DIY Guitar, Neck doesnt fit body exactly.

[Nigel.K]

Hi all,

I recently decided to just DIY my own electric guitar.

I bought off a sort of abused, but still okay looking "Riviera" strat body.
Bought off a new maple neck too to go with it ( not knowing that they might not fit exactly)
They are both 4 bolts-type.

However, the guitar neck bolts on the neck doesnt exactly go in line with the strat body.
Its just a little bit off, like the radius of the bolt hole itself.
The neck goes into the neck pocket fine, just that the bolts dont exactly line up totally.

Would like to ask for opinions whether its okay to drill the body hole a little bigger so that the neck can fit?
Since some online sources suggest that and that the neck is newer and thus more valuable than the body anyways.
and that maple is harder than the alder ply riviera strat body, so its easier to drill the body.

Or does anyone has any experience with it?

Thanks in advance!
Nigel

 

[oldskoolstreet]

Find some good wooden chopsticks. Yes you can drill the holes bigger. Once you align and insert the screws, drop in a few broken pieces of "exact length" chopsticks into the hole before you start screwing and tightening into the neck. Make sure everything is well aligned.

 

[oldskoolstreet]

Basically, the broken chopstick pieces will act as a deterrent to body-neck misalignment in case of heavy guitar play or knocks.

 

[Nigel.K]

Basically, the broken chopstick pieces will act as a deterrent to body-neck misalignment in case of heavy guitar play or knocks.

I see I see. Thats an awesome idea I shall just try it out! THanks alot!
How do you get a chopstick that fits exactly anyway?
and if it doesnt fit......? :/

 

[zesn]

I see I see. Thats an awesome idea I shall just try it out! THanks alot!
How do you get a chopstick that fits exactly anyway?
and if it doesnt fit......? :/

You can cut the wooden chopstick to a size that fits the depth of the hole then

 

[oldskoolstreet]

Yeah you can try shave it with a really sharp knife slightly to fit.. A bit of woodworking and it will bond better with drips of PVA wood glue into holes too. In the end it will make the body bond solidly with your chopstick strips. Just be careful not to cause a mess. Patience rules the game.