5.Align the neck by using the sanding tech- nique described in Step 2. Apply extra pres- sure toward the part of the neck that needs to be shifted.
Note: Check alignment frequently. A little bit of sanding can cause large adjustments.
6. Place the tailpiece on the edge of the soundboard and align it to the center mark.
7. Use a screw or drill a hole with a 1⁄16" bit to mark the centers of the screw holes (Figure 8) and then set the tailpiece to the side.
Figure 8. Marking tailpiece mounting holes.
Note: The tailpiece will not be installed until after the finish is applied to the mandolin (see Page 14), but the alignment of the tailpiece is easier before final sanding.
8.Place the nut at the end of the neck so it is straight across as shown in Figure 9, and draw a line along the bottom edge of the nut. Do not place the nut on the pegboard, the piece that slopes downward from the neck.
Fretboard
Nut
Figure 9. Marking the nut position.
9.Remove the nut and place the fretboard on the neck, aligning it with the top of the line drawn in Step 8.
10.Mark the edge of the fretboard binding onto both sides of the neck, drawing a line 11⁄2" from the body toward the headstock as shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10. Marking fretboard binding edges onto
neck.
H8067 Flat Iron Style Mandolin Kit
