Any tips on how to route a guitar to add a middle singlecoil pup?

[Jack_TriPpEr]

I am considering routing a Les Paul style guitar, to add a middle position singlecoil pickup. The guitar is a flat top, not an arch top. The guitar DOES already have a (poly) finish on it.

[EDIT: This is the same guitar I am planning to install a vinyl skin on, discussed here:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/foru...5-guitar-skins

I'm thinking the time to add a route - if i do it at all - is now, b4 skin inatallatiion. So, the skin gives me the extra leeway of being able to cover up any blemishes to the finish that rssult from my DIY routing work.]

I don't own a router or drill press type tool but I do own a Dremel, electric drill and other basic hand tools. Will i definitely need a specific tool that I don't already own?

Also, is this template from StewMac the way to go?

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...hoCiXQQAvD_BwE

 

[Drak]

Yes, that StewMac template is the correct one for a standard SC pickup route.
Are you intending on using one of those metal SC pickup rings?
I would recommend a 3/8" flush trim router bit (about $20.00) and the minimum router you could get away with would be a Harbor Freight trim router ($30.00), should work.
I would instead ask why you can't split your neck or bridge pkp in some way to get the additional sound you want instead of going to all this trouble.
But what do I know?

 

[AlexR]

Dremels are underpowered for routing......and the bits are thin, flexible and will blunt quickly.
So you will need to get rid of essentially all of the required wood with drill bits beforehand. You'd want only to be removing a mm max with the dremel bit. And of course you'd need a base to add to it like you see above on the laminate trim router.

The second point is about the hookup wire routing. It will have to start low in the rout because that is where the wire exits the pickup, but then you're having to drill on a steep downward angle due to poor access.....and then maybe trying to hit another pickup cavity that is probably no deeper. Its a minefield and very easy to go right through the back.

 

[Artie]

I recently posted about just removing a tiny bit of wood in a center single-coil pickup route, where we wanted to install a "triangle-based" single, in a "oval-base" route. Even removing that tiny bit of wood, AND having the nice Stew-Mac router base, was very taxing on my Dremel. And it's one of the newer higher torque units.

I wouldn't try a full routing without a proper router, or maybe a Roto-Zip, at the minimum.

 

[Mincer]

I always thought a Dremel is great for a lot of things, but a router isn't one of them. Best get the proper tool for something important like the face of a guitar.

 

[ehdwuld]

I want to put a battery box on several guitars
I am curious as to how this runs its course

I have several Dremels and a RotoZip
but I think a small trim router would be the proper tool

 

[ehdwuld]

this for Dremels looks like it might work

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-335-01.../dp/B0000DEZK4


also heres the amazon version of the template

https://www.amazon.com/Musiclily-Accurate-Single-coil-Template-Standard/dp/B07TKH7K1J

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

I want to put a battery box on several guitars
I am curious as to how this runs its course

I have several Dremels and a RotoZip
but I think a small trim router would be the proper tool

In your case of a battery box, have you considered an easier alternative, which would be installing a battery tray into the cover for the control cavity? I did one myself a couple years back, with just a dremel. See pics.

 

[ehdwuld]

I have considered that
I have pretty crowded control cavities already but yep thinkin bout that too
thanks

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

I have considered that
I have pretty crowded control cavities already but yep thinkin bout that too
thanks

Ed,

Here is another alternative: an *external* battery compartment. The appeal in a scenario like yours is that just one extra piece of equipment could be a common solution for a need across multiple instruments, sparing you the time and effort to mod multiple instruments.

https://guitarelectronics.com/external-battery-system-for-guitar-bass-active-electronics/

A stereo 1/4" cable as the connection btw the guitar and the unit is how the guitar receives the power from the external battery. The external unit could be placed on a pedal board or sitting on top of an amp.

Additonally, One-Spot makes adapter cables for power supplies that attach to 9 volt batteries. So I would think you could also power this unit via a power supply instead of needing to use an actual 9V battery.

Full disclosure: never used one myself but obviously have given it some thought.

 

[Mincer]

Ed,

Here is another alternative: an *external* battery compartment. The appeal in a scenario like yours is that just one extra piece of equipment could be a common solution for a need across multiple instruments, sparing you the time and effort to mod multiple instruments.

https://guitarelectronics.com/external-battery-system-for-guitar-bass-active-electronics/

A stereo 1/4" cable as the connection btw the guitar and the unit is how the guitar receives the power from the external battery. The external unit could be placed on a pedal board or sitting on top of an amp.

Additonally, One-Spot makes adapter cables for power supplies that attach to 9 volt batteries. So I would think you could also power this unit via a power supply instead of needing to use an actual 9V battery.

Full disclosure: never used one myself but obviously have given it some thought.

I think this would work, but it does seem like a serious inelegant solution.

 

[Adieu]

You really DO want a template and a router with the bit with the ball thingie for following said template.

Also, you need to make sure you place it somewhere you can drill through to a cavity from (for the wiring). Humbuckers leave you with some angles to work with, but a single mounted without a pickguard....doesn't.

 

[Artie]

this for Dremels looks like it might work

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-335-01.../dp/B0000DEZK4

I have one of those. It's not as sturdy or precise as I'd like it to be. Also, some of those pics are showing unrealistically ambitious projects. The "problem" with the Dremel, is that its bearing is just not up to the task of severe lateral thrust. And this is coming from a Dremel fanboi. I think have about half a dozen of the various rotary tools, and most of all of the attachments. Outstanding tools for miniature and hobby work. But not for serious work. IMHO.

"Serious" probably wasn't the proper word there. A small job can still be serious. I should have said "heavy duty."

 

[ehdwuld]

To be honest
i want to add piezo to some of my TOM style guitars
I'm not even sure I need a preamp

 

[Mincer]

To be honest
i want to add piezo to some of my TOM style guitars
I'm not even sure I need a preamp

If you want the output to match the same as the other pickups in the guitar, you would need a preamp (or use an external one, but not many are available).

 

[dotsdad]

My buddy Frank, the head luthier at Lindsay Guitars, once shared a great nugget of wisdom that I shall now share with you: “Don’t f*ck up.”