Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) Morning guys. Doing my first bitsa P bass and I have a blank Status neck ready to drill. I do have a Pillar Drill for the job. Quick question for any that can help out there. The USA body had pre-drilled Holes 5mm, and the screws I have glide through, which I am happy with. Doing a test hole on a piece of wood the screws bite with a 4mm hole Just about to match the holes and drill the graphite neck heel. Do I Drill the hole at 4mm so it bites when screwing (having slightly chamfered the entry point not to split the lacquer) or does the Graphite behave differently and you use a slightly bigger hole? This will be the finished as ever, no pics no bass cheers!! Edited September 8, 2018 by Cuzzie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) I have no first hand experience with carbon fibre composite. If I was to attempt this job I would consider the following: Drill out for bonded threaded inserts and replace the neck screws with machine screws or bolts with a suitable thread. Make sure that the bonding agent is appropriate for the job. Drill a pilot hole in the CF and tap it for a coarse threaded machine screw. Of the two methods I would always prefer the threaded insert. The latter method is more of a bodge. Edited September 8, 2018 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 Cheers mate. I looked into a lot of things and the Moses Graphite necks recommend inserts, but I don’t think Status do, certainly they do not say anything in their instructions, and also I think there may be a block of wood behind the Graphite shell. I suppose the safest would be smallest hole first (after marking it) and see what the screw does. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 Just to complete the picture it’s Seymour Duncan APB-1 pick ups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) 31 minutes ago, Cuzzie said: I looked into a lot of things and the Moses Graphite necks recommend inserts, but I don’t think Status do, certainly they do not say anything in their instructions, and also I think there may be a block of wood behind the Graphite shell. The core material of the neck wasn't something that I had considered much. It could be that the Moses neck has an expanded polymer core. In either case, I'd go with threaded inserts because I have an engineering background. Edited September 8, 2018 by SpondonBassed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 Thanks for your input, and I get where you are coming from. I suppose that if the ‘standard’ hole went wrong I could move to a threaded insert as that would require a larger calibre bore anyway? if I have that right 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 I have installed Status necks before. You do not require inserts and you indeed use a slightly smaller drill bit than the screws. But you need to go slow and steady. I would start with 4mm but also have 4.5mm on hand. Let me see if I can find the original instructions for you, should have them still. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 Here goes http://www.status-graphite.com/status/pricelist/Neck-fitting.pdf 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) Thanks buddy I have the instructions sent so that’s all good, i’ll Compare incase they are different versions The Drill speed was the other key thing, currently I have it set fast for wood, I was thinking I needed the slower one, so I can change the belt. I take it a wood drill bit is best also Edited September 8, 2018 by Cuzzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 I am getting quite excited now, very close to doing this part having slowly amassed the various bits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) Especially the counter sunk bit is important. HSS metal bit also works well. Edited September 8, 2018 by HazBeen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 You guys probably all know this but a Fisch Forstner Wave Drill bit was an absolute revelation for a ferrule hole 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 I just checked, for a 5mm screw I would use a 4.5mm bit. 4mm is too small and you may crack the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) @HazBeen thanks so much, i’ll drill that 4.5mm hole then get a 5mm to just widen the lacquer part of I get you correctly so to stop the threads fracturing the graphite Edited September 8, 2018 by Cuzzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 I would use a larger diameter bit to do that mate, you don’t want the 5mm to bite and widen the hole. An 8mm or special counter sink bit and just lightly take away a little material is best. Then, if the screw gets really tight do not force it. Maybe use the 5 to widen the hole, but I think you are fine with a 4.5mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 8, 2018 Author Share Posted September 8, 2018 Thanks again i do have a counter sink I have found just now just need to check my other drill bits. Really appreciate people taking the time to help 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 26 minutes ago, Cuzzie said: Thanks for your input, and I get where you are coming from. I suppose that if the ‘standard’ hole went wrong I could move to a threaded insert as that would require a larger calibre bore anyway? if I have that right Yes. You have. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 27 minutes ago, HazBeen said: I have installed Status necks before. Have they a timber core at the heel then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 31 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said: Have they a timber core at the heel then? No, Status uses a very thick graphite bottom layer, 6-8mm thick. This provides enough stability to fix the neck, but hole diameter and counter sinking to prevent cracking is key. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 1 hour ago, HazBeen said: No, Status uses a very thick graphite bottom layer, 6-8mm thick Thank you. I might have a thick graphite bottom layer installed myself. Just in case I ever go back to motorcycling. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 9, 2018 Share Posted September 9, 2018 20 hours ago, Cuzzie said: You guys probably all know this but a Fisch Forstner Wave Drill bit was an absolute revelation for a ferrule hole I got one of these too. Unbelievable difference in cutting ease and efficiency. Over time (because they are pricey) I will be replacing all the bit sizes I use for critical jobs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 And now finished!! So..... USA Fender Alder Body Olympic White and High Mass Vintage Bridge made String through. Olive White Fender pickguard Status Jazz Neck Hipshot Ultralite tuners 1 Drop D Sandberg String retainer Seymour Duncan APB-1 active pick ups. Inside routed under pickguard for battery, but I have a battery box and will likely rout the back for this. DR DDT strings All that is left is to do another ground wire and shield the cavity (it’s noisy as hell). Thanks to everyone and in particular @HazBeen for lots of advice. Its loud and punchy as hell!! Think I may have to do another.... 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 It's always good to see a blend of older tech with the newer stuff. It looks the business too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDaBass Posted September 17, 2018 Share Posted September 17, 2018 Great job. Looks fantastic , any chance of a song clip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted September 17, 2018 Author Share Posted September 17, 2018 i’ll Try to get a proper recording and will do it after shielding and doing another grounding as it’s still a bit noisy Thank you for your kind words Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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