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I've got my through neck build, and I want to stain the outer halves of the body, without staining the neck portion going through the instrument. Is there a trick to doing this so the stain doesn't bleed into the neck wood? I was thinking maybe gloss the neck through section, so when staining the body halves the stain won't bleed? Any handy tricks to getting this done? I would have done before epoxying it together, but I still have some finish sanding to do and glue cleanup. Thanks!

Sounds like an interesting build (lets see some pictures! ) You said that you used epoxy to glue it up. I recommend wood glue. Wood glue will bond wood together much stronger than epoxy. Wood glue will also leave your instrument sounding better (but have not fear, this is more a of superstition than I (and most builders) have. Your build will sound great regardless of the glue you use!) You see, wood glue is not as thick and viscous as epoxy so it will absorb into the wood and anything else will squeeze out. Epoxy doesnt absorb into the wood quite as much and has a tendency to leave and extremely thin film of glue between the wood thats being joined.

As for your question, I would box off the neck thru portion with painters tape and apply some finish to it like you said. That sound like a good idea, but be careful nut to use too much. Apply JUST enough to keep the wood from absorbing additional liquid. Even after applying finish, I would cover the neck thru portion with painters tape just to be on the safe side. Hope this helps! -Alex

I am at the exact same spot, ready to finish a neck through, and had the same question. The 3m auto tape is a good product. Work the stain in with a dryish rag as opposed to flood and spread.

I want to paint the body and just oil the neck, but with the ambiguous heel, where does one draw a line, in my case, I don't think there is one.
Rob

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Hah, okay, awesome. I'll give the auto tape a whirl and see how it goes. And also, the dab/rub in method for the station is a great idea compared to the flood and spread. And certainly I'll post done pictures soon!