if a Floyd rose is used with a set neck that has an angle, would routing a recess for the bridge be useless? I ask because I have 2 guitars with bolt-on necks that are parallel with the neck and they both have recessed bridge cavities routed in the tops.
I don’t know but I’m currently looking at using a Floyd but I’m doing my research first. I’m looking at how different it will be to make a neck with the locking nut.
I wish I could answer your questions but I’m in the dark as much, if not more than you at the moment.
I think I’ve done enough hardtail builds, whether it’s a set neck angled guitar or parallel bolt on. It’s now time to try something new and that will include a Floyd.
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸
If the neck is parallel, the bottom of the fretboard is usually about 2mm or so higher than the top of the body. With this one I wanted the fretboard at body height so I had to do a slight angle but not to much as I wanted the floyd to sit just inside the recess. This one is neck through.
However if you already have a body with the neck glued in then you need to run a straight edge from the top of the nut to the scale line and measure what height you have remembering the strings sit a couple of mm higher than the frets. Use that info and the bridge height info to tell you whether or not you need a recess.
Rathius Topic starter
17/09/2023 3:52 am
@nsj I’m trying to determine the need before the neck is glued in AND before carving the top while the blank is still flat. Also before glueing a veneer on the top. I know if I do that I’ll have to be dead on accurate too so…, there’s where im at with this.
I do have another new design I’m ready to start on and thinking of putting one in it first before I do it on the build I’m currently doing for someone else. Just researching the best option. A big reason is because the 2 screw holes on the upper cavity template I have end up being the bridge post holes. Mmmmm puts a whole ‘nother twist on the matter doesn’t it.
NSJ 17/09/2023 11:47 am
Well I would say yes to a recess, looks great and allows loads of travel in both directions. I think the gotoh floyds are about 11mm overall so I aimed for about 10mm so the bridge would sit just into the cavity. But yeh, just roughly fit the neck and check space at the scale line. I don't rout the neck pocket full depth till I've figured that out and whether i'm adding a slight angle or having the fretboard sit slight higher.
If I want an angle I'll add it to the neck heel and check the bridge height again then from there I can work out how much deeper I need the pocket.
You can do any scale you like, just put those screw holes a 1/2inch forward of the scale line. I've done 25.5 and 24.75, both work great.