MIMF

In general terms, the frets are prep'd & cut to exact length and the the ends are rounded/polished before installing on the fingerboard. There's quite a bit out there......... several youtubes & sites. (Alan Dunwell did quite an extensive paper, depending on how deeply you want to get into i...

Very interesting Nelson....as you say, everyone has his own way. I almost responded last night, but thought "no, it's me ....something I don't understand about why Nelson asked his question". I typically bolt-on after finishing (I may floss the heel a bit before buffing, if the finishing h...

Congats Ian......knew you'd get there. Now just keep things in balance as the neck lowers into position.

That's it Mark. Strips of sandpaper (I use 1" wide strips) are pinched and held between the body and the heel. Pulling the sandpaper straight out (away from the top) sands the heel (make sure backing is to body) such that it conforms perfectly to the body for a gapless seam. It also adjusts thi...

Yep, fitting a neck properly is a challenge, as you are trying to get "roll, pitch & yaw" of the neck to all crash together just as it drops to the right height & become tight! Hope this isn't too basic, but if the heel is the final width, undercut a bit from an edge allowance (1/8...

Looks great!!......very "old west". Do it "sepia" tone & you're there.
(Might want a bit more space for model / serial #/ signature though.)

I love it Jeff....very clean. Also intrigued by the logo.

I think you'll find a lot of it has to do with the bendability of highly figured maple. For the small radii you're after, particularly in the c-bout, is not easily bendable in thicker stock.... very tough approaching .080", although a viola is a bigger instrument. I typically have to thin to .0...