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fingerboard to hold a long accurate straightedge up off the
fingerboard, simulating string height. For these two spacers
we used drill bits: a 5/64" bit at the nut, and an 11/64" bit at
the 12th fret. This gave a very close approximation to the final
action.
When laid on these string height spacers, the bottom edge
of the straightedge should point to a spot just above center
in the coverplate’s hand rest opening
(20)
. If it doesn’t, a
small amount of wood must be removed from either the top
or bottom of the cheeks to adjust the neck angle. Wood
removed at the bottom of the heel tips the neck down and
raises the straightedge; wood removed at the top tips the
neck up and lowers the straightedge.
The first area that may need to have a small amount of wood
removed is the treble or bass cheek. Wood removed here
controls the side-to-side alignment of the neck to the cen-
terline. If the neck is misaligned side-to-side, one of the
outside strings will be too close to the edge of the fretboard.
The removal of a tiny amount of wood is all it takes to make
an adjustment here. Remove this bit of wood uniformly
across the contact area on one cheek to tip the neck in the
proper direction (this won’t change the neck angle when
viewed from the side of the body). Use a straightedge laid
against both the treble and bass sides of the fretboard
(21)
to check the alignment: it should extend the same distance
from center on either side at the centering stick in the
soundwell.
You may not need to make an adjustment at this stage. If the
neck is off-center by only 1/32" or less, don’t try to correct it.
Remember that a tiny bit of wood removal makes a big dif-
ference in the neck’s relationship to the centerline!
Neck adjustment: side-to-side
20.
A long straightedge is laid on two drill bits which approximate
string height: a 5/64" bit at the nut, and an 11/64" bit at the 12th
fret. The straightedge should indicate a point just above center in
the coverplate’s hand rest opening.
21.
Use a straightedge laid against both the treble and bass sides
of the fretboard to check neck alignment to the body centerline.
