abutton

[andrewdosborne]

Nice one Alan, this is coming along nicely. With the neck fitting measurements - check, check then check again then maybe one more time for luck! Post any questions with pictures and I'm sure we can solve!

[wokkaboy]

Alan, I fit the neck pickup mainly to make sure it fits with the neck clamped in place. Imagine if you glued the neck and the neck pickup didn't fit !
Also Gav T. had a good point, check the action of the strings with the bridge wound down, the strings should touch or almost touch the 22nd fret. Do a mock test before you apply the glue.
Take your time and if you are still unsure post some photos and ask questions

[keloooe]

looking great Alan! Hope all goes well with the neck. you can't go wrong with the bridge installed and the two e-strings running up the neck. Just make sure that the strings are touching the last fret when the bridge is at its lowest adjustment height. If they arent touching you might need to adjust the angle.

cheers,
Gav.

+1 on that

[abutton]

Thanks guys,

Great advice - if I can make this thing play I will be over the moon.

I have almost resigned myself to it probably just being a nice momento on the wall - but who knows.....

I burnt the shit out of my finger and thumb when I accidentally grabbed the soldering iron when practicing on an old stereo I had

What a dill!

And stopped me from playing because the blisters were exactly where I hold the pick

And in between my soldering looked awful but that is something I can work on

Thanks again everybody

Alan

[wokkaboy]

no worries Alan we are here to help. Just take your time. Be more careful with soldering irons !

[abutton]

Hi Guys - in a bit of trouble
Fitted the pick up but couldn't clamp it in with the neck clamped but fitted O.K.
Measurements
Top E string middle of 12 fret to front edge of nut 313mm
Bottom E string middle of 12 fret to front edge of nut 313mm
Top E string middle of 12 fret to front edge of bridge adjuster 319mm
Bottom E string middle of 12 fret to front edge of bridge adjuster 312mm
The top E string to the bridge is way too long but the bridge in on an angle - so not sure?? - can't make it any shorter??
Other problem is that the strings are about 1/8th of an inch above the 22nd fret????
The bridge is wound down as far as it can go
Also the strings are way inside the edges of the neck - doesn't look right
Not sure which way the bridge faces - tried both ways and the measurements were the same (with adjusters wound all the forward)
Not sure where to go to from here?
Any help would be appreciated
Alan

[gavinturner]

hi Alan,

The action issue I can't help you with. The neck may have required an angle adjustment at gluing time. Hopefully it is still playable.

However in terms of the scale length:

I consulted the stewmac fret position calculator and for a scale length of 626mm.
(2* distance from nut to middle of 12th fret = 2* 313 = 626mm)
it gives the following:

Tune-o-matic style bridges 627.534mm (± 0.5mm) from nut to center of treble-side post. Mount bass-side post 1.5mm - 3mm further from the nut.

On the treble E string, the middle of the bridge post should be 627.534mm (± 0.5mm) from the nut.
I'm not sure what the width of your bridge post is, but your measurement of 313+312 = 625mm looks quite OK assuming a bridge post with radius approx 2-5mm.

On the bass E string, the middle of the bridge post should be a further 1.5mm - 3mm more than the treble side.
Your measurement of 313+319 = 632mm also looks OK.

Sounds to me like your bridge is in a position that will allow your instrument to be correctly intonated.
It is quite normal for the bridge to be slanted as it gives more compensation to the thicker strings.

Hope this helps.

cheers,
Gav.

[keloooe]

Be more careful with a soldering iron, they are a lot hotter than you think! i use one of those cheap holders from Altronics when I'm not holding it myself, cheap but very nice to have right next to me and I wont burn anything!

[abutton]

Thanks Keloooe

I definitely shouldn't touch the hot end of a soldering iron - hopefully that wont happen again!

Thanks Gav

You have put a huge effort into analysing and checking my measurements - good to hear it might be 'intonatable' (not sure that is a word?)

The only options I can see with the action problem is to either grind the base of the bridge down or pack the neck and maybe add bolts to it?

I can't do much about the strings being so far inside the edge of the neck but maybe that can just be a unique feature of the guitar?

If I can get any thoughts during the week because I was hoping I could use the long weekend to connect the neck so I can get onto the electrics

Thanks,

Alan

[stan]

Hi Alan, as for the bridge: you'll notice adjustment screws along one side. With the bridge on they face inwards i.e. towards the neck.
Looks great mate, you're doing a nice job