Exm-1 explorer guitar build

[Sachin]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for the reply. I’m yet to test the strings on the neck to the bridge, but regardless, I have never seen or played a guitar with either a set or bolt on neck that has its neck sitting so high... the fretboards are always flush and touching the body of the guitar.

As you requested, I have attached closer photos of the neck pocket and heel. I’m looking to overcome this hurdle soon as it’s holding back my measurements for scale length and the rest of the test fit. Otherwise I’ll lose my patience and just sand the neck socket .

Once again, any responses are greatly appreciated.

[FrankenWashie]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for the reply. I’m yet to test the strings on the neck to the bridge, but regardless, I have never seen or played a guitar with either a set or bolt on neck that has its neck sitting so high... the fretboards are always flush and touching the body of the guitar.

As you requested, I have attached closer photos of the neck pocket and heel. I’m looking to overcome this hurdle soon as it’s holding back my measurements for scale length and the rest of the test fit. Otherwise I’ll lose my patience and just sand the neck socket .

Once again, any responses are greatly appreciated.

Mate that is looking all kinds of odd.
I would strongly recommend getting a Kwik clamp or a C clamp and test setting the neck, then run the E strings or fishing line to your bridge to check the break angle and action BEFORE you do anything drastic.

With the neck clamped in place you can verify your scale length at the same time as you do the other checks.

I get what you are saying about the height proud of the body, but the Tune O Matic style bridge on that kit should give you ample adjustment.

Also check the pickup rings that came with the kit. If you drop the neck further in to the body you might create fouling issues with those.

If it still all looks wrong, then adjusting the neck pocket will work but you are better off using a router than trying to evenly sand out 2-3 mm. You can get a little palm type router with a guide bearing bit to do this, or depending on where you are, one of the other forum members might be in a position to assist you with that.

I have to say that whole thing looks rough especially the veneer top around the neck pup position. The front of the pocket normally is fairly square up and down but that one looks quoted wobbly?

I’d pop some photos back to Adam at Pitbull for review as, to me at least, that doesn’t look up to the normal PBG standard.

Hope this helps,




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[Sachin]

Hey FrankenWashie,

Thanks for the quick reply. I think we’re on different pages here. Where I say the neck is sitting too high, I don’t mean jutting out too far onto the body and therefore neck pickup isn’t a problem. I’m referring to depth, as in, the neck pocket is too shallow, that I can’t clamp down the neck entirely. Sorry if I misunderstood, but right now I can’t test fit the neck because it won’t go down any further.

[FrankenWashie]

Hey FrankenWashie,

Thanks for the quick reply. I think we’re on different pages here. Where I say the neck is sitting too high, I don’t mean jutting out too far onto the body and therefore neck pickup isn’t a problem. I’m referring to depth, as in, the neck pocket is too shallow, that I can’t clamp down the neck entirely. Sorry if I misunderstood, but right now I can’t test fit the neck because it won’t go down any further.

Oh okay, I was envisaging it was all the way in and looked too high!

Check the squareness of the neck heel sides, then the sides of the neck pocket.

You might also see is there are any witness marks in the pocket where the neck is binding up, you can carefully dress these out with a file or sand paper stuck to a stiff backer board.

Take a look at the radii in the corners of the pocket as these are quite often an issue.

From the photo the back end of the neck heel looks kind of irregular, that may also be a binding point stopping it seating correctly.

The key is small adjustments, with careful checks in between.

Some use chalk or pencil lead on one component to highlight high spots where there is hard contact.

Also look for any obvious irregularities especially in the corners at the base of the pocket.


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[Sachin]

Hey guys,

Took a busy week and a lot of sanding (my router broke) to get the rough neck pocket into a clean and level state. Finally measured the scale length and got the neck into an appropriate position. However, the factory did not include the neck plate and screws to bolt-on the neck. I ordered them yesterday.

Can I drill the holes into the neck now itself or is it better I wait for the parts to come? If I am alright to drill the holes, what size drill bit should I use?

Thanks

[Sachin]

In addition to the previous post, I assume it is normal for a bolt-on neck to sit on an angle like mine in the neck pocket given the guitar has a tunomatic bridge.