In Deep And Treading Cautiously.

[MrDanger]

Let me begin by saying that I'm new to building guitars and this is my first real project. I've already got all the parts for this and the neck is done but I'm a little cautious (read: nervous) about routing the neck cavity and the bridge. Its going to be a bolt in guitar with a Hipshot trem (http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=187). Firstly, do I need to have a neck pitch if I have a trem? I know that a lot of Floyd guitars don't need it but would I need it for a Strat style trem? Secondly, when I route the cavity for the trem, where is the best place to start? Lastly, what tools are best for the job? If anyone can answer these questions for me and provide me with any further advice or instruction, it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[erikbojerik]

Welcome to the forum

Read up on neck angles in the Melvyn Hiscock book if you have it.... if the bridge is high enough then Yes, you'll need a neck angle, it really depends on the height of the bridge saddles. If your trem bridge has the same saddle height as a standard strat bridge, then you probably won't need one as long as your fretboard height (above the body) is the same.

You basically want to remove most of the material in the cavities with forstner bits on a drill press first, and just use the router bits to clean up the edges of the cavities. Having said that, you can certainly remove everything with the router but it's easier and less scary this way and extends the life of your router bits.

Definitely make yourself some templates for this, out of 1/2" or thicker MDF or high-quality plywood (the kind with no voids inside). I'll either make them from scratch, or purchase a set of pickup routing templates from StewMac, then use them to make your "working templates" out of MDF/plywood....this way if you rout one of them by mistake, you can always go back and make a new one from the StewMac "masters".

Since you've made your own neck from scratch, you'll need to make your own neck pocket template that will fit it.

Making templates is good practice for routing the real cavities, shape the edges with files and sanding sticks until you're happy with the quality. Then attach the templates, trace out the cavities, hog out with the forstners, and clean up with the router.

[MrDanger]

Welcome to the forum

Read up on neck angles in the Melvyn Hiscock book if you have it.... if the bridge is high enough then Yes, you'll need a neck angle, it really depends on the height of the bridge saddles. If your trem bridge has the same saddle height as a standard strat bridge, then you probably won't need one as long as your fretboard height (above the body) is the same.

You basically want to remove most of the material in the cavities with forstner bits on a drill press first, and just use the router bits to clean up the edges of the cavities. Having said that, you can certainly remove everything with the router but it's easier and less scary this way and extends the life of your router bits.

Definitely make yourself some templates for this, out of 1/2" or thicker MDF or high-quality plywood (the kind with no voids inside). I'll either make them from scratch, or purchase a set of pickup routing templates from StewMac, then use them to make your "working templates" out of MDF/plywood....this way if you rout one of them by mistake, you can always go back and make a new one from the StewMac "masters".

Since you've made your own neck from scratch, you'll need to make your own neck pocket template that will fit it.

Making templates is good practice for routing the real cavities, shape the edges with files and sanding sticks until you're happy with the quality. Then attach the templates, trace out the cavities, hog out with the forstners, and clean up with the router.

Thank you very much! I'm ordering that book now...I took it out from the library a while back but its probably a good idea to actually own it. The tips for the tools is much appreciated too!