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My Affinity P Bass.
Mods include:
- Babicz bridge
- New knobs
- New pickguard
- New string tree (or whatever it's called!)
New pickups are on the way. I had bought new black machine heads but didn't realise that on the Affinity headstock, the holes aren't big enough. Oops. A new neck beckons....
Mods include:
- Babicz bridge
- New knobs
- New pickguard
- New string tree (or whatever it's called!)
New pickups are on the way. I had bought new black machine heads but didn't realise that on the Affinity headstock, the holes aren't big enough. Oops. A new neck beckons....
My Affinity P Bass.
... I had bought new black machine heads but didn't realise that on the Affinity headstock, the holes aren't big enough. Oops. A new neck beckons....
Why not just drill out the old holes a little larger?
I have drilled the holes on a project. It's easy to do if you have the right bit. Otherwise I wouldn't try it.
I forgot what kind of bit it is but it looks something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/G2-Devastat...1723?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item1c3c24143b
057912
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Don't try to drill out the holes, it's really difficult and will shag the wood. Do what I did, Affinity necks are good and worth working on;
1. Dowell the holes with glued pine or hardwood dowelling plugs.
2. Sand back the excess wood.
3. Carefully position the new 18mm holes in line with the nut grooves.
4. Pillar drill the holes.
Hope this helps.
1. Dowell the holes with glued pine or hardwood dowelling plugs.
2. Sand back the excess wood.
3. Carefully position the new 18mm holes in line with the nut grooves.
4. Pillar drill the holes.
Hope this helps.
Seems like one could make a router template and use a router to enlarge the holes (with a small diameter bit of course).
Help me out someone what's the name of the bit that looks like a xmas tree. I have one and drilled the holes with no problems
I've never tried drilling something thick but I suppose that the outer diameter of the widest step will have to be the size you're looking for. Or you could properly size each side of the headstock and then use a round file to get all the way through.
Wow - thanks for the replies on making the holes bigger! You guys definitely have bigger cahunas than me 
I'm shuddering at all these casual references to doing something that could easily and permanently trash a neck.
First off, a step drill is designed for drilling through thin materials. It's perfect for drilling things like electrical boxes, pedal housings, etc., but it's crap for reaming holes in peg heads.
Secondly, drilling a headstock without a drill press and a solid, well-thought-out jig to hold the neck steady, is a recipe for disaster.
Buy a large tapered reamer, and take it slow. Or dowel the existing holes, so that you can center a drill bit properly. Or take it to an uncle who has a well-equipped wood shop, and let them do it for you. Or, God forbid, spend a few bucks to have a tech do it right...
Even better, why not get some Gotoh tuners in the correct bushing size?
First off, a step drill is designed for drilling through thin materials. It's perfect for drilling things like electrical boxes, pedal housings, etc., but it's crap for reaming holes in peg heads.
Secondly, drilling a headstock without a drill press and a solid, well-thought-out jig to hold the neck steady, is a recipe for disaster.
Buy a large tapered reamer, and take it slow. Or dowel the existing holes, so that you can center a drill bit properly. Or take it to an uncle who has a well-equipped wood shop, and let them do it for you. Or, God forbid, spend a few bucks to have a tech do it right...
Even better, why not get some Gotoh tuners in the correct bushing size?
I agree with the drill press being the best option. But in the end we are talking about an Affinity neck. I wouldn't go all caveman on on it, but a little skill and a steady hand can save you some money on mods.
+1........
steve_rolfeca,
I used a step bit to make larger holes on a AFN neck, to change out those closed back mini tuners. I would not hesitate doing it again because when I finished, the holes were fine. I just took my time. Also, the step bit I use was for wood. I got the idea from research here on TB. I can't remember which TBers I got it from, but before I read his post, I'd never even heard of a step bit. I did practice on a block of wood before I tried it on the neck. Us musicians love the word practice.
My Affinity P Bass.
Mods include:
- Babicz bridge
- New knobs
- New pickguard
- New string tree (or whatever it's called!)
New pickups are on the way. I had bought new black machine heads but didn't realise that on the Affinity headstock, the holes aren't big enough. Oops. A new neck beckons....
I love it
My new VM77 with upgraded tuners, Badass bridge, DiMarzio Model Js and metal knobs. Tone is bypassed and the knob is replaced with an acorn nut. Except for the 500k pots, all this stuff was just sitting in a drawer, so the upgrades didn't cost extra.
Not quite ready to join this club, but my Warmoth neck finally arrived. Bocote on goncalo alves. Should provide a nice warm tone and it's going to be a fast neck. This will be going on my fretless VM Jazz, along with a black Gotoh bridge and black tuners. Eventually I'm going to try and find a black control plate as well. I also have a set of SD Antiquity IIs to drop into it.
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It will be going on this bass:
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It will be going on this bass:
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