Routing a Mustang body

Mooseboy · Post by **Mooseboy** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 1:32 pm

Considering buying a Mustang body blank but how difficult is it to route all the necassary holes and neck pocket etc?
Also is it possible to route the neck pocket to fit a squier duo sonic neck?

Awstin · Post by **Awstin** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 2:52 pm

It's pretty difficult to route a neck pocket. Easy with templates but I stay away from it. There are people here that can route them though for you. Cooterfinger for example. You an use a duosonic neck as long as you mount the bridge at the right distance to compensate for the scale length. Hope this helps.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:30 pm

indeed, the body routing is the easiest cuz if something is slightly off you can easily correct it and cover up any mistake with the guard. the neck pocket is by far the most difficult since you need to follow a center line and have it line up with the bridge placement.

Awstin · Post by **Awstin** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 5:58 pm

The first neck pocket I routed wasn't completely terrible. It worked and the neck actually lined up but I had a small gap from the bottom of the fretboard to the Pickguard because my screw holes were a tad off. Guitar lasted a few years. Needless to say, the body is in the landfill now. Haha. I stick to control routes now. I won't even mess with bridge mounting either. Just a tad off will ruin everything.

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:50 pm

Duo Sonic necks are not a different heel size, just a different scale, you may have to move the bridge if it's a new Chinese one, not sure about the Mexican ones. Show us what you want to do, your post is unclear.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:59 pm

I create two templates for each guitar body. One for the body shape, routes, and neck screw holes and another for the neck pocket. Both templates have at least a couple of holes in common so I can match them up properly and mount them to the body with screws. The neck pocket template extends past the neck pocket so the router weight can be supported. I did run into a problem with the router weight causing the template to bend and make the neck pocket even, but I attached a piece of scrap wood from the body blank to the end of the template to keep it from bending down.

The only time I am nervous on a new build is when I am routing the neck pocket. The templates help me make sure I am not getting off track.

Here is a pic of my Mustang with the body template on top and the neck pocket template underneath. I was checking for accuracy of my template against a real Mustang body. The Body template has the holes for the neck mounting screws while the neck template has the actual route cut out.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 4:15 pm

when i would make my templates i would do a two set per as well, but, for the neck pocket with the routes, everything was as it should be without the elongated piece, i was using a table router tho, so i could lay it down and get the neck pocket, tho the rest of the routes were down with a hand held.
generally i would cut the body with my table router(after bandsaw), then lay on the inside/neck route, do the neck pocket, then get the rest with the handheld.

Mooseboy · Post by **Mooseboy** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 7:53 pm

If I routed the body to fit a cv duo-sonic neck, would the bridge need moving much?

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:53 pm

Mooseboy wrote:If I routed the body to fit a cv duo-sonic neck, would the bridge need moving much?

I am trying to remember, but the CV duo-sonic neck might be a conversion neck. If it's a conversion neck, then you will have to move it.

Mooseboy · Post by **Mooseboy** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:56 pm

If I used a duo-sonic II bridge how much would it need moving?
Are we talking a few mm or more like an inch?

cur · Post by **cur** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 10:00 pm

From the thread that keeps on giving:

Jaguar/Mustang neck = 17 3/4" Butt to Nut

Jagmaster/CV Duosonic neck = 17 3/8" butt to nut
link

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:27 pm

is the cv a true 24 or a 24.75? i can't remember tho i remember taking measurements and pics of "correct intonation spots"

Casual_Reader · Post by **Casual_Reader** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 12:33 am

cur wrote:From the thread that keeps on giving:

Jaguar/Mustang neck = 17 3/4" Butt to Nut

Jagmaster/CV Duosonic neck = 17 3/16" butt to nut
link

here are two boards... both 24" scale - 1/4" dot markers - 0.08 fret width

top = 17.1875 - 17 & 3/16ths inside of nut to butt
bottom 17.375 - 17 & 3/8ths inside nut to butt

which looks more like the butt end of a cv duo sonic?

cur · Post by **cur** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 5:18 am

robert(original) wrote:is the cv a true 24 or a 24.75? i can't remember tho i remember taking measurements and pics of "correct intonation spots"

Cv duo is 24" conversion neck. Cyclone is 24.75".

cur · Post by **cur** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 5:24 am

Casual_Reader wrote:
cur wrote:From the thread that keeps on giving:

Jaguar/Mustang neck = 17 3/4" Butt to Nut

Jagmaster/CV Duosonic neck = 17 3/16" butt to nut
link
here are two boards... both 24" scale - 1/4" dot markers - 0.08 fret width

top = 17.1875 - 17 & 3/16ths inside of nut to butt
bottom 17.375 - 17 & 3/8ths inside nut to butt

which looks more like the butt end of a cv duo sonic?

The bottom one, cv and jagmaster 24" conversion are the same. I have both and I will remeasure when get some time.
Ok here it is. Read it all. Cv conversion neck

The correct answer is 17 3/8"

thanks for catching that CR.

Mooseboy · Post by **Mooseboy** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:25 pm

How about a 60's Teisco 24" scale neck?

cur · Post by **cur** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:04 am

You're on your own now. Could be anything and they are probably more narrow than a fender neck.

Casual_Reader · Post by **Casual_Reader** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 1:08 am

cur wrote:thanks for catching that CR.

thanks for the confirmation.

cur · Post by **cur** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 1:10 am

cur wrote:You're on your own now. Could be anything and they are probably more narrow than a fender neck.

EDIT:
turns out I actually have an old made in japan guitar, don't know the make, but it is 24". well more like 23 3/4". neck is 16 1/2" from zero fret to butt and but width is 2" and it is square cut.

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:40 am

Mooseboy wrote:How about a 60's Teisco 24" scale neck?

I have a guitar, not Teisco but same factory, same hardware, and the neck pocket is much smaller side to side than Fender. I don't actually have the original neck anymore, but the scale was not 24", it was 23 1/2", I remember when I had it I measured it.