Hey Folks,
so, I got this cheap chinese single cut (L*s Paul style) kit from Amazon for around 112€ and I didn't expect much - which is actually exactly what I got, LOL... Not a big deal because it is a trial balloon for some finishing tests, still, I would be very happy if I can get it to a playable state, and here is also my biggest problem:
I have trouble properly seating the neck. It's snug with no wiggle room, which is good, but it somehow looks uneven.
There is a 1-2mm gap between the fretboard and the side of the binding, which is not right. On my other Les Paul style kit, and also all the other good builds I've seen so far, there is no gap, binding on binding so to say.
The thing is, I can't really figure out where the problem is. I measured the routed cavity with the depth stop of my caliper and it has the same depth left and right. Also, the neck has the same height left and right. But it doesn't sit in it evenly.
The heel of the neck is also around 1mm overlapping the edge. it APPEARS the cavity is tilted, but my caliper says it's not.
I'm not quite sure what would be the best way to go:
- Sand the neck cavity on the left side down, so this side sits deeper, the space disappears and the heel sits flush? How can I make sure this will work with the strings other than installing the bridge posts now to see how it looks? If it requires installing the bridge posts, I'd have to do all the finishing first I guess.
- Or just glue it in and sand the side of the heel flush and live with the space under the fretboard?
If I would do the first option, would this change the neck angle? How do I even find out how the neck angle is and must be?
I'm sorry for all this questions, I have tried my luck on google and youtube but I haven't found that much, most probably because I lack the specific terms to search for I guess...
I know it's not a pretty kit.. and I know for most it wouldn't be even worth their time... But it keeps me busy between jobs and is a good way to test my new stains and varnishes without too many regrets (I don't want to mess up my "good" PB kit I'll do after this one).