Procedure for installing an endpin jack?

Tele295

I'm going to install a K&K pickup in our Cigano D-hole. What's the best way to drill the hole through both the tailpiece and the end of the guitar, so the holes line up? Leave the tailpiece attached? Remove the strings? Any advice is appreciated.

asd123321

I did this once. Don't use a half inch drill because it is inclined to rip out chunks. I am not a woodworker but I think is is better to use a smaller one and finish lining up the hole by hand with a file. Start with a small drill and keep checking the alignment with the tailpiece as you use bigger drills. There is another post where they talk about the tailpiece.

BluesBop Harry

There's a brief explanation included on the Schatten's installation pdf:

http://schattendesign.com/PDF/hfns2passive.pdf

http://schattendesign.com/HFN-S-Series.htm
Hope that helps

Tele295

Here's what Schatten had to say:

Installing the Endpin Jack
Note: As can be seen in fig 1, the lower portion of the tailpiece has been modified on this Saga and the
lower mounting screw of the tailpiece has been relocated upward. This was done so that the endpin jack
could be mounted as close to center as possible. Whether you choose to modify the tailpiece or not is
your choice. The only variation will be how centered the strap button appears.
1) Slack off all six strings and remove them or tape them out of the way. Remove any end pin at the butt
of the guitar. If you are going to modify the tailpiece mounting, now is the time to trim the bottom of the
tailpiece away, and redrill through the brass for the new hole.
2) Drill a pilot hole through the end block approximately 3/16" in diameter in the area you wish to place
the end pin jack.
3) Using a fluted burr, chamfer the edges of the hole so that you will not damage the finish of the
instrument when you use the larger sizes of bits required.
4) Drill through the guitar end block using a 3/8" bit and re-chamfer the hole. Repeat drilling with a 1/2"
bit to complete the drilling operations.
5) Remove the outer strap button, and the small nut and washer from the endpin jack.

Tele295

The burr bit is going to run me about $22 at Woodcraft, and I need a set of needle files (for nut and tailpiece) for this project as well. About $55 for tools.