routing the neck pocket

[chef21]

Hi every one. I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas or sugestions for routing the neck pocket of a project guitar. My biggest fear is that the pocket wont be at a perfect staight line with the neck and bridge. are there any measurements to be sure the pocket is in the exact place. Im guessing if it off even a little it will make the guitar un playable. chef21

[ryanb]

The centerline of the body (and neck) is the critical reference point. You should have a very accurate marking of the body centerline the full length of the body. That centerline is used to align everything: neck pocket, pickup routs, bridge placement, etc. You should make (or buy) a template to guide you in routing the neck pocket. Make sure your template is centered on the centerline, parallel to it, and of the correct size. If you extend your template all the way back to the tail end of the body (and align it with the centerline there), you will be more accurate in locating it so that it is indeed in line with the body centerline than you would be if you just try to match the centerline next to the neck rout. (That is, align your template at the centerline of the neck pocket and at the body centerline all the way at the tail of the body.) Be very careful and accurate with the template, and the real routing should go smoothly.

If you don't already have a good centerline on the body, start with that. If the pickups and bridge are already routed, you need to use those to find the centerline. If nothing is routed yet, you can establish the centerline wherever you think it should be. But once you have that centerline, stick to it for everything.

Hope that helps some. (Measure twice, then measure again, then cut once.)

[chef21]

that does help, thanks. any idea where I can get a good rg/jem template.chef21

[ryanb]

I don't know of one off hand. I haven't built an RG/JEM. There are some JEM blueprints on this site if you need dimensions. Or you might be able to find a printable template on a site like projectguitar.com. Maybe somebody else here on jemsite has a template. Most likely, you will need to make your own from plywood or something similar that works for you. That's what I would do. It will be faster and cheaper than trying to find the right one from a supplier. The various guitar parts vendors offer some templates, but usually are generic Strat and similar, which may not fit your needs. (If you already have the neck shaped, you can make the template to fit your neck.)

You will be able to make your own just fine. Just take your time, transfer the measurements carefully, and check everything before you rout. If you make a mistake on the template, it is easy to make another template, but once the template is right, your neck route will be perfect. Better to risk mistakes on the template than on your body. Good luck.

[chef21]

thanks again, I will take your advice and build my own template. I all ready have the neck, so like you say i will just transfer the dimensions. chef