Greetings from a first timer!!

Hello forum folk.

I'm Jeff and I'm almost a first time kit builder, and a horribly average player living in Sassafras, Melbourne.

Can I start with a question? I received my FS-1 kit not long ago, and though I haven't started any work on it yet, I've tried placing the neck in the body, and it is INCREDIBLY tight. I read somewhere before that a little bit of wiggle room is no big issue, but this is so tight, I cannot get the neck to fully sit in it's rebate.

I'm sure that with the use of clamps I can get it to sit in, but what worries me is that it will be too tight to get into the right position.

Is it common practice to sand back either the butt of the neck or it's rebate to get in easier?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Jeff, welcome to the forum. Yes easiest to sand the sides of the neck heel, sand both sides and then do a regular test fit. Never force the heel into the pocket, you risk splitting or cracking the timber below the neck pocket.
Best of luck, start a build diary and ask any questions you have there

Welcome Jeff good luck with the build, nice to see some other Melbournites on the forum. I'm from Warrandyte.Jim

Thanks Jim and thank you for the advice Wokka.

If it's "not long ago" that you received it then I'd give it a couple of days before sanding the neck to fit. The kit's fit can change in the different environmental conditions from Perth to Melb and can cause swelling/changes that need a few days to settle. If you can, give it a little time to acclimatise.

And, welcome.

Welcome Jeffo! What Weirdy said!

welcome Jeff

Hi Jeff

Looking forward to your progress.


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Hi Jeff and welcome. I too would suggest waiting a few days. Frustrating if you want to get on with things, but I'd give it at least a week before deciding on whether to sand or not. My ES-3 neck took quite a bit of time before it fitted well into its pocket, but I could see it fitting better as the days went by.

Welcome to the forum Jeff!

Welcome mate

welcome to the forum.