Carving out an easy access Neck Heel

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SixGunLover
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Carving out an easy access Neck Heel

Post by SixGunLover »

I wasn't sure whether this post would fit better here or in the DIY Build Your Own Guitar section - mods, please feel free to make the final call and move it if necessary.

My electric is an old beat-up partscaster that has had a number of mods over the years. One thing that's annoyed me for years is the huge, blocky neck heel design (body was originally a Mexican made Fender Standard Strat), and I figure it's finally time to do something about it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/194929887 ... 296143779/

Has anyone got experience with doing this kind of mod successfully? I don't want to just leap into it without thinking it through and end up with bolts coming out of the fingerboard or something.

Is it as simple as planing it down to a comfy contour, then finding the correct length of bolt/screw? Seems too straightforward. I suppose if I slope it in what would seem the most logical way from the end of the neck, it presents more issues with things being angled.

Any advice or pointers to how-to guides would be greatly appreciated, thanks team.

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Re: Carving out an easy access Neck Heel

Post by Lawrence »

this is the accepted way

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... ing-plate/

line up the three standard screws, draw a pencil line and start rasping.
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Re: Carving out an easy access Neck Heel

Post by Zaulkin »

I am currently doing something similar with my tele build.

With mine I drew a line and cut the corner off, then rounded the shape. My carving skills ain't the best so I still gotta tweak it.
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Re: Carving out an easy access Neck Heel

Post by codedog »

I ended up making a wee template first, based on the neck plate. Stuck it on the heelwith making tape and super glue, then routed it.

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