Fender 70s Jazz Bass string guide hole drilling template

[bass_Guest2022]

Hello, I need help. I've recently bought a Fender Classic Series 70s Jazz Bass neck and realized that there's no templates or tips on how to drill a string guide hole on the headstock. I'm using the Fender Pure Vintage bass string guide and really don't want to eyeball it because I'm not sure I'll do that properly. So, is there any templates or tips on how to do that? Here's the headstock photo:

 

[Thud Staff]

I usually :

• Use a picture of a 70’s Jazz, to approximate the location
• install strings, with slight tension
• insert the retainer between the D and G strings
• Insert a drill bit (hand twist) to lightly mark the pilot hole
• Drill hole to proper depth
• Install retainer/screw.

 

[bass_Guest2022]

I usually :

• Use a picture of a 70’s Jazz, to approximate the location
• install strings, with slight tension
• insert the retainer between the D and G strings
• Insert a drill bit (hand twist) to lightly mark the pilot hole
• Drill hole to proper depth
• Install retainer/screw.

so there isn't any official guide for this, right?

 

[bass_Guest2022]

I thought of creating the template myself from the official Fender drawings of their basses which are available on their website. should work?

 

[Thud Staff]

so there isn't any official guide for this, right?

I have never seen one, but to be fair, I’m too lazy to search for it. Your idea to create a template would be a great contribution. I would imagine they had something like that in the pre-CNC days…

 

[sissy kathy]

I've seen them all over the place (the guides, not templates) Anywhere from the front of the button even with leading edge of the 'A' string post to having the screw centered between the A and D string posts. I think it mostly depends on the graphics, you don't want the button interfering. Yours looks like it needs to be between the F and d in Fender.

 

[Torafugu]

I usually :

• Use a picture of a 70’s Jazz, to approximate the location
• install strings, with slight tension
• insert the retainer between the D and G strings
• Insert a drill bit (hand twist) to lightly mark the pilot hole
• Drill hole to proper depth
• Install retainer/screw.

Just followed this exact process on a brand new neck a few weeks back and this method worked great. Remember to measure the depth of the screw while it sits in the string retainer and use a bit of wax on the threads. I might also countersink the hole slightly to avoid chipping the gloss polyurethane finish.

On a separate but related note: I have gone through 2 Fender Classic Series 70s J-Necks, both brand new with 2020 serial numbers on the Vintera model. The necks were damaged along first few frets (cracked fingerboard) by the bullet truss rods. Neck 1 came stock on brand new bass. Neck 2 was a warranty replacement direct from Fender. Experienced Luthier had not seen anything like it before. Perhaps a mix of pure coincidence + bad luck, but you may want to exercise a bit of extra caution in adjusting that neck.

 

[C Stone]

I usually :

• Use a picture of a 70’s Jazz, to approximate the location
• install strings, with slight tension
• insert the retainer between the D and G strings
• Insert a drill bit (hand twist) to lightly mark the pilot hole
• Drill hole to proper depth
• Install retainer/screw.

This ^

I've seen them all over the place (the guides, not templates) Anywhere from the front of the button even with leading edge of the 'A' string post to having the screw centered between the A and D string posts.

I agree, that is my experience as well. I reference a couple pics of the bass in question and also use the same method as Thud Staff. The strings path will dictate where it needs to align then a spot between the "Fenders" F&d usually a smidge closer to the "F" is fairly typical. Good luck!

 

[bass_Guest2022]

well, I did it. and everything looks and sounds good!
many thanks to all of you.

 

[C Stone]

Looks good, glad it worked out

 

[Rodiferous]

Hello, I need help. I've recently bought a Fender Classic Series 70s Jazz Bass neck and realized that there's no templates or tips on how to drill a string guide hole on the headstock. I'm using the Fender Pure Vintage bass string guide and really don't want to eyeball it because I'm not sure I'll do that properly. So, is there any templates or tips on how to do that? Here's the headstock photo:View attachment 4756194

well, I did it. and everything looks and sounds good!
many thanks to all of you.
View attachment 4757210

I recently bought the same neck. Did you have to expand the holes for the bushings around the tuning machines? If so, how did you do that?

 

[Lownote38]

I recently bought the same neck. Did you have to expand the holes for the bushings around the tuning machines? If so, how did you do that?

I've had to do that, and I used a metal file.

 

[Rodiferous]

I've had to do that, and I used a metal file.

Since posting my question yesterday, I saw a video of a guy using a reamer on the tuning machine holes on a guitar. Seemed like his system worked really well, so I'm going to give that a shot.