Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
I've been using a Fishman pick up in my flamenco guitar on and off for over ten years, it's the one that has a cable trailing out of the sound hole which is getting a little annoying. So, I'm contemplating drilling a hole in the base of the guitar so I can fit a 1/4 inch socket and eliminate the sound hole thing. Generally, will it be problematic to drill this hole as far as the structural health of the guitar is concerned or should it be ok in people's experience?
Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia
RE: Drilling hole for pick up socket... (in reply to jonnyf)
There are two alternative positions for this. You can go with a regular jack installed through the side like a Gibson hollowbody. In this case you would want to install a reinforcing patch to the thin side. Or you can use a Fishman endpin jack installed through a 12mm hole at the centre of the tailblock. This is what I normally do.
In both cases, how you drill the hole is important. Do not use a normal twist drill, even gradually drilling to size, it can catch and cause a lot of damage, as well as chipping out finish. I have heard of one catch actually splitting the sides and tailblock. You might be lucky......but. My preferred method now, and I just did one this morning, is to drill a 2mm guide hole then a 6mm pilot hole with a brad point bit and then take it out to 12mm with a 12mm step drill with a piece of card on the shank to prevent the chuck contacting the side when it goes though.
I have used a 12mm brad point drill in the past but this is much safer and smoother. You can also use a reamer if you can get one the right diameter or the specialist (exxy) tool from stewmac.
RE: Drilling hole for pick up socket... (in reply to jonnyf)
I used a brand new paddle bit and it went super smooth, did I get lucky?
I blue taped the area, made the mark, made sure my drill was level as I could and just went for it. I tried to keep the pressure kinda light...........
Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia
RE: Drilling hole for pick up socket... (in reply to jonnyf)
Maybe lucky, the paddle bits also tend to make a bit of a mess when they break through. I guess when you are doing this on other people's guitars as I do, you tend to look for more accident proof methods.
I only use the small one, at 12mm max it can go all the way through
The other good thing about the step drill is it works when a (steel String) guitar already has a small tapered hole for a endpin. In this case there is nothing to support the centre spur on a brad point or paddle bit
RE: Drilling hole for pick up socket... (in reply to jonnyf)
I drilled mine with a new hss drill bit. First what i did was buy a couple of drill bits and tested then on a piece of scrap cedar that easily tears. Funny the special wood boring bit tore the cedar, the hss bit did not. Test your bit first! The hardest part of the operation is making sure you drill perpendicular and square. It is easy but you only get one chance so take your time setting up and then drill confidently.
Printable Version
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread