ST neck to body alignment trade off

[Marelton]

Has anyone else had a situation where the neck of the guitar is perfectly in line (checked with a straight edge or a string through the fret dots), but then the neck doesn't sit squarly in the neck pocket?
If the neck sits in the pocket square it is out of alignment with the body.

It's seems like a trade off. I have built with the neck inline, but now have a condition similar to the photo below.

This is not my guitar, but I was interested to see this builder had the same issue.

Any ideas on how to disguise the step condition as seen in the photo? One thought was to build and paint as a one piece filling the gaps and blending the neck into the body, but painting it will be a nightmare as the neck pocket wouldn't be available to fix a handle to and hold while painting.

[wokkaboy]

Hi Marelton. Clamp the neck so the bare edge of the heel is flush with the pocket. Install the outer E strings and see if the bridge can be moved so the string offset is equal. Also fit the pickguard

[Marelton]

Thanks, that's a good idea.

Only sticking point is I've already fitted all four screws, but maybe able to find away around that.

Newbie enthusiasm!

[kimball492]

Hi Marelton, easy remedy get some hardwood dowel rod. Plug the holes in the heel of the neck using Titebond II then follow Woks instructions above. Hopefully the video will help you align the neck. https://youtu.be/2LJczWsBcoM

[Marelton]

Thanks. That's great advice. Even found a video on YouTube specifically about plugging redundant or stripped holes in the neck.
https://youtu.be/vgtgcIlFGrs
I'll give it a try

[Marelton]

Recovered. Good tip Kimball, thanks

No that far out, but enough to make a difference

Maybe still could have gone a tad over to the left but looked pretty parallel.

Definitely a lesson learn.

Thanks for all the advice

[wokkaboy]

looks like you saved it Marelton but make sure there is enough fret for the low E (heaviest) string. If you haven't drilled your bridge screws see if you can move it over so the low E string has more fret, provided that photo is taken from above

[Marelton]

I know exactly what you mean wokkaboy, the photo makes the condition look a lot worse than it actually is though. All holes are now drilled, dry build completed and body finished first coat of sanding sealer.
I'm considering making up a jig for my next build using the neck heel sides as its datum and having the 12th fret to the bridge distance set and marked on the jig so the set up is consistent every time.