Custom Jagstang clone

[billbeglen@gmail.com 2]

For those who want a custom build. For those who can't find a Jagstang. Why customize an original? Build one. If you lack luthier skills, I can help you.

[Mad-Mike 18]

It's a tad more complex than that though.

When the Jag-Stang came out it was a rather maligned mid-priced instrument, particularly the bridge and the pickups.  So the majority out there were probably already modified, esp the 1995-2001 "first run" guitars.  People usually copied Cobain/Bailey and put a TOM and at least a SD JB in the bridge to copy their idol. I've seen a few even put EMGs in theirs like mine surprisingly (which were in it when I got it).

And unlike a strat, aside from necks, there's not a lot of easily accessable, high profile, choice for aftermarket bodies.  There's just Warmoth that I'm aware of and theirs is a contoured swimming pool route very unlike the original, if unfinished,  slab body the Fender OEM guitars had. It's not like a Stratocaster where everyone and their sister has some version of it.  And "underground" makers require some social networking to find.

Building your own body...especially the Jag-Stang, can be quite challenging, especially if you're new to wood working.  For starters, you'd need either to buy the blueprints or get someone with a Jag-Stang to trace their body for you.  Then after cutting out the shape, there's finding the centerline so the neck, pickups, bridge....all the hardware, line up correctly, which the asymmetry can really throw you off, it even did to Fender Japan (my 95 and the Fiesta Red one from the 1996 sweepstakes had the same problem of the neck being slightly angled to the right bringing the strings out of line, I shimmed my 95 to fix that). Then there's tools...at the lowest you'll need a pull saw to rough it out and a scroll saw and a lot of patience to cut the body out...plus a drill and a router to cut the cavities out for the electronics and possibly the bridge.  Not every one has the time/skill/budget/workspace to do that.

Some people find it easier just to start with a barebones "chassis" and work up from there.  That's also why I wish Fender would just release the Jag-Stang as a lower-mid-priced Squier and be done with it.  Then there would be a good source of quality Jag-Stangs out there to modify without ruining original stock.  They had that Hollywood prototype in 2016, that's what I was hoping for.

[billbeglen@gmail.com 2]

I am a luthier though. I built my jagstang. The body is made of Ash wood. A little heavy. However, it sounds great. I already had fender mustang parts. Which are the same as jagstang hardware. (I did add 500k pots) The neck came from a jaguar.(no shim needed perfect fit)  Of course, I used a Gotoh tune-o- matic bridge. Now, it has a zebra pickup at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan hotrod pickup at the neck. Sounds pretty mean. All I was saying is: why alter an original? I build custom guitars on the side for some extra cash. If someone wants a personalized jagstang, I am available. I also wish Fender or Squier would make new ones with affordable prices. Then, original ones can be left alone. And we can customize the rest. EMG pickups on a jagstang? Nice. I thought of doing that. How's the sound? I decided to not use activ pickups. I always liked zebras. And never worry about bringing an extra 9v battery.

[Zwitter 0]

On 3/28/2020 at 6:36 PM, billbeglen@gmail.com said:

I am a luthier though. I built my jagstang. The body is made of Ash wood. A little heavy. However, it sounds great. I already had fender mustang parts. Which are the same as jagstang hardware. (I did add 500k pots) The neck came from a jaguar.(no shim needed perfect fit)  Of course, I used a Gotoh tune-o- matic bridge. Now, it has a zebra pickup at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan hotrod pickup at the neck. Sounds pretty mean. All I was saying is: why alter an original? I build custom guitars on the side for some extra cash. If someone wants a personalized jagstang, I am available. I also wish Fender or Squier would make new ones with affordable prices. Then, original ones can be left alone. And we can customize the rest. EMG pickups on a jagstang? Nice. I thought of doing that. How's the sound? I decided to not use activ pickups. I always liked zebras. And never worry about bringing an extra 9v battery.

There's a guy selling Jag-stang bodies on eBay made from either poplar or ash on. Guy's name is Rosser. I have purchased a poplar body and couldn't be happier with it. It's made for Mustang pickguards to fit it.

[billbeglen@gmail.com 2]

Yeah. I bought one of those for $80. They are heavy. And need bodywork before paint. My cherry burst paint job has woodgrain texture. It was a mistake. However, everyone that sees it in person seem to love it. Those bodies don't require a neck shim either. I'm really satisfied with the ash body. My guitar stays in tune for quite some time. I actually like it better than my expensive guitars: fiesta red mustang Kurt signature series. And also my strat is a Yngwie Malmsteen signature series. Somehow, my jagstang plays better.

[billbeglen@gmail.com 2]

3 minutes ago, billbeglen@gmail.com said:

Yeah. I bought one of those for $80. They are heavy. And need bodywork before paint. My cherry burst paint job has woodgrain texture. It was a mistake. However, everyone that sees it in person seem to love it. Those bodies don't require a neck shim either. I'm really satisfied with the ash body. My guitar stays in tune for quite some time. I actually like it better than my expensive guitars: fiesta red mustang Kurt signature series. And also my strat is a Yngwie Malmsteen signature series. Somehow, my jagstang plays better.

Due to covid 19 I'm not building guitars. Just jamming on my guitars till the plague is over.