Single cut (LP style) set neck fitting

[Paul_H]

My single-cut kit has a set neck like this:



This style of neck has a small "shelf" of fret board which overlies the guitar body on the cut out side.

On mock-up, the fret board sits just slightly above the body (maybe 0.5mm).

When gluing the neck, what, if anything, should I do about this? eg
- not worry about it and do nothing in particular?
- fill the void with glue or filler?
- something else eg make the neck pocket a tad deeper?

Thanks, Paul

[McCreed]

Just leave it. That space is common on many factory-made single-cut guitars. Even some hollow bodies and acoustics have this.
And don't forget you'll be apply a finish to the body. It likely won't be .5mm thick, unless you're spraying a 2k poly or similar that can have a heavy build, but it will have some thickness that will have an effect on the gap.

[Paul_H]

Just leave it. That space is common on many factory-made single-cut guitars. Even some hollow bodies and acoustics have this.
And don't forget you'll be apply a finish to the body. It likely won't be .5mm thick, unless you're spraying a 2k poly or similar that can have a heavy build, but it will have some thickness that will have an effect on the gap.

That sounds like a pragmatic approach. Much obliged!

[Simon Barden]

Maybe a bit late now but personally I'd always fill any remaining gap after gluing. If you are going for a solid finish or a burst that will end up with a solid area over the join, then it's easy to cover up the filler and have a seamless join. If you are using stain and clearcoat, then you'll want to get the filler to match the stain colour as well as possible. I often use acrylic paints (cheap artist acrylic tube sets from Amazon) to tint my filler, though I have also used a coloured Sharpie if it matches the body colour well enough.

But when clamping to glue the neck in, you may well find that 0.5mm gap closes right up, or you just have a hairline gap that the clear coat will fill. Just don't panic; take it easy and see what you have after the neck is in, and take it from there.

[Paul_H]

Maybe a bit late now but personally I'd always fill any remaining gap after gluing. If you are going for a solid finish or a burst that will end up with a solid area over the join, then it's easy to cover up the filler and have a seamless join. If you are using stain and clearcoat, then you'll want to get the filler to match the stain colour as well as possible. I often use acrylic paints (cheap artist acrylic tube sets from Amazon) to tint my filler, though I have also used a coloured Sharpie if it matches the body colour well enough.

But when clamping to glue the neck in, you may well find that 0.5mm gap closes right up, or you just have a hairline gap that the clear coat will fill. Just don't panic; take it easy and see what you have after the neck is in, and take it from there.

Sorry Simon, I missed your reply somehow. Thanks for the additional suggestions. I am inclined to glue and see how it comes out.