Neck break angle too sharp?

[CaseyBoller]

Hi all, started my first build yesterday! DES-7 27"

Having shaped my head and 240 sanded the neck, I did a test fit as per the guide and the neck seems to have a pretty dramatic angle with the body. I strung up the top and bottom and while they're centered well, they make hard contact with the 12th fret, whereas the guide says they should clear the frets.

The neck seems pretty straight and it seems to sit in the pocket well. I had to sand the sides a decent amount to get it in but I don't think I sanded the bottom of the pocket or the heel - though I'll admit there is a possibility I absent-mindedly went over them a couple times.

I figure the bridge will sit a tiny bit higher with the actual posts in, but not enough that it would be good.

Not sure where to go from here! Obviously want to make sure everything is squared up before I glue it in. Hoping I'm just overlooking something silly and won't have to go through the hassle of shimming etc.

Thanks very much!

[FrankenWashie]

Hi Casey,

You might need to raise your bridge some. It look as though you’ve got it on the deck, it probably just needs to come up.


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[Simon Barden]

As Frankie says, the bridge will sit up higher than that - the post inserts are lipped so you'll get at least 1.5 mm from that, and setting the bridge height up with 1-2mm of post thread showing is fine in my book. I've had several issues with the neck angle being too shallow, which is far harder to deal with.

However I would suggest that you check with the neck clamped in place, rather than just sitting under string pressure as even a half degree change in angle can have a big effect at the bridge end.

[CaseyBoller]

Thanks for the quick replies! I'll try that tomorrow and check back in.

[Rodc]

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...0&d=1605945703

As Simon said clamp the neck down into the pocket first. In this photo there looks like a gap at the front of the pocket. Could be not sitting right in the pocket to start with. Keep in mind if the neck does need tipping down more it will increase that angle again. Set the bridge up a bit higher and that nut looks a tad to high as well, that could make it look worse then what it is.

[GregLane]

Hi Casey
Welcome to the forum.
I have just finished an ES-1F similar to yours. The fit looks fine to me and should be fin as the others have said.
Another thing not mentioned yet is is neck straight or back bowed. Mine was slightly back bowed but is easily fixed fixed with the nut in the head. In fact the text book says you can have a bit of concave bent which will lift the strings a little more.

Guitar timber looks great in the photos. I will be watching you progress
Greg