable for a very long time and a much more enjoyable instrument.

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Author:	Barry Daniels [ Sun May 23, 2021 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Just be aware that the bolt will be in the way of the saw.

Author:	phavriluk [ Mon May 24, 2021 12:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Why not remove the nut and see what happens? I'm guessing that this is an inexpensive guitar that may not conform to convention.

Author:	Chris Pile [ Mon May 24, 2021 9:19 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
You could also saw through the fingerboard at the 14th fret and remove the short end for a top-down look at the joint.

Author:	LuisLujan [ Mon May 24, 2021 11:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Hi everybody: Thanks for yours opinions. The investigation continues...... With the nut off, nothing happens, the joint is glued. I can not move it. It is not a Taylor system. The polymeter says, not electrical contact between the bolt inside and the truss rod. So i suppose the bolt inside de body is not the truss rod. The truss rod and the bolt on system are in different levels. (picture) If i not wrong, the bolt on is a part of joint system. For me, to saw the neck is the last option. Cut off the fingerboard tongue could be a solution but last chance again. Now i am dealing whit "understand" the join whit minimum damage or obtain info from somebody with previous experience. After will arrive the surgery. I will continue searching and learning, news in a few days.

Author:	profchris [ Tue May 25, 2021 3:47 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
It might be a mortice and tenon joint, with the bolt added to help secure the joint. If the tenon had been glued in, the joint would still be tight. Or, if the tenon is a tight fit at the bottom, then even if unglued the joint might be held together if the fingerboard is still glued down. I'd start by releasing the fingerboard over the body to see if the joint moves then. If it doesn't, you still have the two options of removing the fingerboard at the 14th or cutting the neck off to make it bolt on.

Author:	LuisLujan [ Tue May 25, 2021 7:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
profchris wrote: It might be a mortice and tenon joint, with the bolt added to help secure the joint. If the tenon had been glued in, the joint would still be tight. Or, if the tenon is a tight fit at the bottom, then even if unglued the joint might be held together if the fingerboard is still glued down. I'd start by releasing the fingerboard over the body to see if the joint moves then. If it doesn't, you still have the two options of removing the fingerboard at the 14th or cutting the neck off to make it bolt on. Hi profchris: I think your are right, my opinion is, mortise and tenon joint with a male bolt instead a nut in the neck hill. Something like this ukulele from https://pauhanaukuleles.com/ With this idea I will start the surgery, cross your fingers.

Author:	Barry Daniels [ Tue May 25, 2021 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
I have never seen a guitar from the orient that had a mortise and tenon joint. My guess is a butt joint with some weird combination of fasteners. Probably some dowels in there somewhere.

Author:	LuisLujan [ Wed May 26, 2021 7:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Hi: The mystery has finish. Nor mortise & tenon, nor dovetail. 4 dowels and 1 bolt on. I not used steam, and was better. No gap, no joint at 15 fret. The joint is flat surface a butt joint . I used hot spatula (palette knife), a few drops of water, and a lot of patience. First the fingerboard tongue, as usual. After the neck hill. Minimun external damage. Of course, this is not the best and clean neck removal, but its worked. The next will be better. Thanks everybody for your help. Best regards.

Author:	DanKirkland [ Wed May 26, 2021 9:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Nicely done! Although a saw might've given a slightly cleaner surface to work with it's still a good thing that it came apart.

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Author:	Barry Daniels [ Wed May 26, 2021 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Do I win the office pool?

Author:	LuisLujan [ Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:21 am ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
Barry Daniels wrote: Do I win the office pool? and the winner is..... Yes Barry, dowels, no tenon. A Martin system would have been better and easier, but...... Thanks for your help. Best regards from Spain.

Author:	Barry Daniels [ Wed Jun 02, 2021 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
I await my major prize. ;-)

Author:	phavriluk [ Wed Jun 02, 2021 12:13 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: ARIA 6480, flat top neck reset ¡help!
I think it's a 'major award', not a 'major prize'.