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I am in need of some suggestions with how to properly fix a set neck on a '59 Les Paul Jr I am building. This is my first electric, and my 4th guitar...the others being acoustics. The guitar is S.A. Mahogany and remains to be sanded out. Also the neck is just friction fit right now, not glued in yet. In any event, my question is this, what is the best method of getting the joint (not the neck pocket, that's just right) where it meets the body to fit best? Should I use the sand paper between the body and neck method - but then I think I will need to trim the bridge end of the neck for the pocket? Or just fill it in with sawdust and glue? Or anything else for that matter?

I'm sure I could figure out a way that would work, but my brain hurts and I know I can not be the only person to run into this. Any help would be appreciated.

Jamie

Thanks Filippo...and yes, it is the poor quality of the photos...I took them with my phone. Just for clarification, the insides of the horns are flat and square. The body was routed using my template and yes, the top of the body is flat (it is a Les Paul Jr) and the neck angle is set at 4 degrees, so it's all correct at the bridge location.

You are correct; however, the heel is not square...yet. The whole of the neck was just roughed out and I noticed the bottom of the heel wasn't fitting properly, thus the post. In any event, I think using a file, like you suggest, will be the method I try first.

Jamie

Another vote here for the judicious use of a file.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

What happens when you put clamps on it? Will it tighten up? Looks like there may be some headspace at the tenon, would a long clamp from headstock to tail improve the fit? If it will not close up to being acceptable with clamps on then you will need to work the joint some. To my eye, based on the picture, it appears that the neck is canted a bit, meaning that while the ends of the joint are square with there respective centerlines on the individual parts, the centerlines do not align perfectly. Looks like they are off maybe not quite a quarter of a degree in the pic. Hence the joint is tighter at the treble side than the bass. I suspect that the body has some small ripples in it where it meets the neck as routing and shaping endgrain is difficult to do and keep perfectly true. I would true up the end of the body a bit, measure the largest gap with a feeler gauge and trim back the end of the tenon that much and floss the heel until everything fits nice.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Gotta trim the end a little to make sure that end isn't keeping the heel from going flush. When you set the neck the excess glue is going to go there anyways so you need some clearance. I'd check the mating surfaces with a small square/straightedge first and if everything checks I'd would floss with sandpaper. Looks pretty good for your first electric !!!

Thanks guys, I will use your advice and see what I can come up with. I keep telling myself to be patient with building, but the closer it comes to looking like a guitar the more excited I still get.

In any event, once I get this sorted...and I will...I'll let you know. Thanks again, this forum is such a source of help and inspiration.

Jamie