Jag-Tele Frankenproject

chaddukes

I've a thouht to embark on a grand adventure. Before I set forth however and start spending money on parts and hardware I have a question that I hope folks will help me with. Perhaps someone here has tried what I am thinking once before.

I would like to have a Jaguar with all the Jaguar parts, except for the bridge and PU's. I would like a tele bridge with PU, and a tele neck PU. My question is this; will the string spacing be correct? Will the outer strings hang off the board? Does anyone know how the neck dimensions (width) on a Jag compare to that of a tele neck?

Thanks,

Chad

Constantine

I can provide you with all the dimensional data. However, a better place to start might be: What are you trying to achieve? What kind of sound and what playability or is there a certain look with a Tele sound you are after?

Regards,

chaddukes

I love the sound of tele's, particularly the neck pickup. I also want the benefits of a short scale. I beleive that the sound of a tele is largely due to its bridge and electronics, and while a short scale will certainly impact the sound, it will still sound like a tele.

I don't care too much about the looks, but I do like the looks of a Jaguar more than a Mustang or Jagstang. A tele body is set up specifically for 25.5" scale. Additionally, I really don't like the body shape of a tele for practical and cosmetic reasons.

But adding the bridge and pickups of a tele doesnt' mean that the outer strings will line up properly or that the pickups of the pole pieces will line up properly.

So, in looking around it seems like I can't find anyone who has tried this, and I don't have any hardware from a Jag to measure. I do however have a tele and I know the dimension of that.

Thanks,

Chad

chaddukes

A typical Tele bridge has a string spacing of 2-3/16th inches. According to this (http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_jagjazz.htm) site a Jag bridge has a spacing of 2-7/8th inches. So, it seems that the Jag bridge is substantially larger than the tele! But to further complicate things a tune o' matic bridge has a string spacing of 2-1/16th inch but people seem to use those all the time.

Constantine

I am not sure where the 2-7/8" number came from, but it sounds way off. My jag and jazzmaster bridges are after market but of the vintage style and measure 2-1/8" ~ 2-3/16" which is right in there with an American Tele. If I remember correctly a vintage American Tele is 2-1/8".

The Jag bridge has little threaded saddle details so the string spacing is somewhat depended on where you place the strings in the saddles (it is slightly adjustable).

Constantine

Here is an image (a Jazzmaster and Jag bridge are the same):

Fran

I think it is marginal but still F-spaced so you should be okay. The hardest part would be where on the body to place the Tele bridge because of the shortscale neck and if it would look aesthetically okay.

Your correct about the Tele 'ashtray' bridge being a big part of the sound. I read somewhere they used to use copper on the early Teles underneath the pickup (where i'm not sure) and purists say they are still the best sounding Teles.

NoHoGuitars

Hogwash! Buy a NoHo Guitar!

chaddukes

Do tell! Whats a NoHo guitar?

chaddukes

Constantine said: Here is an image (a Jazzmaster and Jag bridge are the same):

Thanks for the confirmation! It looks like it will work.

ThreeStringGuitar

Are you looking for something like the Malden Mozak? I love the looks of that and you're idea sounds like it'll turn out awesome if it all works out. The only thing with the Mozak is that it's a 25.5" scale.

chaddukes

Its beautiful, and exactly what I'm going for....except it has to be a 24" scale.

Chad

Constantine

At first I thought this was a wierd request but after seeing this photo and thinking about the possibilities and the playability of a contoured body guitar, I have to say it looks inspiring.

I just may have to make one!

GP

I stuck a tele bridge PU in my Squire Jagmaster. Because of the different body wood (alder instead of maple), it doesn't sound exactly like a Tele, but it's a great sounding PU and still produceds a beautiful tone.

Rather than go down the Tele bridge route, you might consider getting the scratchplate recut to incorporate your choice of PU:

Constantine

It is hard to say what the sound variances would be cause each guitar is different anyway since they are a lot like children. However, so many tele's are made of alder anyway I would guess your guitar would have similar character to many of the alder tele's out there. However, the metal tele bridge might add something with the other configuration shown in the previous post...I dunno. I like both concepts. The tele pickup with its tall windings and copper plated steel base plate is what gives it it's twang and bright spanky sound for the most part.

I like the look of your modification as well.

chaddukes

Most tele enthusiasts will tell you that a large factor in the sound of a tele is the bridge and bridge pickup. The mass and casing of that particular combination is thought to be one of the chief reasons for the Tele's tone.

Having said that; I just want a 24'' scale guitar with a hardtail (can't stand trems) and single coil pickups. I can't have humbuckers on a shortscale guitar. A hardtail strat combo would work as well, but I do prefer the tele's neck pickup to that of a strat.