The Hub

I am working on a neck reset on a Washburn Parlor - SN 283552. I have read that the 28 in the SN indicates that is was built in 1928, but the owner thinks based on her research that it was built before 1920.

I am assuming a dovetail joint and that I can get into the neck joint for steaming by drilling into the 13th fret slot, but if anyone knows differently please let me know. The fingerboard extension has already separated slightly, so getting it to release with some heat and a spatula shouldn't be too difficult. I have done a few neck resets, and know the basics, but this guitar also has a little too much relief under string tension.

The relief with no string pressure is about 0.005"between the 5th and 14th fret with a little drop off at 16 and 17. However, when tuned up to pitch the relief increases from 0.003 (2nd) to 0.015 (7th), remains at 0.015 (7th - 12th), then drops back to 0.000 at the 15th fret.

I am thinking that I should soften the fretboard glue with a heating blanket then clamp it to a flat surface (possibly with a slight back bend) and let the glue cool under pressure to re-harden. I have read about this method, but I have not tried it before. Any advice and pros/cons would be greatly appreciated.