I do not carve using templates so I was shocked to find the fit of Mousa 001's bridge fit the top of Mousa 003 absolutely perfect. Like dead on perfect with no gaps. Really crazy considering this bridge is from six years ago.
![New frets :: 2010 Chubbuck Mousa 001 [6.2 lbs]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/53dfcee2e4b0c0da377c65c7/1458840511115-6RXBI0WQZAT374Z9Q4DL/20160324_M001_M003_raw.jpg)
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Easily the most nerve racking part of my hollowbody builds is routing the neck pocket. This is where hours of hard work spent getting to this point can be thrown away in a second should something go wrong. Since I build by hand without a pin router (or CNC), above is my funky jig for laying out the pocket. It is pretty much just two supports to hold / align the neck and a flat platform in which to support a plunge router over the body.
Here's a great trick I found on Instagram from Swedish builder Lars Rasmussen - using a heat gun to remove binding tape. Although this is maple, there can be a risk to pulling up wood fibers on spruce / cedar / softwood top guitars. The heat softens the adhesive and really speeds up this tedious process while saving your hands.
Here is Mousa 003's body glue-up from last month. I glue up the back first, remove it from the mold and then glue up the top. Currently I'm finishing up the body binding and the neck fit is coming up soon. Check out the body glue-up video from the vlog down below.
