benh

Thought I'd give the blocks a go, with the frets in. Not as neat as I'd like, but I'm confident I'll do better next time. First 2 in.

Thanks. Yeah I've already taken the 2mm off - the way I'm approaching it at the moment is: if it all goes to pot, it's a learning experience and I'll make a new neck (and hopefully not make the same mistakes twice!). I was starting with pretty tight spacing at the nut to begin with so didn't want to reduce the width too much. For the block inlays I have a few offcut strips of padauk which I've pre radiused with a sanding block, if it works it could look OK I thought.

Major balls up number 1 - took a chunk out of the fretboard between the nut and the first fret. The only way I could think to salvage it was to reduce the width all the way along the fretboard by 2mm and re-carve - which worked fine, apart from the fact that now the dot markers are irritatingly off centre. Been thinking of a remedy for the past week or so and this is the general idea - quite open to opinions!

I think you're both right, thank you. Just finding ways of complicating things for myself! The original plan was for natural anyway. Onwards!

Definitely not losing the grain - I was thinking a lighter colour rather than dark, so that the spalting would still be visible.

Wanting opinions - I woke up this morning with the thought of staining the top. (Sounds like the worst blues song ever 😂) Have any of you ever successfully stained a spalted top? It's alder, so expecting it to be a bit of a pig to take, but I have no experience with staining spalted wood. Or am I just being daft, and should keep it natural?

Cleaned up the shape of the top with the bobbin sander - it's definitely a keeper. Does jobs like this so well and cleanly, don't know how long I'd have been at it if I was hand sanding.

There's a volute!

Good lord, that's rather good 😯 Excellent work!

Looking good!

Getting there!

It begins... and very well might end badly!

Cort deserve a mention - great VFM - one of these?: https://www.peachguitars.com/cort-artisan-c4-plus-zbmh-open-pore-tobacco-burst.htm?opt=25621&gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUd6KdslTRvEiDZaCgdgCLZ3BtofAljhUCWzgWDi0rCKFZyzMHYLCohoC8BgQAvD_BwE

Frets are in! Also had a parcel from the Netherlands arrive with my 32" scale notched straight edge. Waste of money maybe, as it turns out it's dead straight as it is anyway!

That is some lovely looking wood right there! Love the contrast

I'm glad to hear that! I was pondering how to get the internal curves acceptable with only a jigsaw and hand sanding - I realised it was probably not going to happen without some help. Tested it on some scrap already to get a feel for it, impressed already. I may have a new favourite tool 😂

Getting there!

A bit time consuming, but a small vice and a small file seem to be doing the job.

Spontaneous eBay purchase arrived this afternoon which will hopefully help with body shaping.

About to embark on the scary task of my first fret job. However, I've been trying to think of methods to "nip" the tangs of the frets. I'm aware there is a specific tool for the job, but they tend to be costly and mostly from outside the UK. Does anyone know of any alternative methods that may be worth trying?

I'm actually looking for some advice - I'm trying to think of a way to nip fret tangs prior to hammering them in. I know the obvious choice is a fret tang nipper, but it's a significant expense for something which I will rarely use again. Anyone else have an alternative method?

Certainly - front and side:

Side dots done too! Same process, aluminium tube inset with white MOP this time. Shame the bit wandered on the 12th fret (good job it's only for me!)

Actually, I stole the idea from him 😂

Quick fretboard update - wasn't happy with the colour contrast between fretboard/neck/body, so experimented with some spirit stain. Also inlaid the front dots, black mother of pearl to match the 12th fret inlay with some aluminium tubing around them. Happy with the results!