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This is my first build and have a couple questions about preparing the dovetail slot.

The dovetail block that came with my kit is pre-cut and fits the tongue on the pre-cut neck. I've been following John's videos pretty religiously and am ready to "close the box". Questions:

1 - I'm wondering if, before glueing on the top, I need to cut the side panels where they are covering the dovetail slot, and possibly cut the top where it would be covering the dovetail slot and truss rod channel once installed.
2 - I'm also noticing that the truss rod channel looks too shallow currently. Is it normal to have to deepen it?
3 - The neck fit very cleanly into the pre-cut dovetail before I glued the neck block to the sides. I'm guessing that with the added thickness of sides I will now need to adjust the carve of the neck tongue to make it fit properly (once the box is closed). Does this sound correct?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

I’ve only used pre-cut block like that once. I glued it over the hole and it was easy to cut it open after the body was done. Don’t think it matters as long as you don’t over-cut if you do it 1st.

The truss rod should be flush or very close but not protruding above the surface. So yes, deepen if needed.

You are right about the sides needing to fit under the wings so yeah, that’ll be where you sand those down when setting the neck.

I let them closed till I do the binding then open the joint