robert(o) JM project

More Cowbell · Post by **More Cowbell** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:35 pm

neck plate holes? I used the neck plate and made marks, then drilled straight through the body, then positioned the neck and pushed the screws into the neck through the holes to make marks on the neck then drilled some pilot holes in the neck and screwed the screws into the neck.

Seeing this thread, makes me realize I need to get off my ass and finish the inlays on my jazz bass project.

ludger · Post by **ludger** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:19 pm

TheBurbz wrote:I'm doing blocks myself at the moment, I did them by hand using pro wood chisels though. I've done about 7 frets so far and they are all perfect, not a single bit out although it does take approx. 20 minutes for each fret this way, I think the result is worth it, I'll post pics when I'm done.

P.S. Sorry to steal your thread

No worries. I like hearing the progress of your Jazzmaster seeing as how we're kinda building the same thing. The blocks weren't too hard once I got over THE FEAR.

More Cowbell wrote:neck plate holes? I used the neck plate and made marks, then drilled straight through the body, then positioned the neck and pushed the screws into the neck through the holes to make marks on the neck then drilled some pilot holes in the neck and screwed the screws into the neck.

Seeing this thread, makes me realize I need to get off my ass and finish the inlays on my jazz bass project.

I did this on my third attempt and the string seems to line up okay but now my problem is when I measured my scale it's now 26 inches. WTF? Is there enough movement in the saddles to fix this or am I drilling the neck holes for a fourth time? (There is about a quarter of an inch gap between the tip of the end of the neck and the body.)

boyecho · Post by **boyecho** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:45 pm

i had to re drill neck holes for my old squier that got real messed up. so what i did is set the neck plate in the pocket.then i put toothpicks in the neck screw holes and propped up the headstock for balance. i used a thin metal ruler to make sure the heel was as far in the neck pocket to make sure. then i centered the neckplate holes around the toothpicks as best i could see. got a sharpie and colored the tip of the toothpicks and the wood of the neck pocket best i could. used those as a reference. then drilled from the front side.

probably MUCH too involved and risky an attempt as any, but i got lucky. it fit fine, neck was nice and snug. no gaps.

i asked robertOG to cut me a body and that's the one thing i'm worried about as well. drilling holes to fit a neck.

actually, i just thought of a much simpler way... i'll have to try this at home. but get some play-doh. pat it thin and fit it into your neck pocket. trim the sides/heel so it doesn't space the neck away from the sides or heel of the pocket. then set the neck in there and push down. lift the neck away and you'll have some indentations on the play-dough for the screw holes. tap them with a nail. then drill through.

because i'm afraid of putting more holes in a neck in case i want to sell it. i'm sure there'd be a buyer that'd bitch.

More Cowbell · Post by **More Cowbell** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:24 am

ludger wrote:
TheBurbz wrote:I'm doing blocks myself at the moment, I did them by hand using pro wood chisels though. I've done about 7 frets so far and they are all perfect, not a single bit out although it does take approx. 20 minutes for each fret this way, I think the result is worth it, I'll post pics when I'm done.

P.S. Sorry to steal your thread
No worries. I like hearing the progress of your Jazzmaster seeing as how we're kinda building the same thing. The blocks weren't too hard once I got over THE FEAR.

More Cowbell wrote:neck plate holes? I used the neck plate and made marks, then drilled straight through the body, then positioned the neck and pushed the screws into the neck through the holes to make marks on the neck then drilled some pilot holes in the neck and screwed the screws into the neck.

Seeing this thread, makes me realize I need to get off my ass and finish the inlays on my jazz bass project.
I did this on my third attempt and the string seems to line up okay but now my problem is when I measured my scale it's now 26 inches. WTF? Is there enough movement in the saddles to fix this or am I drilling the neck holes for a fourth time? (There is about a quarter of an inch gap between the tip of the end of the neck and the body.)

From the 12th fret to the bridge should be 12.5", I also forgot to mention that when I got the neck in the right spot, I only did one screw then popped on the strings and turned the neck till it was even then did the rest of the screws.

ludger · Post by **ludger** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:39 pm

Hey MC and boyecho (what's your username from?) thanks for the help.

I routed the neck pocket to get the standard 25 1/2 inch scale, got the neck on straight without stripping any screws (finally) mounted the pickguard, strap buttons and tremolo. This thing is starting to resemble a guitar. I couldn't resist trying it on..NERD:

This is the nut I ordered. Notice it's wider than the hole for it. It runs over the binding. Another stupid question but do I cut the binding out to fit the nut in or cut the nut to fit the binding? Thanks.

dodgedartdave · Post by **dodgedartdave** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:05 am

If it was me, I would put a white nut to match the binding and I would trim the nut down to fit.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:19 am

yeah, you probably want the nut to fit between the binding.

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:02 am

More Cowbell wrote:neck plate holes? I used the neck plate and made marks, then drilled straight through the body, then positioned the neck and pushed the screws into the neck through the holes to make marks on the neck then drilled some pilot holes in the neck and screwed the screws into the neck.

Seeing this thread, makes me realize I need to get off my ass and finish the inlays on my jazz bass project.

Still need that pup?

boyecho · Post by **boyecho** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:59 am

ludger wrote: boyecho (what's your username from?)

guitar looks good. awesome.

as for the name, i'm the same on most internet forums, but basically, it's a name i came up with almost ten years ago for this photo project i had involving my then girlfriends young nephew who wanted to be a super hero. we slapped goggles on his head, fabricated these mini radar dishes out of paper funnels to cover his ears, gave him a towel-cape and a plastic ray gun. boyecho was born.

he was also the subject of a comic project in highschool after that. the name came from my obsession with echo pedals. [i still use at least 3 at a time, if not more]

ludger · Post by **ludger** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:50 pm

dodgedartdave wrote:If it was me, I would put a white nut to match the binding and I would trim the nut down to fit.

bubbles_horwitz wrote:yeah, you probably want the nut to fit between the binding.

Will do...Thanks gentlemen...Although I think I'm going to keep it black. I also bought a black string tree. haha

mezzio13 wrote:
More Cowbell wrote:neck plate holes? I used the neck plate and made marks, then drilled straight through the body, then positioned the neck and pushed the screws into the neck through the holes to make marks on the neck then drilled some pilot holes in the neck and screwed the screws into the neck.

Seeing this thread, makes me realize I need to get off my ass and finish the inlays on my jazz bass project.
Still need that pup?

Was this question for me or MC? The only thing left I have to buy is the neck pickup. Astro paypaled me some cash so I might order it right now.

boyecho wrote:
ludger wrote: boyecho (what's your username from?)
guitar looks good. awesome.

as for the name, i'm the same on most internet forums, but basically, it's a name i came up with almost ten years ago for this photo project i had involving my then girlfriends young nephew who wanted to be a super hero. we slapped goggles on his head, fabricated these mini radar dishes out of paper funnels to cover his ears, gave him a towel-cape and a plastic ray gun. boyecho was born.

he was also the subject of a comic project in highschool after that. the name came from my obsession with echo pedals. [i still use at least 3 at a time, if not more]

Nice story there...I was wondering what it meant.

astro · Post by **astro** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 2:41 am

Nice job so far! I can't wait to see this one finished.

Hey Ludger: the purolator guy came by today... but I wasn't home! D'OH!

More Cowbell · Post by **More Cowbell** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:51 am

mezzio13 wrote:
More Cowbell wrote:neck plate holes? I used the neck plate and made marks, then drilled straight through the body, then positioned the neck and pushed the screws into the neck through the holes to make marks on the neck then drilled some pilot holes in the neck and screwed the screws into the neck.

Seeing this thread, makes me realize I need to get off my ass and finish the inlays on my jazz bass project.
Still need that pup?

Nay. Just make another contest question for the boards, if I win again, then I'll accept my prize.

ludger · Post by **ludger** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:35 pm

I will be painting very soon...question:

Basswood and maple do not need Sand&Sealer, correct? Any opinions on this?

astro wrote: Hey Ludger: the purolator guy came by today... but I wasn't home! D'OH!

Did you start painting yet?

Here's where I am:

A little trim with the dremel gets the nut to fit:
Thanks DDDave and Bubbles

Trying to cut the nut:
I read this guy's site for help.

These aftermarket pickguards aren't too good. Or I messed something up somewhere Exhibit A:

I routed out that large chunk in the bottom and enlarged the holes for the bridge posts.

These aftermarket pickguards aren't too good Or I messed something up somewhereExhibit B:
Check out the gap it left at the rhythm switch:

My uncle made this little patch for me. I glued it in and traced the outline of the switch that will sit in the rout:

Here it is with the gap fixed. You shouldn't be able to tell once it's painted. Also....STRINGS!:

I played it today for the first time!!! The action was all whacked (obviously 'cause I didn't finish cutting the nut) and there were no pickups but acoustically it's friggin' loud.

I also installed the string tree. (No pics of that) All that's left is to wire it up and paint it. Sooooo close yet so far away...

ElCapitan · Post by **ElCapitan** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:47 pm

you should send that pg back, that's unbelievably shonky.

boyecho · Post by **boyecho** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:09 pm

that's why i asked robert not to put routing cavities in my jazz body. i'd rather just go based on the pickguard i pick up. plus my pickups will be different, and i havent decided on the layout of my controls just yet.

anyway. looking good! cant wait to see the paint job.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:31 pm

dude. you need to adjust the neck pocket on the pickguard. this part is very commonly not quite right in my experience with aftermarket pickguards. I just use a file and try to file more on the back side of the pickguard until I get it right.

EDIT: actually, the more I look at it.... I think this pickguard has more problems than that. It looks like it's not just the neck pocket, it looks like the neck pickup is in the wrong place too. I think you should try and get another pickguard.

Post by **Hurb** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:48 pm

mage wrote:dude. you need to adjust the neck pocket on the pickguard. this part is very commonly not quite right in my experience with aftermarket pickguards. I just use a file and try to file more on the back side of the pickguard until I get it right.

EDIT: actually, the more I look at it.... I think this pickguard has more problems than that. It looks like it's not just the neck pocket, it looks like the neck pickup is in the wrong place too. I think you should try and get another pickguard.

If you cut the neck pocket on the guard then the bridge holes will not be in th eright place. I have also seen this in after market pickguards.

should of send it back and got rob to make one.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:19 pm

thats whacked
where is that guard from?
i think cowbell used a warmoth guard and it fit perfectly, and i have used an allparts jap guard and it fit perfectly.

TheBurbz · Post by **TheBurbz** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:21 pm

Ludger, I didn't realise you were doing the same as me, with the Jaguar plates and shit. If you like I can send you a photo of my body with all the routes and wood patches stuck in and whatnot because my body is all finished and ready for painting and everything fits like a dream

EDIT: Ignore this, I wasn't paying attention. Sorry

bassintom · Post by **bassintom** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:21 pm

Looks like the neck pup is routed wrong.Look at the low 'E' string and where it lines up with the pups.The bridge pup looks dead on,but the neck looks off a little.Or maybe it's my old eyes not working right again.That is going to be one nice guitar.Skillz.