Even though the G&L and Fender t types look almost identical, there are slight differences which are apparent only when measured. The important thing is that they are both 25 1/2 scale neck. Everything has to happen around that if you want a usable guitar when you are done. I started on Saturday and backed out because I discovered the pickup cavity would have to routed and also the pickguard would have to be trimmed about 3/16 of an inch. The G&L is 31" from the nut to the end of the body and a Tele is 31 1/4. This is significant as there is almost no extra room to work with due to the length of the F Bigsby. I remind you that this F Bigsby is a drop in on a Tele with no routing or pickguard modification. You cannot be to careful in the layout and measuring as there is no correcting if an error is made. I am only going to show photos in addressing the problem areas as I took 40 photos and am showing 10 due to length and space. So here is the first issue.
This photo shows the center line and the bridge 25 1/2 scale line. The circles will be drilled out for the bridge and the line above shows the pickguard area that will removed.
and the next picture shows the routing on the pickup pocket that will have to be removed
Here is the pocket after routing. I used a carbide bit for this.
This picture shows the dept marked on the drills before I start drilling
And the drilling proceeds!
The pickguard has been shaped and filed and the bridge plate now is mounted.
We are now ready to mount the tailpiece. A red string is used in the photo for the final alignment. This is critical as the string alignment to everything happens here. Again no room for error and once the holes are drilled, it is a done deal.
An hour and fifteen minute settup and we are ready for the big test. I had to put a .015 brass shim in the base of the neck pocket to get the bridge height and low action that I like. The intonation is dead on, all alignments are perfect and the pickup pole alignment on the bridge pickup is better than original. I have adjusted the pickup heights today and have about 2 hours of play time and she is sweet. It is on the heavy end but was before I started. I could not believe how heavy ash can be. This was a perfect project guitar as it is like new but a pretty standard Bluesboy in general. I bought it very right and it needed a boost in character. It will be one of my keepers and also will be gigged. This is not a project for everyone, maybe I am lucky to have a playable guitar and it was an intense project and tested patience. It is now easy to look back. I anyone is ever interested in doing something crazy like this I will share any information that I have. Any serious questions on this can be addressed by PM. I could not fail as I had to show Ginny some kind of results!!!!
-- DarwinFinal pic showing the alignment of everything.
Darwin.
