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On my first build I am having issues with the neck angle. if I angle the neck flat and not following the angle on the upper bout then everything lines up. However if I attempt to angle the neck to match the upper bout then the straight edge will sit too high off of the bridge (which will require a very tall saddle to have workable action) however the problem is if I don't match the upper bout then there will be a gap between the fretboard extension and the soundboard. I think next time I will not sand the upper bout so much in the radius dish to avoid this problem in the future....

The problem is the only way that I can see to bring the action to usable level while matching neck angle to the upper bout is to shave the fingerboard or something or make a really big bridge. The gap is only visual (I hope) so I don't think playability is an issue... but it just looks so dammed ugly that you can see daylight through the fretboard extension and see the tenon and stuff...

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

If I understand your problem correctly I think you might take a look at Hesh's tutorial about truing the upper bout. Seems to relate directly to what your problem is. Its in the archive of tutorials.
Warren.

Such short memory spans I had this same problem two weeks ago:

viewtopic.php?f=10122&t=19963

I planed the top flat some and sanded the bottom of the FB extension some and now everything works out perfectly.

Good luck.

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Good Job Andy!!!

Tai Fu the taller bridge is a long walk down a short pier. Instead look at Andy's thread from last week and let us know if you have any questions?

The understanding of the geometry of the top is key. The more you build the more you learn. http://bluescreekguitars.com/blog/
this link may help you understand one of the many techniques to get the sides to help the top accept the geometry .
john

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

So the cartridge sits in the neck pocket or heel which raises neck angle??

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Cartrige???

Help!!! I can not get to Hesh's tut on Dome leveling anymore. I was at http://luthiersforum.3element.com/pages ... ng_jig.htm . That is a great write up!

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Eddie Lee

John, without the head and tail blocks in don't the sides flex a lot when you are sanding? Is the pipe placed half way between the top end and bottom end of the body or at the highest point of the sides?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Eddie, I might have saved a copy of Hesh's tutorial on my home computer. I'll look when I get home. In the mean time you might be able to glean what you need from this thread.

http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=20177

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Aoibeann

Eddie, I dug through my archived web pages and unfortunately that was one that I didn't grab. Sorry. Hope the other link helps.

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Aoibeann