New Mighty Mite neck

5string5fingers · #1 07-01-2010, 08:25 PM

Just got a new neck in for my p bass project and found out they aren't pre drilled,which I wasn't aware of.

Whats the easiest way to make the holes? I know nothing about this stuff,is there an idiots guide to do doing this?

Musiclogic · #2 07-01-2010, 10:03 PM

Do you have access to a drill press and a 3/4 or 11/16 bit? if so, match it off your old headstock, if not find a competant luthier who can pop it out for you...only takes 5 minutes.

5string5fingers · #3 07-01-2010, 11:09 PM

Ive got access to a drill press,but never used one before. I'll ask around,but I don't think there's very many luthiers down here in south Georgia,most people here probably cant even pronounce that word...

Musiclogic · #4 07-02-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

Ive got access to a drill press,but never used one before. I'll ask around,but I don't think there's very many luthiers down here in south Georgia,most people here probably cant even pronounce that word...

you call Pearson and Pearson/Pearson and Company right there in Tifton, they should be able to point you in the right direction....

chunger · #5 07-02-2010, 12:24 AM

Are you saying it doesn't have holes for the tuning machines? Or doesn't have holes for the neck screws?

Musiclogic · #6 07-02-2010, 06:42 AM

tuning pegs.....just as a note for all consumers of aftermarket parts, there are many necks that come without holes for the tuners. This is a preferred "Luthier"/"Builder" option, as you are then able to drill your own for whatever size tuner you wish to use.

this message provided as a service of your local luthier and specialty instrument purveyors of america. All Rights Reserved

Mrdak · #7 07-02-2010, 07:31 AM

Hi, if you've never used a drill press, and you aren't sure about how this is done, don't do it yourself.
I live in Byron GA which is right below Macon. There's a guy here that really knows his stuff.
Jerry Mis at http://guitfixer.com/Services.htm ..... He does great work. You should call him...........
Good Luck

5string5fingers · #8 07-02-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunger

Are you saying it doesn't have holes for the tuning machines? Or doesn't have holes for the neck screws?

It doesnt have holes for the neck screws,and screws for the tuning machines.

BigOldHarry · #9 07-02-2010, 11:43 AM

Neck screws? Easy - my old tech showed me how to do this, no problem.

The key to this is marking the right spot for your holes. The way he did was this:

Put the neck in the neck-pocket where you want it and lay the bass down, front down;
Take a heavy nail and poke it through the body into the neck. Don't drive the nail - just firmly poke it into the neck heel to mark where you should drill. Do this for all 4 holes.

Remove the neck and drill where the marks are. You don't "need" a drill press as the holes are only about 5/8" deep. A drill press would be ideal, but not required. Just do your best to be dead vertical.

I just did this about 2 weeks ago with a the very same neck (a mighy mite J) and used a hand drill with a 1/8" drill bit. I put a "collar" on the bit to make sure that I didn't go too deep - -if you don't have a drill collar, they are cheap at any hardware store.

This stuff isn't rocket science or magic - you shouldn't need to spend money to have someone use his mystic power to "mount" your $79 ebay neck!

As for tuners, just use a pencil to mark the location of the holes as well. If you got the same neck that I did, you will have a heck of a time finding tuners that match the hole size exactly - Something that they don't tell you on Ebay... As I recall they were 11/16" but I could be wrong...

I'm pretty please with how this neck plays - thinner than the Warmoth neck that was on it (though I have yet to play one of the new "thin profile" warmoth necks...)

ironrat · #10 07-02-2010, 11:49 AM

drill collar? I use some tape....

mikeyswood · #11 07-02-2010, 11:58 AM

Put the neck screws in until the points are just above the surface and press the neck down into place.

5string5fingers · #12 07-02-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Neck screws? Easy - my old tech showed me how to do this, no problem.

The key to this is marking the right spot for your holes. The way he did was this:

Put the neck in the neck-pocket where you want it and lay the bass down, front down;
Take a heavy nail and poke it through the body into the neck. Don't drive the nail - just firmly poke it into the neck heel to mark where you should drill. Do this for all 4 holes.

Remove the neck and drill where the marks are. You don't "need" a drill press as the holes are only about 5/8" deep. A drill press would be ideal, but not required. Just do your best to be dead vertical.

I just did this about 2 weeks ago with a the very same neck (a mighy mite J) and used a hand drill with a 1/8" drill bit. I put a "collar" on the bit to make sure that I didn't go too deep - -if you don't have a drill collar, they are cheap at any hardware store.

This stuff isn't rocket science or magic - you shouldn't need to spend money to have someone use his mystic power to "mount" your $79 ebay neck!

As for tuners, just use a pencil to mark the location of the holes as well. If you got the same neck that I did, you will have a heck of a time finding tuners that match the hole size exactly - Something that they don't tell you on Ebay... As I recall they were 11/16" but I could be wrong...

I'm pretty please with how this neck plays - thinner than the Warmoth neck that was on it (though I have yet to play one of the new "thin profile" warmoth necks...)

Thanks alot man. how far did you screw the tuner screw holes? The tuners I'm using now off of a VM squier p bass fit just fine.

recreate.me · #13 07-02-2010, 10:34 PM

I did the same as above, put the MM neck in the pocket and started a hole, then pulled it out and finished it with tape on the bit to make sure of the depth.

For the tuning pegs, i put the pegs in, lined them up and taped them down then i picked the correct drill bit and drilled the holes right through the tuners, if you dont go deep enough its not a big because once the screws are in you can just twist them through and they make there own holes basically its just harder but its doable.