FINALLY. Here we are. If you have read all of our other guides leading up to this one, then you have selected the proper neck, body, pickups and hardware to make your custom made DREAM GUITAR a reality. Now we are going to put it all together. I am not going to claim this is the only way to build, but we have built and or assisted our customers in building thousands of custom instruments. This guide will help you though all of our tested methods to make this the simplest process possible for you.

We find it is best to start with the neck. Install the tuners you selected on the headstock and fit the heel into the neck pocket of the body. Now here your neck should fit in just right sometimes even snug. other times it may be a bit loose. If you are using Fender or Fender licensed parts they should fit either way. If it is in the snug or perfect catagory, make sure it is seated properly, and then install. You will need a 1/8" drill bit set in the drill chuck to the exact length of your neck screw. You may even want to clamp the neck in position so it does not move while drilling.  Be sure to put something soft in between the clamp and wood and do not over tighten. You are only using this as assistance to keep it in place. After drilling, install all of your neck screws with the neck plate in place. DONE.

The next step is the bridge. If doing a tele, there is only one right way to do it. Line it up with the body holes and install it. If dealing with a tremolo you should first install the claw and screws in the rear cavity. Then put the tremolo block in place BUT DO NOT DRILL IT YET. Just set it in the hole. Then run the springs from the claw to the back of the block and tighten the claw screws just enough to hold the bridge on. Now take a high and low E string and run them through the block and up to the tuners just like you would normally put them on. Now measure the distance from where the string touches the nut at the headstock to where it touches the saddle of the bridge. Pull the bridge back until that distance equals EXACTLY 25.5". Put a spacer or something between the bridge block and body through the rear trem cavity. This distance usually measures 3/8", but varies depending on your tremolo selection. Make sure whatever you use as a spacer keeps it even across the whole cavity.

Now you have your bridge suspended by the strings, springs and spacer you have added to hold it at 25.5". Move the tremolo slowly left and right in the cavity to line up your strings. They should land at them same distance from the edge of both sides of the neck. Once you have your alignment, take your trem mounting screws and LIGHTLY tap them with something to make an impression in the exact area you need to drill. A drill press is recomended but not required if you are good with a drill and have a steady hand. Drill and then complete the installation of the tremolo. You can now remove that spacer that was holding the block at the proper distance and remove the E strings so you can access the pickup area.

Now that the major construction is done it is time to install the pickguard assembly. We have a wide variety of prewired pickguards that make this step a snap. We can also build them to order, but if you want to wire it yourself, please refer to our other guide on WIRING STRAT AND TELE diagrams.

Add your loaded pickguard to the body. If you have a 22 fret neck you may need to loosen it slightly to slide it into place. Once the pickguard's neck route at the top and bridge route at the bottom are lined up, run your ground wire back to your trem claw and your other ground and power wire to the jack cavity through the pre routed holes. NOT ALL BODIES HAVE THESE WIRING ROUTES< BUT ALL OF OURS DO. Once you have run those wires just let them hang for a minute and install the pickguard. Many body woods are soft enough to self tap the guard screws, but if not drill come very light starter holes in the right place.

After your pickguard screws are in place, solder your rear ground to the tremolo claw. Then flip the guitar over, solder your jack wires and install the jack plate. Once again, the same style pickguard screws will work here.

Now you can add your strap buttons. This is simple. Both of the strap button holes are predrilled on all of our bodies. Just screw them right into place.

Now that the assembly is almost complete, put on the final set of all six strings keeping them somewhat loose, then line up and install the string trees if desired.

That's it! CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE JUST BUILT YOUR FIRST CUSTOM GUITAR!!

You want to do it again? Not so fast. We need to get this one set up and dialed in for you. Check out our next guide on final guitar setup.

Thanks again,

MSM