Jazzmaster kit questions a including Bigsby

thecolourbox

So I've a birthday coming up and one thing I've always fancied doing is building my own personal guitar. I currently play a Tele which I've mucked about with pickups and setups etc, so would fancy something different. I'm quite into the more unusual shapes so something like a Jazzmaster kit like this one would appeal

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Seattle-Jazz-Electric-Guitar-DIY-Kit/PZU

I always thing they look quite cool and very much like the garage rockers I enjoy.

Did anybody do one of these kits for the previous making challenge? If so how are the kits?

I'd like to put a Bigsby style tail bridge for ultimate kooky retro looks. Can anybody foresee any problems with that? At the very least even if no term, I'd quite fancy an old style tailpiece on it.

I'd not use the stock pickups (would probably get EMGs), and I don't like those pearl style pick guards so I'd have to get a better one. With that in mind (and the Bigsby bit) would I be better just trying to buy separates?

Thanks all

DannyP

I often see kits like this and think "wow, that's a good deal"

...then you start thinking about all the bits you don't like the look of and what the cost would be of replacing them....

Your bridge/bigsby plans are going to be compromised by the routing that's already there.

Judging from what you seem to be after, you might be better off buying a Squier Jagmaster as a place to start.

They have a strat style trem, so you could stick a bigsby or crazy tail-piece on the top with no aesthetic repercussions. You could probably get one second hand for sub £200 if you are patient.

DannyP

Actually, sorry, that's bollocks isn't it, cos the strat trem has a rout underneath it of course! Apologies, I'm being thick.

Here's the kind of thing I was blathering about:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Squier-by-Fender-Jagmaster-wilkinson-pickups-/291397865095?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43d8aa8e87

Corvus

Think a Bigsby might need more bridge height, so a neck shim or other mod would be needed. You'd have to fill that rout of course.

thecolourbox

Oh right I see, my whimsy has got me too excited then it seems haha not to worry, I shall think again

What about decorative tailpieces, trapeze tailpiece is it called? I don't really use trem in actual fact (I might if I had it but I can't say my playing would be any better with it!) so maybe something cool and decorative might look similarly retro

Or something like this?

http://drwzpk38qkpfb.cloudfront.net/www.guitarkitsusa.com/uploaded/images/Finished Guitar Examples/Gallery Images/Jack_White_Guitar_Gear.jpg

thecolourbox

Or are there any other funky shaped kits/bodies & necks like this that would work? Firebird type thing maybe?

I'll want to do my own artwork, pickups and probably scratchplate, so that helps I guess

Budget-wise, for the initial stuff (ie the birthday present bit) it does need to be under £100, the other stuff I can budget for myself (ie the EMGs, add ons etc) but I'm not looking for high end quality here! Just something I can enjoy making, and sounds and looks fun

WezV

sound like you want one of these

http://www.guitarkitsusa.com/

 

 

... I am aware its overbudget and probably not as easy as the normal kit build  :P

thecolourbox

Ha yes I do want one of those but had sadly already ruled them out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For now

Andyjr1515

Hi @thecolourbox

Yes - I got a Seattle for the 2014 Challenge.  This was my final result:

I thought it was a great kit - although, to be honest, I only used the body, neck and trem from it.  I did fit a roller bridge (which would be recommended for a Bigsby) but haven't really thought about a Bigsgy proper.

The frets needed dressing but the quality of both the neck and body was REALLY impressive - it is now my main gigging guitar.

The advantage I had ref the structural challenges was that I veneered over the top of all of the mods anyway.  Not entirely sure how you would cover the b***y great hole where the trem fits without doing something similar...

I did a full build thread here

Andy

thecolourbox

That build thread is truly inspiring, i remember watching a few of those in pure awe, and it does make me want to do one I have to say

thecolourbox

These look nice...
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/141454827904?nav=SEARCH