I thought I would post an update on my muted string dilemma. Thanks Michael and Hesh! I used my inspection mirror and it 'appeared' that the string balls were tight, but in the end they weren't. I went back and reworked all the bridge holes; slightly larger diameter and slots a little wider, and the balls easily went past the bridge pin. this helped. Also the nut was an issue too, so I relieved the tuner side of the nut so I was sure there was less contact in the slot. After doing both of these mods, no muted strings, and all the strings had much more volume, sustain and overall better sound. One problem that I have observed was the angle that both E strings come over the nut is much flatter than the other strings. Of course this is going to be true since their posts are closer to the nut, making it more important to relieve the nut. Two things I am going to consider on future builds is headstock angle, currently 15 degrees and placement of the nut, I currently place it on the headstock. Since I have ordered a few of John Watkins necks and they have a 17 degree headstock angle, I want to see how much difference this makes. It also occurs to me that the thickness of the headstock will determine how far the post sticks above the top of the headstock, somewhat determining the angle the string comes off the nut. I thank you guys for helping me to think this through. After hearing the sound of this guitar, I think I may build a few more and continue to find out just how much I don't know. As Andrew Peterson wrote, it is amazing what comes "from the void of the wire and the wood"
Tom H
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so that is the first thing I wouled check