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Install the string ferrules
Use the same method to install the string ferrules as you did the Tuner bushings. These can be
tapped in place with a hammer using a small maple dowel to save damaging the face of the bush-
ing, Alternatively if you have a small drill press then close the empty chuck and use this to press
the bushing home.
Lining up the neck with the body and bridge.
Use a clamp to lightly hold the neck in place. Place a scrap of wood or soft faced clamp over the
frets so they don't suffer any damage to their surface. Beware over tightening the clamp as this
could crush the frets and change/flatten the fret radius at this point of contact.
To align the neck and body I like to use a length of string/twine or thin hook up wire threaded
through the E string ferrule holes in the body and then run the wire/ string up the neck through the
nut to the E tuners to check alignment and make side-to-side adjustments to the neck as needed
to make sure the strings ride even along both edges of the fretboard.
When you are happy with the alignment of the neck use the holes in the body to mark the hole
locations in the heel of the neck. A scribe, nail, or transfer punch will make clean marks in the
neck to show you where to drill. A 1/8th brad-point drill bit turned by hand works perfectly for
making these marks.
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