ATL-1SW Build (First Timer)

[Fatboy]

Simon and McC,
Thank you both for your views - very interesting.
I have owned many geetars over the years and while I have fiddled with neck relief
and action I have always left fiddling with my nuts to others haha
Have always been afraid to overcook any 'adjustments' to the nut.
Time for a change perhaps, food for thought.
Cheers

[Simon Barden]

It is easy to overdo nut slot depth if you are going for the lowest slot depth possible without buzzing, which is why I now have quite a large stock of spare nuts and am very adept at fitting them.

[McCreed]

One key thing is not to go at the nut like you're hacksawing through a piece of pvc pipe!
Go slow with single forward strokes - not back & forth.
There are different ways of measuring and marking the string slot depth before the file even touches it. That gives you a reference point to stop, then it's just about fine tuning from there.

Get yourself some cheap plastic nuts or pawnshop guitar(s) to practise on. The only way to learn is doing (or sometimes ruining )

[Simon Barden]

You'll also find that some of the files will be sharper than the others. So whilst it may take 20 strokes to do one slot, the next one may only take 5. Treat each slot/file as unique and keep checking the depth.

[McCreed]

You'll also find that some of the files will be sharper than the others. So whilst it may take 20 strokes to do one slot, the next one may only take 5. Treat each slot/file as unique and keep checking the depth.

More good advice, and when I get nearer the finished depth, I might be checking the action after each partial stroke.
Always easier to remove material than put it back

[Fatboy]

Thank you both, in four posts you have both given me (and others) a lot of information and advice.

Yesterday I hacked the paddle out in the garage and sanded the body.
I quite like sanding by hand, it makes you get to know your subject.
This evening I had a go at staining the back.
Quite pleased with how it looks and have stopped now before I overdo it.
Most likely do another coat tomorrow and sand back.
The colours are not really accurate, taken with mobo phone camera in
artificial light but I think you get the idea.
It is more vibrant in real life.
Quite fun really - until I cock it up
Onwards and upwards !

[Simon Barden]

That looks really good to me.

[McCreed]

Double "thumbs-up emoji"

[Fatboy]

Thanks for the thumbs up chaps.
I was quite surprised how much it made the grain stand out.
Can't wait to do the front and see what that comes out like (fingers crossed).

[DarkMark]

Looking good.