The installer will find that installation goes very simply. The job can be made easier with three special tools.

The small ear polypus is a probing pliers, arranged so it only opens at the tip. So it can get into very narrow quarters and yet grasp objects firmly. There are three sizes, and I got the whole set. Invaluable around the shop. It will make much easier the task of grasping items through the small hole in the top we will be drilling. This tool can be ordered from Micromark. If this is unavailable to you, a small tweezers will suffice, if the nose is ground down to fit, opened, inside the 1/8" square hole we will make it the top.


This is a view of a probe lamp and a wire probe. The lamp is a Steelman Bend-a-Light Pro, available from amazon.com, and other places on the internet web. Search for the name as cited here. Other lamp extensions exist that will do the job. Observe the semi-circular opening at the top of the tailblock. The lamp fits through there to illuminate the 1/8" hole, giving a clear view as we probe inside. The wire probe can be fashioned from a coat-hanger. It should be about 15" long overall, with an L-shaped handle at one end and a round, 3/8" diameter hook on the other. The handle and the hook should be in the same plane, so you'll be able to know what the hook's orientation is inside the body by observing to handle.


The Saddle Router Bit is a specially ground piece of .110" drill tool steel, sharpened to an angle. This tool bit will follow a wall without damaging it, cutting only at the bottom of the slot. For more information on using this uniquely simple bit see this youtube presentation by Robert O'Brien, of O'Brien Guitars. Also supplied are two pieces of .004" shim to put around the shaft of the bit so it can be chucked in a 1/8" collett. The shims come mounted on a piece of tape. I include a spare in case you lose one.


Now let's cover materials supplied and what you will need to complete the installation.

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Bear Meadow Fishman Pickup
Installation Tools