Routing a guitar body

[Power_13]

I have a few ideas that I'm planning to try out on one or two beater guitars.Nothing special, just adding a pickup or two and moving a pickup a bit closer to the bridge. But for both the ideas, I'll need to route the guitar bodies.

I was looking at the guitar yesterday, and I relised that to route it, I'd need to chisel the body. I wouldn't be able to use a saw, because that would cut through the entire body, and I don't want a hole in the back ;). I'm guessing there's a specialist tool that the guitar companies use, but I don't have a clue what it might be. Does anyone know what it might be?

All help appreciated :)

[OneL]

A plunge router will give you the best results. Make a template of the shape you wish to route and use it to insure a professional looking job.


An example of a plunge router;

[butnut]

I had a custom furniture biz with a lot of wood tools, and it was this 'As Seen on TV' tool that made me a believer when I made my Tele-Gib. It's a Roto-Zip spiral saw. Piece of cake to use and much safer than a router IMO. Set the 'blade' (looks like a skinny bit) depth, draw your cut line and just steer the RotoZip along. So precise and clean. A few 'slat cuts' to get the meat out and just a tap with chisel to clean it out nicely. I've seen some on Ebay under 30 bucks...I borowed this from my neighbor, found a brand new Porter Cable one in a pawn shop for 30 bucks. Used it on my other Tele too.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...52686433pDpsFA

[Cogs]

I'm not sure I'm understanding what it is you want to do. I've routed cavities into guitar bodies w/just a conventional router before (I did't want to pay the extra $$ for the plunge-router!). You just want to make sure you hold the router firmly, use a template (make your own if you have to) & use a bit that has a top-bearing on it that will ride on the edge of the template. And make sure your depth is set properly.

[grito]

I've had great success with a Remington 870 12 gauge.