Old Ibanez Wizard Neck Problems

[Matt77]

I'm considering buying an old beat up 1988 Ibanez 540s for a project
I haven't seen the photographic evidence yet, but I think it may have some cracks on the back of the net where the locking nut screws are.

I think this is a common issue. I'll post a pic when it comes through.
In advance of this, does anyone know if hairline cracks are treatable?

[Lazy_McDoesnothing]

I'm sure the luthiers will chime in but depending on how bad it is you can seep some super glue into the crack.  If it's a project your after you could always keep searching for bodies and necks separately.  They come up once in a while, just make sure it's the 22 fret Wizard.

[Twinfan]

It happens a lot as the neck is so thin, but they can be glued I believe.  It puts people off buying them, so make sure you haggle  ;)

One of my '87 RGs has a warped neck as the neck is so thin...

[the guitar repair workshop]

Hi,
water thin CA glue (model shops - the pink bottle of superglue) will most likely wick into the crack and hold it together - depends on the crack though obviously.

The worst thing about cracks in guitars is that everyone can't help poke it with their finger - and each person puts more dirt and grease into, discolouring it and making it slightly harder to get the best glue job.

I'd want to clamp up the cracks to see if they can be made to virtually disapear before putting glue in, you may well find it comes together and is virtually invisible, the clean up after wards is worth thinking about too.
- and if you do clamp it up, do a couple of dry runs first!
show us the pics when you get 'em,
good luck,
steve

[Matt77]

Thanks for the tips guys.
Still waiting for a photo.

Welcome to the forum Steve.
I live around Manchester so may be calling on you when my technical skills fall short with my 'project.'
Will post details as I get a bit further along

[the guitar repair workshop]

Welcome to the forum Steve.
I live around Manchester so may be calling on you when my technical skills fall short with my 'project.'
Will post details as I get a bit further along

Thanks Matt,
feel free to call anytime
all the best,
steve

[shobet]

Oooh a luthier in scally Manc land. I may have some biz for you, I'll drop you a line.

[TwilightOdyssey]

It happens a lot as the neck is so thin, but they can be glued I believe.  It puts people off buying them, so make sure you haggle  ;)

One of my '87 RGs has a warped neck as the neck is so thin...

Yep ... something like 17mm at its thinnest point. Subtract 10mm for the truss rod, and that doesn't leave a lot of wood left over!

[Matt77]

I've got some photos of the back of the headstock and although it's not the best quality snap it does look ok and the seller indicates it has no cracks around any of the joint pockets on the guitar. The parts are all stock and the only things that appear wrong with it are a nick in the jack socket, a missing tone knob and it's been stripped.

It was desert yellow but it didn't sell so the owner stripped it and it is now natural. Shame I didn't see it up for grabs before it was stripped as I love the 'in yer face' Desert Yellow scheme of old

It's not that expensive and a late 80s 540 is hard to come by.
Anyone going to talk me out of it? 

[FELINEGUITARS]

It's not that expensive and a late 80s 540 is hard to come by.
Anyone going to talk me out of it? 

Yeah I'll talk you out of it - buy another Feline :twisted:

Hard to tell if there are any problems with the neck as far as cracks go
Those Wizard necks tend to distort all over the place and can have some problems with fret buzz in the 10th-14th fret areas as well as the necks can end up with a mild buckle or s shape in them.
May be worth having it refretted and the board skimmed level if you do have any such problems with it

[gwEm]

Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell

[Matt77]

Yeah I'll talk you out of it - buy another Feline :twisted:

[/quote]
Would love to! I need a superstrat as I'm unarmed when it comes to a trem equipped axe.
Budget and girlfriend means the only way I can justify a 6th guitar is if it's an investment and a err... 'project.'
540s are the next '59 Les Pauls according to my side of the discussion with my girlfriend.
boy will I be in trouble in 2035 when it's not worth the huge appreciation in value  I've quoted her.

[Matt77]

Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell

He turns tears into joy
Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by :D

[the guitar repair workshop]

i'd pretty much expect it to benefit from a fret dress, but i guess you just never know what the problems might be.

Ibanez necks tend to be pretty ok in my experience, they dont seem to hold up to 4x12 cabs dropped onto them from the back of a van - but i doubt my neck would hold up against that either!

go on...you know you want to :)

[Matt77]

Change of plan.
Another option has come up that is less of a project.
If all things go to plan I will be starting a new post in Guitar Amps and Effects section next week
It will have NGD in the title