Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

[gilaltom3]

I've got this tele body that needs a tune o matic installed and neck attached to it. I'm gonna get the neck holes drilled by a professional because I don't have a drill press. The neck doesn't have a nut installed and I know I'm gonna have put in the studs and slot the saddles on the TOM. Should I just get the tools and do the install the bridge and nut and do the slots myself or will that be too difficult to do for a beginner?

Here's one pic to thwart the iceman claims. :friday:

View attachment 30568

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

I hope that those pre-drilled TOM and stopbar holes are at the correct angle to allow for neck pitch.

Everything else is within the scope of a patient DIY builder. Just remember the corny (but entirely correct) maxim, "measure twice, cut once."

 

[gilaltom3]

It's from USACG and the neck pocket is angled to compensate for the bridge, so I hope they know how to do it right haha.


What files and adhesive should I buy for the nut? And I understand you can just place the string on the TOM and tap it with those little rubber/plastic hammers and it'll slot it for you. Is that right?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

Do you mean the neck holes in the neck itself....I mean I think I can see them predrilled on the body in that photo. I know USAGC make the proper Fender neck pocket so those holes at least will (should) be in the correct places.

If you buy a Fender or Fender licensed neck then the 4 holes should (not guaranteed once again) line up so that the neck is more or less running along the centreline of the body.

 

[gilaltom3]

The holes need to be drilled in the neck itself. I got them both from USACG and for some reason they didn't drill the holes in the neck, but did drill them in the body. Weird.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

I usually just use a couple of dots of superglue for attaching a nut - it doesn't take much at all.

 

[gilaltom3]

Alright sweet. Now what about the nut files?

 

[Texas Slim]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

if you can find a pre-slotted nut that fits thr neck, use that for now. you'll need the two E strings to align the neck properly brfore drilling; you want the E strings the same distance from the fretboard edges. when they're right, clamp the neck in the pocket (use a small block of wood on the frets to protect them) then drill the neck, using the body holes as a guide.
once the neck is aligned properly, you can sand down the bottom of the nut to set the string height to your liking.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

The holes need to be drilled in the neck itself. I got them both from USACG and for some reason they didn't drill the holes in the neck, but did drill them in the body. Weird.

Position/align the neck in the pocket, clamp the neck in the pocket, drill through the existing holes in the body into the neck (use a depth gauge of some kind so you don't go through the neck). Done.

 

[gilaltom3]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

Position/align the neck in the pocket, clamp the neck in the pocket, drill through the existing holes in the body into the neck (use a depth gauge of some kind so you don't go through the neck). Done.

I'm too skeeered :no:

 

[cohibacris]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

What PoorMan said, with one adder; put masking tape on your drill bit to the depth you need, -1/8". The screws for the neck will be fine for the rest of the way, you'll be far enough into the wood to let them ride. I would use my micrometer and measure the neck pocket to the back and the neck (not the fretboard, just the neck).

Last, but certainly not least, use a drill bit that matches the CORE of the screws, not the threads. More thread bite will make it a wee bit stronger... (that's my OCD nature; ignore as you like!)

If all else fails, drill slow and often - you can always remove more. No need to be skeeered!

 

[gilaltom3]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

What PoorMan said, with one adder; put masking tape on your drill bit to the depth you need, -1/8". The screws for the neck will be fine for the rest of the way, you'll be far enough into the wood to let them ride. I would use my micrometer and measure the neck pocket to the back and the neck (not the fretboard, just the neck).

Last, but certainly not least, use a drill bit that matches the CORE of the screws, not the threads. More thread bite will make it a wee bit stronger... (that's my OCD nature; ignore as you like!)

If all else fails, drill slow and often - you can always remove more. No need to be skeeered!

Maybe next time, when I have a proper set up to do so, I'll drill the holes. I'm just not set up for it.

 

[Kramer Guy]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

I usually just use a couple of dots of superglue for attaching a nut - it doesn't take much at all.

Are you serious ? That's the worst thing you could put on there. I usually use wood glue for something like that. Or you could use something over the counter like Elmer's , and then let it set overnight.

 

[tonello]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

I would send back the neck and have them drill it. Tell them that they forgot to, and they should take it back no problem. The Stopbar and the TOM should be an easy fix, you'll have to glue them in, and it looks like you'll need a pickguard. Warmoth makes a Tele Deluxe guard which should fit perfectly for that body. Good luck to you hope this helps.

 

[cohibacris]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

tonello has a great suggestion; one other would be to check with your Guitar Center or local shop to see if they have a luthier on staff for repairs. They have the skill and experience to help, without as long of a wait as perhaps sending it back home. Either way your covered. Luck be with ya, gilaltom3!

 

[uOpt]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

You don't have to slot the TOM saddles.

As somebody else mentioned the first thing to figure out is whether the neck angle fits a non-recessed TOM in the first place.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

call me crazy, but if there are neck holes, what are those 4 things i see in the neck pocket? just the pilots?

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Questions from a beginner guitar putter together

Are you serious ? That's the worst thing you could put on there. I usually use wood glue for something like that. Or you could use something over the counter like Elmer's , and then let it set overnight.

Yep, deadly serious. Other than wanting a little extra play time to allow for adjusting its position, I'm not sure I see much of an issue. Dan Erlewine uses superglue for most thing, though he does suggest white or hide glue in this instance, for the aforementioned reason. Why do you say it's "the worst thing"?

 

[gilaltom3]

You don't have to slot the TOM saddles.

As somebody else mentioned the first thing to figure out is whether the neck angle fits a non-recessed TOM in the first place.

The neck angle should since USACG made it that way.

 

[gilaltom3]

call me crazy, but if there are neck holes, what are those 4 things i see in the neck pocket? just the pilots?

The neck itself needs holes. Not the body.