I think I'll do the gut fret thing....maybe when I am happy with the placement file pilot notches on the edge of the neck and make them of gut and replace them as they wear out. Never thought of that!

The soundboard (top where the bridge rests on) is thin spruce and I cheaped out and made the internal braces out of lath that came from my granddad's house. I think the lath is ash(they made it from trees cut on site when they built the house) and the body is vaneered because bending it made the wood I built it from look like hell, the vaneer is mahogany and it looks pretty against the light top.

Again, thank you all for the helpful answers!

Chaz