I have a JM body on the way and want to fit WRHBs.
Google tells me the WRHB is 3.7" x 1.75" x 0.85" (LxWxH), while the JM pickups the body is built for are 3.63" x 1.62" x 0.6", so I figure I definitely need to add depth, and width/length may depend on the tolerance of the routing.
What's the best way to do this, given there are fuck all techs around these parts. I have a dremel and a bunch of other tools but no plunge router or chisels. Always happy to buy tools but obviously don't want to spend hundreds just for this job.
I'm thinking my options are:
- plunge router
- plunge router attachment for the dremel I already own but barely used*
- chisel (drilling a bunch of holes first?)
Any wisdom from the group greatly appreciate as ever!
*(my last dremel usage may have been freehand deepening of my Strat's control cavity. A CLEAN JOB WAS NOT ACHIEVED...)
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If you only have to deepen the cavity, then drilling/chiselling will do. The chisel will do any widening/lengthening of the cavities too, and any wobbly bits around the edges will be hidden by the pickup surrounds (assuming you'll be using them).
A plunge attachment for your dremel would be handy for all sorts - but I tend to use mine for the smaller detail jobs rather then chunking out large bits of wood - the dremel bits are usually quite small!
Good-enough plunge routers aren't expensive (even here in crisis-ridden, Brexited, UK , £50 would buy one). But don't forget to buy the bits too - and then you end up with a drawer full of handy-one-day bits that cost you way more than the router.
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I used them in high school with no issues, and made some chopsticks in a remote cabin in Japan a couple of years ago but I am far from what I would call "skilled"!
@Ttony I'm not mega worried about it being perfect factory-fresh-looking job (more aiming Gibson quality levels, I guess!!). Whatever I do will be under a pickguard so that's no issue from a visual POV. My only real concern is that maybe I may switch the body later, in which case I'd sell this one. But again as long as it's not a complete dog's dinner then I can probably find one of you idiots some keen, lovely individual to buy it this body from me!
I will of course get all the parts together and work out exactly what needs removing from where before I make any decisions. I might even hate the body when it arrives..!
I think I'm currently erring towards a plunge router from my local Ace Hardware, plus some bits of wood to practice on first.
The Katsu ones are dead cheap, although noisy as hell, https://www.amazon.co.uk/101748-Electric-Trimmer-Laminator-Joiners/dp/B00LVVJ99U/ but also budget for a decent router bit too.
Router wise, I have various different sizes, but this one should do for this small job. I have one and have been impressed. It doesn't plunge but you can drill a hole out in the middle of the cavity and widen from there.
Electric Wood Hand Trimmer Laminator 1/4" 3/8" 220V https://amzn.eu/4qbs8kz
I use one of these to get started, you might need a longer one too if the cavity is deep or your router doesn't plunge very far
Trend C121BX1/4TC Profiler 12.7mm Dia x 9.5mm L https://amzn.eu/ayRKrFc
You can make your own template with a bit of MDF, a file and a jigsaw or coping saw, or buy one pretty cheaply.
The risks are there with any method, but most of the hack jobs you see hiding under pickguards have been done with improper chisel use, or an underpowered Dremel.... or sometimes a teaspoon
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I may not actually need to extend the sides of the cavity at all - we'll see when the body and pickups are both here. But either way i'm interested in the everyone's thought process in the meantime.
The best route (pun somewhat intended) is to get someone who's done it before to do it.
My Plan A is absolutely to find someone local to do it. But so far no luck
Which reminds me, the body in question has arrived but I haven't actually opened the box yet!
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There is plenty of clearance I don't think I need to remove any material around the edges at all, save for maybe just a smidge on the top right corner of the neck pickup which can easily be done with a file.
Depth wise it's almost enough to say no need as well - I've estimate a pickup height of about 4mm all round based on my other JM's geometry - which has me wondering if I can just remove a couple of mm just from under the legs with some chunky sandpaper or even my old Dremel with just a grinding attachment. Worst case it might be a tiny bit messy but if I really need I still grab a router and tidy it up later anyway
Thoughts from the group?!
Having convinced myself I only need to accommodate the pickup legs and screws, today I bought a chisel...
I'm actually quite happy with it. It's far from perfect, but by the last of 4 sections I had a reasonable bit of control. Everything could do with a little tidying up and I haven't decided whether I'll show you lot yet, but for a "vibey-relic" that won't even be visible it's ok, and certainly preferable to spending on big tools I don't have space for, or need to use again
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