Routing?

[rschiller]

I have a 2007 H1 Telecaster with the Bill Lawrence designed samarium cobalt Generation 2 Fender noiseless pickups. I acquired a set of the Gen 4 Alnico 5 noiseless pickups figuring (hoping?) perhaps Fender has made improvements. The body is 44mm thick and the neck pickup cavity is 17mm. The Gen 2 neck pickup is 21mm high so it stood above the pickguard just under 4mm which was perfect clearing the strings. The Gen 4 neck pickup is 23mm high and sticks up too much and interferes with the string. So 2 questions:

(1) What is the best and safest way to route out 2mm from the neck pickup cavity or is this a bad idea?
(2) Anyone tried the Fender Gen 4 vs Fender Gen 2 noiseless and is it worth it?

thanks to all

 

[eallen]

Routing is no big deal as long as your protect the surface from scratches and use a short patter bit to follow the current route. I usually apply a layer of easy release painter's tape to the finished surfaces. If your router face is not perfectly smooth I put some tape on it as well.

Eric

 

[schmee]

Wow, that a fat pickup! Maybe just try some Lawrence double rails if you need noiseless....

 

[Hobs]

A router plane is the safest way to do that, but it does take some practice to sharpen and use one effectively..