Candy Apple Red MJT Smith Project Finished Pg. 2

[HNB]

Thanks!

[evanforbass]

this looks really amazing and I'd love to see/hear it in action.

You've got a great instrument as is, but I'm going to be a jerk and throw out a light motion: white pup covers and knobs (instead of cream). match the Teisco, more contrast with the mint, perhaps bring out more depth in the CAR

[HNB]

White would match the teisco pickup better for sure.

[pakhan]

That candy apple red looks fabulous!

[HNB]

Thanks!

[BTL]

That turned out great, congrats!

[hulakatt]

Nothing too crazy. drilled and mounted the tremolo today. I ordered new screws for the old pickup because my local Ace didn't have them in stainless steel. Once those come in, I can get the body all closed up.

2021-10-24_09-56-44 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

2021-10-24_09-57-16 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

Question for you, if you don't mind me asking; how do you space where to locate the trem? I have one I need to mount and I'd like to get it as centered as possible to avoid and contact under the plate with the wood sides of the cavity and I was wondering how you approach mounting it.

[HNB]

I don't mind at all. I put four strips of tape on each side of the route. I slide the tremolo unit to the lower left and trace it in pencil, then I slide it to the upper left and trace over the top with pencil and do the same two places on the right. It gives me the shape of the tremolo that is slightly larger so I can use it to center it. Once centered in the shape drawn with the pencil, I mark the holes with pencil and check their distances away from the rout. They should match each other. I tend to get the lower two holes right at the bottom tape edge. Once I am sure I like their positions, I use a center punch and then use a drill press to drill the holes. Make sure the holes are big enough so you don't snap a screw off. The bit should be only a tiny bit smaller than the screw. You only need the screws edges to grip in the hole and there are six of them. A little too big is easier to fix with a toothpick and wood glue than getting a broken screw back out.

20180830_154627 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

[hulakatt]

I don't mind at all. I put four strips of tape on each side of the route. I slide the tremolo unit to the lower left and trace it in pencil, then I slide it to the upper left and trace over the top with pencil and do the same two places on the right. It gives me the shape of the tremolo that is slightly larger so I can use it to center it. Once centered in the shape drawn with the pencil, I mark the holes with pencil and check their distances away from the rout. They should match each other. I tend to get the lower two holes right at the bottom tape edge. Once I am sure I like their positions, I use a center punch and then use a drill press to drill the holes. Make sure the holes are big enough so you don't snap a screw off. The bit should be only a tiny bit smaller than the screw. You only need the screws edges to grip in the hole and there are six of them. A little too big is easier to fix with a toothpick and wood glue than getting a broken screw back out.

20180830_154627 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr

Makes a lot of good sense, thank you!

[HNB]

No problem. Happy to help.

[hulakatt]

No problem. Happy to help.

Funny you should use that pic, the JM I'm working on and asking the question in regards to, is Royal Purple metallic too !

[HNB]

That one was a fun build. Pzorito has it I believe unless he has since sold it or something.