First build Es 1s

[Simon Barden]

Hi and welcome.

Your spare hole? I presume you want to plug it in to an amp? The rear one is where the jack socket goes.

I wouldn't worry about any minor gaps like the one in your picture below. It's very likely the gap will disappear when you clamp and glue it. If not, it's small enough for finish to cover and fill the gap:






1= pickup ring mounting screws
2 = strap buttons
3 = truss rod cover, solder and various screws and washers for the pots, jack and switch.
4 = mounting screws and washers for the tuners
5 = Bridge posts and bushings
6 = volume pots (a500) tone pots (B500) and output jack
7 = pickup selector switch
8 = stop tailpiece posts and bushings

[ThatCluelessGerman]

Your spare hole? I presume you want to plug it in to an amp?

Haha, I can totally relate! When I unpacked my ES-1, for a brief moment I also thought "damn, it's one hole too many" until I realized the jack socket is on the top

[Ricky]

Hi Ollie and welcome to the forum.

The light edge to the body you refer to is the binding.
I think that once you have cleaned the neck pocket and pushed the neck home and clamped it then the bottom joint of the neck will also look fine. The binding needs a bit of a clean-up in that area as well.

I have just finished my ES-1GT build and had much the same as you.
Spend a good amount of time ensuring the neck sits at the right angle to the bridge. Time spent here will pay off later when you come to fit the strings and adjust the action.
Ask questions Before you remove and wood though.

Will the lines on your maple top show?
Best bet is to wipe some metho on it and see what it looks like. If it does show then some VERY gentle sanding may get it off.
Personally I would not use less than 600 grit (but knock the edge off the paper first) and do not use any pressure (1500 may polish the wood a bit too much and make the stain take-up different in that area.

Good luck and ask lots of questions.

Cheers
Ricky