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Assembly Order

I have got most of my components together. I'd like to know what some experienced members think about a timeline for putting this baby together. I have a box untouched, a raw neck cut to length with a scarf joint, a fretboard (pre-made) bridge with saddle and nut.

I know I'll probably do something in the wrong order, but would like to keep that to a minimum. Sound hole? neck block? bridge patch? tuner holes? Pretty sure gluing the fretboard will be toward the end.

Any help or suggestions would be most welcome.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kigar on March 27, 2016 at 4:01pm

Wow this depends on so many things - the tools you have, the way you plan to assemble, the box, tuners, etc. I have not made a ton of builds and I try to do different types of construction each time so I always end up with something I should have done sooner or later. I'll toss out a couple things but they may or may not fit your situation.

Sounds obvious but anything glued is basically permanent, screws can be undone. A box that can open after assembly is easier to tweak something.

Drill the sound hole anytime once you know it won't be in the way of a thru neck, brace, etc. Definitely while it can be opened so a piece of scrap is under the top for support while drilling.

If you plan to fully round the neck into a D shape, it is easier to glue the fretboard while the neck is flat. Just cover it in painters tape to keep it from getting marred.

If you have a premade fretboard, making the neck a little wide allows for matching the profile after gluing.

If you do the bridge last, it can be moved and adjusted for height and intonation. Make the nut a little tall, it is easy to shorten, hard to lengthen.

Depending on your choice of finish, you may want to fully complete the neck before attaching it. Tung oil or Tru oil can be sanded to tweak something and refinished seamlessly, stain and varnish not so much.

Follow some how-tos and see what order they did it.

Permalink Reply by Murdoc_420 on March 29, 2016 at 9:41am

On the bass I just completed (not a uke but...)

I glued in the neck support blocks early because i was bored and waiting for neck glue(laminated) to dry.

Later I wanted to drill holes through the bottom for strings but the glued in block was in the way :(

Definitely best to have all cuts made, holes drilled (maybe not sound hole as Kigar stated)

everything able to be placed and tested 'dry' before applying glue.

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I think it's a 1 on 1 basis though, every instrument could vary a little so it's good to have everything ready and laid out and just think about the things that will make it hard later.

Permalink Reply by B. Kirkwood on March 29, 2016 at 10:50am