Rear route template.

I used the front route template to start.

Then blocks again to guide the router for expansion. Looks good.

Guide blocks for the spring route.

Waste removal.

And routed, templates done!


The bridge end of the trem block cavity on the back is slightly off square, I think it's close enough... we'll see if its bugging me when I come to route the body.

Next I need to locate the bridge on the body.
Originally I was going to fit the neck then use that for my centre line. But the spring cavity route will leave about 4mm of wood between it and the pickup ears route, so I need to get my centre line off the pickup routing on the front. After a lot of false starts, I worked out this solution:


Did it again from the other side and averaged out the two lines, they were only about a mill or two out anyway.

I've no idea what the best way to get the line onto the back is, I used a square.

I'm not sure this is that accurate, but I'll go all the way through with the top route first and use that as a reference too.

Now I'm fitting the neck, so I can locate the bridge.

I did a little more clean-up of the pocket.

The I used an old B string to centre the neck on the body.



Clamped in place

I used a brad point drill to mark the neck heel.

One of my holes didn't mark, I'll fix it once the other three are in place.

I'm not sure how I'm going to drill the holes straight yet, I'll probably use a guide block since I don't have a caul to hold the neck flat in the drill press.

I also need to determine where to place the bridge. My understanding is the mounting holes normally sit 1/4" forward of the 25.5" scale length. Stew Mac's calculator wants me to go another 1/64th" towards the neck for my 27" scale. I'd think I'd want more length for intonation with a longer scale, not less. Their calculator doesn't allow me to specify string gauge or tuning. I'm thinking I should place the mounting screws at 26.75". I'm debating .4mm so it's probably fine either way.