slyd wrote:
but also plan to provide easy-access for the battery, with a flat-mount or side-mount battery box.
I'd offer it as an option - easy enough to add it later if the client finds he needs to run on batteries (I've never run my Carvin on battery - always phantom).
The module boards, I would possibly (shoot me down any time) install through the pup cavities
That'll work. An install via F-holes would be a nightmare as the two boards together with the plugs come to about about 20mm in thickness
There are a few non standard things I'd want to do with an archtop installation:
- drill through the base and top for the pickup wires - the weak point of a piezo is where the wire goes into the saddle, so in my experience the less exposed those wires are, the less chance of problems during install or with heavy use. The wires are pretty thin, so while prone to damage, you don't need a big hole (about 8 mm). On request, Graph tech will supply the saddles with loose plugs to get the wires through tight holes before fitting the plugs.
- I'd probably also want to glue the base to the top (the TOM obviously has the intonation adjustment to cater for different string gauges) to prevent movement from damaging the wires.
- use a removable glue like Bostik Clear to secure the plugs once they are mounted on the pins to keep them firmly in place while you're pulling the controls, switches and sockets into place. The two boards hold together pretty securely, so you don't have to worry about that and some mirror tape to secure the boards to the top works nicely.
