Fitting neck to body

Hi,

I'm putting together a guitar and was wondering what the best practice is for making the neck heel fit in the neck pocket on the body.

Should I sand the neck pocket to make the space, or should I sand the finish off the heel of the neck?

Or should I do a little of both?!?

thanks,
Hammer

I would block sand the edges of the neck pocket to fit the neck, if it were me. You may want to install the neck in a different body at some point, or sell it. Most wouldn't want to buy a neck that had been altered at the heel. Just my .02.

If they do not fit then the body may be too small or the neck heel too big. I would first figure out which one is off. Then fix the one that is off.