KIT COMPONENT CHECK LIST:
BN bolt-on neck
C6C (or) Sperzel tuning keys
AB6 fixed bridge body (or) AB6T tremolo routed body
FT6 fixed bridge (or) CWC tremolo
AG1W assembled pickguard
JP6C jackplate
NP6C neckplate
E2C strap buttons
Copper foil shielding tape
Carvin strings: 1 set 942
TR1 truss rod adjusting wrench
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY
Screwdriver with a good quality #1 phillips tip
Screwdriver with a good quality #2 phillips tip
Small adjustable wrench for tightening tuning keys
Hammer for pounding in tremolo studs or string eyelet’s
for FT6 fixed bridge
Wire cutters for cutting strings
TUNG OIL (or) GLOSS FINISH
A tung oil finish is by far the easiest method for a novice to achieve
his own high quality finish with a minimum of equipment and experi-
ence. If you decide to go with a gloss finish, we recommend that you
use lacquer as opposed to polyurethane, because lacquer is easier to
spray, has faster drying time and reduces dust problems. Lacquer
also sands easier between coats and polishes easier. There are several
good books, including the “Guitar Player Repair Guide” available in the
Carvin catalog with instructions on how to do your own gloss finish.
MATERIALS FOR YOUR TUNG OIL FINISH
At Carvin we have used and experimented with most brands of tung
oil finishes and have found Minwax brand to be the best in every
respect. One pint is enough to do a couple of guitars and is available
at Home Depot or most home improvement type hardware stores for
under $10. You will also need about 6 sheets of extra fine sand paper
(between 220 and 320 grit), a 1” paint brush, about 4 pads of extra
fine steel wool (0000), a few small rags and a small bottle of furniture
oil (Old English red oil or lemon oil).
SANDING
Before you start applying the tung oil, you should first thoroughly
sand the rounded edges smooth on the top and bottom of the body,
so that there are no imperfections. You can do the same for the neck.
Before applying the tung oil, blow the fine sanding dust off of the
body and neck or use a tack rag to remove the dust.
APPLYING THE TUNG OIL
Pour a small portion of the tung oil into a small clean container.
Immediately replace the cap on the can of tung oil so that the tung
oil does not go bad. Take a 1” wide paint brush and apply the tung
oil into all of the interior routed holes on the body, including the neck
pocket. Now brush the tung oil onto the entire remaining surface of
the body and neck. It is not necessary to coat the ebony fingerboard,
although it won’t hurt it. If you apply the tung oil onto the finger-
board, wipe off as much of the excess as possible within 5 minutes
before it starts to dry. Wipe off the excess on the complete neck or
body within 10 minutes. Now let the neck or body dry for at least 5
hours before recoating with more tung oil. You can hang the neck up
to dry with a piece of wire through one of the tuning key holes. To
hang the body to dry, run a piece of wire or string through one of the
neck bolt holes. After the neck or body dries inspect it for sanding
imperfections before applying another coat. Sand any imperfections
out now with 320 grit sand paper. When applying your 2nd, 3rd,
and final 4th coat, it is not necessary to apply tung oil into the neck
cavity or control cavity. If you wish, you can also apply these coats
with a small rag instead of a brush. Apply these coats on fairly heavy,
so that they penetrate into the wood pores, but always wipe off the
excess within 10 minutes. It is best not to rush the tung oil process.
At Carvin, we apply 2 coats of tung oil the first day and 2 coats the
next day about 6 hours apart. On the 3rd day you can steel wool your
finish to perfection. Rub hard using 0000 grade steel wool on the top
and bottom of the body, but don’t rub too hard on the sharp edges
and corners, because you will rub through the tung oil finish. If you
do rub through, you can easily recoat this area and lightly rub it with
steel wool after the tung oil dries. After you have inspected your com-
plete neck and body for imperfections, you can wipe on a thin film of
(Old English) furniture oil and wipe off the excess. The furniture oil
will bring out a nice sheen in the wood and give your guitar a smooth
sexy feel.
NOW LETS BOLT THIS THING TOGETHER
For proper guitar assembly, follow the steps in the order that they are
listed below.
CARVIN TUNING KEYS
The large tuning key holes going through the headstock are 13/32” and
the little holes on the rear on the headstock are drilled 1/16”. To install
the Carvin tuners, place one tuner into one of the 13/32” holes on the
rear of the headstock and finger tighten a washer and nut on the top of
the tuning key. Finish installing the 5 remaining tuners. Now line up
the small holes in the tuners with the 1/16” drilled holes on the rear of
the headstock. Screw in the small #2 x 3/8” long wood screws into the
1/16” holes using a #1 phillips head screw driver. Finish by tightening
the nuts with a 10mm socket or small adjustable wrench.
SPERZEL LOCKING TUNING KEYS
As with the Carvin tuners the large holes going through the headstock
are 13/32”, but the little holes on the rear of the headstock are drilled
7/64” for the Sperzel alignment pins. Assemble the tuners onto the
neck. Slip the alignment pin on the tuning key housing into the drilled
7/64” hole on the back of the headstock. Install the washer and nut
on top of the headstock and tighten the nuts with a 7/16” socket or
small adjustable Crescent type wrench. Do the same for the rest of
the Sperzel tuners.
STRAP BUTTONS
Use a #2 phillips head screwdriver to install the 2 strap buttons to the
body. Make sure that you start the screws straight into the 7/64” drilled
Carvin Bolt-On Neck Guitar Kit Instructions
The components in this kit are the same as those used in Carvins high quality custom shop guitars. All holes are
drilled, making it a simple step by step process to assemble your Bolt guitar. Before you start assembling your
guitar, check the component check list to make sure that you got everything. It’s also a good idea to read the
complete instructions before getting started. Have fun!
