Joe G’s PSH-1 First Build Diary

I'd certainly have to drill out that built-in strap button so I could fit my Schaller straplocks, but that looks like a good solution for you.

There are/were really bad gouges taken out of the side of my fretboard. I’ve cleaned a lot of it up but I’ll need to pull the frets to put a comfortable edge back on it. Is that something that can be done after the guitar is built and finished? Or is it really better to do before the neck is on, or the guitar is finished? If I have to do it now it’s going to set back progress and I might lose motivation.

Edit: oh maybe I can do that while finish is drying on the body?

Given that it's possible to take a complete guitar to a luthier or tech and have frets replaced I would say it's possible to do it after the build is completed. As to the best time to pull the frets, I can't say as it's a subjective call on something I have no direct experience with.

Good point.

There’s no ‘finish’ on the side of the fretboard, correct? Other than maybe some oil?

On the rosewood parts there would only be whatever you treat the fretboard with. I wouldn't let the neck finish on there. On my tele I masked along the join between the neck and fretboard. I think that's the standard approach.

This is the mess in the neck:
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On a happier note I cleaned up the lines around the rest of the neck. It’s not really stuff that’s easily photographed. I held the neck under a light and moved it all around, looking at shadows, lines, curves, etc and sanded out anything that I could to smooth things out. To my eye it looks a lot better.

Here’s one example: where the neck transitions to the heel is a bit abrupt and there’s a definite line or shadow where that starts. This is about half way through sanding it out.

Somewhere there is a line between attention to detail and insanity. Others can see it. I can’t.

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It's fairly standard for clear coats to go on the side of rosewood/ebony fretboards but not the top. Commercially, it's easier and quicker (i.e. less cost) to just mask the top of the fretboard when spraying clear coats than the top and sides, where far more precision is needed.

If you've got a paint finish on the body, then having clear coats on the side of the board can prevent the feeling of a paint ridge along the edge, and the finish can fill in the gaps around the fret ends, giving a smoother feel in the hand. With a stained finish, a paint ridge isn't an issue, so it's then personal preference.

I like to put finish in the sides as I feel it provides some extra protection for the edge of the board, plus I like the look.

And now that you mention that Simon, I went and checked my two other rosewood equipped guitars. Despite having owned one of these guitars for over 30 years, I was still quite surprised to see that the clear finish does indeed cover the side of the rosewood. Boy do I feel foolish now, having so carefully masked the sides of my fretboard before clear coating the neck. I am sure I can make it work by carefully sanding the edge of the finish smooth.

I think a lot is down to ease of production and also how smooth the fret ends are. Some manufacturers nip the ends of the fret tangs off and fill in the fret slots so they are smooth. Those that don't have a bit more reason to put clear on the fretboard edges to fill in the gaps at the fret ends.