I need help. I am trying to remove the fretboard on my '68 Strat USA by using methods I have used on other guitars. Steam Iron or heat gun and gentile blade. Does anyone know if this era Strats (w/rosewood fingerboard) used a glue that will not release with heat/moisture?

Hi tbone64: most mainstream manufacturers use yellow wood glue. Whatever the brand, it will be an aliphatic resin glue - very unlikely that Fender used hide glue in their factory process, even in the '60s! (...I wonder when aliphatic glue was invented?)

Moisture and heat in the form of steam is the typical way to release aliphatic glue. And a very thin blade to gently prise the joint apart. I suspect a steam iron is a very poor tool for the job however. It is not going to focus the steam just where you want it. Try rigging a hose to a continuous source of steam, such as a wallpaper stripper.

More info here:

http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/fingerboard.htm

However, I think most people here will be having a heart attack at the idea of pulling the fingerboard off a '68 Strat. Is there a good reason for doing it?

May we see photographs, please?

Cheers - C

Oh by the way: your thread title says it's a '98 neck - your first post says '68. Out of interest, which is it, please?

Cheers - C

Let's hope the 68 was a typo and its a 98

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Thanks all. Yeh, it's a 1998 not a 1968. These fingers aren't what they used to be ( nor are these eyes! ) . Sorry for the confusion. If it were a vintage I would never even consider doing it myself.