Deja Vu - another Franky Build (follow stringbenders build)

[String Bender]

Hoping the experts out there can help me. I am getting ready to start work on my first Franky build (first ever guitar build at that). I have a fender basswood body with the single coil routing, and headstock from a build kit. I have several questions but want some additional opinions as well. I am building the 82-83ish Franky with the first FR and standard fender head before the hockey stick, guitarworld magazine, jump video Franky came about in late 83 or early 84.

Cavity Routing Template - The cavity routing template - I've searched everywhere for a Franky routing template but have not been able to find anyone having such template (unless you want to buy from eBay. I am going to try to projector it onto the body and trace the outline, but don't trust that I can line it up correctly. You can find a million taping schemes and templates but not really routing.

**Update: I ended up routing it free hand from photos. I simply drew it via pencil on the actual body and routed away. It turned out decent enough, at least for now until I get it closer to putting it together.

Does anyone have the detail as to what the measurements are on the humbucker cavity and how it is positioned inside the cavity? Meaning, what angle is the humbucker and how close does it sit to the edges Left and Right?

Floyd Rose (FR) - I plan to use a Floyd Rose Special even though I know these are a bit of a cheap version of the original that was made in Korea vs Germany (I think). But that's the budget I have for my first build. I've found all kinds of "how to's" on installing a FR on a strat body. Any suggestions on how best to approach the mounting screws as well as the R2 locking nut (since the strat nut would need to be chiseled out to fit the FR locking nut).

Humbucker - I did manage to get a deal on a new EVH Frankenstein Humbucker. The original price is about as much as I paid for the entire guitar kit. lol. Any pointers on installation and wiring?

Pickguard - I do have a nice pickguard template that I will use to cut the standard guard that came with the guitar. I've seen videos on how to cut these things but when I tried to an old one I had laying around cutting it with an oscillator, it split the plastic and also left sharp shavings on the end. Any suggestions here? Appreciate any and all recommendations/assistance/help/opinion etc

[String Bender]

Not sure if the photo I tried to insert here will show or not but.....

Here is the Basswood body I am using. I've managed to complete the routing freehand using a Dremel Tool. This took a great amount of time as the Dremel plunge router works best in several passes increasing depth as you go. I then stained it with Vintage Amber from Stew Mac.

I am not sure about the color being too dark. I am worried about when I go to relic with all of the different wear spots that what will come through is an orangey/amber type color that will make the relici-ng look bad (at least in my head). I think one of the things that is throwing me off is there is no hard wood grain pattern like a normal franky would have because I am doing this on a budget (hence the basswood). I am considering adding faux wood grain patterns at least where the heavy relic-ing would happen. So my question here is: 1) any thoughts on how to lighten the color? 2) any thoughts or know how on producing faux wood patterns on a guitar body, only to show the woodgrain when it comes to relic-ing?

[Little Intruder]

SB, I've never attempted to build a guitar but best of luck with your project!

[String Bender]

SB, I've never attempted to build a guitar but best of luck with your project!

Thank you!

[Jedi McFly]

I think the only way to lighten that stain would be to sand it off. I've never had to add woodgrain before, but if I were trying my hand at that I'd probably just do that as one of the last steps and only add it to the wood that is exposed

[String Bender]

Quick update - the extra sanding and more sanding did take the color to an acceptable shade. Thanks.



I have managed to install the FR nut on the neck and completed proper placement of the bridge and drilled the the FR post holes. I am using the older wood screw posts to stay inline with the Franky being screws. I did put some grease on the screw and threaded them in to ensure proper alignment etc. The right hole is perfect but the left hole gave up a bit of the integrity of the cavity above it. Meaning, one dive bomb and this thing is coming apart.


QUESTION: Any experience/recommendations on how to reinforce the wall of the humbucker cavity? See photos above.

Any help greatly appreciated as always.