Altering a strat body with a router, advice please.

Rkphilpot

Hello everyone.
I want to rout a Strat body to fit two Filtertrons in it, can anybody advise me on what kind of bit I would need please? Also, would the same bit rout the pickguard? I imagine I'd need something more delicate for that? I'll be using a palm router and taking it steady.

I have some experience using a various routers, I built a guitar with Jon Shuker, however I wasn't taking note on those finer details.

Thank you!

GoldenEraGuitars

You’ll need a template profile but which has the bearing at the top to cut the cavity flush to the template itself. 

elstoof

You’ll want a 1/2” diameter bit for a filtertron template. The same router bit will happily cut a scratch plate too

Funkfingers

Will the 'Trons be mounted directly to the guitar body wood or suspended through the pickguard?

If you are using 'Trons with height adjustment lugs and screws at either end, you need a different template compared to the traditional "English / No Ears" mount outline. A soapbar P90 template should suffice for the body. 'Tron template for the 'guard.

prowla

Be careful!

Rkphilpot

Thanks, I plan to mount the trons to the body so there won't be any holes in the pickguard. Appreciate your help everyone. Thank you 

Roland

Rkphilpot said:

…, I plan to mount the trons to the body … 

wood screws or threaded inserts?

Rkphilpot

Hadn't considered threaded inserts but that seems like a neater, better option

ICBM

Hardtail or trem Strat?

Rkphilpot

Hardtail