Neck doesn't 100% fit, what to do?

[JamesB606]

Suggest wrapping some masking tape around the bridge posts so that they sit firm in the pre drilled holes then you can place the bridge on top..... 27" scale length should be from mid point of high E bridge saddle to inner side of nut on treble side. Once you have this lined up suggest marking around neck heel with a pencil where it overlaps on the body so that you know where to enlarge neck pocket to make things fit.

Doesn't look like any fret board overhang and wondering if you will be using a scratch plate or going naked with just a pickup ring around neck pickup? If the latter then level of precision with enlarging neck pocket becomes extremely important. Either way, slow and steady with frequent checking is best way to tackle this. Hope you have a sharp chisel. Understand you may be tempted to use power tools as that will be quicker but doing things by hand may prevent digging in a bit too far beyond the finish line so to speak.

Yeah dont have any power tools so by hand is how its going to go!

I will be using a pickguard but from what I can see its only going to cover the bottom right corner of the pickup. Guess I'll have to be careful anyway.

Will I need to chisel it? From what I've read most people are saying sanding the left and right side of the socket should do... what do you reckon?