Jaguar Adventure Begins

Constantine

Well now that my Jazzmaster adventure is complete

It's time to start the Jaguar build. So here are the first images:

I currently have a mint green pickguard and have been thinking of Ice blue metallic or Lake Placid Blue for the body color but I have not decided. The body is one piece air dried Alder and the neck is bird's eye and also air dried.

I hand wound the pick ups to vintage specs. The fingerboard is 1/4 sawn Madagascar rosewood.

I have played some production jags at Guitar center and I am wondering whats up with the 7.25" fingerboard rad? I make mine with a 12" rad with jumbo frets and I adjust the bridge to match and the playability seems much better. Is there a reason Fender thought the curvy FB was a good idea? Did the surf guitarists like that? I don't find it very playable and the 12" board bends really nice for me.

robertoriginal

the severe radius just makes it easier to chord, i certainly prefer a 9-7.25 myself. and im more into vintage frets rather than jumbo, its just a feel thing i guess.

are you going to use a jaguar/jazzmaster bridge or a vintage modified warmoth mustang bridge?

Constantine

robert(original) said: the severe radius just makes it easier to chord, i certainly prefer a 9-7.25 myself. and im more into vintage frets rather than jumbo, its just a feel thing i guess.
are you going to use a jaguar/jazzmaster bridge or a vintage modified warmoth mustang bridge?

I have had good luck with a traditional bridge by increasing the neck angle, increasing the bridge height and thereby increasing the down force. On the Jazzmaster I got rid of all the buzzing without a buzz stop by doing that. Also I went to the slightly beefy 11 gage Ernie Ball strings. The original Jazzmaster was designed for 12 gage strings and I think most people try to play em with 10's though.

robertoriginal

i hate ernie balls with a passion,

i use dean markely 12's for most of my gear, i used to use jazz 13's but they killed my frets faster than any other.

Constantine

robert(original) said: i hate ernie balls with a passion,
i use dean markely 12's for most of my gear, i used to use jazz 13's but they killed my frets faster than any other.

I certainly respect folks opinions when it comes to strings. However, I have noticed which strings work is highly dependent on the instrument and the player's style although these things seem much more critical to me when it comes to acoustic guitars.

If I had the time and the money in my pocket I would surely try more brands out. Once you find something that works it is hard to change.

Aug

I agree.

I use Martin strings on all my acoustics and D'Addarios for all my elecs. DIE HARD!

Constantine

Here are the latest pics:

It's about time to prime the body and carve the neck.

Fran

Fender stopped using the severe curved radius except for exact reissues because a lot of players did'nt like it. One of the common problems was 'choke out' on string bending. Personally i dont like it, but i also find modern necks like Ibanez a bit too flat.

D'addarios FTW! Especially if you use heavier gauge strings as they seem to have a 'flabby' feel to them with less tension.

These projects look great, well done!

I know it is'nt really relevant because these guitars are your own spec and you are obviously enjoying yourself but from a financial point of view would you say by the time you calculate the hours put in with work, finding parts/materials and the cost of them.. have these projects been economical as oppose to buying a CIJ guitar?

Constantine

I don't really care about my time because I enjoy it and have to spend a lot of time in the studio anyway.

However, for very little money I can get a guitar that I can't buy. The best woods, pickups wound to spec., figured neck wood, made the way I want in the color I want, right down to the exact frets etc. I couldn't afford such a custom guitar even if I wanted it. I guess that is what the pay off is.

Fran

Nice one. 😎

robertoriginal

looking good!

the birdseye throws me off everytime.

Lou

looks really really nice so far

Constantine

Here it is in Lake Placid Bloo:

Just have to finish carving the neck, inlay work, fretwork and of course the wiring/final setup. Shouldn't be too long now.

I guess my web hosting service is down (comcast sucks), but the pictures should come thru soon......