My first build diary JBA4 Jetblack

[Simon Barden]

If your pictures are on a phone, then there are apps that will change the pixel size of the photo. On my iPhone I use a free app called ‘Resize It’, though there are many others.

On a PC, the standard Windows photo viewer has a right-click option to change the picture size, and any decent photo editor should have a similar function.

If you use Tapatalk to access the forum, then that has a built-in resize function.

[Jetblack]

I looked into the mens shed thing just before the Covid hit, haven't really decided on going back to join up at this point, though, the equipment they had was very impressive and would certainly be a bonus for hitting up on projects. Will look into that again a little further down the track. Solved the neck hole issue, a jig was all that was required for sorting that out no need for a press. All good so far.

[Jetblack]

Problem 2, this one seems a little off the cuff, so I have the neck reseated checked for bridge setting and went ahead and mounted the bridge, the scratch guard when first checked seemed to be ok aligning with the edges of the neck and covering the pickup allocated areas. While setting up the pickup positions for screw holes, I noticed the pick guard was sitting off to the right side leaving a small open gap to the lowest left side of the neck, it wasnt doing that before. While lining up the pickups the strings looked to be sitting slightly over to the right side but forcing the pickgaurd over to the left to cover the gap the neck pickup lined up but the bridge pickup is sitting over to the right. Ive checked the neck and its sitting hard up against the heel pocket and strings the E and G are sitting true along the neck, Looks like the bridge pickup pocket is out of line with the neck pickup pocket and needs to be mover over to the left to line up. hhhhmmmmmm.

[Simon Barden]

Have a go at resizing some photos and posting them. It's hard to fully understand exactly what's going on from written descriptions.

[Drashkum]

Hi. Can you put a pic or link to a pic here. I use imgbb to upload a pic there and then get a BB forum code automatically to attach in the forum post. You can try that too

Sent from my NE2211 using Tapatalk

[fender3x]

I did have a drill stand for many years, actually it use to belong to my father, skill shear brand, wasn't too bad either did the job but only fitted the skill shear electric drill, until I bought a drill press, now that's gone. I will have look at Bunnings see what they have, maybe an Ozito drill press, or buy swap and sell local market, tight dollars. I would have to set up table and a jig for resting the neck on so to keep it 90degrees to the drill bit. Making a template from the neck plate wont be an issue, easy done. I knew it wouldn't be perfect but didnt expect that.

Maybe something like this will help?

or this...



Cheaper than a drill press or even a drill stand. I built something like what I think Simon was suggesting, and can post a pic if you like, but it may be overkill for drilling on a body with a flat top and back.

[Jetblack]

Thanks Fender 3X I did just that, made up a 90degree jig worked just fine. Cheers.

[Jetblack]

Thanks Simon I will play around with those options see how it goes, I work from my PC so wont be doing it from my phone.

[Jetblack]

Ok, so let me just wind back a little, I have some questions im hoping I might get some answers from the brains trust. Firstly, before I ask anything.... Resetting the neck so to have the neck plate where it should be and, not thinking and charging ahead screwed the neck into the pocket, taping off the pickup area so to mark off the neck location and align with the body. Finding out the bridge pocket is off to the right by about 2.5mm making the strings sit off kilter to the bridge pickup pots. So obviously the bridge needs to be moved over to align the pickup. Dammm frustrating my fault for not thinking ahead, again.... So my question is, should the neck be aligned with the bridge pickup pocket before doing anything else ???? Im not going to re route the bridge pocket so should I shim the neck ???? Any help will be appreciated.

[Jetblack]

Trying to work it out, thanks for the tip will look into it, cheers.