First kit advice

[Tomcat]

First I'd like to ask a question about installing the truss rod. This is a soundhole-access rod, as shown in the previous post. The question is about the alignment of the rod in its channel.

The manual photo shows the ferrule (where the hex key goes) still visible in the end of the slot by the soundhole. Which is how it is shown in the previous post as well. However, this leaves it short of the hole drilled in the transverse brace for access. The hole is perfectly sized for the ferriule to slide right in flush, and when installed this way, the rod fits flush in the slot in the top. See attached pics.

It seems more intuitive to fit it in this second way, even though the first way is still close enough to the access hole that the hex key can reach either way.

Which is right?

Edit: When I try to attach the pics, I get the error message "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached."

[phavriluk]

I found that cabinet scrapers work well in narrowing a neck to conform to the fingerboard. Keeping the neck immobile is a requirement, and there's no end of ways to do it.

[Tomcat]

I found that cabinet scrapers work well in narrowing a neck to conform to the fingerboard. Keeping the neck immobile is a requirement, and there's no end of ways to do it.

Thanks, P! Picking up a scraper is on my list. I have suspected that regardless of the tool, narrowing the neck without marking up the edges of the fingerboard is going to be tricky, and it's good to get some advice on the best tool. I've never used a scraper before so I'll be trying to get some practice on scrap hardwood before risking the instrument. (This is true on many fronts for me, honestly.)

[rcnewcomb]

I've never used a scraper before so I'll be trying to get some practice

You will really enjoy a well-tuned scraper -- so much better than sandpaper.

[JLT]

I've never used a scraper before so I'll be trying to get some practice

You will really enjoy a well-tuned scraper -- so much better than sandpaper.

Agreed. Stew-Mac has some excellent advice on scrapers. They sell a gadget for setting the proper "curl" on the scraper:

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-a ... b9ea6c9964

I've used this for years.

[carld05]

I struggled with scrapers for years and they did work better with a good burnisher but then I got two of these, https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-a ... f2fd0a238a. They worked a lot better for me. I stripped the old chipped finish off of a 3/4 Kay upright bass with these and I use them for glue prep and cleanup of glue and finish daily.

[Tomcat]

I had the opportunity to briefly stop in and check out a woodcrafting store today, which is a 2 hour drive for me, and picked up my first scraper and a couple of other small things. (Had a family event, so couldn't really go through it all.)

JlT: The burnisher looks interesting. Does it do actual sharpening, or refine the edge after?

Anyone have any recommended videos on how to sharpen and use one properly? I really am a beginner here.

[phavriluk]

I found that cabinet scrapers work well in narrowing a neck to conform to the fingerboard. Keeping the neck immobile is a requirement, and there's no end of ways to do it.

Thanks, P! Picking up a scraper is on my list. I have suspected that regardless of the tool, narrowing the neck without marking up the edges of the fingerboard is going to be tricky, and it's good to get some advice on the best tool. I've never used a scraper before so I'll be trying to get some practice on scrap hardwood before risking the instrument. (This is true on many fronts for me, honestly.)

The scraper as received will very likely be all but useless. The scraper will need to have its edges filed and rolled. There must be many videos showing how to do that. The minimum tooling will be a vise to hold the scraper, a mill file to flatten the edge, and a burnisher to roll the edge (it'll make more sense later). A workable burnisher is often the shaft of a hard #3 screwdriver.

[rcnewcomb]

Tom Bills has a pretty good video about scrapers. It is available ->here

[Tomcat]

I found that cabinet scrapers work well in narrowing a neck to conform to the fingerboard. Keeping the neck immobile is a requirement, and there's no end of ways to do it.

Thanks, P! Picking up a scraper is on my list. I have suspected that regardless of the tool, narrowing the neck without marking up the edges of the fingerboard is going to be tricky, and it's good to get some advice on the best tool. I've never used a scraper before so I'll be trying to get some practice on scrap hardwood before risking the instrument. (This is true on many fronts for me, honestly.)

The scraper as received will very likely be all but useless. The scraper will need to have its edges filed and rolled. There must be many videos showing how to do that. The minimum tooling will be a vise to hold the scraper, a mill file to flatten the edge, and a burnisher to roll the edge (it'll make more sense later). A workable burnisher is often the shaft of a hard #3 screwdriver.

I pretty much assumed the scraper would need sharpening up before first use, yeah. I do have the mill file and a set of hard steel shaft screwdrivers to pick from.