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I am in the Lie Neilsen 102 low angle block plane and violin plane camp. I had the 102 for about 7 years and I still use it a lot. The violin plane gets lots of use as well.

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I too had used a Stanley/Record standard block plane for years for general work but was finding it increasingly coarse for guitar work. (I had sharpened the blade down to unuseability and the replacement blade didn't seem very good) I tried one of the Chinese high quality (can't remember the brand) block planes and it was OK but not that exciting.

I was actually looking for a shoulder (rebate) plane and ended up with the LN rebate block plane. I was incredibly reluctant given the price (particularly in the UK) but I have been astonished. It is an absolutely wonderful tool. I use it all the time simply as a block plane. I wish I'd bought it years ago. So I would strongly recommend a look at it since you get the rebate aspect as well.

Dave

I use 2 pre-WW2 Stanley 60-1/2, one set fine and one set rank. I have tried the L-N version, and it is a fine tool, but I like the lighter weight of Stanleys. I also use a Stanley 103 a little, which is actually what L-N calls a 102. The Stanley 102 does not have a blade depth adjuster while the 103 does. The L-N 102 might be the only new plane I would buy, but I am too cheap and I like my 60-1/2's too much

Ed