I’m with Ian on this one, getting more eyes and being able to walk through it with video would help a lot. If you can’t do the loothalong and want to video chat DM me and we can schedule a video call.

This might be easier to look at online. Have you been on the loothalong ?

One thing to check when getting mystery gaps is that there is a gap between the face of the mortise side and the tenon side. Since you cant see inside the joint when the neck is in, you can check it by chalking one side.

This is helpful, but I’m not sure what my next step is. As far as I can tell, the neck is exactly where I want it from the pitch, string alignment and elevation. But I also have the .035” gap.

So not sure where I should target to close that gap without making everything else that is correct not be worse

Thank you, Lars! I do own a small air compressor, but the tank is on the small side. I suppose it could keep up with the fairly minimal air demands of a small detail gun. The point about keeping the air pressure at a sufficiently high level to permit good atomization of the sunburst pigment spray is well taken. Thank you again for your response.…

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Here is an SOP I wrote when working at a big name shop. I hope this helps out, read thoroughly and go in this order. Your gap could be a few things.

Here is a brief description of how to manipulate the dovetail while fitting a neck.

The pitch measurement is taken with a straight edge in the center of a straight fingerboard, projecting this…

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So you do not have an air compressor? Might be a good idea to get one. A small detail gun (or airbrush) takes very litttle air so you only need a small compressor that you can use for many other things. I use an small old Devilbiss MP gun for sunbursts, it does not need a lot of air. Regardless of what you use, be careful with the air pressure.…

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Thank you for the suggestion of the detail gun, but I have a Fuji HVLP setup that cannot accommodate a detail gun. I have not yet attempted any practice sunburst boards with my current setup, but will do so shortly. If all else fails, I would also like to test out using a double action airbrush. I appreciate your input!

Thank you very much, Luc. I do own a Paasche model H single action airbrush and airbrush compressor, but only have limited experience with it. A double action airbrush would undoubtedly have much finer control of the spray density, and would surely be a better choice for applying a sunburst finish to a guitar. Thank you for the suggestion.…

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