Swtiched to EXA-1

[Hesh]

Hi all,

First time builder and purchased a GPR before realising it was too advanced... so switched over to an EXA and not looking back!!

I have done my mock build and sanded the body, but have come across an issue for clarification:

When I clamped the neck in place to measure for the bridge (post holes pre-drilled) the measurements worked well when the neck was flush with the space for the neck pickup (Image A)
However, in this position there is not enough room for the neck pickup to fit (as it has a ring mount). When I move the neck to accommodate the pickup, the measurements for the bridge are out by about 3-4ml (Image B)

Having just watched the video link about neck measurements, I am assured that I would not need to cut the neck. So I am not sure how to proceed.

I am not going to glue the neck in place until after I've stained the body so not a huge rush but it will need to be sorted!

thanks guys

[FrankenWashie]

It seems to be an issue with the EX style kits Hesh, mine was the same to a lesser degree I managed to squeeze a very thin Gibson original pup ring in there, but it looks like that is not an option for yours.

You can either trim the end of the neck/fetboard to give you the room, or direct mount the PUPs. Direct mounting is a bit of a fiddle but it can bring great results and a very clean and stripped down look ( refer wazkelly’s EX-1 and EX-5 builds).

For a first guitar, I’d suggest ditch the PUP rings and hit Wazkelly up for some advice.

If you want to get a little crazy FrankenLab style, measure up how much you need to take from the end of the fretboard and trim that back down to the neck tenon. If anyone asks, Igor made you do it🤪😉.

[Joe3334]

You can buy pickup rings like this that have a piece missing in order to fit the neck position.


Or if you have a plastic pickup ring than you could cut a piece off so it fits.

[FrankenWashie]

You can buy pickup rings like this that have a piece missing in order to fit the neck position.


Or if you have a plastic pickup ring than you could cut a piece off so it fits.

Good point Joe, I’d forgotten abut those guys.

[wazkelly]

Hey Joe, that is a great idea.

Hesh, I had the same problem you mention here and ended up top loading without mounting rings. Fiddly job but IMHO looks great.
Here are a couple of shots to give you the general idea of how it looks...plenty more to be found under that build thread in my signature

One alternative I seriously considered was buying Rosewood mounting rings so that once the neck one was cut it would blend in with the end of the fretboard and not look so obvious that there was something funky going on.

Cheers, Waz

PS. I am just about to remove faulty Bridge PUP and re-install replacement one and shall take some photos of the process as it requires drilling some holes on the PUP mounting screw lugs and could be a handy reference guide for anyone who wants to have a go at doing something similar. Hope to find time to do it tomorrow.

[king casey]

Call me sir bodge, but couldn't you also dremel (for want of a better term) out the opposite side of the pick-up rout the few mil?

cheers, Mark.

[wazkelly]

Call me sir bodge, but couldn't you also dremel (for want of a better term) out the opposite side of the pick-up rout the few mil?

cheers, Mark.

Need a very steady hand as there isn't much timber to work with and margin for error or degree of difficulty is extreme as rosewood is prone to tear outs.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Simon Barden]

I think Mark was talking about the opposite edge of the rout to the neck, so the pickup effectively moves back a couple of mm. Though this would leave the front edge of the pickup ring right on the edge of the rout and you might see the gap, especially if the rear edge of the neck stick out into the rout slightly.

As the rear face of the neck is unbound, it might be easiest to cut a few mm off that. It's not going to be hard to cut it cleanly. You wan't want to cut more than a notch out, so down to just below the pickup ring level, as you want to leave as much as possible to support the tenon at the bottom.

[king casey]

I think Mark was talking about the opposite edge of the rout to the neck, so the pickup effectively moves back a couple of mm.

Yes that is what I was attempting to point out. Not without it's possible consequences of course.

cheers, Mark.

[Hesh]

Thanks guys! Cheers for the pics as well Waz.. nice to see the finished product.. I am heading bondi blue though...

I did have a think after I posted and am going to try cutting the ring to size. Second option to buy one as above. Third option to try and direct mount..

I figure if I stuff up the ring then I have several go's... one chance only if I change the neck itself... and I'm not game to try dremeling out the pickup rout at the moment.. but went through that thought too Mark!

FOLLOW ON QUESTION:
A mate of mine is offering some nice humbuckers for a decent price. I am assuming they should NOT be F spaced (as it is a Gibson type kit) but just checking...

Will post pics as I go...

thanks again guys!