So I've wanted a Jackson kelly for a while. Just a couple of problems: All the good ones have floyds and the only one with a hardtail is the low end model. Also, on any kelly, the upper fret access is terrible.
Now my old HH Jagstang homebuild (AKA Jagson) isn't doing too well. When I glued the neck in, some frets were pushed in, so there are dead notes all around the thing. Also, its badly balanced because its too light and the paintjob got all wrinkly because I didn't let it cure (because the paint manufacturers say it does not need to cure) Also, the grain filler reacted with the paint and so there are some marks and stuff. Basically it would take a fair amount of money to get the thing to how it should be.
So this is the main reason for me building a kelly. I will put my own twist on it too. I want to cannibalize the Jagson for parts to build this. It'll be a simple thing, made from plywood, one pickup, no tone, no volume and a gibson style hardtail assembly. And most importantly, it will have that upper fret access.
This is a mockup:
I already have most of the parts:
I have a jackson style neck
I'll use tuners, pickups and straplocks off the jagson
I have a neck plate and some 'threaded neck inserts' instead of normal screws.
I also have lots of spray paint
So what I will need:
Plywood
Bridge and tailpiece assembly
Glue
😁
This is a mega cheap project and hopefully I'll score some free plywood.....
Like my last build, I won't be getting started right away. I need to do some plans and stuff first.
