That Gosh Darned Cat

[JM Convert]

So, I greatly underestimated the amount of damage the cat did to my guitar.

I hadn't been playing it lately and I thought the broken switch was the jist of it.

On the neck, the wood they insert after they put in the truss rod, is now bowing out from the 2nd fret to the 9th fret.

Is this repairable? Replace the neck? Is it worth it?

I LOVED the guitar until the cat knocked it over.

Still LOVE the cat.

[FightingPlankton]

If you're talking about the "skunk sripe" that r us down the middle it *should* be fixable. I'd say you may be able to diy...but with a guitar you love this much, take it to a proper tech.

[Logrinn]

Removing the skunk stripe? And then removing the truss rod (since it's probably bent)? And then putting in a new truss rod? And putting back a new skunk stripe?
Yes, it's probably doable.
But my guess is that the cost will be twice that of a new neck. And probably a hundred times that of a cat.

[surfin_bird]

Wasn't it a squier jazzmaster?
I would buy a new neck.

[FightingPlankton]

Just read the original thread...it is a vm. I would also just buy a new neck. Probably a mascis neck.
The vm necks sell for about $100 but you can pick up a jmjm neck for about $70-80 more.

[pscates]

Definitely just buy a new neck. They're all over eBay, and I can't imagine such a repair job being cheaper or quicker than just a swap out. If it was a Custom Shop model, or a $2,000+ AVRI or, heaven forbid, an actual vintage model, then yeah...getting together with a solid, knowledgeable luthier/craftsman to salvage the thing would make sense.

But a Squier VM neck? You could find one on eBay today and have it bolted on and playing within 48 hours for about $100 or so.

And, actually...if you're not nuts about your current neck - the radius, frets, etc. - then now's a good time to address that as well. You can definitely go back with the same thing that's on there, BUT you also have options: a more vintage-spec neck from Allparts or even Fender, etc. if that's your thing. Or getting something from Warmoth, Musikraft, etc. that's EXACTLY what you want (a bit more than $100, of course).

EDIT: Squier VM Jazzmaster necks currently seem to be going for $99-119 on eBay (without or with tuners). I'd get that $99 one, transplant your tuners (easy), bolt it up, do a quick setup and you're back in business.

And give your kitty cat a stern talking-to. (I have one as well...he wakes up on "go" at about 6am, and doesn't relax/wind down until about 10pm).

[Embenny]

EDIT: Squier VM Jazzmaster necks currently seem to be going for $99-119 on eBay (without or with tuners). I'd get that $99 one, transplant your tuners (easy), bolt it up, do a quick setup and you're back in business.

And give your kitty cat a stern talking-to. (I have one as well...he wakes up on "go" at about 6am, and doesn't relax/wind down until about 10pm).

This is fantastic advice. Faster and more cost-effective than a repair, as well as more likely to last (repairs can be...incomplete, or temporary, depending on who does the work).

I do hate living in a "disposable culture" where we replace instead of repairing things, but in this case it is absolutely the most appropriate solution to your problem.

My friend's cat also just recently took to spraying all over the house for unknown reasons, so, you know, it could be worse than a new $100 Squier neck. I think she's spent that much on cleaning products alone so far...and believe you me, they do not get 100% of the smell out.

[pscates]

Yeah, for the kind of neck/instrument it's on, a $99 swap-out just makes sense. I imagine all Squier VM necks are similar enough that there will be zero difference once everything is set up and dialed back in. We're not talking some "holy grail" type of neck from a particular vintage model from a special, preferred year/run, with some rare, highly-sought-after "Fullerton mojo" (real or imagined) attached, etc.

Unless this type of repair is well under $99 (and that's hard to imagine, if it's going to involve some woodworking, truss rod replacement, gluing, clamping, refinishing, etc.?), AND the original poster knows a qualified, competent luthier (sadly, most of us don't), the solution is pretty clear. eBay is your best friend at times like this.

If I were in this exact situation (same type of damage, same model guitar, etc.), it's the only option I'd consider/pursue.

[FEXII]

Exactly this:

Yeah, for the kind of neck/instrument it's on, a $99 swap-out just makes sense. I imagine all Squier VM necks are similar enough that there will be zero difference once everything is set up and dialed back in. We're not talking some "holy grail" type of neck from a particular vintage model from a special, preferred year/run, with some rare, highly-sought-after "Fullerton mojo" (real or imagined) attached, etc.

Unless this type of repair is well under $99 (and that's hard to imagine, if it's going to involve some woodworking, truss rod replacement, gluing, clamping, refinishing, etc.?), AND the original poster knows a qualified, competent luthier (sadly, most of us don't), the solution is pretty clear. eBay is your best friend at times like this.

If I were in this exact situation (same type of damage, same model guitar, etc.), it's the only option I'd consider/pursue.

Please post a picture of the Kitty so we can see it.

[Francer]

I'm shocked that knocking a guitar over could do so much damage - Pete Towshend would be proud of your cat!

Are you sure the impact hasn't just popped the skunk strip out a bit, perhaps where it's not been glued in properly. I assume the rest of the neck is still straight and functional. I'd be surprised if the truss rod was bent, it's well protected inside the neck, I can't see how you could flex the neck enough to permanantly bend a truss rod without ruining the neck in the process - especially from a simple tip over.

Before throwing it away, maybe try to get some glue on the side of the skunk stripe and push it back into place and clamp gently until dry. By the sound of things you've got nothing to lose at this point.

[JM Convert]

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

It feels like a vertical line along the skunk stripe where the finish is raised and rough.

In better light I can see discoloration from about the 9th to the fret with the two dots on the side of the neck.

It still plays fine with the exception of the rough part on the neck. It seems like I could just file it down but I know that isn't the right thing to do.

I guess I'll go the replacement neck route.

Also, how did Pete Townshend and Joe Strummer and the like beat their guitars into the ground like that without destroying them?

[jeff m.]

Busted neck ? Screw on a new one ! Just as Leo intended, really

[FEXII]

how did Pete Townshend and Joe Strummer and the like beat their guitars into the ground like that without destroying them?

They did destroy them.

[andy_tchp]

Are you sure the impact hasn't just popped the skunk strip out a bit, perhaps where it's not been glued in properly. I assume the rest of the neck is still straight and functional. I'd be surprised if the truss rod was bent, it's well protected inside the neck, I can't see how you could flex the neck enough to permanantly bend a truss rod without ruining the neck in the process - especially from a simple tip over.

Exactly.

Clean up the area, wood glue + several clamps clamped securely for a few days.

[sirspens]

Busted neck ? Screw on a new one ! Just as Leo intended, really

Exactly.