Neck or body first

[Blaze162]

New the guitar build, not knew to wood working. Grandson and I are building a single pick-up Melody Maker style guitar. Question is; is it best to start with the neck or the body. is there an advantage or just come down to preference?

[MaineGeezer]

I don't think it matters one way or the other, unless I'm forgetting something. I've only built acoustic guitars, never an electric. There may be some consideration I'm not aware of. You'll have the job of fitting the neck to the body and there may be some slight advantage to doing the neck first so you have it to test-fit in the body, ....or possibly the opposite. I'd say as long as you leave enough for final fitting, do whatever order you want.

[BlindBo]

Blaze, like MG said, it’s probably just a matter of choice. Personally, I’ve always done the body first, probably because it looks like you’ve really done something when the body goes together and the bindings, etc. are in.The next step for me is to rough fit the neck joint before doing anything else to the neck. I use John Hall’s “ACE” method: neck Angle, Centerline, and Elevation. Once the dovetail joint is done, then I start on the neck details. Once all the woodworking is done, I finish the body and neck separately, do any final touch up to the dove tail, and then glue the neck to the body.

That’s the way I’ve always done it, but, “your mileage may vary”. 😂 Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new hobby.