Neck Block- Neck Question

[mjmeehan]

I feel silly asking this but I can never seem to wrap my head around this geometry...

I have a bolt on neck- no fretboard yet, and the neck block- not glued in yet.
The fretboard surface and the top of the block line up perfectly when bolted together.

1. Shouldn't the fretboard surface be proud of the block to accommodate the (future) soundboard?
2. Should I elongate the bolt holes in the block now before I glue it so I can "move it up" the neck area later?
3. Or have I toasted my brain over thinking this and I've missed something simple?

[mjmeehan]

Many thanks, Rick.

Ironically, I was reading an article about you in the new Acoustic Guitar magazine when you answered!

[Kevin Sjostrand]

If you have a LMI kit, this is how they come. You have to take down the neck block the thickness of your top, so that when the top is glued to the top of the block, then you are again on an even plane with the neck blank. When you glue on your fretboard, it lays flat on the top. Remember before you do anything, that there should be a slope up towards the soundhole on the top of the block to set your neck angle. Also, make sure the neck block is tall enough to remove this approximate 1/8" to allow for the top thickness.

Kevin

[mjmeehan]

Thanks to you as well, Kevin.

It's good to have these reminders/ assurances especially for this part of the process. I do leave each block a little tall some I can sand in the slope when I true up the kerfing.

[glenklein]

Thanks for asking this question... my brain is on overload also - trying to make sure I get this geometry right also. As a newb, for me the neck set is the scariest part of the whole build so far.

Glen

[mjmeehan]

No Problem, Glen. I don't mind coming here and asking dumb questions, everyone is always very helpful.
This is a particular mistake I have made in the past and though not a guitar killer, it does present problems with the action and the aesthetics.

[mobergr]

I am having the opposite problem, bolt on neck dry clamped and can see light under the overhang of the fret board, wondering if my neck set is right, can I fix it now (after finish is on) or do I file the bolt holes to lower the neck so fret board clamps tightly?

[mjmeehan]

Here's a link to a similar problem. And some possible solutions.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=584