ArieBombarie Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Just a quick question... I'm buidling a Les Paul type guitar. I finished the mahogany body and the next step is to attach the top (zebrawood). Now before I glue the top on, I was thinking about pre-routing the wiring holes (from pick-up selector switch to the pickup cavities to the controls) in the mahogany body. I guess this will be easier then drilling the holes between the cavities after the top is glued on and the cavities are routed in the body. The reason why I'm asking this is, that it seems like a obvious thing to do, but I can't seem to find builds where this is done this way. Am I missing something? Is there any reason why I shouldn't do this? Let me know what you think... Grz Arjan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anderekel Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 A lot of people route out the wiring spaces before they put the top on. Seems like it's gotta be easier that way than drillin' holes, certainly less risky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Yep, you're definitely missing something Routing the channels for the wires before gluing the top wood, especially on a Les Paul, is almost a must. http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/195...aulStandard.htm Check out that link. On the template, you can see the channels running from the pickup selector, through the pickup cavity, and into the electronics cavity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. pierce Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 I do it this way when doing a guitar with a separate top. Be sure not to block those wiring routes with glue when you fit the top on, however, or they're of little use. (I had a habit of using a bit too much glue on my early projects. Well, more than a bit, actually...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenspoke Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) I do it this way when doing a guitar with a separate top. Be sure not to block those wiring routes with glue when you fit the top on, however, or they're of little use. (I had a habit of using a bit too much glue on my early projects. Well, more than a bit, actually...) As long as you have a good Idea where everything will be than this is a no brainer. I see no issues with routing a deeper channel and not having to worry about glue squeeze out. I generally do not put the selector switch in the LP position and find using a long drill bit after I have routed my pickups and recesses easier than pre routing even with a top. For the most part a long drill bit 12" long will provide plenty of angle to creater most wiring channels. With a router you probably have 1/2 inch fudge factor. Less of an issue with the pickup to pickup; and pickup to pot cavity than with the channel from the neck pickup to selector switch which is a small target. Edited May 13, 2008 by Woodenspoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) I do this all the time with guitars with tops on. ie, almost every guitar I build. I plan out my builds precisely, so it's not like my pickup or other cavities are going to be anywhere near 1/2" off. Maybe, on a bad day, 1/16" off. Then again, as I tend to build semi-hollow electrics, I need to be pretty picky about where things go. Edited May 13, 2008 by Mattia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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