Need Help/Tips for Installing Crucial Hardware on Neck

rodeo_joel · January 22nd, 2008, 03:23 PM

hey folks,

i could really use some advice/tips for putting together my first partsocaster. so far i've acquired most of the parts (still waiting on a few). most importantly the neck, which i ordered from USACG. They don't install the nut on the neck, so its up to me to either do it myself or find somebody to do it for me. Is it a difficult procedure to purchase a blank nut and install it yourself or is it something best left to a pro. I'm guessing its something i don't attempt on my own the first time.

also, i've purchased a set of Gotoh/Kluson vintage style tuners on eBay (good deal too, 6 inline for about $32). These will also need to be installed in the neck. Again, is it difficult to do this myself or are there complications that can come up and compromise the sound of my instrument?

as of yet i don't really own any tools for home mod jobs on my tele, is there any kind of tools you'd consider "basic" that i should own (i.e. feeler guage, precision straight edge, nut files etc.)?

when i finally get my neck in the mail, is there any tricks that i can use to ensure that its coupled properly to the body? should i use clamps or something to hold it in place while bolting it on?

thanks guys,
Cheers,
Joel

jwells393 · January 22nd, 2008, 04:18 PM

I can't help you much on the nut. You can buy pre-made plastic nuts.

Hopefully your neck will be drilled for Kluson style tuners so you won't need conversion bushings. Kluson style tuners use very small mounting screws. It is very important to drill holes of adequate diameter and depth. Breaking these tiny screws in the hard maple headstock is a not uncommon problem.

When I drill them, I first install all the tuners. I then line them up by pressing a straight piece of wood against the tuner bodies on the back side of the headstock. I clamp this wood in place and drill through the mounting holes. The bit you use should be sized so that if you hold the bit in front of a screw, you can only see the screw theads. Put masking tape on the drill bit so you drill deep enough but don't drill through the headstock. When installing the screws, a little soap or candle wax on the screw threads can't hurt. The main purpose of the screws is to prevent the bodies from turning.

valriver 1940 · January 22nd, 2008, 04:21 PM

hi joel! I SUGEST GETTING YOURSEL A STEWMAC . COM
VIDEO ON ASSEMBLING A ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY GUITAR.
IT WILL MOST HELPFUL! STAN.

Jellecaster · January 22nd, 2008, 04:27 PM

I would have someone install the nut for you. I order my necks from Warmoth with the nut pre-installed so I don't have to mess with it!

As for the tuners, there are a couple of things. If you plan on building other guitars in the future, I would invest in a Dremel. I use it a LOT on builds. I place the tuners on the headstock and get them perfectly lined-up. I then mark the spots for all of the screw holes and use a Dremel with a bit diameter smaller than the screws that you will use to pre-drill the holes. Make sure you don't drill all the way through (been there, done that). You could also use a drill press for this, but I find the Dremel easier.

Now, I have had the wonderful experience of breaking off a screw head on a tuner because the maple is so hard. To ensure that this doesn't happen again I do two things: I use pickguard screws, which are bigger (and uglier) but are a lot stronger. I also melt candle wax on the screw threads before installation. Just use a big, square candle and light it and let the wax pool on the top. Pick up the screw with a pair of needle nosed pliers and dip the threads in the liquid wax and screw them in - works like a charm!

mellecaster · January 22nd, 2008, 05:01 PM

See my answer to your other Post

Lance · January 22nd, 2008, 08:48 PM

Get a Tusq pre-slotted nut. It's already shaped on the top and slotted perfectly.

What you do is use a small file (even a nail file) to narrow and shorten the nut until the guitar plays right. If you have an existing nut to use as a rough guide it'll go even faster.....just take your time, filing, cram into place, tighten strings, test.....rinse repeat until the nut is right.

I've done all of mine and I'm hardly a luthier.

If you're nervous about screwing it up....buy two (one to practice on) as they're cheap enough.

boris bubbanov · January 22nd, 2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

Get a Tusq pre-slotted nut. It's already shaped on the top and slotted perfectly.

What you do is use a small file (even a nail file) to narrow and shorten the nut until the guitar plays right. If you have an existing nut to use as a rough guide it'll go even faster.....just take your time, filing, cram into place, tighten strings, test.....rinse repeat until the nut is right.

I've done all of mine and I'm hardly a luthier.

If you're nervous about screwing it up....buy two (one to practice on) as they're cheap enough.

I did one the other day. Actually, I did a USACG, 4 Warmoths and 2 Squiers.
Not that hard. 150 grit sandpaper placed on a flat surface works to slim down the height and width and thickness north to south.

To mount the tuner bodies, I use two different drill bits, one the approximate thickness of the threaded part, one the size of the shank. Use tape to mark the length on the slender one, don't drill too deep, going thru looks bad.

Now those bushes will not just slide in, they must be pressed gently. Use a reamer, or a piece of sandpaper rolled into a column, or even the rat tail end of a file to remove just enough maple so the bush could be pressed back out if necessary. Do not pound in the bush, you'll mar it or even split the maple. I use a small phillips screwdriver, place the bush over the shaft, top towards the handle, and press the bush in with the screwdriver handle against my belt buckle.

Bubban0v

Vince a · January 22nd, 2008, 09:27 PM

+1 on the "Get a Tusq pre-slotted nut." Takes the work out of it and it's done right. I did have to lay it flat on some sandpaper to get the level that I wanted. Install it with no glue . . . the strings will hold it down, and it won't move!

Can't help you on the tuners . . . got a set off of an Am Std . . . Ebay -$20.

I did have problems with a predrilled neck though . . . didn't match up with the bound body that I wanted to use, so I drilled out the holes on the neck, doweled it, drilled it to match the body! That worked perfectly . . .

Trial fit everything . . .

robrohdeszudy · January 24th, 2008, 01:29 PM

+1 on hiring nut work. At least until you get more used to this stuff. It's fiddly.

When drilling for tuner screws, take note of the screw's UNTHREADED part. If any of this part projects below the tuner, you need to bore to accommodate it. If you don't, you'll break off a screw in the headstock, which is no fun at all. If you lack a drill press and skill, you'll need a tech to fix it. So don't force those screws!

--Rob

January 22nd, 2008, 03:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
rodeo_joel Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Age: 21 Posts: 543	Need Help/Tips for Installing Crucial Hardware on Neck hey folks, i could really use some advice/tips for putting together my first partsocaster. so far i've acquired most of the parts (still waiting on a few). most importantly the neck, which i ordered from USACG. They don't install the nut on the neck, so its up to me to either do it myself or find somebody to do it for me. Is it a difficult procedure to purchase a blank nut and install it yourself or is it something best left to a pro. I'm guessing its something i don't attempt on my own the first time. also, i've purchased a set of Gotoh/Kluson vintage style tuners on eBay (good deal too, 6 inline for about $32). These will also need to be installed in the neck. Again, is it difficult to do this myself or are there complications that can come up and compromise the sound of my instrument? as of yet i don't really own any tools for home mod jobs on my tele, is there any kind of tools you'd consider "basic" that i should own (i.e. feeler guage, precision straight edge, nut files etc.)? when i finally get my neck in the mail, is there any tricks that i can use to ensure that its coupled properly to the body? should i use clamps or something to hold it in place while bolting it on? thanks guys, Cheers, Joel __________________

January 22nd, 2008, 04:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,246 101 Photos	I can't help you much on the nut. You can buy pre-made plastic nuts. Hopefully your neck will be drilled for Kluson style tuners so you won't need conversion bushings. Kluson style tuners use very small mounting screws. It is very important to drill holes of adequate diameter and depth. Breaking these tiny screws in the hard maple headstock is a not uncommon problem. When I drill them, I first install all the tuners. I then line them up by pressing a straight piece of wood against the tuner bodies on the back side of the headstock. I clamp this wood in place and drill through the mounting holes. The bit you use should be sized so that if you hold the bit in front of a screw, you can only see the screw theads. Put masking tape on the drill bit so you drill deep enough but don't drill through the headstock. When installing the screws, a little soap or candle wax on the screw threads can't hurt. The main purpose of the screws is to prevent the bodies from turning. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

January 22nd, 2008, 04:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Age: 40 Posts: 2,146	I would have someone install the nut for you. I order my necks from Warmoth with the nut pre-installed so I don't have to mess with it! As for the tuners, there are a couple of things. If you plan on building other guitars in the future, I would invest in a Dremel. I use it a LOT on builds. I place the tuners on the headstock and get them perfectly lined-up. I then mark the spots for all of the screw holes and use a Dremel with a bit diameter smaller than the screws that you will use to pre-drill the holes. Make sure you don't drill all the way through (been there, done that). You could also use a drill press for this, but I find the Dremel easier. Now, I have had the wonderful experience of breaking off a screw head on a tuner because the maple is so hard. To ensure that this doesn't happen again I do two things: I use pickguard screws, which are bigger (and uglier) but are a lot stronger. I also melt candle wax on the screw threads before installation. Just use a big, square candle and light it and let the wax pool on the top. Pick up the screw with a pair of needle nosed pliers and dip the threads in the liquid wax and screw them in - works like a charm! __________________ It was born at the junction of form and function...

January 22nd, 2008, 05:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,772 17 Photos	See my answer to your other Post __________________ I have never owned an Ipod or Blackberry..and doubt that I ever will......

January 22nd, 2008, 08:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,180	Get a Tusq pre-slotted nut. It's already shaped on the top and slotted perfectly. What you do is use a small file (even a nail file) to narrow and shorten the nut until the guitar plays right. If you have an existing nut to use as a rough guide it'll go even faster.....just take your time, filing, cram into place, tighten strings, test.....rinse repeat until the nut is right. I've done all of mine and I'm hardly a luthier. If you're nervous about screwing it up....buy two (one to practice on) as they're cheap enough. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

January 22nd, 2008, 04:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
valriver 1940 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: winnipeg mb. canada Age: 68 Posts: 52	hi joel! I SUGEST GETTING YOURSEL A STEWMAC . COM VIDEO ON ASSEMBLING A ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY GUITAR. IT WILL MOST HELPFUL! STAN.

January 22nd, 2008, 09:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Vince a Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Modesto, CA Age: 62 Posts: 771	+1 on the "Get a Tusq pre-slotted nut." Takes the work out of it and it's done right. I did have to lay it flat on some sandpaper to get the level that I wanted. Install it with no glue . . . the strings will hold it down, and it won't move! Can't help you on the tuners . . . got a set off of an Am Std . . . Ebay -$20. I did have problems with a predrilled neck though . . . didn't match up with the bound body that I wanted to use, so I drilled out the holes on the neck, doweled it, drilled it to match the body! That worked perfectly . . . Trial fit everything . . .

January 24th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
robrohdeszudy Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Madison, Wisconsin, USA Age: 37 Posts: 255	+1 on hiring nut work. At least until you get more used to this stuff. It's fiddly. When drilling for tuner screws, take note of the screw's UNTHREADED part. If any of this part projects below the tuner, you need to bore to accommodate it. If you don't, you'll break off a screw in the headstock, which is no fun at all. If you lack a drill press and skill, you'll need a tech to fix it. So don't force those screws! --Rob