Well, that went very well! I used the soldering iron and a damp paper towel on those two dents that were in the neck. That was so nice! Rarely does anything turn out so easy as that did. After just a few seconds of applying the heat from the side of the soldering iron, the dents disappeared! After it dried, I could see a little marring on the edge of the fretboard but that was it. I closed my eyes and tried my best to feel anything and I could not. It did raise the grain as would be expected after being damp. I could not even see on the maple neck where the dents had been. I could feel the frets and they need filing to round them over a little more so the hand slides over them without feeling that you might get cut. I also took a few pictures of the before and after of the dent and also of the knot in the lower horn that drew some comments. The knot is not open and will not need filling. I can not feel it at all. So I think I could definitely go with a sunburst and hide it. I do see the glue lines and to me, those are far worse that the knot. At this point, I want to start sanding and see what I feel like after I get close to finishing. I also test fitted the tuners in the headstock and I think they will be ok. There are those press in bushings that go in first, then insert the tuner and then there are four screws to secure it to the neck. The bushings go in with a slight press, not tight at all and if there is any shrinkage, they would likely fall out. I will have to glue them in. There is however, a tiny bit of slop in the tuner once it is inserted inside the bushing. I would like to see just a slight friction fit but there is probably .010 - .015 clearance. ( I'm guessing) It is probably enough clearance to be able to wrap a thin sheet of paper around the tuner and insert it. Is that acceptable?? I don't care for any of the screws as Simon pointed out and will try to source more that are Made in the USA. I am definitely changing the neck plate with that plastic frame that it sits in and probably the thin bridge. I am thinking one of those bridges that allow some adjustment as to the string spacing might pay off in the end. I also had ordered some sand paper for my orbital sander in various grits from 80 to 3000. I also bought some of the full sheets at 800 1000 and 1500. That should hold me for a few builds! I will post the pictures below.
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