Post by CTGull on Apr 24, 2019 21:16:44 GMT -5
I guess after having the bizarre idea of converting the Martin Backscratcher to a bass I stopped posting updates on the YamaBass. Not that I've completed much in the past 2+ weeks.
The frets did eventually end up flat, crowned and polished, and the fret ends filed smooth.
I also made a test block to see if I could install thread inserts into the neck heel.
I also finished sanding the neck heel to get the neck projection I want above the top.
The neck needs to be converted to bolt on. I also realized I need a way to bolt down the fretboard extension, including a wedge under the fretboard to get it close to level with the rest of the fretboard. No ski jump on this guitar!!!
Tonight I FINALLY got to work on the YamaBass again. I made a dovetail pocket drill jig and drilled (2) 7/32" dia. holes thru the neck block. No going back now!! Then I clamped the neck to the guitar (verified alignment), transferred the hole locations from the neck block to the neck heel with a 7/32" transfer punch. Then I CAREFULLY drilled (2) 3/16" dia. x 1" deep holes into the neck dovetail/heel. Then CAREFULLY drilled (2) 17/64" dia. X 7/16" deep holes concentric to the 3/16" holes. I don't need to mention there's only one shot at getting this right!!!!! Then the thread inserts were screwed into the heel. The moment of truth!!!! I installed (2) 10-32 x 1-1/4" socket head cap screw (with flat washers) thru the neck block and into the thread inserts!!! They barely lined up, but they did!!!! The neck block holes are only 1/32" oversize, not much room for error. The neck is attached!! The neck alignment is slightly off center, I may need to open the holes in the neck block slightly to correct it. I removed the screws and flooded around the thread inserts (to harden the wood) until no more would go in. Of course, not getting any in the internal threads.
Phase 1 of converting the FG-180 neck to bolt on is complete!!!
Phase 2 will be even harder. I have to make a wedge to go under the fretboard extension, drill a hole thru it, epoxy a modified wood t-nut type thread insert into the hole, drill a hole thru the top of the guitar, make a shallow counterbore in the bottom of the fretboard extension, glue the wedge to the fretboard extension, and the next day screw the fretboard extension down to the guitar.
Yea, I've been planning this out for the past week!!! FINALLY made some progress tonight.
The frets did eventually end up flat, crowned and polished, and the fret ends filed smooth.
I also made a test block to see if I could install thread inserts into the neck heel.
I also finished sanding the neck heel to get the neck projection I want above the top.
The neck needs to be converted to bolt on. I also realized I need a way to bolt down the fretboard extension, including a wedge under the fretboard to get it close to level with the rest of the fretboard. No ski jump on this guitar!!!
Tonight I FINALLY got to work on the YamaBass again. I made a dovetail pocket drill jig and drilled (2) 7/32" dia. holes thru the neck block. No going back now!! Then I clamped the neck to the guitar (verified alignment), transferred the hole locations from the neck block to the neck heel with a 7/32" transfer punch. Then I CAREFULLY drilled (2) 3/16" dia. x 1" deep holes into the neck dovetail/heel. Then CAREFULLY drilled (2) 17/64" dia. X 7/16" deep holes concentric to the 3/16" holes. I don't need to mention there's only one shot at getting this right!!!!! Then the thread inserts were screwed into the heel. The moment of truth!!!! I installed (2) 10-32 x 1-1/4" socket head cap screw (with flat washers) thru the neck block and into the thread inserts!!! They barely lined up, but they did!!!! The neck block holes are only 1/32" oversize, not much room for error. The neck is attached!! The neck alignment is slightly off center, I may need to open the holes in the neck block slightly to correct it. I removed the screws and flooded around the thread inserts (to harden the wood) until no more would go in. Of course, not getting any in the internal threads.
Phase 1 of converting the FG-180 neck to bolt on is complete!!!
Phase 2 will be even harder. I have to make a wedge to go under the fretboard extension, drill a hole thru it, epoxy a modified wood t-nut type thread insert into the hole, drill a hole thru the top of the guitar, make a shallow counterbore in the bottom of the fretboard extension, glue the wedge to the fretboard extension, and the next day screw the fretboard extension down to the guitar.
Yea, I've been planning this out for the past week!!! FINALLY made some progress tonight.
