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RSSProject 0001 #3 – Corporeal Punishment
Sep 10
Music, Project 0001 body, guitars, Stratocaster No Comments
Project 0001 - the body
Well, the replacement body turned up – a three-piece alder body with SSH routing, undrilled, finished in Vintage White. Initially, I thought that either I or they had cocked up with the colour; as it’s definitely cream, not white. However, checking against Fender’s standard colour chart, I can see that it’s as specified… My bad!
Still, in my mind it looks pretty good against the gold anodized scratchplate (and appears to be a pretty good match to the original). The ‘plate, incidentally, is the real deal – a Fender ‘57-style. The original one, bought from eBay, looked great face-on but otherwise appeared silver… Not the effect I was looking for! Thankfully, I managed to lose that one via the ‘Bay so I’ve virtually broken even there.
Since the body was undrilled, copious measurements were taken, drawings made and photos referred to to ensure that everything went in the right place. It was then that I realised that the neck pocket had to be reshaped slightly to accommodate the square-heeled neck that I’d already prepped (note to self – buy a router and templates. Quicker and easier than playing with chisels and miniature sanding drums!). Of course, this reshaping also necessitated some alteration to the scratchplate, too. It’s not the tidiest of jobs, but it will be hidden by the 22nd-fret overhang. Before anyone flames me for being a “bodgit and leggit”, don’t forget that this is both a personal project and a learning curve for me!
Anyway, centre lines were marked, neck was offered up, string positions calculated and the final bridge position determined. I used the Power8 Workshop’s pillar drill to bore the bridge screw holes… I’d already established that the centre two holes would need to be drilled free-hand, as the throat on the Power8 isn’t huge. Large carpenters squares and spirit levels are incredibly useful in this scenario! Additional screw holes were marked, punched and drilled and all parts screwed to the body using a good ol’-fashioned screwdriver. I’ve heard too many tales of wandering bits and snapped screws to risk using anything powered!
So far, so good – everything fits and, through my eyes, looks pretty good. Next step – fixing the neck. Then on to shielding the cavities and wiring.
I’m aiming to get this finished by the time I hit the UKMG National at Buxton in November… Time will tell!
