Well this project has ben on hold for a long time, but I'm back at it FINALLY! During our current home renos, the guitar sat on a blanket in the basement. Turns out spray can shellac isn't a very hard finish because the blanket stuck to it and imprinted the finish! I had to figure out what to do about a new finish. Then I stumbled across a solution at a local hardware store.... Watco sray lacquer in an aerosol can.... turns out its nitrocellulose lacquer! A couple hours of sanding removed the shellac, I bought a respirator, and now I'm waiting for a couple nice warm days so I can spray outside.
The other problem that developed while the guitar was sitting, was that the fingerboard extension bowed a bit, so I had to refit the neck a bit. I am changing my approach to assembly and finishing this time though - I am attaching the neck to the body prior to finishing. This type of neck joint uses a screw and is also glued. The fingerboard extension is also glued to the top of the guitar. Below is a picture of the neck glued and clamped to the body. Can't wait to spray the finish!
The other problem that developed while the guitar was sitting, was that the fingerboard extension bowed a bit, so I had to refit the neck a bit. I am changing my approach to assembly and finishing this time though - I am attaching the neck to the body prior to finishing. This type of neck joint uses a screw and is also glued. The fingerboard extension is also glued to the top of the guitar. Below is a picture of the neck glued and clamped to the body. Can't wait to spray the finish!