discreet Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 In at the deep end... I'm planning to put together a bass with no pickguard and no control plate, so will need to install electrics etc from the back, meaning a back rout and back plate will be necessary... I'm sure there are a number of BassChatters who have done this and I was hoping you could give me a few pointers and maybe warn me of the inevitable pitfalls of doing this. Or should I just get someone else to do it thereby avoiding a world of pain, shame, embarrassment, profanity and a reduction in testicle size? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nugget Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 It's pretty easy if you've got a router with template router bit or a template guide. Make a templete, clamp it securely to the body and route it out. Make another template a few mm wider than the main cavity and route the recess for the cover 2mm deep Make sure that the template can't move when routing...... [attachment=92068:DSCF2513.jpg] If you havent got a router (or cant borrow one) then it's time consuming and results can be messy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopercrip Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) Don't try to route to much at a time, 1/2" by 1/2" Max, means less stress on the router and an easier cut for you. Andy Edited October 28, 2011 by soopercrip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Thanks for this... I guessed a router would be necessary... One thing puzzles me slightly though, how deep do you go, or to put it another way, how thin does the top of the body have to be to facilitate installation of the pots? Given that most pots are fitted to a pickguard or a control plate, which are both very thin. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soopercrip Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) Axesrus do a long shaft pot for this set up rather than a short or medium for pickguard fitting. I would leave a good 3/8" for structural support. Can always remove a bit if pot doesn't fit. Andy Edited October 28, 2011 by soopercrip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Ahh, long shaft pot... I did not know about this product, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 If you have any concerns about depth, you can also not go as deep as you think throughout the entire cavity but do a general cavity rout then remove the required material precisely where your pots will be. This provides a snug socket for you pots to sit in and not be susceptible to sideways knocks from the front. Doing it yourself means you have no one else to blame for it going wrong - I once paid to have a rear rout done and it was ok but not quite as tip-top had I done it myself. Now I have all the kit, it's not a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 [quote name='soopercrip' timestamp='1319792217' post='1418553'] Don't try to route to much at a time, 1/2" by 1/2" Max, means less stress on the router and an easier cut for you. Andy [/quote] Learned this the hard way (twice) that whistling sound as the router bit flies past your ear is truly terrifying, particularly the 2nd time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1319796066' post='1418622'] Learned this the hard way (twice) that whistling sound as the router bit flies past your ear is truly terrifying, particularly the 2nd time... [/quote] Same. I also had the problem of the route bit drilling into the wood, so it was being pulled out of the router. Its a crappy router. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1319795456' post='1418612'] Now I have all the kit, it's not a problem. [/quote] Ah-ha! So would you then consider... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 [quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1319896926' post='1419861'] Get some Fostner (SP?) bits to hog out as much wood as possible before you hit it with the router. [/quote] I think it's Forstner.. But I'm not so sure myself. Good idea, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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