Routed '73

[Elk]

Hi all I'm new to this board; been lurking a while and I love all the info available here since I'm an incurable tinkerer. I recently pick up a 1973 strat for almost nothing. The bad part is it has been routed for a kahler tremolo and lockers were installed. I would like to remove the trem and either go back stock or some type of hardtail, as I don't use the trem. I have thought about installing a wooden block in the route? Any advice or comments appreciated, thanks.

[redshoesjim]

this is what I'd do , find a good guitar shop and have a piece of wood cut out and glued in to fiil the route for the kahler then have guitar refinished solid color of your choice then after fixing the head stock damage I'd have that painted to match the guitar , but before doing that I would really have to like the guitar before I would sink that kind of money into it ! I know the refinishing hurts the value but so does that big hole !

[Elk]

This poor thing has been re-finished, routed, and bored out for a hummie in the bridge. I'm not really worried about 'original'. The thing is, this guitar just feels good. I figured it would be a good project if I can get that kahler hole filled. I might even stick a Tele bridge on there to help hide the scars!

[pgambon]

Here's a good trick: Route a channel (approx 1/2" deep )the width of the Kahaler hole running lenght wise on the face of the guitar. Route the channel under the pickguard on one end. The other end goes off into space by the butt of the guitar. It's best if you fill the Kahler hole first before you do this route. Now fit a piece of wood to fill the channel. Glue it into place, level it, round the butt end, do whatever tailpiece thing you have in mind and finish. The advantage of this method is:a) it's pretty easy to fit a rectangular piece of wood into the channel, and b) as the wood shrinks/swells over time the lines in the finish will make it look like a three piece body. This is infinitly better than having it look like a Strat that used to have a Kahaler!

PS I'm assuming you know how to make a jig for a router. If not consult a pro. It's a 30 minuite job.

[Elk]

would anyone suggest. I think I may do the re-finish myself.

[e-merlin]

There is the possibility of just getting a replacement body. That would be infinitely easier. You could save the original body for the sake of resale value if you wanted.