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Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:40 am
by jdogric12
Hi there PW and fans of PW.
I snagged this on ebay last night for what I think was a decent price. How hard would a repair be on this? Could I just dump some good glue down the crack?
or,
Is it a lost cause / parts guitar?
Thanks, J
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160636392313
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:15 am
by sloop_john_b
That looks like a really clean break - I think you'll be fine.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:28 am
by jdogric12
Easy then? The cosmetics of the back of the neck don't bother me, just structural soundness.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:50 am
by Clint
jdogric12 wrote:Easy then?
In this case, I think
Easy would be defined by how comfortable you are with this kind of repair.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:52 am
by jingle_jangle
Undo the strings, remove the nut, and carefully complete the break. You need to have two distinct pieces. You may need to remove the truss rod.
Test-fit the pieces back together--dry--to determine what needs to be done to fit them, how many clamps, etc.
My #1 choice for this is Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue. This is a urea-formaldehyde glue that comes in a powdered form and is mixed with cool water to activate it. You mix it, apply to both sides of the break, push together and clamp/tape, and wipe off the excess with a damp rag. You've got plenty of working time to get the assembly just right. Once it sets (overnight), it's hard. permanent, and will neither shift nor react with atmospheric moisture as Titebond or hide glues are prone to do.
Happy Birthday!
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:21 pm
by Danotron
mmmmmmmmmmm p-90's and a Bigsby. I kinda like these! I wish they made them with 2 pickups
Good luck with the repair!
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 2:46 pm
by JakeK
Danotron wrote:I wish they made them with 2 pickups

It's called a Casino, Dan-O. Good luck with the project, Jdog. I'm sure it'll be an awesome guitar when it's done.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:41 pm
by sloop_john_b
JakeK wrote:Danotron wrote:I wish they made them with 2 pickups

It's called a Casino, Dan-O. Good luck with the project, Jdog. I'm sure it'll be an awesome guitar when it's done.
No it isn't, Jake-O! A Casino is fully hollow. The sound and feel is quite different.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:04 pm
by JakeK
I always knew the Rivieras were simply stripped down Sheratons, at least the 60s models, cos of the mini-'buckers. Guess the P-90s distracted me. When I was out in SoCal, I saw a 68 Riviera...twice at the same place within less than a year! I didn't play it, but I did snag a pic of it that I don't have on me right now.
And the Sheraton was originally based on a ES-355, the Riviera a 335 and a Casino a 330. Please tell me I at least got that right, John-O (doesn't quite work with you)
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:00 pm
by johnallg
Jason, post back with a writeup of your doing this and the results. Interesting.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 8:58 am
by jdogric12
Thanks everyone! The mess is supposed to arrive today. Yikes... sounds complicated.

Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:40 am
by Clint
jingle_jangle wrote:...and carefully complete the break.
As soon as I read that, I broke into a sweat.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:57 pm
by jdawe
jingle_jangle wrote:
...and carefully complete the break.
As soon as I read that, I broke into a sweat.
Me too, but I'd rather try it for the first time on a Chinese Epiphone than on something else. Worst-case scenario, j-dog is still left with a Bigsby and a bunch of other parts.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:41 pm
by blueflamerick
I seen a lot of these Rivieras with snapped necks. Maybe I'll have to snag one too.
Re: Neck repair on new Epiphone Riviera
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:05 pm
by jingle_jangle