3 bolt to 4 bolt coversion

Have a line on a 72 custom reissue with the 3 bolt neck. The neck is pretty wipped out and so I was thinking for the price of a refret, I could get an Allparts replacement.

Are there any issues of converting a 3 bolt body to a 4 bolt body other than just drilling the new holes?

Is a pain but can be done sucessfully. I just did another pair myself. You want to plug the top two holes from the old three hole and make sure to get a nice flush fit. The reason for this is they are partly inside the new holes you will be drilling for the four bolt. If the replacement neck is already drilled you can plug it too and start all over OR transfer them to the body. Starting all over is not a bad thing but you may end up with a one/off fitting neck/body. I transferred mine from a pre-drilled neck by clipping off the sharp tips of sheet rock screws (about 1/2 inch long) and finger threading them down into the old holes leaving about 1/8 inch of the sharp point sticking out. When you have the neck pocket sanded flat just align the neck and press it down allowing the sharp points to mark the hole locations. I use a drill press to keep the new holes straight and use a backer board to prevent splitting when the drill exits the back of the guitar. I drill from the pocket side and open my holes to 3/16 inch to allow me to swing the headstock enough to align along the center. All this said and done you will still be able to see a bit of the old bolt hole at the bottom. We are not to far apart in the DFW Metroplex. If you need some help let me know.
Rob

Wouldn't it be easier just to convert the new neck to a 3 hole?

what kind of truss rod is in the neck you choose. I was afraid I would drill into it if I used the 3 bolt on the new neck. Ever wonder why the call'em bolts when they are screws?
Gofigure,
Rob

Hello,

I know that this is an old post but I am about to receive
a Mighty Mite neck for my CIJ 72 custom and am thinking
of doing a 3 to 4 bolt conversion.

From looking at pictures I am 99% certain that the MM neck truss rod will be located where the third bolt should be so I have no option but to plug the existing holes using superglue and baking soda and then drill the body for a 4 bolt neck.

I have a 4 bolt neck plate so what would be the best way to do this knowing that the MM neck will be unthreaded, therefore inserting screws inside the neck holes to mark locations on the bottom of the neck pocket is not an option right now.

I would specially like to know the dimensions
I should respect, that is I am worried that by drilling the holes too close to the outer edges of the neck the wood might split. Should I look up official Fender blueprints for 4 bolts tele?

The body is lightweight ash ( total guitar weight is 7 lbs right now).

I was thinking of putting the neck plate inside the neck pocket and using it as a drilling template.

Any ideas?

Many Thanks

Fabrice

on the stewmac.com site that shows the neckplate location. It is in the free stuff section.
Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks a lot, I know the stewmac site but never bothered
to have an in-depth look at their free info!

Now I've got a good idea of what I'll have to do.

Fabrice