First build - question about neck flatness

[dzthings]

Well I'm getting pretty close to the end of my first build - a StewMac dread kit. What an amazing experience so far, I'm completely hooked. Anyway, I've at the point where my neck is attached, the surfaces are all finished (and looking good!) and I'm about to attach the bridge. I checked the neck "one last time" with a straightedge along the top of the frets - and now I'm noticing that there is a 0.01" gap at the 14th fret. Looking at it in more detail, I can see that the fret tops are nicely aligned from frets 1-14, and then taper ever so slightly UP to the end of the fretboard extension. Those frets are also in line with each other. Now, I've already leveled the frets once - and I'm pretty sure a few weeks ago they all were flat - so I'm not sure how or when that happened. But there it is. The truss rod is definitely in neutral.

So, how bad is this? Should I try to level the frets again - or maybe just after the 14th fret? Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Joe

[tippie53]

did you level the fret?

[dzthings]

Yes, I leveled all of the frets and recrowned them before applying a finish on the guitar. Now, about 2 weeks later, I checked the neck and saw a bit of daylight between the straightedge and the top of the frets around where the neck joins the body. I can see that the neck is still flat up to that point, but the fretboard extension tilts slightly up towards the sound hole, not by much, but enough to measure about 0.01" gap at the 14th fret with a straightedge placed over all the frets.

[tippie53]

did you level the frets on the guitar ?
I don't fret anymore until the neck is on the guitar so I can true the fretboard.
Having the fretboard rise is not a good thing but you should be able to level the frets on the extension to make this work.
Post some pics.

[dzthings]

Thanks, I'll try to get some pix when I get home tonight. Yes, the neck is already glued onto the guitar.

[dzthings]

Thanks Runningdog...

I believe you are correct on all counts. I leveled the frets before attaching the neck. And yes, there has also been a large change in humidity over the last few weeks. I will check tonight and see how much I'd have to remove to get it flat again.

I'm not too worried about getting this guitar absolutely perfect - on this first one, I'm good with chalking up my mistakes to learning. But it certainly would be nice to be able to at least play it!

Joe