First build of a guitar and a slight problem

Hi Johnny, have you got a clamp ? clamp the neck in place. Just place the bridge flat on the body for this test that DB has outlined. It's just to get an idea if the fingerboard is level with the body or not

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Originally Posted by wokkaboy

Hi Johnny, have you got a clamp ? clamp the neck in place. Just place the bridge flat on the body for this test that DB has outlined. It's just to get an idea if the fingerboard is level with the body or not

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I dont have a clamp, but will buy one later today.

no worries Johnny, you will find that clamps come in very handy. It will make sure the neck is properly seated in the pocket for the height test. Place the clamp so you have enough space to rest the straight edge on each side of the fingerboard. Note the straight edge will have to be at least 630mm long

Problem solved! I sanded very carefuly and the gap now is soooo small it's hard to see, I meassured like you said, the two outer strings to the bridge and that seems to be perfect.

I sanded the top of the body down to 600 grains then gave it the first treat of red tone which I received from England today. Most of it got as I wanted it, but I think I'll sand down the sides a little more since it seems darker there. Maybe I didn't get the sides as fine sanded as the top of the body. So sand sand and then sand again tomorrow. I like the red colour though :cool:

Picture just before the first coat of guitar toner:

Attachment 10343

Here the top of the body got one coat of red guitar toner:

Attachment 10344

Plan after coating is to give it a french polish with several coatings of shell laques.

That colour looks great! Good work so far :)

Hi Johnny, the sides will go darker due to the end grain which soaks up more of the stain.

love the colour Johnny, well done

glad you sorted the neck heel/pocket issues/

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Originally Posted by dingobass

Hi Johnny, the sides will go darker due to the end grain which soaks up more of the stain.

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I figured that out dingo. I have given the top and bottom two more coatings so it looks more simmilar. I can't wail til I can give it french polishing to make it shiiiiiiineeeeee.

I think I will paint the neck head piano glossy black and maybe the back of the neck just french polish... What do you think guys?

And by the way, which kind of oil do you use for the fret?

Hey Johnny, black headstock should look great with natural neck colour.
Fretboard use Dingowax or some natural oil like lemon/orange oil or Dr Ducks axe wax