Routing a guitar for additional pickups
- Thread starter BigJoe77
- Start date
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
if its under a pickguard and you dont mind it looking a bit DIY...then its easy enough to do with some patience and a set of good chisels. If you really take your time and do some thorough sanding then you can get it to look as good as a router.
if its under a pickguard and you dont mind it looking a bit DIY...then its easy enough to do with some patience and a set of good chisels. If you really take your time and do some thorough sanding then you can get it to look as good as a router.
BigJoe77
New member
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
Thanks for the feedback.
I've used a router and I bucked up for the templates (both the body and pickguard version) from StewMac so I could keep it as pretty as possible.
Good news is that a pickguard will cover the work if I blow it up...as long as I don't go all the way through the wood.
Thanks for the feedback.
I've used a router and I bucked up for the templates (both the body and pickguard version) from StewMac so I could keep it as pretty as possible.
Good news is that a pickguard will cover the work if I blow it up...as long as I don't go all the way through the wood.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
I assume you're talking about a middle PU. 5 years ago I had a couple 335's routed for a middle HB by a luthier. I wanted lots of PU combinations with coil cuts and phase between the 6 coils. Afterwards I found out that a HB in that position doesn't sound anything like it would in the bridge or neck (the tones are surprisingly weak & thin). You get more usable sounds in a twin HB guitar with the Jimmy Page system, which is what I prefer.
If I had to do it over again, I'd get a P-90 or Fender-style single coil routed for the middle, but not another HB. HSS & HSH guitars are extremely popular, but in 50 years virtually no one's copied the HHH idea. What I've done since then is use a Phat Cat for the middle HB's I have, which is still not perfect, but it is an improvement. I haven't experimented with magnets in the middle position, but that may make a Phat Cat sound better (it definitely improves Phat Cats in the neck & bridge).
I assume you're talking about a middle PU. 5 years ago I had a couple 335's routed for a middle HB by a luthier. I wanted lots of PU combinations with coil cuts and phase between the 6 coils. Afterwards I found out that a HB in that position doesn't sound anything like it would in the bridge or neck (the tones are surprisingly weak & thin). You get more usable sounds in a twin HB guitar with the Jimmy Page system, which is what I prefer.
If I had to do it over again, I'd get a P-90 or Fender-style single coil routed for the middle, but not another HB. HSS & HSH guitars are extremely popular, but in 50 years virtually no one's copied the HHH idea. What I've done since then is use a Phat Cat for the middle HB's I have, which is still not perfect, but it is an improvement. I haven't experimented with magnets in the middle position, but that may make a Phat Cat sound better (it definitely improves Phat Cats in the neck & bridge).
BigJoe77
New member
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
I've got a Tele that has standard bridge and neck pu routs. I'm going to give it a modified Brent Mason flavor with a full size neck bucker, strat mid, and keep the standard tele bridge. (So, expanding the neck route and adding a middle, yep.)
I've got a Tele that has standard bridge and neck pu routs. I'm going to give it a modified Brent Mason flavor with a full size neck bucker, strat mid, and keep the standard tele bridge. (So, expanding the neck route and adding a middle, yep.)
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
i thought about doing it to my SG but i decided not to.
i thought about doing it to my SG but i decided not to.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
I have only heard horror stories, but if you have templates and a router, you should be good to go --- just mind the depth!
Measure twice, cut once,
Hunter
I have only heard horror stories, but if you have templates and a router, you should be good to go --- just mind the depth!
Measure twice, cut once,
Hunter
SabbathFan0220
New member
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
I know I've messed up a Strat by not having the template securely attached...just make sure that thing is really on there before you turn the router on. I'm not trying to talk you out of it though, I still say go for it.
I know I've messed up a Strat by not having the template securely attached...just make sure that thing is really on there before you turn the router on. I'm not trying to talk you out of it though, I still say go for it.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
I opened a single sized route to a 'bucker with a drill, chisel, and lots of sanding. I marked the depth on the drill bit with tape, "outlined" the new opening with the drill, used the chisel to knock out the chunks, then used the sandpaper to clean it up.
I opened a single sized route to a 'bucker with a drill, chisel, and lots of sanding. I marked the depth on the drill bit with tape, "outlined" the new opening with the drill, used the chisel to knock out the chunks, then used the sandpaper to clean it up.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
Triple check the depth and go slow, you should be fine. Do a little, check, do a little more, check, it's not a race. Also use a nice sharp bit so nothing unexpected happens.
Triple check the depth and go slow, you should be fine. Do a little, check, do a little more, check, it's not a race. Also use a nice sharp bit so nothing unexpected happens.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
Heh.... I mostly did it because my dad told me it wouldn't work.
Heh.... I mostly did it because my dad told me it wouldn't work.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
...which technically makes it even MORE punk rock.
...which technically makes it even MORE punk rock.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
Horror Story: A friend of mine routed a larger hole on a Tele, for a bridge HB. Router slipped and took out some unintended wood. He glued an engraved name plate over the gash, but his name is on the plate, so the guitar is pretty much unsellable, unless you happen to have the same name (too bad his name wasn't John Smith).
Horror Story: A friend of mine routed a larger hole on a Tele, for a bridge HB. Router slipped and took out some unintended wood. He glued an engraved name plate over the gash, but his name is on the plate, so the guitar is pretty much unsellable, unless you happen to have the same name (too bad his name wasn't John Smith).
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Routing a guitar for additional pickups
Accidents do happen. A full power router can hack into your hand, or you can lose your grip on it and it tears up parts of the guitar. Ask me how I corrected the neck angle on a Roadstar lately and the router fell into the template.
For a one-time under the pickguard job I'd use mechanical tools, if you don't want to re-sell the guitar, or pay $30 to somebody with a router.
Having said that, the used gear prices for routers, templates and even the Stewmac bits are very high. It is feasible to buy the stuff on Amazon and ditch it when you get bored if you keep it in top shape.
Accidents do happen. A full power router can hack into your hand, or you can lose your grip on it and it tears up parts of the guitar. Ask me how I corrected the neck angle on a Roadstar lately and the router fell into the template.
For a one-time under the pickguard job I'd use mechanical tools, if you don't want to re-sell the guitar, or pay $30 to somebody with a router.
Having said that, the used gear prices for routers, templates and even the Stewmac bits are very high. It is feasible to buy the stuff on Amazon and ditch it when you get bored if you keep it in top shape.