Installation Instructions and Sample CAD/DXF Files
For EverTune Multiscale Bridges
- Technical Requirements
- Units of Measurement
- Required Bits
- Reference Images
- Interactive Rout Models
- Sample MultiScale STEP and DXF files
- Step 001Establish Center and Scale Lines
- Step 101BoreDrill 4 Mounting Holes
- Step 102Rout Main Pocket
- Step 201Rout Deepest Pocket in Back
- Step 202Rout Most Forward Pocket in Back
- Step 203Rout Back Pocket for Mounting Plates
- Step 204Rout Both Footplate Pockets
- Step 2051/2" Chamfer Line To Clear Modules
- Step 301BoreDrill 4 Pilot Holes for Footplate
- Step 302BoreDrill 6 Pilot Holes for Backplate
Technical Requirements
To install an EverTune MultiScale bridge a rout pocket must be cut into the guitar. These instructions are reserved to anyone who is comfortable with wood working and has a router, CNC, or manual milling machine can make the appropriate modifications to his/her guitar.
We provide STEP and DXF files for MultiScale customers who wish to rout their own EverTune MultiScale pockets. All instructions below are configured for CNCMANUAL installations. To change these to MANUALCNC installations, check the appropriate radio button below.
It is the responsibility of the end user to understand how to use these files for CNC routing. If not using a CNC, the user must generate their own routing templates using the 2D DXF files, as we do not supply physical templates for custom orders. Take multiple passes, removing no more than 1/8"3mm of material per pass to ensure clean edges and prevent tear-out. We also suggest using a drill press for the 4 mounting holes.
Units of Measurement
All instructions below are now formatted in metric and use a 45mm value for body thickness. The required rout depths are calculated based on this value. To change these instructions to imperial, click the green "Convert to Imperial" button.
To calculate instructions using another body thickness, update the text field below and press the blue "Update" button. Hitting the 'enter' key on your keyboard works as well.
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To reset all instructions to the default 45mm metric values (*), press the black "Clear" button.
* see Sample MultiScale STEP and DXF files
Required Bits
All pockets can be routed with a 1/2" or 1/4" bit. Metric users should use an equivallent. The mounting holes will require a 1/8" bit (or whatever you prefer for the 5.1mm hole), and we suggest a 1/16" bit1mm or 2mm bits for the back pilot holes.
For manual installations, all routs can be accomplished with a 1/2" bearing-guided bit. The mounting holes require a #7" drill bit (diameter .201"), and we suggest a 3/32" bit for the back pilot holes.
Reference Images
All installation references are positioned so that the neck and nut are always to your left, as shown in the sample images below. For left-handed guitars, this is reversed.
Steps 001, 101 and 102 are all done and shown from the top:
Steps 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 301 and 302 are all done and shown from the bottom:
Interactive Rout Models
Use these interactive 3D models to familiarize yourself with the routing required to install the EverTune MultiScale Bridge. The controls allow you to zoom, rotate or pan.
Sample MultiScale STEP and DXF files
* Regardless of your personalized units of measurement or body thickness, the sample STEP file is formatted in metric and is configured with a 45mm body thickness. Your preferred CAD software should allow you to work with imperial units, but the body thickness will still be set to 45mm aka 1.772".
The sample STEP and DXF files are configured for an 8-string guitar with 26.5" to 28" scale lengths and straight 12th fret, resulting in a 15.00 degree bridge angle.
To download, right-click and select Save Link As.
STEP files ZIP
DXF Body Blank ZIP
DXF Acrylic Routing Templates ZIP
Step 001: Establish Center and Scale Lines
IMPORTANT: Steps 001, 101 and 102 are shown and done from the top.
Start by establishing your centerline.
Then, using the values for your highest and lowest scale lenghts, connect a diagonal line between them at the bridge position. This is your bridge angle.
Once you have established your centerline and connected your scale lenghths at the bridge position, your body blank will look like this:
IMPORTANT NOTE for CAD/CAM: Due to the bridge angle, the origin will always be set back by a value we call "Origin Offset at Centerline". The STEP and DXF files will always recgnize the origin in relationship to the bridge rout. You will be provided this value with your installation files. In this example, the Origin Offset at Centerline is 6.365mm.
Step 101: BoreDrill 4 Mounting Holes
Bore the four 0.201"5.1mm diameter mounting holes all the way through the guitar using a 1/8" bitany bit smaller than 5mm.
Using a drill press for best results, drill these holes all the way through the guitar using a #7 drill bit. These holes are critical for proper bridge alignment and must be drilled perpendicular to the top surface.
The process will now look like this. Use the slider to toggle between transparent and solid views.
Step 102: Rout Main Pocket
This is the primary cavity that will house the EverTune bridge from the top of the guitar. The main pocket should be routed at least 1.000"25.4mm deep into the body from the top. You may rout all the way through the body if your bit is long enoughwill reach.
The process will now look like this:
Step 201: Rout Deepest Pocket in Back
IMPORTANT: All the following steps are shown and done from the back.
This pocket provides clearance for the bridge's saddle mechanisms and is the deepest of all the back cavities. Rout this pocket from the back.
The process will now look like this:
Step 202: Rout Most Forward Pocket in Back
This pocket accommodates the forward section of the bridge's saddles and footplate. Rout this pocket from the back.
The process will now look like this:
Step 203: Rout Back Pocket for Mounting Plates
This pocket creates space for the mounting plates that secure the bridge to the guitar body. Rout this pocket from the back.
The process will now look like this:
Step 204: Rout Both Footplate Pockets
These pockets accommodate the bridge's footplate. Rout this pocket from the back.
These pockets accommodate the bridge's footplate. In cases where the body is not thick enough, instead of routing this pocket, a manual riser of is required for proper placement. This will also prevent the modules from pushing against the backplate.
The process will now look like this:
Step 205: 1/2"12.7mm Chamfer Line To Clear Modules
This step creates a chamfered edge at the front edge of the pocket to provide additional clearance for the bridge modules' movement range.
The chamfer is automatically included in the STEP file. Ensure your tooling can achieve the specified 1/2"12.7mm inside chamfer. This should leave a 0.070"1.78mm thickness from the top at the front of the main rout.
Using a dremel tool, rasp or file, carefully create the chamfer up the marked line of your DXF file, leaving a 0.070"1.78mm thickness from the top at the front of the main rout.
The process will now look like this:
Step 301: BoreDrill 4 Pilot Holes for Footplate
These pilot holes prepare for the screws that will secure the bridge's footplate. Proper sizing prevents wood splitting while ensuring secure attachment.
Using a 1/16"1mm or 2mm bit (you can also use 1mm or 2mm bits), bore these pilot holes to a depth of 0.512"13mm.
Using a 3/32" drill bit, drill these pilot holes to a depth of 0.512"13mm.
The process will now look like this:
Step 302: BoreDrill 6 Pilot Holes for Backplate
These final pilot holes are for the screws that secure the back mounting plate.
Using a 1/16"1mm or 2mm bit (you can also use 1mm or 2mm bits), bore these pilot holes to a depth of 0.512"13mm.
Using a 3/32" drill bit, drill these pilot holes to a depth of 0.512"13mm.
The process process is now complete:
Final Check
To ensure that the installation was correctly performed to our specifications, we suggest testing to make sure that the EverTune saddles have both full horizontal and vertical movement, as explained in our "Become an Installer" page.
If any of the adjustments do not have full range of motion, it means that something inside the rout is preventing the saddle movement, requiring the rout to be modified to allow for full clearance. In most cases this will relate to STEP 205 and not having removed enough wood at the chamfer to allow for proper clearance of the bridge modules.
