Big Stu's TLA-1Q Build

[Big_Stu]

Looks like I'm going to need to take a significant amount of wood off to fit in my pickup upgrade in the bridge route. I don't have access to a router, I do have access to a dremel...? Is this the best I can do with what I have? I have access to chisels but I've never used them before.

NOTE: I used double sided tape to draw on my measurements, I should have used masking tape, didn't realise how strong the adhesive is and I've done some damage to the veneer!!!! Does anyone know how I can proceed from here?

[FrankenWashie]

Looks like I'm going to need to take a significant amount of wood off to fit in my pickup upgrade in the bridge route. I don't have access to a router, I do have access to a dremel...? Is this the best I can do with what I have? I have access to chisels but I've never used them before.

NOTE: I used double sided tape to draw on my measurements, I should have used masking tape, didn't realise how strong the adhesive is and I've done some damage to the veneer!!!! Does anyone know how I can proceed from here?

Yeah, i made that mistake with some ash and got grain pullout similar to that. You need to get the green or purple low tack 14-20 day tapes, they will allow you to get good adhesion and do what you need to do without risking the finish.

I'd also hesitate about using a dremel for that much routing, you'd really want to use a router and a good template.

If Pablo is nearby you, i'd take him up on the offer of his router and use his experience to get a template sorted.

if you've no other option, make a small template/outline and do some test chiselling out on scrap wood to refine technique, when you feel you have a good technique down switch to your guitar body. Use the chisels to to the bulk of it, a little at a time, and then clean up to your template/outline with the dremel at first and final clean up with sanding sticks.

You can use masking tape around your intended working zone to help stave off minor scratches etc while you work on the cavity. Just take it slow and easy.