Last time I started with In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates and Carcass - this time it's Soilwork, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Gates Of Ishtar, Eucharist and Intestine Baalism (and ATG's new albm)
Hey guys, I'm hoping to get a little advice and maybe some confidence with my first job on a cheap charity shop guitar (Burswood stratocaster copy) I recently bought as a test subject for some woodworking/soldering experience. There are a few issues with the guitar but I'll just talk about this one firstly: the guitar strings were badly stuck in the 6-point bridge, and I happen to have an unused 2-point tremolo bridge (bought years ago) that I want to fit into this guitar for the experience of it, mainly. I have fitted locking tuners into this guitar (that went fine), but my first 'real' task is this bridge.
For context, I have some tools and supplies, but not as much as a luthier, of course. I have: (i) a drill, and drill guide/jig and I believe the right size for this job (10mm), (ii) toothpicks and matchsticks + wood glue for wood-filling all but the outer points/trem holes (I know dowels would technically be better but I don't have them), and (iii) both a hammer and screw driver (I should have a dead blow hammer/rubber mallet to protect the wood ideally but again I don't have this)
If I've never done anything like this before, and with the above tools/supplies, how worried should I be in simply making new/larger outer holes for the bushings and carefully hammering in the posts (as you apparently need to do)? If I'm literally just drilling holes where the old (smaller) holes are, is it realistically that likely that I'll off-set the scale length and make proper intonation impossible later on?
If I'm careful, should I be pretty confident that this should work fine? Online I've heard everything about this job ranging from 'if you're careful you'll be fine, don't worry.' to 'you should measure everything, up and down the body, or else this won't work!'. Thanks a lot and don't be worried to ask for more info or even tell me anything disparaging i.e. I don't have enough/the right tools for this etc
Edit: oh yeah and I've measured the new bridge and it's the same dimensions as the stock one!