How do I remove these bushings?

[Robert****]

On my neck, I need to take these babies out. They look just like this:

PRESS -IN ADAPTER BUSHINGS


They are jammed in pretty tight there. How do I get them out without having to resort to "Using Da Force" and thereby risk destroying nearby homes in the process?

[mrmudcat]

A thin butter knife or similiar razorthin blade.Work around evenly prying up. They might come out easy or hard depending if they added some glue or just counted on the finish coat to hold them pressed in.:


Of course you can rest a polishing cloth or similiar between knife and wood

[robert43]

I would find a tight fitting puch / rod that fits on the back side of the neck & give a gental tap . If you are worried about the inner shape put a screw or bolt again snug fitting from the front side when you punch the back.

[Bloozcat]

I would find a tight fitting puch / rod that fits on the back side of the neck & give a gental tap . If you are worried about the inner shape put a screw or bolt again snug fitting from the front side when you punch the back.

I'd probably use a transfer punch set, picking the punch with the tightest fit to the holes in the headstock. Then as robert43 says, gently tap them out from the backside.

[chordshredder]

In a pinch the best thing I can think of is a wooden pencil used as your drift. You can probably use a sturdy shoe as a hammer. Prop the head of the neck on a thick phone book, position it so that the spacer will fall clear and tap it out. My fingers probably wont ever make as good a music as Robert but avoid the Emerg Room, stitches, tetanous shots and possibility of permanent damage to you and the face of the neck. Knives should never be used as prying devices.

[ponticat]

I wouldn't think of using a knife, punch, drift, pencil or shoe to remove bushings. Try using wrench sockets and a clamp.







You'll need to use smaller sockets than indicated in these photos to deal with a guitar neck.

[Algonquin]

Wow! That's an impressive first post here Ponticat.

Why don't you stop by 'The Fret Players' thread and give yourself an introduction so the Fretters here can give you a proper welcome!

Cheers!

[Robert****]

Thanks for all the help! I got them out last night with a hammer and a fat allen key. I put the allen key in the hole and gently tapped with the hammer - out they came like newborn babies.

[marnold***]

out they came like newborn babies.

You mean with lots of drugs, blood, and screaming? :

[Robert****]

Something like that... but they are OUT!

[Tone2TheBone]

Please don't tell me you're going to put locking tuners on that neck! You are aren't you....I can already tell!

[Robert****]

No, I sold the neck.

[Tone2TheBone]

But you kept the vintage tuners right?

[Robert****]

Yessir, I kept the tuners.

[Bloozcat]

Of course, an arbor press like this would have worked as well, and so would a drill press with the proper diameter punch/spindle in it:

The bushings usually aren't pressed in that tightly that tapping them out by hand would have caused any problems with cracking the headstock. As long as care is taken to properly support the headstock, they usually come out easily as Robert has found.

[Tone2TheBone]

Yessir, I kept the tuners.

Good man!