Adding an F Hole

[Schmitty]

How hard/bad of an idea would it be to buy a chambered body and just cut an F Hole or some form of sound hole into the body...i'm just thinking with this sale it could be fun.

 

[line6man]

If you have a router and an F hole template, it's a 15 minute job.

However, you need to be aware of what's underneath the laminate top. You will probably just expose the chambering, and it will look terrible unless you hollow out the core.

 

[bagman67]

Don't the showcase chambered bodies have an option for an F-hole rout to be performed at the factory?

 

[bagman67]

Don't the showcase chambered bodies have an option for an F-hole rout to be performed at the factory?

Looks like "yes" for Telecasters, but "no" for Strats. Ah, well.

 

[Nando Vallart]

If you have a router and an F hole template, it's a 15 minute job.

However, you need to be aware of what's underneath the laminate top. You will probably just expose the chambering, and it will look terrible unless you hollow out the core.

The only problem is really get the right spot:

 

[Schmitty]

Now if only I had an xray machine on hand haha...I don't think the strat chambering has a built in f hole

 

[nexrex]

I'm guessing its because chambering is different. Strats are chambered in a lot of smaller pockets.

 

[line6man]

If you have a router and an F hole template, it's a 15 minute job.

However, you need to be aware of what's underneath the laminate top. You will probably just expose the chambering, and it will look terrible unless you hollow out the core.

The only problem is really get the right spot:

Oh! That's a piece of cake then. Drill a hole in the top, and then use a straight bit with a bearing to follow the contour of the F hole. You don't even need a template.

 

[nexrex]

That is pretty cool. I am very proficient with power tools. Do you foresee any complications if I was to do that with a chambered carved top LP?

 

[Nando Vallart]

If you have a router and an F hole template, it's a 15 minute job.

However, you need to be aware of what's underneath the laminate top. You will probably just expose the chambering, and it will look terrible unless you hollow out the core.

The only problem is really get the right spot:

Oh! That's a piece of cake then. Drill a hole in the top, and then use a straight bit with a bearing to follow the contour of the F hole. You don't even need a template.

Yes, if the 1st hole is drilled right... If not...
But I think it may end well

That is pretty cool. I am very proficient with power tools. Do you foresee any complications if I was to do that with a chambered carved top LP?

Will not work as on a Tele:

But if you're proficient with power tools I bet you can do it, but not sure why you'd have doubt then  :dontknow:

 

[nexrex]

No problem with me doing it. I was really more worried that I would get some weird tear outs happening in the chambering walls if I wasn't careful. Anyway, it was just an idea for now.

 

[Nando Vallart]

No problem with me doing it. I was really more worried that I would get some weird tear outs happening in the chambering walls if I wasn't careful. Anyway, it was just an idea for now.

Oh yeah, it's possible.. But I'd be much more worried in tearing the top... The chambering would be hidden, if any ops happens...