Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
- Thread starter ryUK
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Sordid Tales
New member
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
It really isn't an easy job. I've done it a few times, and I still get a little weary. The grain of the wood can have a mind of it's own. I suggest that if you don't use the trem, block it and install the battery in the empty trem cavity. If you do, buy the proper template (guitartemplates.com) and practice practice practice. Preferably on alder or ash, whatever you guitar happens to be so you can get a feel for it.
It really isn't an easy job. I've done it a few times, and I still get a little weary. The grain of the wood can have a mind of it's own. I suggest that if you don't use the trem, block it and install the battery in the empty trem cavity. If you do, buy the proper template (guitartemplates.com) and practice practice practice. Preferably on alder or ash, whatever you guitar happens to be so you can get a feel for it.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
Why not just put the battery under the pickguard? Active pickups are very low-drain devices.... I don't know Duncan's specs, but an EMG 81 will run for 3000 hours on a 9v. I don't see how it's worth carving up the guitar to save the trouble of removing the pickguard once a year or so.
Why not just put the battery under the pickguard? Active pickups are very low-drain devices.... I don't know Duncan's specs, but an EMG 81 will run for 3000 hours on a 9v. I don't see how it's worth carving up the guitar to save the trouble of removing the pickguard once a year or so.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
This is what I was thinking too. It doesn't seem to be worth the trouble. Just swap the battery for a fresh one every four string changes or so.
You can get metal clips that hold the battery in place for less than 50 cents each. They can be screwed into the body with a little wood screw.
This is what I was thinking too. It doesn't seem to be worth the trouble. Just swap the battery for a fresh one every four string changes or so.
You can get metal clips that hold the battery in place for less than 50 cents each. They can be screwed into the body with a little wood screw.
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
i use a temeplate from www.stewmac.com for battery boxes and a 3/8's routerbit from them as well that has a template bearing on it....
since a Battery box is just a box you can make your own template easy enough
i use a temeplate from www.stewmac.com for battery boxes and a 3/8's routerbit from them as well that has a template bearing on it....
since a Battery box is just a box you can make your own template easy enough
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
I used phantom power with EMGs a long time ago.
I didn't do stereo plug, I switch the whole thing to XLRs. More reliable and robust than stereo 6.3mm and you can use any microphone cable, you don't have to rely on your own stash of stereo 6.3mm.
Still kind of annoying but overall bearable.
If I had to have a pickguard guitar with EMGs again I would wire a push-pull to a second battery. That way when you discover the primary battery to be empty you can just switch to a fresh one, then switch both. Problem is that by now I've seen the light about 18V EMG, so the battery problems doubles...
I used phantom power with EMGs a long time ago.
I didn't do stereo plug, I switch the whole thing to XLRs. More reliable and robust than stereo 6.3mm and you can use any microphone cable, you don't have to rely on your own stash of stereo 6.3mm.
Still kind of annoying but overall bearable.
If I had to have a pickguard guitar with EMGs again I would wire a push-pull to a second battery. That way when you discover the primary battery to be empty you can just switch to a fresh one, then switch both. Problem is that by now I've seen the light about 18V EMG, so the battery problems doubles...
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
Another solution for emergencies is to have a second battery clip dangle into the trem cavity.
If something happens to the primary battery under the pickguard you can put a wire to a battery in your pant pocket or somesuch.
Beware shortcuts.
If you don't stop me I can go on all night with helpful suggestions...
Another solution for emergencies is to have a second battery clip dangle into the trem cavity.
If something happens to the primary battery under the pickguard you can put a wire to a battery in your pant pocket or somesuch.
Beware shortcuts.
If you don't stop me I can go on all night with helpful suggestions...
Sordid Tales
New member
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
I wanna know why you're walking around with a 9v in your pocket. That ****'s dangerous. I did it once, and it shorted out on a penny or some other coin. Hottest thing (temperature wise) I've ever had close to my wang. I don't ever want it to happen again.
I wanna know why you're walking around with a 9v in your pocket. That ****'s dangerous. I did it once, and it shorted out on a penny or some other coin. Hottest thing (temperature wise) I've ever had close to my wang. I don't ever want it to happen again.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
That extra space just to the side of the springs was routed out and a battery clip put in. Then just bore a hole to the cavity.
First, make a template, a little larger than what you need, out of 1/2" plywood or somesuch.
Tape it down securely exactly where you want to route.
Do not try to do this freehand.
Also, make certain the guitar is well secured to the table top. Clamps work best. Work on a something soft so you don't mar the front.
Then, using an appropriate diameter bit with a bearing(something like this), carefully route out no more than 5 to 10 mm at a time until you reach the desired depth.
Wear goggles.
Put plenty of light on the area.
And go slowly.
Edit: Or you could try this. StewMac is the bomb.
Good luck.
MM
I've seen pics of Strats with a battery space under the trem cover.
That extra space just to the side of the springs was routed out and a battery clip put in. Then just bore a hole to the cavity.
First, make a template, a little larger than what you need, out of 1/2" plywood or somesuch.
Tape it down securely exactly where you want to route.
Do not try to do this freehand.
Also, make certain the guitar is well secured to the table top. Clamps work best. Work on a something soft so you don't mar the front.
Then, using an appropriate diameter bit with a bearing(something like this), carefully route out no more than 5 to 10 mm at a time until you reach the desired depth.
Wear goggles.
Put plenty of light on the area.
And go slowly.
Edit: Or you could try this. StewMac is the bomb.
Good luck.
MM
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
I appreciate all the advice on placing the battery under the pickplate, or in a pocket etc, but I would like to learn the skill of using a router and this seems like a good opportunity.
Thanks MojoMonster - I note all you advice. I found a great link yesterday that gave also gave me some pointers...
http://www.templatesbynumbers.com/?q=howtomakeroutertemplate
I'm gonna pratice on a very cheap-o guitar body to get some confidence with using the router. I have bought a template bit with bearing.
With regard to router speed, assume I shoudl be using a med to high speed to ensure a clean cut???
I appreciate all the advice on placing the battery under the pickplate, or in a pocket etc, but I would like to learn the skill of using a router and this seems like a good opportunity.
Thanks MojoMonster - I note all you advice. I found a great link yesterday that gave also gave me some pointers...
http://www.templatesbynumbers.com/?q=howtomakeroutertemplate
I'm gonna pratice on a very cheap-o guitar body to get some confidence with using the router. I have bought a template bit with bearing.
With regard to router speed, assume I shoudl be using a med to high speed to ensure a clean cut???
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
All of mine are fixed speed, so yea, I'd go with "high".
Two important things... make sure the bit is new or recently sharpened and clean.
And don't go *too* slow as you route. You can burn the wood and dull the bit prematurely.
Just remember to take off little bits of wood at a time.
You will *want* to go fast and carve out huge chunks... don't.
That way lies disaster.
Good luck and be careful.
MM
You've got a variable speed router?
All of mine are fixed speed, so yea, I'd go with "high".
Two important things... make sure the bit is new or recently sharpened and clean.
And don't go *too* slow as you route. You can burn the wood and dull the bit prematurely.
Just remember to take off little bits of wood at a time.
You will *want* to go fast and carve out huge chunks... don't.
That way lies disaster.
Good luck and be careful.
MM
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
Here's yet another idea....
Again, forget the battery box, but wire two batteries in parallel. The EMGs will still operate at 9v, but last approx twice as long. Now, it will likely be in excess of two years before you notice an signal loss.
This battery box paranoia is likely the fault of pro guitar techs who talk about changing batteries "once a week to keep the signal nice and hot". I've heard this from Zakk Wylde's guy, and the Nickelback tech. Neither of them know anything about how EMG pickups operate, otherwise they would know that there is no change in tone until the pickup is about to die. Considering how many guitar changes each of them do a night, they're probably pitching batteries that have maybe an hour's usage. Totally stupid.
Here's yet another idea....
Again, forget the battery box, but wire two batteries in parallel. The EMGs will still operate at 9v, but last approx twice as long. Now, it will likely be in excess of two years before you notice an signal loss.
This battery box paranoia is likely the fault of pro guitar techs who talk about changing batteries "once a week to keep the signal nice and hot". I've heard this from Zakk Wylde's guy, and the Nickelback tech. Neither of them know anything about how EMG pickups operate, otherwise they would know that there is no change in tone until the pickup is about to die. Considering how many guitar changes each of them do a night, they're probably pitching batteries that have maybe an hour's usage. Totally stupid.
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
No - I dont have a variable speed - had simply assumed that they would be.
I have bought some new bits especially for the job.
I plan to build a template/guide, and use either a template bit or bushing to ensure a neat job. I plan to remove as much material us possible using a drill, therefore minimising the router to trimming only.
I will take it easy and ensure I am confident before I begin.
Thanks for the advice!!
No - I dont have a variable speed - had simply assumed that they would be.
I have bought some new bits especially for the job.
I plan to build a template/guide, and use either a template bit or bushing to ensure a neat job. I plan to remove as much material us possible using a drill, therefore minimising the router to trimming only.
I will take it easy and ensure I am confident before I begin.
Thanks for the advice!!
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
remember that a Router is one of the most dangerous shop tools!!!! Get someone experienced to show you how to use them if you have never used one! What you have is a cutter spinning at 30,000rpm's and any mistake the router or the piece of wood(body) could fly in the air and do damage to you, the house, or worse... RIP... make sure everything is clamped right and safely installed...
also you have to protect the guitars finish when clamping it... i use old bathroom towels... lay it on the bench and place the body on it... use leather and wooden blocks to protect the top of the guitar when clamping it to the table...
once the hole is routed move the bit to the center of the new hole and let it slow down... wait for the router to stop spinning completely before you try and remove it out of the hole you just routed...
onetime a few years back i scared the hell out of myself by forgetting the safe rules of using a router, and after i cut something i almost touched my leg with the bit while it was coming to a stop... got a little careless... it's easy to do.. over the years i've had minor mistakes when i was new at it, and took chunks out of my first set of Stewmac templates... i was very lucky at times
and always measure 10x's and cut once... and never go too deep!
it is a scary tool to use... but it works the best for some things...
remember that a Router is one of the most dangerous shop tools!!!! Get someone experienced to show you how to use them if you have never used one! What you have is a cutter spinning at 30,000rpm's and any mistake the router or the piece of wood(body) could fly in the air and do damage to you, the house, or worse... RIP... make sure everything is clamped right and safely installed...
also you have to protect the guitars finish when clamping it... i use old bathroom towels... lay it on the bench and place the body on it... use leather and wooden blocks to protect the top of the guitar when clamping it to the table...
once the hole is routed move the bit to the center of the new hole and let it slow down... wait for the router to stop spinning completely before you try and remove it out of the hole you just routed...
onetime a few years back i scared the hell out of myself by forgetting the safe rules of using a router, and after i cut something i almost touched my leg with the bit while it was coming to a stop... got a little careless... it's easy to do.. over the years i've had minor mistakes when i was new at it, and took chunks out of my first set of Stewmac templates... i was very lucky at times
and always measure 10x's and cut once... and never go too deep!
it is a scary tool to use... but it works the best for some things...
Last edited:
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Installing a battery box in a strat: tips...
Use a template. Anything without a template looks like honk.
If you can't make one, order the Stewmac battery compartment template.
I'd also get their ball-bearing router bit, although it's a little pricey.
Don't go too low with the rpms. It feels like you have more control but you don't. The bit can bite into the wood causing lateral forces on the routers on low rpms, when it would go through the wood like butter for a steady router at high rpms. I don't use the full power setting on mine, though, I'm usually round 7-8 of 10.
Use a template. Anything without a template looks like honk.
If you can't make one, order the Stewmac battery compartment template.
I'd also get their ball-bearing router bit, although it's a little pricey.
Don't go too low with the rpms. It feels like you have more control but you don't. The bit can bite into the wood causing lateral forces on the routers on low rpms, when it would go through the wood like butter for a steady router at high rpms. I don't use the full power setting on mine, though, I'm usually round 7-8 of 10.
