After moving the output jack, I drilled a 1/8″ pilot hole to the pickup area. I then used a 12″ long 5/16″ bit to make the hole bigger.

I ran into a problem and could not get the holes to connect. I bought an 18″ long drill bit and went to work.

Turns out the first hole drifted off course which is why it didn’t connect. Then I drilled too far and it came out the back. Ugh.

After the bit came out the back I realized what happened and connected the holes. It’s a bit uglier than I wanted but no big deal. It won’t show.

I needed to do a bit of modification to make the pickups fit. A little quality time with some sharp chisels is all it takes.

I moved the output jack on the guitar.  I found a cool spot for it and marked the location with the templates I made.  Then I used a drill, some heckin sharp chisels, and a Dremel to make the hole.

The V area where the jack plate will go has a curve and the jack plate is flat.  I’m recessing the plate into the guitar a little bit so it won’t be seen unless you look for it.  That is hard part and requires a lot of fitting.

After the output jack plate is done, I need to drill a loooong hole to connect it to the pickup cavity. This is so I can snake a wire through and get into the control cavity.

This is what the hole looks like.

I decided to get a new set of Invader pickups. They are so nice and shiny and sexy. They shall melt faces. I’m going to mount them with black pickup rings (I think).

I (mostly) finished stripping the paint off the body. I still need to work on the pickup cavities and in the tremolo and control areas, but the majority is done.

The tremolo mostly fits too! I need to fine tune it a little bit, but it works!

I decided to strip the old paint off the guitar. Some of it is like 1/16″ thick. I’m using a heat gun and a scrape and it pops right off.

The original output jack on the guitar is in the lower V part and it sticks kinda straight out. This sucks if you ever wanna play sitting down while plugged in.

More modern guitars and even the new Kramer Vanguard have the output jack in the upper V out of the way. Also, they use a Stratocaster style plate for the jack so the cable comes out at an angle.

I am going to do this. I’ll need to cut a recess in the upper V to inste the cover plate and provide clearance for the jack and wiring. I’ll also need to drill a loooong hole for the wires to connect. Because the tremolo routing is so big, I’ll drill into the bridge pickup cavity and route the wires there.

Wish me luck!