![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
Anyway I thought that I would show how I did it. Basically I took the neck off and then drilled a 3/8inch hole next to the headblock and jigsawed it off. It was quite liberating once I had finished
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
In the end it was quite an easy job really because I sawed the top off and then pared what was left back nearly to the linings and planed the bindings down as well. I have a powered radius dish sander made from an old lathe head and a countershaft and a motor so that makes things very easy at this stage. I just sanded the last 1/2 mm or so back to the linings and went a 0.0something further so that i made sure I sanded away the old glue and hey presto....ready for the new top...it will be interesting to see if my replacement top is exactly the same or if I have to finesse the neck angle at all. Anyway I am sure that it will only be a very small adjustment if it needs it as they both came out of the same 30' radius dish that matches the sander.
I thought that I would show you all the photos but I will not divulge the reason for such radical surgery because as I said it would embarrass the maker...
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
It has been an interesting process and a new one for me. Once I got over the initial horror of plunging a jigsaw into the top of my guitar I felt much better! So I hope you enjoy the photos of the open top surgery and I will post some other pics after the binding and purfling are done and when it is all back together.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
You may notice the debris has fallen fortuitously on the makers label to protect his identity
the WoodRat