MIM Fender Jaguar mod questions..

RyanAllen

I recently came into a new MIM Fender Jaguar that I got on a trade/cash exchange with a local music store. The guitar feels great, and stays in tune very well. I plan on keeping it.

However, I want to make this guitar sound the best it possibly can -- I've messed around with my friends CIJ Jag and it sounds infinitely better than my MIM. I can only imagine that the American Jag sounds even better. My question is, how can I make this MIM Jag sound as good as the American? Is it even possible? I'm sure it would mean replacing all the electronics that rest within the guitar itself, which I'm prepared to do. I plan on having this as my go-to guitar for awhile.

What are the best possible pickups to put in my Jag? What are the differences between an American Jag and Mexican? Is this worth the trouble? I'm sure there are schematics and how-to's online, but I don't really know where to go for that stuff. I have a friend who is willing to take on the project if I first find out if it's do-able and can find what I need online. If it's possible, I'm ready to gut this guitar to make it the best it can be.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

HNB

Some good upgrades include:

AVRI Tremolo

American volume and tone pot with new capacitor. Orange drops are what I normally use.

Shielding in the cavity with either shielding paint or copper tape with conductive adhesive.

Upgrade rhythm pots and capacitor and pick up a switchcraft toggle and on/on switch.

Cloth wire more vintage, but a nice touch.

Lots of people like Curtis Novak pickups or Pickup Wizard pickups or you could get some AVRI pickups online.

Just in case AVRI means American Vintage Reissue. What the American Jaguar and Jazzmaster parts are normally called.

RyanAllen

HNB said:
Some good upgrades include:
AVRI Tremolo
American volume and tone pot with new capacitor. Orange drops are what I normally use.
Shielding in the cavity with either shielding paint or copper tape with conductive adhesive.
Upgrade rhythm pots and capacitor and pick up a switchcraft toggle and on/on switch.
Cloth wire more vintage, but a nice touch.
Lots of people like Curtis Novak pickups or Pickup Wizard pickups or you could get some AVRI pickups online.
Just in case AVRI means American Vintage Reissue. What the American Jaguar and Jazzmaster parts are normally called.

Awesome, thanks for these tips. Although the Tremelo on my MIM seems really great. It stays in tune really well - should that be the only thing I consider when looking at tremolos?

Is there a guitar site online I can purchase most of this stuff? Particularly the Orange drop and Switchcraft stuff. And when you say, "cloth wire", what do you mean/what wire are you referencing specifically?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1971-1MEG-STACKPOLE-NOS-FENDER-TELECASTER-JAZZMASTER-JAGUAR-POTS-/200658350477?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2eb82b718d#ht_12464wt_1188

Is this an appropriate rhythm pot?

I think I'm going to order some Curtis Novak pickups this coming week! Thanks, man.

HNB

Ryan Allen said:
Awesome, thanks for these tips. Although the Tremelo on my MIM seems really great. It stays in tune really well - should that be the only thing I consider when looking at tremolos?
Is there a guitar site online I can purchase most of this stuff? Particularly the Orange drop and Switchcraft stuff. And when you say, "cloth wire", what do you mean/what wire are you referencing specifically?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1971-1MEG-STACKPOLE-NOS-FENDER-TELECASTER-JAZZMASTER-JAGUAR-POTS-/200658350477?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2eb82b718d#ht_12464wt_1188
Is this an appropriate rhythm pot?
I think I'm going to order some Curtis Novak pickups this coming week! Thanks, man.

Stewmac.com sells electronics and wiring. Cloth wire is wire covered in cloth instead of plastic. It is how old wire used to be covered. You can still find it for guitars and such.

Cloth Wire

Orange Drop Capacitor

Switchcraft Switches

The tremolo on MIM Jaguars and Jazzmasters do not have a trem lock bolt and the part that holds the tremolo arm is not as well made. Here is a pictoral review of how an American tremolo works.

Tremolo Information