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I am to the point on my current build that I can glue down my neck. I have seen pictures here where some people finish their guitar before they attach the neck. On my first guitar I finished the guitar after I glued the neck and had the fret board ready.

My question is which method is better.
(I am using a dovetail joint)

Finish separately.

The typical way on a classical is to finish with the neck in place. That comes from the use of the Spanish heel. On a steel string the typical way is to finish the body and neck separately, then attach. That gives you the advantage of removing and resetting the neck later without damaging the finish. In my opinion you should have the fingerboard glued to the neck before you finish. that will allow for the finish to be on the sides of the fingerboard making a seamless joint.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Does the thickness of the finish change the fit of the dovetail joint very much?

I don't do dovetails but a typical finish is .005" so I suppose it will tighten it slightly, but, the neck fit is more likely to change slightly from RF changes from when you fit it and when you install it. But we are mostly talking very slight

Opps, I see Filippo answered your question already.

His answer is mo direct and mo betta

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thank you all who responded. I have been thinking that it would be better to finish separately.

Just to throw a spanner in the works, tho I have MUCH less experience, I have finished all my builds so far(dovetails) once the neck and fingerboard are glued up. I wouldn't want any trouble with the fit once the sucker is finished, and I'm wary of clamps and marks on a finish....

I do plan to finish separately once I get around to doing a M&T bolt on........

Finishing separately is much easier to do. Its hard to get the finish right at the neck attachment if glue up is done first. My first dozen or so guitars were done that way before the light bulb finally come on.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

That's the good thing about the OLF, it helps the light bulb come on faster.

another thing to consider is if you're doing a gloss on the body and a satin oil on the neck, it's better done apart as well. just mask off your gluing surfaces. i never really liked the look of a fillet of finish along the seams anyway.