Control Cavities

[guitar101]

Building a semi hollow guitar. I have the body routed out and the neck angle glued. I was wondering how to route out the control cavities so the cover fits flush with the surface of the body. There is a small step around the main cavity allow the cover to sit lower that the body.I bought the StewMac template but is the routing done freehand or is there a router attachment to help make it easier. I'm not comfortable routing freehand.

[ae3]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Routing/Control_Cavity_Templates.html

This one?

The template on the left is the template for the 'lip.' You'll probably want to raise it up/make a thicker template out of it depending on how long your router bit is.

[RestorationAD]

Most gibson semi-hollow bodies are wired through the F hole. No need for a cavity cover. Yes it is a pain... but once it is wired you usually don't take it apart.

[rkennett]

Most gibson semi-hollow bodies are wired through the F hole. No need for a cavity cover. Yes it is a pain... but once it is wired you usually don't take it apart.

i had to rewire my dad's old ventura. it's just like this one.

total pain in the rear. those f holes aren't really f holes, they're painted. i ended up having to remove the bridge pickup. i did all of the soldering without the pots, jacks, etc. mounted. then i inserted the big mess through the pickup hole and worked the parts to the proper place to screw them in.

if i had to do it again, i'd break tradition and install a cavity cover.

[ihocky2]

How thick is back of the body?

[Helldunkel]

Building a semi hollow guitar. I have the body routed out and the neck angle glued. I was wondering how to route out the control cavities so the cover fits flush with the surface of the body. There is a small step around the main cavity allow the cover to sit lower that the body.I bought the StewMac template but is the routing done freehand or is there a router attachment to help make it easier. I'm not comfortable routing freehand.

I use a binding bit to cut the recess

I use the smallest ball bearing:

Binding Router Bit Set

This way I'm hitting the cavity and the result will be a nice and even recess all arround that cavity

[guitar101]

Building a semi hollow guitar. I have the body routed out and the neck angle glued. I was wondering how to route out the control cavities so the cover fits flush with the surface of the body. There is a small step around the main cavity allow the cover to sit lower that the body.I bought the StewMac template but is the routing done freehand or is there a router attachment to help make it easier. I'm not comfortable routing freehand.

I use a binding bit to cut the recess

I use the smallest ball bearing:

Binding Router Bit Set

This way I'm hitting the cavity and the result will be a nice and even recess all arround that cavity

I took a good look at them and I can see with your photo how to go about it.. Thanks.

[guitar101]

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Routing/Control_Cavity_Templates.html

This one?

The template on the left is the template for the 'lip.' You'll probably want to raise it up/make a thicker template out of it depending on how long your router bit is.

Thanks that was very helpful.

[guitar101]

How thick is back of the body?

Not sure the guitar I am copying is about 1/2 inch but I have to check. That brings up a good point the thickness of the sides and body. I think 1/2 inch but I am not sure if this is OK.

[guitar101]

Building a semi hollow guitar. I have the body routed out and the neck angle glued. I was wondering how to route out the control cavities so the cover fits flush with the surface of the body. There is a small step around the main cavity allow the cover to sit lower that the body.I bought the StewMac template but is the routing done freehand or is there a router attachment to help make it easier. I'm not comfortable routing freehand.

I use a binding bit to cut the recess

I use the smallest ball bearing:

Binding Router Bit Set

This way I'm hitting the cavity and the result will be a nice and even recess all arround that cavity

I took a good look at them and I can see with your photo how to go about it.. Thanks.

What kind of wood is that??? Looks great..

[Helldunkel]

What kind of wood is that??? Looks great..

Thanks:)

Its not wood (nuff said), I dont use wood for the control covers of my instruments which is not stable enough for my taste, the recess is only 3mm deep