Esquire-esque

[fender3x]

Still not entirely happy with the upper bout.... but it so nearly "fits" when i try to play (I want to get to the stage where,when seated, my fretting hand does not need to hold the neck in place - this is almost there).

Comfort when you play it is so important. I made a P-bass with a Pit Bull custom Jazz bass width neck and a paulownia body. I am very reluctant to change anything on it because when I play it, it's just "viceless." The body is comfortable. The neck feels great. The action is just right, controls are simple and easy. It almost feels like it disappears when I play it. So I am VERY reluctant to change anything on it. It may not be my most interesting looking creation, but it gets played more than any other.

Over time, I am guessing that you'll care less about the upper bout (which looks pretty good to me, BTW) as long as you just like the feel of it when you play.

[EsquireEsque]

Comfort when you play it is so important. I made a P-bass with a Pit Bull custom Jazz bass width neck and a paulownia body. I am very reluctant to change anything on it because when I play it, it's just "viceless." The body is comfortable. The neck feels great. The action is just right, controls are simple and easy. It almost feels like it disappears when I play it. So I am VERY reluctant to change anything on it. It may not be my most interesting looking creation, but it gets played more than any other.

Over time, I am guessing that you'll care less about the upper bout (which looks pretty good to me, BTW) as long as you just like the feel of it when you play.

I understand completely. Comfort matters and makes it 'payabie" (I just need to be able to play!).
I think it's nearly "tailored to me" - I'll keep assessing it but I think the top "curve" could be a adjusted with the top bout a little wider (towards the middle of the guitar.) That means it'll "sit" in position and more or less hold itself in place. I've done a lot of work with the contouring over the first two bodies and I think this'd be the last adjustment to that end.

I might tape something a few mm thick on to see it it makes the difference I think it will.