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When measuring from the 12
th
fret to the bridge, you want to measure to the saddle on the
high E string. (Figure 3) If the bridge holes are drilled with compensation (usually the case on a
tune-o-matic bridge) the saddle on the high E string will be closer to the nut then the saddle on
the low E string.
Figure 3
If the bridge holes haven’t been drilled yet, install the neck first. Simply locate the neck so the
end of the fingerboard is located correctly with respect to the front pickup. Place the pickup in
the cavity and slide the neck back until it’s touching the pickup mounting ring.
When you have the neck located in and out, mark it with a pencil so you can position it
correctly when it is glued and clamped.
Next you need to align the neck with the center of the pickup cavities and bridge. This step is
the same if you are installing a set neck or a bolt on neck. It’s important to get the correct neck
alignment. If the alignment isn’t correct the E strings won’t run parallel to the edges of the
fingerboard.
Clamp two straight boards to each side of the neck and use a ruler to align the neck with the
center of the bridge (figure 4). If the bridge holes are already drilled, the center is known. If
they haven’t been drilled, align with the center of the pickup cavities. Once you have located
the neck, make a mark on the heel of the bridge and pickup cavity so you align it when gluing
and camping.
