Hoopers ES-1G Build

[sfkhooper]

Ok, this is my second build and I'm really looking forward to applying some of the knowledge I acquired during the first, which was a TL-1. It had issues a-plenty, but I have a guitar that I love, so cest la vie.

BUT, lo and behold, this kit seems to have the very same problem that the TL did, which ended up being a major source of frustration. The pickup dwells aren't routed correctly!!! Take a look at the image below. You'll clearly notice that the bridge pickup dwell is smaller than the neck pickup dwell. In fact it is physically too small to accommodate a pickup. Seriously?? Is this a common problem? What do people usually do about this?

[wokkaboy]

Hey Hooper that sucks a bit I've never come across this problem. Do you own a drill like 12-14mm diamter ? I suggest you trace the pickup surround as a guide and drill out the screw hole recesses a bit wider being very carefull not to drill anywhere you shouldn't, clamp down the body with some rags so it doesn't move.
So you have to make the recesses about 2mm wider each side, should be manageable. WOuld be impossible to route it out with the contoured top.
GOod luck and let us know how you go

[Gavin1393]

That's you and me both Wokka....never come across that either. Usually they're a little oversized which means carefull placing of the humbucker rings so that the gaps don't show, but certainly havent experienced SFK's issues. Lightning does strike the same place twice it seems?

Maybe escalate this issue to Adam, SFK. He may want to check back with the manufacturers? Fretworn also seems to have had a similar issue?
http://pitbullguitars.com/?page_id=4...wtopic&t=340.1

[adam]

On it Gav. Hooper, this is clearly a manufacturing fault and is covered by our Guarantee. Please don't feel obligated to press on. You can return the whole kit and we will send you a replacement. It will delay your build, but I think this is the best option. I will also send you excellent photo tot the supplier and ask them to keep an eye on the pickup routs.

Email me and let me know what you want to do. If you want a replacement I will organise it.

[Analyst69]

I had a similar issue with a non-pitbull kit, but mine was the other way (up down in Hooper's photo).

I used a sanding wheel on a dremel (actually, $50 wannabe dremel) on low speed (had to be really careful to keep moving so I created a consistent straight line rather than a series of indents). With care, this technique works well.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cheers

[dingobass]

Yep, I have come across this one a few times. Part of the joy of building kits!

I attack this problem with a very sharp gouge chisel thingy, works every time..
However, unless you have the right tools I would be inclined to go with Adams offer.

[WeirdBits]

I just did a quick check of those same measurements on my ES-1G kit (been sitting in its box for a couple of months waiting for some attention). The neck pup rout is 89mm at its widest point and the bridge is just touching on 87mm, so a bit of variation but within tolerance. Actually, the 87mm rout only just fits the baseplate of my aftermarket pups (with a bit of wiggling), so it seems I got lucky.

It's bizarre that the factory can somehow cut such widely varying routs like on Hooper's kit, I would have thought a set pattern would allow only a 1mm or so difference at most. Unless...

[dingobass]

Some one must have punched the wrong values into the CNC. I cannot think of any other reason why this is happening.
Maybe one of our guys who works with CNC machines can throw some light onto this?

[Gavin1393]

Quote from Analyst69 on June 8, 2013, 14:21
I had a similar issue with a non-pitbull kit, but mine was the other way (up down in Hooper's photo).

I used a sanding wheel on a dremel (actually, $50 wannabe dremel) on low speed (had to be really careful to keep moving so I created a consistent straight line rather than a series of indents). With care, this technique works well.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cheers

Because of the curvature of the top of the ES, i would be reluctant to use a dremel or any other router unless you have a lot of experience using them.....

[dingobass]

A cheap and easy work around is to get a set of Lino cutting or fine wood carving chisels. You should be able to pick these up for around the $20 mark.

Use the round end chisels to gently and carefully pare away the rout out until the pup sits in the hole and behaves it's self.