Making a Fenderbird or Squierbird

[notverygood]

I ran a search but didn't find what I needed. I'm looking to take a VM Squier or Fender MP neck (maple w/black blocks) and put it on a Epiphone thunderbird body. I realize some shaping would need to be done. I'm mostly concerned that the bolt holes would not line up. I'm confident I could make it fit nicely if the bolt holes were right. Thanks for any advice.

 

[knigel]

Don't worry about the bolt holes lining up--fill the existing holes on the neck with toothpicks and wood glue. Let it dry, snap them off, sand it smooth, and redrill to fit the body. Easy peasy.

 

[notverygood]

Do you know how far off they would be? Would a Warmoth body be a better fit? I have zero experience at any type of woodworking so the whole glue thing makes me nervous.

 

[knigel]

I doubt very much that they'd be close. The Epiphone Thunderbird neck is significantly more narrow than a Fender neck. Warmoth could probably do it right, but that is going to be costly.

I spent 125 on my Thunderbird, sold off most of the parts I didn't need, I expect to pay 150 for the neck, but i should still be well under 250 all said and done. My first one, a 1997 non reverse, was 50, and even with all the parts I used it was under 200. Getting a Warmoth body, plus the neck, plus all the parts, is going to cost a lot. Might as well get a new Dean Entwistle.

Honestly, filling the holes with Elmer's Glue and toothpicks could not be easier.

 

[knigel]

Here's my first one. I'm still working on my second one.