Building a BC-1 guitar for my son

[Trevor Davies]

"....but do I just poke the wire through and hope some of it connects with the bridge post as I hammer it in?
Is there more to it than that?"

That is it! I usually strip the end to about 1.5 cm of wire and splay it out a bit. Hammer the post in, and pray! Only poke the bare wire through to the post hole.

[vh2580]

Not sure if others do it but I sometimes give the chrome stud a bit of a rough sand where the wire is to get a better connection. That’s gonna be a east of a BC when it’s done.

[fender3x]

Not sure if others do it but I sometimes give the chrome stud a bit of a rough sand where the wire is to get a better connection. That’s gonna be a east of a BC when it’s done.

I haven't done this, but it strikes me as a very good idea ;-)

Funny, I just answered this same question for another post (pun not intended...maybe).

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...t=12377&page=2

I pray too, but mostly that the multimeter shows me continuity. ;-)

[Barno]

I haven't done this, but it strikes me as a very good idea ;-)

Funny, I just answered this same question for another post (pun not intended...maybe).

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...t=12377&page=2

I pray too, but mostly that the multimeter shows me continuity. ;-)

Yes I posted on another thread after some research, and then thought I should addit to my Build Diary.

Well, I'm off to give it a go!

[Barno]

It worked!
(The fender3x "splay the wires" (tm) technique)
I have continuity on both pots, the shielding on the exterior of the jack, the shielding inside the pots and switch cavity, and of course the bridge [phew]

So a stupid question but I'll ask so I don't wreck anything - the large saddle plus the bridge - do they literally just sit on the four posts I've hammered in? If I turn over the guitar to screw the neck in they'll fall out, so I'll take them out.

When that neck is on, I'm guessing the tension of six tight strings will hold both pieces of metal in place. Is that about right?

I am close to finishing it - I have three days left to get the neck and strings on, check intonation, and tune. And a sort of test - I'm a left-handed player, but I should be able to mash out something!!

[Barno]

Potential problem - right at the end!!

OK I'm a bit stuck now.
I bolted the neck on, but it looks like its got quite a downward tilt starting from the neck bolts closest to the pickups, then fading down out to the head!!

I did check the fitting before painting and it seemed reasonable. I tried a gentle tap with a nylon hammer, then rescrewed, it didn't seem to make too much difference at all

So I'm sort of stuck, should I put some strings on and see if it's ok - I doubt the tensioned up strings would lift the head end up a bit (would they?) as they'd be competing against the 4 neck-to-body bolts.

Or, should I try to carefully sand inside where the neck fits into the body?

I've attached 3 photos to show as best I can. ANy help for this final push really appreciated!!

thanks

[Barno]

p.s. I can take more pictures if that helps the analysis

[Barno]

I did note from your earlier comment Trevor you thought maybe a small angle e.g 4 degrees would be ok... it just "looks" wrong to me at the moment, albeit with no strings on

[Trevor Davies]

...

So a stupid question but I'll ask so I don't wreck anything - the large saddle plus the bridge - do they literally just sit on the four posts I've hammered in? If I turn over the guitar to screw the neck in they'll fall out, so I'll take them out.

When that neck is on, I'm guessing the tension of six tight strings will hold both pieces of metal in place. Is that about right?

...!

Yeah, the bridge and stop bar just sit on the posts. The string tension will hold them tightly in place.

[Trevor Davies]

The pictures in post #56 look right. I would not sand the neck foot or neck pocket. Put the strings on and see.

There is a lot of adjustment for the bridge height.

I'm assuming the neck/fretboard is straight (that is - not curved).