■ PHOTO 7. Body after the application of Tung Oil finish.
The final machining steps shown in Photo 7
were to drill holes for the bridge supports, the
mounting holes for the pickups, and for the control
panel. What you cannot see in this photo is that I
had to drill holes/tunnels between the pickups and
the control cavity, and between the bridge support
hole and the control cavity, so I could run the
electrical wires that I will eventually hook up to
make the guitar function.
I also drilled a 7/8” hole in the bottom of the
guitar for the output jack. I had to drill a tunnel for
this connection, as well. Finally, I applied five coats
of Tung Oil finish to bring out the nice Sapele wood
grain. The neck (as mentioned) was already finished.
Photo 8 show the back of the
body after finishing.
■ PHOTO 8. Rear of body after
finishing. Note neck screw holes.
With machining and finishing
completed, I mounted the major
components into the body and
pulled the wires into the control
cavity making sure I placed the
neck pickup next to the neck and
the bridge pickup next to the
bridge because they are different.
Refer to Photo 9.
■ PHOTO 9. Installation of the
tailpiece, bridge, and pickups.
36
June 2013
