4 bolt neck 3 bolt body...?

lovestrat74

Would you ...

A.)

convert the neck to a 3 bolt - probably easier as you have the body as a guide for drilling the new holes.

B.)

Plug and redrill the body to a four bolt.

Only concern with option B is getting the body holes drilled accurately 

Anyone done this before and have any tips I'm all ears...

GoldenEraGuitars

Are either vintage pieces?

lovestrat74

GoldenEraGuitars said:

Are either vintage pieces?

Nah.. fender neck and and guitar build bod

poopot

Plug neck and body and redrill both...

abw1989

I converted the neck when I had to do something similar. The neck for my build came with the standard Fender four screw layout but I had built the body with an access heel joint. I drilled out the neck to take some 6mm dowels then sanded them flat. Then I put the neck in the pocket and used to body holes to mark and drill the new holes for the neck.

GoldenEraGuitars

As Stuart said, I’d be inclined to do the same. 

lovestrat74

If I left it as 3 bolt I am guessing I could leave the body and just plug and redrill the neck..

Alternatively get a 3 bolt but they are not easy to come by

poopot

lovestrat74 said:

If I left it as 3 bolt I am guessing I could leave the body and just plug and redrill the neck..

Alternatively get a 3 bolt but they are not easy to come by

If you’re plugging one you may as well plug the other!... that titebond goes off quick dude, you’ll have it done in an hour...

lovestrat74

poopot said:

lovestrat74 said:

If I left it as 3 bolt I am guessing I could leave the body and just plug and redrill the neck..

Alternatively get a 3 bolt but they are not easy to come by

If you’re plugging one you may as well plug the other!... that titebond goes off quick dude, you’ll have it done in an hour...

Is that your builders quote? Double it and add three for me then 

SteveRobinson

Check where the truss rod is in the neck heel. You may find that it's where the lower screw will go.

lovestrat74

SteveRobinson said:

Check where the truss rod is in the neck heel. You may find that it's where the lower screw will go.

Good point Steve  

ICBM

If it's like a Fender 3-bolt, check that the holes in the body will be covered by the 4-bolt plate - they usually aren't, the height adjustment screw hole is outwith the area of the 4-bolt plate.



If not, convert the neck to three-bolt. You may need to use a shortened third screw to avoid hitting the truss rod, as Steve said - unless you want to fit the full Fender tilt kit, which is attached by two screws either side of the rod, but needs precision routing.