RC-1 help- neck and pickup not fitting

Hi all,

I just posted this same question on my build diary but thought this might be a better place for it. I have the RC-1 kit. I bought it years ago and after a long hiatus am getting around to actually finishing it off. I did a dry fit to check the scale length and with the neck pushed all the way into the slot (as pictured) i get measurements of about 313mm both ways, which I believe is spot on.

Attachment 26650

Attachment 26651

Attachment 26652

However, the surround for the pickup does not allow for the neck to be pushed all the way in, which then throws out the measurements.

Attachment 26653

Attachment 26654

Is it a simple matter of cutting the pickup surround to fit the neck, or am I missing something really obvious? Aside from the scale issue, I think it'd make for a much stronger joint if the neck was able to be seated all the way into the slot.

Cheers

Greg

Have you checked the photos of complete RC 1 kits on the forum? Perhaps you can see how they look.
I think you might have answered your own question, joint strength and scale length must trump aesthetic I'd say.

You could chisel a little out of the pickup hole and move the whole lot back a little to save the surround then you won't see the fix.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moony

the surround for the pickup does not allow for the neck to be pushed all the way in, which then throws out the measurements.

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I had the same problem with a different kit.
Easy fix.

Attachment 26655

Done

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I have seen other builds of the same kit, and they all appear to have the pickup surround intact, so either the way I'm measuring things is wrong, or I'm missing something. I doubt my kit would be any different to any others as they all come off the same CNC.

Whether cutting a chunk out of the surround, or making the cavity larger, neither are huge issues. It would've been nice if I'd picked up on it before i did the paint job though..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Moony

I have seen other builds of the same kit, and they all appear to have the pickup surround intact, so either the way I'm measuring things is wrong, or I'm missing something. I doubt my kit would be any different to any others as they all come off the same CNC.

Whether cutting a chunk out of the surround, or making the cavity larger, neither are huge issues. It would've been nice if I'd picked up on it before i did the paint job though..

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I'd be 99% sure the the length of neck and depth of pocket are correct therefore the scale length will also be correct.
To cut the pickup surround IMHO would look very bad when job finished.
To slot the pickup cavity slightly as shown in my previous reply isn't a huge issue, I took my time and cut away at it with a Dremel. If you don't have one they are cheap and always come in handy for lots of unrelated jobs about the place.

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Originally Posted by cork sniffer

I'd be 99% sure the the length of neck and depth of pocket are correct therefore the scale length will also be correct.
To cut the pickup surround IMHO would look very bad when job finished.
To slot the pickup cavity slightly as shown in my previous reply isn't a huge issue, I took my time and cut away at it with a Dremel. If you don't have one they are cheap and always come in handy for lots of unrelated jobs about the place.

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Yeah i agree. I'm pretty comfortable with woodworking and have a good range of tools, so whether, I dremel, rout or chisel, it shouldn't be too much of an issue, especially with an easy timber like basswood. Chances are at some point down the line I'll put better pickups in it, which may require some extra routing anyway.

I might just hold off on doing anything until I can get some confirmation from one of the pitbull guys that I'm doing things right.

Not sure who built this (beautiful job whoever you are), but I just found this on the facebook page. I'm obviously not the first to run into the issue with the kit. The workaround here is the same as my initial thought.

Attachment 26658

Yes, but I'd go with moving the pickup back and saving the surround. Use some masking tape to protect your finish.
At least now you know!

Also note in that picture that the top E saddle has been intonated and is a couple of mm back from the front, so the cut-out in the ring probably wasn't really needed. It's a close call. Tricky. If the kits came with Nashville style bridges instead of ABR types, the extra adjustment available would make everything far easier.

The necks aren't meant to be pushed all the way in, so you need to decide exactly where it should go. (It would be nice if they were, but the kits aren't CNC made, so the precision to do it accurately and repeatedly just isn't there and the ends of the tenons are often at an angle). I'd double check your measurements, and get the ruler parallel with the neck, as it's a bit slanted in some of the photos which will add apparent length.

I've only just realised that moving the pickup back would result in a new problem. The surround is pretty much the same size as the cavity, so moving it back would mean that it wouldn't completely cover it. I think the best port of call would be to do as Simon has said and triple check measurements and go from there. So I'll get the clear coats on, the bridge properly installed, and then tackle it.

Hi, I just got your email. I think you've neglected to add a few mm to the 12th fret to bridge measurement.

Refer our Instruction Manual.

The end of neck heel doesn't sit flat against the back of the pocket.

If you pull the neck out a few mm (3-4mm) you should find it's all good.

Thanks Adam and everyone else for the help. The kit has been buried in my attic for a few years and I seem to have misplaced the instructions, so there will more than likely be more questions to come :)

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Originally Posted by adam

Hi, I just got your email. I think you've neglected to add a few mm to the 12th fret to bridge measurement.

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Seems to be a common mistake where overall scale length is more important and less prone to error compared to using just 12th fret as a reference point.

Hi again Moony, this Video, with Gavin Bramley, discusses the compensated scale length problem.

https://youtu.be/YJTQLLnscgg

Found that by cutting two lengths from an ice lolly stick and sticking both of these to the back of the pick-up cut out, gave just the right dimension for the neck scale length. Also gave a nice butt stop for the neck to sit against when using the glue.