Members kwakatak Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I have a friend who owns several Yamahas of various vintages. He's turned my opinion around about somewhat enough that I check out the new ones in my local mom&pop shop. Well, I've noticed something about all Yammies that I'd like to get others' opinion of: the finish around the neck joint is rather sloppy. It looks like there's actually a milky bead of glue along the outside of the joint. My Tak has something like this as well, though that's because it is a bead of glue that's holding the neck on the guitar. It was done at my request to a luthier for a reasonable price that was much less than the cost of a neck reset. I'm wondering what type of process they use for their finishes though? It's not really a red flag per se, but there's also something to be said about a flawless joining at the neck. I look for that on other guitars and take it as a good sign of a guitar's workmanship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Any particular series, or all Yamaha's? I just got an FG720S 12-string. In my mind's eye right now, I don't recall seeing anything out of the ordinary. But I'll take a look at it again shortly (after my wife gets up) and I'll let you know what I see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Can you capture it in a pic, Neil? I haven't seen anything like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kimona Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I've had more Yamahas than I can count. Looking at the ones I have here with me now, I don't see anything like you describe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Here's mine. Not the best picture and you have to account for the glare. It looks like there could be a differing shade to the finish within an 1/8" or less of the actual joint, but when I look at it from many angles, I don't see it. The picture suggests there's something, but I can't see it when I inspect it with my own eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Here's mine. Not the best picture and you have to account for the glare. It looks like there could be a differing shade to the finish within an 1/8" or less of the actual joint, but when I look at it from many angles, I don't see it. Well, the neck has a satin finish and the body has a gloss finish. The gloss finish overlaps the neck's satin finish by slightly less than 1mm. Is this what we're talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rjoxyz Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 That looks exactly like a "milky bead of glue" as described by Kwak. I have seen that on a few guitars and came to the same conclusion. I used to build furniture as a hobby and that is exactly what you see from excess glue. Stain/finish will not absorb into the wood, or it will cloud the stain if applied over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Well, the neck has a satin finish and the body has a gloss finish. The gloss finish overlaps the neck's satin finish by slightly less than 1mm. Is this what we're talking about? Not from what Kwak describes. But it's also hard to detect how much, if any, of the satin finish of the neck actually does overlap onto the gloss finish of the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 That looks exactly like a "milky bead of glue" as described by Kwak. I have seen that on a few guitars and came to the same conclusion. The glare makes the picture suggest a milky bead, but as I said, when I look at it with my eyes from all kinds of angles and light, I honestly don't see anything. I was hoping I could come up with a better picture. I did it as a quickie so I'll have to get some good light and use the manual focus and see what I can come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndrewGG Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I don't see this on either of mine-LL26 and LL6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Let's have a look Mr.Sulu. Extreme magnification!! Click on the image below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Still can't see anything. That's an FG730S. What models are you seeing this on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LaurentB Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 (...) But I'll take a look at it again shortly (after my wife gets up) and I'll let you know what I see. I'm sorry, I'm intrigued by this. Why wait until your wife gets up? Does your wife keep the guitar with her when she sleeps to prevent you playing it at ungodly hours or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I'm sorry, I'm intrigued by this. Why wait until your wife gets up? Does your wife keep the guitar with her when she sleeps to prevent you playing it at ungodly hours or what? Nah. We work at home. I get up really early so I can be done in the early afternoon and she starts later so she sleeps later. The guitar is in it's case in the bedroom. I was being a good hubby and respecting her slumber. She got up though and that's when I took the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Click on the image below. Now this picture suggests that there's something there, but a bead of glue? Nah. It looks like the glossy finish is built up in the crook of the joint, but since the neck is a different finish, the buildup ends. Almost like the satin finish on the neck was done after the neck was joined to the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I believe Kwak has left the building. Another case of the topic bomber. He comes in, drops the topic, and it explodes after he's gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 It looks like the glossy finish is built up in the crook of the joint, but since the neck is a different finish, the buildup ends. Almost like the satin finish on the neck was done after the neck was joined to the body. Actually, from the actual instrument, the gloss finish of the body overlaps the satin finish of the neck. So my conclusion is that the gloss buffing was done after the neck was joined to the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 Actually, from the actual instrument, the gloss finish of the body overlaps the satin finish of the neck. So my conclusion is that the gloss buffing was done after the neck was joined to the body. You're right. What I was meaning to say is that then, after the gloss was done, then the neck was finished, thereby eliminating the overlap on the neck side of the joint. 1. join neck to body2. put gloss finish on body3. put satan finish on neck Right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LaurentB Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 (...)3. put satan finish on neck Hey, I'm going to build a guitar, what's that Satan finish you're talking about? Sounds great! [ ok ok, Troll mode off] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 1. join neck to body2. put gloss finish on body3. put satin finish on neckRight? I believe that the necks and bodies have their finishes applied separately. My guess is that the process goes like this. 1. finish neck in satin2. finish body in gloss3. join neck to body4. apply extra gloss finish at seam (with tape on satin finish)5. remove tape after drying6. buff seam to smooth transition from gloss to satin I think Kwak's bubble observations might be an isolated case unless he's describing something different from what we're observing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rhancox Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 That's what I think. And I agree with your construction sequence. Sounds logical. You know, maybe we're all blinded because we're Yamaha fans. Nah, can't be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Palmer Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I believe that the necks and bodies have their finishes applied separately. My guess is that the process goes like this. 1. finish neck in satin 2. finish body in gloss 3. join neck to body 4. apply extra gloss finish at seam (with tape on satin finish) 5. remove tape after drying 6. buff seam to smooth transition from gloss to satin I think Kwak's bubble observations might be an isolated case unless he's describing something different from what we're observing. Just checked my little stockpile and no indication of finish problems, but I'd say the above appraisal is just about spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 I'm so blinded that I find it hard to see value in a lot of other brands. :love: Seriously, Yammies have their own special tone and I find them to be excellent values. There are other brands and models that I always consider ... but that's because I want their particular tone (like a Masterbilt AJ, a Gibson SJ, a Martin D-18, a Taylor Big Baby, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChiyoDad Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 stockpile ... You folks from the UK and your penchant for understatement ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Palmer Posted December 30, 2008 Members Share Posted December 30, 2008 You folks from the UK and your penchant for understatement ... I own and enjoy playing all of my guitars, but I've yet to have a Yamaha let me down in terms of build or their downright consistant ability to deliver the goods every single time. Regardless of climate or weather conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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