Post by CTGull on Jun 24, 2022 7:18:58 GMT -5
DAY 13 – It’s FINALLY time to put the guitar in the neck jig and string it up to see where it is. In this case, the only way to get the neck fully seated against the body is by clamping and string tension. I tuned it to “D” to save the strings, since I will probably be taking it in and out of the jig a few times. The nut action is high, as expected. Clamped a .013" feeler at the first fret with a capo to simulate proper nut action. The action is 9/64" low D & 1/8" high D. A bit higher than I expected because of the neck projection holding the guitar in my hands, but I knew I couldn’t hold the neck in the proper position and measure the neck projection without clamping.
First stringing!!
The action is still a bit high.
You can see how nicely the top polished up. The whole body took about 2.5 hours!!
Shiny!! Not bad for 47 years old.
Loosened the strings, removed the nut and sanded .018" off the bottom. Removed the guitar from the neck jig. Set the tape on the heel at .04", filed & sanded to the tape. Put it back in the jig and tuned to "D". The nut action is close, the rest will be done with the nut files. Clamped the .013" feeler at the first fret. The action is now 3/32" low D and 5/64" high D.
Second stringing. It's close!!
Loosened the strings individually and finished the nut slots with the files. Sanded about .010” off the heel, mostly to close up the slight (.015”?) gap. Polished the areas around the heel and fretboard extension. Did touch ups with the mahogany marker. Glued a .018” shim to both sides of the neck dovetail. When checking the fit it was perfect, not tight and no movement. Glued on the neck with fish glue.
Touched up the heel area with mahogany marker.
Glued shims to the dovetail.
Glued on the neck!!
First stringing!!
The action is still a bit high.
You can see how nicely the top polished up. The whole body took about 2.5 hours!!
Shiny!! Not bad for 47 years old.
Loosened the strings, removed the nut and sanded .018" off the bottom. Removed the guitar from the neck jig. Set the tape on the heel at .04", filed & sanded to the tape. Put it back in the jig and tuned to "D". The nut action is close, the rest will be done with the nut files. Clamped the .013" feeler at the first fret. The action is now 3/32" low D and 5/64" high D.
Second stringing. It's close!!
Loosened the strings individually and finished the nut slots with the files. Sanded about .010” off the heel, mostly to close up the slight (.015”?) gap. Polished the areas around the heel and fretboard extension. Did touch ups with the mahogany marker. Glued a .018” shim to both sides of the neck dovetail. When checking the fit it was perfect, not tight and no movement. Glued on the neck with fish glue.
Touched up the heel area with mahogany marker.
Glued shims to the dovetail.
Glued on the neck!!