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Apart from making sure you get the neck angle right - it won't be parallel to the body like a Strat since the ABR-1 is taller than a Strat bridge - or alternatively recess the bridge, which may help the tuning stability with the Bigsby as well - then there shouldn't be any issues.
Other than crowds with pitchforks turning up at gigs, obviously.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I think my 3rd full build was a through neck with TOM and Bigsby. I didn't trust myself with an angled neck at that point so I had the neck raised slightly more than normal, rather than the bridge recessed.
If I was doing the same now (and purposely avoiding a neck angle) I would raise the neck plane half the required distance, and recess the bridge the other half. - split the difference so the neck doesn't sit too high and the bridge doesn't sit too low
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Slight worry that I’m going to miss a learning opportunity in not building an angled neck.
I have been been advised not to recess the bridge as this looks like the neck angle was done wrong! I hear where they are coming from but it remains an option!
It will work just as well recessed as angled, if you like the no neck angle feel.
there are loads of guitars with recessed bridges, it can look ver smart
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An alternative would be to use a Fender Jazzmaster/Jaguar/Mustang bridge - this isn't quite as tall as an ABR-1, and it's also designed to move when you use the vibrato so it helps stop tuning problems. Fender factory-fitted Bigsby Teles had them for this reason. It usually needs a thin neck shim on a Fender, but you can build that in without an obvious neck angle or height rise.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
if there is any doubt, draw out a full size side profile with the known dimensions and the chosen bridge.
I used to do this for every build as often it then becomes a plan for side profiles and route depths. I was doing different scales, necks joins and bridges so standard dimensions often did not apply. I have not done it for a while, but it was a useful way to learn about neck angle geometry and cross check I had everything correct There are many ways to skin a cat, and drawing it out can help visualise where to begin
As ICBM says, height adjustment can be fiddly on a recessed traditional style TOM, but go for one with slotted posts and its no bother at all.
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I have made several Strats and Teles with a TOM bridge also several with Bigsby tremolo. There are two different angles you can use depending on how you want the guitar to look. The one I use most is 2.5 degrees, that's about the same as in SG and a LPJ. I have the neck set very deep into the body see the photo below. The other angle I use is 1.5 degrees, with this angle , the neck has to be set much higher on the body, at least 2mm more than then you can see in the photo below. I think this is covered in Melvyn Hiscocks book on making guitars with minimal machinery. I believe it shows you how to make different jigs for different angles to use with a hand router. Also how to have flat neck joint in the body but angle the neck heel. That's if my memory serves me correctly as it's got to be over 20 years since I last looked at the book.
As you can see the neck is set very deep into the body so it requires a 2.5 degree angle, if you raise the neck by about 2 mm you only requiring neck angle of about 1.5 degree angle.
From the front you can hardly see the neck angle , if at all.
Your life will improve when you realise it’s better to be alone than chase people who do not really care about you. Saying YES to happiness means learning to say NO to things and people that stress you out.
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Pickups - I’m thinking something 62ish arranged in a Robbie Robertson manner...
So... it seems to me that two Strat pickups, both the same polarity but one reverse wound, would make a form of humbucker.... or am I wrong? Putting a switch to allow series or parallel or only one coil would give some options.... Am I missing anything here? Treat the pair as a single pickup and switch like a tele between that and a Standard Strat pickups in the neck... I think I’d better dig out my old Adrian Legg book for how to do it...
thank you you for all contributions so far - I’m a long way from finishing the planning!
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I’ve obtained a Schaller bridge, changed my mind and now have a Duesenberg Les Trem for which I also obtained Gotoh inserts (and the stop tail in case I hate the trem), electronical bits n bobs, ordered a set of Creamery Strat P90s (thanks Jaime for efforts above and beyond), string trees obtained. I’ll be getting a set of open backed tuners.
Finishwise I have some staining and oiling in mind but I’m not disclosing this yet.
Further Q1 challenges will include a pine bodied Esquire (body blank ordered) and a new neck for an ancient Ibanez CN100.
I’ll also be obtaining various tools (new router, bandsaw) in order to achieve the non-course elements.
I reckon that’ll keep me busy one way or another.
Updates will follow.
Body thicknessed, planed and jointed, top the same.
Neck cut cut out on the bandsaw then routed to the template on the router table... more follows.
https://i.imgur.com/YWGWgPc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2VdlefT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gkyPsEB.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/h6ggspq.jpg