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Hi! I've got a new project, I would like to try a guitar with a vibrato unit, I did that only once, a PRS-like guitar for my brothers 18th birthday in 2002. This might become 2 guitars, but that remains to be seen. First, I pulled out a cherry board from the shed, which is over 33cm wide, so I can get 2 one-piece body blanks: 1 by Goran P, on Flickr I roughly cut 2 pieces, trying to avoid cracks on the ends of the board: 2 by Goran P, on Flickr and then, a few minutes on the neighbor's thickness planer reveals fresh surface - again cherry 3 by Goran P, on Flickr I've ordered some binding: 4 by Goran P, on Flickr This is the template I've used then - it's not a exact PRS shape, the bout is narrower, but the length is same I think. I usually don't shape the body outline with a router, fearing tearout (and the router itself ), but since it's has a vibrato unit, this is already out of my comfort zone... 5 by Goran P, on Flickr This is the unit I've ordered: 6 by Goran P, on Flickr Routed the shape after cutting roughly, and had 2 issues - the router bit into the template at 5 o'clock, and a big tearout at the tip of the horn. I can sand out the first, and hope to be able to carve out the second, perhaps with some minor surgery... 7 by Goran P, on Flickr 8 by Goran P, on Flickr Freehand routed the ledge (15mm height difference) and a rough carving line, just to get rid of some bulk. 9 by Goran P, on Flickr Started planing the top angle. around 2 degrees. It starts behind the bridge, so it's basically zero angle, angled neck guitar 10 by Goran P, on Flickr 11 by Goran P, on Flickr 12 by Goran P, on Flickr 13 by Goran P, on Flickr

Hey there, I have a question in my head these days, i thought maybe you could help me decide: in my situation (see below), should i get a vintage or a standard vibrato block? Situation - i m rebuilding a "perfect" guitar (for me) starting from a basswood Fender body with a straight 24 fret Fender neck. http://s1237.photobucket.com/user/strat80hm/library/Strat%20HM%20Blue/#/user/strat80hm/library/Strat%20HM%20Blue?sort=3&page=1&_suid=136855920574306923632957944514 - my perfect guitar should not ask for a tool box to tune or change a string, and should allow me to play behind the nut, and should look as close as a regular everyday Strat as possible. - this Strat is mounted with a black bulky double locking system (a Kahler Spyder) with routed cavity for pulling. - this vibrato is mounted on 2 poles which are about 2' 7/8" apart. Plan - to install a classic vibrato block (no locking) with piezo captor (LR Baggs X-Bridge because it sounds nice and cost less than other brands). http://www.lrbaggs.com/pickups/electric-guitar-acoustic-pickup - the Vintage version has 6 screws (2 1/8 wide) while the Standard had 2 poles (2 1/16 apart). - because of the difference of size with the Kahler, i m going to have to fill up the existing holes for the poles and drill new holes. - because of the routing, i might also have to fill-up at least the front part of the recess (where the poles are). - i like my vibrato block floating -which i do by setting it "slanted" (a la Jeff Beck)- so it doesnt not necessarily need a recessed body, although i m not against the idea of setting it "flat" and take advantage of the already existing route for pull-ups. - I like the Vintage system better, especially the thin threaded vibrato bar. Questions - given the strong string/spring tension involved, and the potential "fragility" of having to glue a new piece of wood to accommodate new poles/screws, is the 6 screws-Vintage system the right choice in my situation? - what s sturdier: 6 screws or 2 poles? - any specific kind of wood i should use for (partially) filling up the routed part? Thanks for sharing thoughts and clearing up confusion.