Routing Body For Vintage-Style Fender Heel-Adjust Truss Rod

[Baleen]

Thought I'd share a recent mod I'm making to my vintage-style Fenders because I'm sick of removing the neck to make truss rod adjustments. A friend of mine suggested it to me, and I think it's great. I'm routing a small channel for an offset screwdriver. While I'm sure this is not a new idea for dealing with style truss rod, I had a hard time finding examples of or suggestions on how to do it.

I've done it to 2 60's style P's (foto flame), and I'm going to do it to my 62RI J. The offset screwdriver I got (Husky for ~$2) works great. I had already greased the truss rod threads, which certainly helps.

The Dremel bit is a #115 high speed cutter (1/4" or 5/16"). This one was easier to handle and cut cleaner than the 1/4" router bit in my test cuts on 2x4's.

This is what I did:
- remove the pickguard
- mark the body
- remove the neck
- use the Dremel at med. speed. I held the Dremel where the neck would be, pointing toward the bridge and gently made a shallow cut. Then I would hold the neck in the pocket to check the depth and length of the cut and repeat until it was good. The cut is only slightly wider than the cutting tool. For its depth, it doesn't need to be any wider for the tool to turn.
- reattach pickguard and cut through to match the body cut
- I would've filed the pickguard cut a little more if I hadn't lost my little file.

I haven't put a finish on the cut yet because I can't decide whether I'm going to paint it or not. I've seen that other posters are fans of auto touch-up paint. I imagine it doesn't matter much for such a small area as long as I do cover it with something.

I figure I'll get some brush-on varnish/lacquer either way, though.

Anyone have any paint/lacquer recommendations? Thanks.

[Rodent]

A lot of companies offer this trussrod adjustment standard



I utilize a 3/8" dia cove bit in a router to cleanly add this to the bodies I make. I'd recommend utilizing a reference edge in combination with a router to ensure you get a nice clean cut - especially on basses where you won't be utilizing a pickguard

all the best,

R

[Baleen]

Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, a router and a jig would definitely be the cleanest cut. I don't have a router, though, and couldn't quite rationalize buying one just for this. I do like how the router leaves the end of the slot rounded as opposed to my method which leaves it square.

[Rodent]

Originally Posted by Baleen

Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, a router and a jig would definitely be the cleanest cut. I don't have a router, though, and couldn't quite rationalize buying one just for this. I do like how the router leaves the end of the slot rounded as opposed to my method which leaves it square.

Couldn't use this as a case to rationalize the purchase of a router??? Dude - this was the perfect opportunity to justify a router purchase!


... or maybe I'm more of a tool junkie than I can to admit to myself

all the best,

R

[62bass]

Nice clean job. It's amazing what you can do with a Dremel.

I did my P bass using a router and bit. I made up a simple jig to guide the router and taped it down to the pickguard with double sided tape. It was quick and easy. I painted the inside of the route with a dark brown touch up paint I had laying around to help it blend in better with the tortoiseshell pickguard.

But I already had the router.

[Baleen]

Thanks. I was surprised by how clean the cut is too. Nice sharp bit.

Oh, it's not that I didn't want the router. It just that there's the wife with a baby on the way... Have to pick my battles. And, uh, be responsible like.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Baleen

Thanks. I was surprised by how clean the cut is too. Nice sharp bit.

Oh, it's not that I didn't want the router. It just that there's the wife with a baby on the way... Have to pick my battles. And, uh, be responsible like.

I understand perfectly.

I just got a Dremel given to me as a present last week. I'm looking for something to attack with it.