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I'm on my third build and still making a lot of dumb mistakes. I see i've made a mistake, which will effects neck angle and realize that the next step it critical.  i'd be very grateful for some advice.  The guitar in question is a 000 cutaway i mod'd for my daughter, who is small in stature.  When i built the top (western cedar) i built a small dome into it, which begins just after the neck block and peaks near the bridge location.  Now as i come to fit the bolt-on Stew mac neck (on an already closed box) the neck angle is problematic.  After shaving the lower part of the tenon as much as i dare to do, i still have insufficient rise along the straight-edge plane from a dry-fitted (unfretted) neck/fingerboard to the bridge area. The dome will make the bridge too high.  I've sanded the bridge down, keeping the same radius as the dome, but am reluctant to do more.  The tuners aren't on nor are  the frets, and the truss rod is fully backed off.  I lack the experience to know exactly how much effect that will have, but whatever it has, it will be in the wrong direction.  The only solution i can see other than taking the top off and burning it (which is appealing) is to raise the neck height above the soundboard slightly an insert a shim, which will show.  Am i missing an alternative and if not, would the shim be fashioned from an off piece of the top?   Please to see the picture attached and thank you in advance

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maybe a thicker fingerboard ?

Thank you so much.  I'm afraid the issue has to do with the overall angle, so a thicker board would still leave the angle issue.  But you raise a thought-- if i buy some ebony headstock, and use that as the shim, it would have the appearance over the top 

If you don't want to shave the face of the tenon any more, could you deepen the mortice in the body a little to get more neck angle?

Good idea.  thank you so much

I would consider a cantilevered neck extension. It's a common practice on archtop instruments and there are a few "flattop" makers that also use them. A quick Google search will net you some examples.

The extension shim can be made of wood to match your neck, probably mahogany. I think the biggest issue would  be the length of the existing heel. It's a fairly common practice on Archtops for the neck to be "reclined" a bit more than a flattop neck. The difference in angle isn't a lot but even a couple of degrees could help avoid some of the heel length issue.  Something I think is an added benefit is that I find the greater angle on the neck makes it more comfortable to hold.  

Thank you so much.  I'll do just that

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