When the scroll is complete, a neck carver takes over. A smooth, properly graduated neck makes playing easier. The completed neck and scroll are custom fitted to the neck block. A tight fit and the proper angle are essential for durability, sound, and playability.

The edges and corners receive their final touches, and the body of the instrument is ready for the last step prior to varnishing.

The surface of the top and back are scraped smooth. A scraper is an unusual blade with a burred scraping edge rather than a sharp cutting edge. A scraped surface is preferable to a sanded one, as it is extremely smooth and it avoids the slightly clouded appearance of wood that has been sanded.