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Hi everyone! I'm doing my third project, a MM Steve Morse model six string. I have pretty much all sketched out but I can't find any info on route depths for he control cavity. Does someone have that guitar who could measure them? I learned that the Tuneomatic bridge needs to be recessed into the body by as much as 1/4". Any other opinions on that?

Sakari Tiikkaja, Turenki, Finland


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Control cavity depth may be based on controls used and desired body thickness remaining after routing.
That model has a body thickness of 1 3/4" and the selector switch is the control requiring the most depth of 1 3/8".

The bridge placement/height can vary based on neck placement- the standard bridge for the model is a tuneomatic.
"Neck placement" being- neck angle or not, neck thickness/fretboard height above body. - I'm not familiar with the specifics of the Steve Morse model so I don't know if the neck sets in angled pocket or not. In photos it appears to be mounted like a Strat or Tele. (no angle)
Options could be; no angle with neck pocket depth to "raise" fretboard to desired height of bridge; neck angled to align with bridge height. (both options for bridge that is not inset )

Many here have recommended drawing out your plans in response to questions such as yours. It's good advice.

Well, it just so happens a Steve Morse model has landed on my bench today for a refret. The tuneamatic is definitely NOT sunk into the body - although I remember reading that the bridge was sunk into the body of his original old Fender Tele with the Strat neck. The body routing ranges from 7/8" under the pickups to 1 1/2" deep under the controls. The body itself is only 1 3/4 full thickness.

Basically, the neck pocket is not routed deeply, thus enabling the usage of the tuneamatic - with plenty of up/down adjustment. Quite a bit of the neck sits proud of the pickguard when compared to most Fender type guitars.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

so by these numbers i guess if you didn't want the bridge recessed, then the neck pocket would be about 1/4" shallower than a "standard" telecaster pocket- whatever that may be. but i'm guessing you figured that much out at least.
it makes sense that fender didn't want to route a depression for the bridge on the reissues, and made the neck pocket shallower instead...but then you introduce the possibility that you won't be able to get the pickups close enough to the strings...
in other words,

Thanks for the input. I will have the standard neck pocket depth but sink the bridge in order to keep the strings going too far from the pickups. Also I routed the pickup part on the same level as the neck pocket. And the control cavity as deep as I would on a normal Telecaster. Thanks again guys!


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Also I found this image which helped a lot. http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e153/ ... C07611.jpg


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Hmm. Thanks very much. This was just the info I was looking! So there isn't ANY routing under the bridge as the pic I posted seems to indicate. It may just look that way.


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You could do it that way if you wanted.... just make sure you route your neck pocket the right depth. On Fender type guitars the strings are nearly always parallel to the face of the guitar.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Chris, Do you still have the Morse guitar in your shop? If so, could I trouble you to check the neck plate dimensions, os simply taking a photo with a ruler or tape measure so I could figure out the neck plate myself? Or if anyone else has acces to this model.

Sorry. Delivered it last Thursday.
The neck plate was kind of narrow and long compared to a Fender, with 5 screws.
The corner of the body where the neck is bolted on is radiused for a bit of clearance, so the plate is not square.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks. I have pictures like this:

http://s39.photobucket.com/user/fbecir/ ... 9.jpg.html

and this:

http://s39.photobucket.com/user/fbecir/ ... 5.jpg.html

...that fortunately show the neck plate very clearly. And the angled treatment on the heel. I just have to make an educated guess on the dimensions and use the standard radii for the holes and corners. Thanks again Chris!

You know - when I look at the picture, it does seem like there is a shallow pocket - less than 1/8" - under the tuneamatic bridge. It almost looks like a shadow. But you can see a bit of the routing if you look closely.

With the pickguard on, it was virtually unnoticeable.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I agree, there's a rout there.
By the way, that's a really cool guitar!

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I think so too! Being a long time Steve Morse fan and remembering the articles when it was introduced about how it lends itself to a variety of playing styles I figured I give it a go.

And btw I did a similar rout in my build.