Sink That Floyd Rose!

I received a question today about recessing a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge into the body of an electric guitar. Specifically, how thick should the body be? That's a good question since lowering the bridge would place the bottom of the tremolo block almost outside the back of the body depending on its thickness. In my experience, a 1-3/4" thick body will work as long as you back out the studs and increase the spring tension.

In fig.1 below, the bridge is level and recessed into a 1-3/4" thick body. As you can see, the bridge block extends out the back of the body. Not good! In fig. 2, the front of the bridge is raised up out of the body by backing out the studs. The rear of the bridge is pulled down into the body by tightening the claw, which increases spring tension.

If you want to keep the bridge level and recessed, a thicker body would be needed. Plan on 1-7/8" to 2" thick. Keep in mind that if you go this route, string action may end up too low. To prevent the stings from touching the frets or the tops of your pickups, you'll likely have to raise the front of the bridge and/or add some shims under the saddles.

I recommend sticking with a 1-3/4" thick body and setting up the bridge like fig. 2.

Coming Soon: The Super Easy Series Of Electric Guitar Plans

It's taking quite a bit of time to get everything for the Super Easy Series together, but I hope to have two different body shape plans ready for purchase in the next few days. Each guitar shape will be available with either a hardtail, a standard tremolo or a Floyd Rose tremolo. You'll also be able to choose from a variety of pickup configurations.

The drawings are done, but I have to set up the web pages on my eGuitar Plans site. As it turns out, with all of the options, there are 15 ways you can order each plan. For two different guitar bodies, that means 30 choices. Plus, each plan will come with three files; a full size, a tiled letter and a tiled A4.

As you might imagine, this is going to take a little time to organize and push live. Hopefully early next week.

Oh, and the price for one of my Super Easy Series plans? $5. About the cost of a magazine.

The Super Easy Series of Electric Guitar Plans

I'm working on a new idea for a series of plans that will simplify the guitar construction process by utilizing a Stratocaster style replacement neck. The idea is based on the reality that many potential builders want to make their own electric guitar, don't have the skills or specialized tools necessary to make their own neck and fretboard.

What I have in mind is to offer two cool looking body shapes; a single cut and a double cut. After you decide on the shape, you'll select either a hardtail bridge, a standard tremolo or a Floyd Rose® tremolo configuration. Finally, you'll choose either two humbuckers, three single coils or two P90s to satisfy the pickup arrangement for your guitar.

After you finish making the body, all you'll have to do is purchase a Stratocaster style replacement neck, bolt it on, add your components and you'll be ready to ROCK! With so many Strat style replacement necks on the market, including unfinished paddle headstock models, there should be no reason why you can't build the guitar of your dreams with nothing more exotic than a jigsaw and a router.

Below is a screen shot of the two body shapes I plan on offering. Please let me know what you think as your opinions are what inspires me!