Hi everyone! First build - excited :D

Hi guys Im Luke and this is my first guitar build - i got the IB7 DIY kit :D

Im super excited to get started, however the build process is more complicated than I anticipated. I'm confident with some perseverance and a bit of help from this forum it'll work out fine :D

Not sure if this is the right place to ask but I had some questions about prepping the neck in regards to the fret heights. Is there a video detailing the technique involved in this? I am confused how a straight edge will provide accurate level on a concave neck... and the sanding process without a fret crowning tool.

Nice choice for a first kit!

As for the frets, a notched straight edge is used to begin with in order to ascertain and then correct any bow of the neck so that when you're levelling the frets the neck is flat. Otherwise, if the neck had a bow of any kind you'd be levelling frets that would be out of level again once the neck is straightened or placed under tension (if that makes sense?). After the neck is straight I put some marker on all the frets and use a long flat file to grind them down until they're level - the marker lets you know which are the lowest frets, because the highest ones have the marker worn away first. Once there is no more marker, they're flat!

I don't know if that helps. I don't know of any videos, though there must be tonnes of great ones about - I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I can point you in the right direction.

Try this for fret levelling: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=1775

Welcome Luke!

Welcome Luke.

That video link is a good place to start.

Cheers, Waz