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the tape side goes down. That is a one way truss rod . The was what Martin used up to about 8 yrs ago.

I think you need to figure out how you can install the truss rod and the fret board before you install the neck. Otherwise you will never be able to reset the neck. Either the truss rod is not pushed toward the nut, the truss rod is the wrong side or you need to extend the spot in the top to accept the truss rod.

johnnparchem wrote:I think you need to figure out how you can install the truss rod and the fret board before you install the neck. Otherwise you will never be able to reset the neck. Either the truss rod is not pushed toward the nut, the truss rod is the wrong side or you need to extend the spot in the top to accept the truss rod.

The truss rod will not slide further up toward the nut. The only option is to extend the channel in the top but that means the cross brace underneath will be severed in two. Here it is in diagram:

yes that is normal to cut the Popsicle brace. That is there for antisplit and it is how Martin did that for years

tippie53 wrote:yes that is normal to cut the Popsicle brace. That is there for antisplit and it is how Martin did that for years

OK great to hear. I will cut it out of the way then

One more question while here:

Do you recommend not fretting the tongue until after neck is glued to the body? It would be nice to just fret and finish the entire board before gluing it. Thanks.

You can fret it first , that will make the extension down curl but that will flatten back out when you clamp it in. I have done it both ways.

OK I went ahead and fretted the entire board and glued it to the neck...

Now i don't seam to be getting a good fit in the dovetail with the assembled neck. I am getting a bit of tongue rise on the fret board and the dovetail isn't "pinching" good and can feel a little play side to side and up down ???

I followed the ACE method/videos and felt like I had a good fit and now not so much. Any suggestions?

yes the extension can pull the neck up Not an issue if you know you were tight. You can double check yourself with a piece if paper on the tenon on each side. It that still fits then you may need a shim. When you clamp the neck in , is it tight?
we will get you through this and feel free to call me if you need to.

tippie53 wrote:yes the extension can pull the neck up Not an issue if you know you were tight. You can double check yourself with a piece if paper on the tenon on each side. It that still fits then you may need a shim. When you clamp the neck in , is it tight?
we will get you through this and feel free to call me if you need to.

OK clamping the neck (at/around the 15th fret) pushes the dovetail a bit further down but then that increases the tongue rise, make sense I hope?

When clamped in, I can just slide a piece of paper into the lower and center parts of the joint but not at the top toward the fret board. It is tighter up there. Best to illustrate with a photo I think to see the current situation: