StratocasterBridge Through-body String Hole Drilling Template/Guide

½” by 1 ½” by 3” Aluminum

Works with both \"Vintage\" and \"American Standard\" Fender Stratocaster Hardtail (Non-Tremolo) Electric GuitarBridges

USA Luthier (Ret.) Made

I’ve retired from lutherie, but still make bridges and slot fretboards. When I drill the pin holes in acoustic bridges I use a drilling template/guide; it was suggested that asimilar guide might be useful when installing Stratocaster type bridges. With those, you actually drill holes for the strings to pass clear through the guitar’s body. The “Vintage” bridge uses three mounting holes between the string holes and the neck and a 2.0625” (52.5mm) string spacing; the “American Standard” bridge also uses three mounting holes and a 2.23” (56.5mm) string spacing. This template/guide has been designed to work with either one.

Without a drill press, it’s difficult to keep the holes perpendicular; even with one, marking and drilling accurately can be challenging. With this template, you decide where to locate the bridge, drill one bridge mounting hole, affix the template using that hole which registers the location of the other mounting holes, fasten down the template with two mounting screws. That’s enough, but you can place the other mounting screws if you like. You then use the holes in the template/guide to drill the string holes through the body. They will be accurately positioned and perpendicular. And a hand drill will work just fine. That’s it. It’s harder to describe the process than to do it. The tool and its operation has the virtue of simplicity.

I’ve decided to make these templates available, at least for now . I machine each one myself on a small mill; no CNC, computers, automation, employees, etc. Just a lot of years experience and a good bit of pride in my craftsmanship.

The template is machined from half-inch thick 6018 Aluminum, the guide holes for the strings are 0.125 inches in diameter and deeply countersunk. That makes them easy to access with your drill and there is little chance of damaging the bit as would be the case with steel. With reasonable care, the template should allow drilling many dozens of guitar bodies before showing significant wear. You’ll need a 1/8\" bit for the string holes and a #19 bit for the mounting holes.

As always, if the template/guide disappoints you in any way, send it back to me and I’ll cheerfully refund your money. Thanks for offerding!