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Hey Vince, thanks for looking. You just have to be really careful when gluing in the neck block when the mortise is already cut. Kinda one of those six of one, half dozen of the other things. Getting it glued in square is kind of iffy, but I also get a bit nervous routing the mortice into an assembled body. I've done it both ways and haven't settled on which way I like better yet.

Speaking of being really careful and paying attention. Sometimes it's better not to work on your build. I was in the shop one day this week and shaping the neck, really focused on getting the thickness worked down in one spot, using the old shoe-shine sandpaper method with the neck in the vise. Got it down to an even thickness, looking good.

Next day I look it over, get out a straightedge, and this is what I see.



So while paying attention to the thickness, I sanded some dips in the width. To even it out would make the neck too skinny. Some days you just shouldn't work in the shop.

Rather than trash the neck I decided to cut some off each side, glue in some mahogany cut-offs, and see if I can save it.


I pinned a straight piece of plywood to the neck, lined up on the trussrod slot, to ride against the fence.


Cutting a flat on the bandsaw. Then switch it all around and do the other side.


You say you like skinny necks?


And gluing on the new filler pieces on the sides so I can try again.

I hope this works, sure is a pain in the butt!
But maybe this will teach me to pay better attention next time.

Don't follow my path,
Joe

It's looking very nice Joe ! I like your bracing too.
I hope the neck works out for you.

Hi Joe
That is a very creative andintuitive fix for the neck. No reason why it shouldnt work. Actually, if the wood is from the same board, it should almost be invisible. The only person who will know about it is you, and then you can tell people you did it on purpose.
David

Thanks guys, it looks like the neck is going to work out alright. Just one of those times when a little inattention causes you a whole lot more work. But the fact that we can work our way out of these holes, with creative engineering, is why we get paid the big bucks!


Here shows the off-cut pieces of the neck, glued back on.



And here I am back to where I was before I screwed up!

At least I didn't spend today going backward,
Joe

Looks like the operation was a complete success Joe!

Looks like another invisible save.

And those headplates are looking more and more like Padauk every time I see them.

Raymond

Look like you should be saying, "watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat!" Thanks for sharing your lesson with us, Joe.

Dennis

Thanks guys! And yes I do believe the headplates are padauk, thank you David and Raymond.

Well since saving the neck, I have it fitted to the body now and it's starting to look like a guitar.

Also capped the heel with a little padauk.

Started making up an ebony fretboard for it today.

Cutting slots the old-fashioned way.



And here's how it's looking with the fretboard layed in place.

Going slow but still going,
Joe