modding a model 1 for a floyd

[mike-o]

I know there's been tons of threads on this, but I want to hear from someone that's actually done this. I'm talking about modding the body for a floyd and the neck for a locking nut. Did you have to shim the neck pocket at all? Did you have the work done or did you do it yourself?

[Dreamland_Rebel]

eh, just buy a model 2 or 3. it'll be a a lot cheeper.

[straycat]

+1.The model 1 necks work best with the after the nut string locks.The truss rod is in the way if you cut a nut shelf.
I have run into this problem on USA necks too.You can cut a piece of maple and shape a shelf extension but why bother.

[mike-o]

eh, just buy a model 2 or 3. it'll be a a lot cheeper.

I've never seen a model 2 or 3 with a maple fretboard.

[dg]

The usual way people do this is to keep the neck & buy a Model 2 body. Most people just put a behind-the-nut lock on, but a floyd nut can be installed with a shelf extension like Richard says. I have a San Dimas Charvel with this mod, and it works fine, but truss rod access is tight. If you do decide to mod the Model 1 body for a non-recessed floyd, yes you will need to shim the neck (if you want the trem raised off the body to float, anyway), but that's a very simple thing to do.

[MSGfan]

???...Why bother?, Buy a model 2, they're cheap enough!

[Tekky]

The time and risk involved with routing a Model 1 body puts most people off from doing it. The easiest route would be to get a Model 2 body and a Model 1 neck. (or even easier, a Model 4M neck) This way, it minimizes modifications that you cannot reverse.

[Jackson-Charvel]

Finding a lone Model 4M neck for sale is like the proverbial needle in the haystack though. Also if one was to find a neck by itself for sale, expect to pay upwards of $200! This alone might be a good reason to mod a Model 1 as they can be had for around $200-$250 and the Model 2's are considerably more.

[metalhead28]

As soon as my OFR gets here I'll be doing this very thing to my model 1.

I bought a Musikraft neck with a Floyd shelf so I won't be doing that part, but I expect I will have to shim it a little.

[buckethead bungler]

I've done this to my Model 1C; I had my guitar tech do the job for me. For the record it was a Schaller Floyd Rose and the guitar plays pretty sweet.

I don't have any online photos of the guitar but you can check it out in my band's music vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDmdI6mm5xg

[metalhead28]

Just for an update if the OP is still interested.

I had to open up the existing route about 1/16" (on the pickup side) to give the sustain block room to seat all the way, and I had to drill a little bump in the corner of the opening for the bar mount.
Once you sit the floyd in place the changes will be obvious.

And I had to put in a thin shim, I used a piece of wood veneer - maybe .030-.040" thick.