Captainstrat

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but here goes: on my current build, I have zero fret buzz, rattle or note outs, I think the frets are properly level, but some are rough (me thinks the seller went too Gung Ho with the Dremmel tool to relic the neck), string bending feels like I'm bending over a rasp! Full fret level/crowning/polish, crown and polish or just polish? I have a fretboard straightedge, 9.5" radiused blocks, a diamond fret leveler, multiple grades of sandpaper and a crowning file/fretboard protector being delivered today...oh yeah, and a sharpie and plenty of masking tape... There was a YouTube tutorial of a luthier using a diamond fret leveler to level his frets; but I can't find it anymore! Do i need to do a full fret job, or is just a polishing enough?

oh, and here's a pic of my DIY beauties

I tip my hat to you: that was EXACTLY the problem! I bought the control plate prewired (including the output jack) and I expected it to be properly wired...anyway, problem fixed, next will be dressing and polishing the frets

Then again, after reading more on the topic (buzz when touching the strings & metal parts, very low when not touching) perhaps Prostheta is right on the money - the prewired Tele plate might have had the jack wired in reverse...damn those factory workers I never would have thought I'd still get a guitar signal if the jack is wired in reverse!

I'll give that a try, though when I touch the strings and the jack's outer casing the hum does go away (I become the ground?) I swear the damn bridge plate doesn't sit flat on the guitar surface; it's like the pressure from the screws pushes the back down and slightly raises the front part (with the pickup) up...frustrating looks like I'm not the only one with a similar problem: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bridge-base-plate-doesnt-lay-flat-help-suggestions.920644/ looks like a strategically placed screw at the front of the bridge plate might sole the problem

great idea!

Nope, I'm getting pickup signal, with a hum that shouldn't be there. My Squier with cheap single coils is quieter in comparison!

replaced the bridge plate ground wire with a thicker wire, still getting buzz...looks like the bridge plate isn't resting perfectly flat on the guitar body? Mystery needing solving...

Got a second email notice that the strap locks were also delivered I'll be busy when I get home from work!

Indeed, first bug - the bridge ground seems to be loose. The pickups are hum cancelling and should have zero noise; they were dead quiet in the Squier. The noise level seems to indicate that the bridge plate isn't making contact with the ground wire; so I'll have to loosen the strings, remove the bridge and look underneath...oh and I just got a delivery notice from Canada Post, they say the ferrules/string guite parcel has been delivered!

Okay, string alignment better than I thought! adjusted the truss rod, set the intonation, lowered pickup height and string height - no fret buzz, looks like the fretwork was better than anticipated, a few frets might need crowning and polishing but no "note outs". I'm getting there my friends!

Yep, i realized after the fact the my bridge is a dual load (works as either top or string through), so I strung her up...broke the top E string at the tuning post (I'm really starting to hate the vintage-style Klusons) but at a glance it looks properly aligned

Progress report - took a chance with the rubber depth stops - no drill through yay! I used a hand drill as opposed to a power drill, to have full control of the drill bit..extra work but it paid off. Did a bit of cussing installing the tuning pegs... but it seems to be holding. I'm still awaiting the ferrules and string retainer from Guitarfetish as well as the strap locks. I might need to slightly shift the bridge so the strings align properly, the "string test I performed last evening showed that the strings would be too close to the treble side, I'll be able to double-check once the ferrules are installed and I can string it for the first time! And once that's all done...fret dress!

Say, what's our opinion on rubber depth stops for drill bits?

Okay here's a neck fitting. The neck pocket is nice and tight. I drilled shallow pilot holes, which I'll enlarge and drill to the appropriate depth later. Somehow, the holes don't seem to be evenly spaced from the center of the neck's skunk stripe, but I can't move it any farther left or right, and it seems to be properly centered on the photo...

why not? I'd ordered that decal because the large knot bothered me, and lo and behold, it's just the perfect size agreed, I'd much prefer a natural look, but the knot is an eyesore in my opinion, whereas Bettie is eye candy

Oddly enough, the 9/64" drill bit was the one I figured I'd be using! I have a few pieces of scrap pine I can practice on

According to my calipers, the screws are 5/32" in diameter

Votes one for, one against, need a tie breaker

Thanks!

Is there a difference between digital calipers and a micrometer? At any rate, after reading up on how to properly use it, I measured the neck screws (the portion clearing the neck pocket) the neck thickness (looks like I have 3.53 mm of wood to the surface of the fingerboard). I also measured a drill bit and temporarily marked it with masking tape; the collar with set screw sound much more reliable, so I'll wait!

As I await delivery of the rest of the parts, i made use of my digital calipers. I'm a noob, so after looking up how to properly measure the length of the necks screws clearing the neck pocket; I got a 20.67 mm measurement; which is in the ballpark of the 20.225 mm measurement I'd found on Telecaster Forums. I also measure the heel thickness, which is 24.02 mm on the sides. Since the necks have a radius, I figured I'd err on the side of caution and measure the heel where it's a bit thinner (rather than from the middle at the top of the radius). Which should leave me with enough clearance not to have an accident and drill right through the fingerboard (as it happened to me in the past). According to the telecaster Forum, a drill bit slightly larger than 1/8" (9/64" or even 5/32) is preferable as it makes the screw thread easier. I might apply a bit of paste wax on the threads too. Since I don't have any fancy jigs, I might start pilot holes using the neck pocket itself as a drilling jig, using one of my trusty Mastercraft clamps (which are rubber padded) drilling only the surface of the heel. Then, measure the drill bit and using a collar with set screw as a depth guide, finish drilling the holes...

Okay, ordered a set of vintage style ferrules and a vintage style string guide from Guitarfetish, and (why not) a pack of 3 sets of strap locks, one chrome (for my thinline PRS), one gole (for my home built DC Les Paul) and one black which I can use on my MIM Strat...I've spend all that money on those axes, might as well keep 'em safe right? ';) I'd already ordered a set of strap locks for my Telecaster build but what the hell, let's protect my investment on all of 'em!

Sooo...after waiting over a month, the ferrules are finally delivered and they're the wrong size , too long and too narrow. Looks like it;s Guitarfetish time, for the right sized ferrules...more waiting

Cool, found a digital micrometer locally, ordered a set of collars with set screw from Amazon... work in progress, thanks!