Cavity size?

[Stevesciguy]

I'm building a guitar, and there are a couple things I can't find about pickup cavities. If I have the dimensions of the pickup(like SD provides), but not the actual physical pickup, how do I figure out how big I need to make the cavity? I've read that having mounting rings makes a difference (I'm planning on using them). Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Cavity size?

The answer to your question depends upon both the type of pickup under consideration and the proposed method of mounting it.

There is also the matter of cable channels. On a Fender solidbody, these are, in effect, part of the overall pickup and control cavity. On a Les Paul, the channel is routed in the slab body before the cap is glued on and carved.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Cavity size?

Use Stewart-mcdonald router templates. http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Routing_Templates/

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Cavity size?

Use Stewart-mcdonald router templates. http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Routing_Templates/

Yes! And get the full set of singles, humbucker, guitar n bass, etc.....

And I strongly recomend using the mounting ring, as you said, they are easier to install and give you good movility of the pickup. Puting the pup direct to the wood is a PITA, and all the blah blah they say about it "sounding better" is a bunch of BS. If you want it too sound good just use a good pickup, mounting rings are fine.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Cavity size?

One of the things I learned VERY early on with guitar making was:

'Have all your hardware there before you start to build'

Its all very well using templates, but you've got to make sure the template is the correct one. Some templates for humbuckers are bigger than others, and also pickup rings vary in size. The last thing you want is for the rout to show beyond the ring.

Warmoth is also a great site, as their info on the various routs they do include dimensions.