RG to Jem Style Original Neck Joint
by Brian Calvert
One of the things that distinguishes the Jem from the common ordinary RG style of body is commonly overlooked when doing a do-it-yourself custom project and that is located on the back of the body at the neck joint. On Rg's the curve of the taper coming from the back of the body down onto the neck only happens half way across while on Jems the taper continues all the way across to the upper horn and this really is an easy project for you to do. If you will notice on the lower left picture the end of the neck heal actually is rectangular and straight as compared to that of an RG style of body.
 |
 |
The Tools you will need are pictured on the upper right hand and are as follows. A drill with a circular sanding pad, some course grit paper for the pad. A medium grit sanding sponge and a pencil and ruler. Start out by drawing a line straight across the end of your neck joint from the thinnest side across to use as your depth guide as pictured below on the left.
 |
 |
After your finished drawing your depth guide line turn to the back of your body and draw a continuos line from the original curve of the taper all the way up to the upper horn as shown on the upper right. Now take your circular sanding pad and start from that line slowly drawing away as picture below on the left.
 |
 |
After you have slowly tapered enough away from the body on the back turn it upright and carefully level out the back of the neck down to the level of your pencil mark as show on the upper right photo. When your through with the ruff sanding whip out your medium grade sanding sponge and smooth out the entire contour as pictured below on the left
 |
 |
Don't forget to visually check (above right) to be sure that your neck plate will have a nice smooth surface to lay on when it comes time to remount that neck. When all is finished kick back and enjoy since not everyone has a project that stands out like yours!
