Hi all. I have a few queries on modding/refinishing a Jazzmaster. I wouldn't be doing the work myself, but want to do the research before I start collecting parts etc.
I love love Jazzmasters with a natural finish. For example, a dark walnut body, or dark natural finish.
Is it possible to refinish a stock Jazzmaster body to a natural look? (Would it be worth it that is)
I'd like to get a tortoise Warmoth pickguard without the top buttons and roller controls, and only use the circuit below the pickups.
While wide range humbuckers look really cool in a Jazzmaster, I'd probably just get JM sized replacements.
Mostly interested in opinions on refinishing the body on a stock.
I don't have a JM currently, so wondering if it might be better to go to someone like Guitar Build and get a Walnut body there and get the parts separately....
Comments
I'd be tempted to do as you suggest - buy a body based on the quality of the visible wood.
Mojo JM sized WRHB are excellent - I'd recommend slightly overwound bridge as that seems to give the best balance to my ears.
I recently built a JM similar to your intended specifications, albeit with a painted body - the one on the left. I actually like the rhythm circuit but the pick guard I was using was configured how you describe - it works well and the red one covers the other bases.
If you know what you want it should get you a much better instrument than a modded Fender for the same money, and especially since you want a nice looking bit of wood as a starting point..
Would I have to be careful with neck sizes? I like the thinner profile...
Either way it would be nice to get a neck already played in a bit...
Would strat necks fit warmoth bodies?
https://www.facebook.com/rendallsrestorations?fref=ts
Will most likely go for an alder body, and get it finished with the natural look. (Maybe Walnut might meet these needs...?)
I'll go for a tortoise pickguard.
I'll go for black pickups, black toggle switch, and black witch hat volume and control knobs.
I'm not going to go for a rhythm circuit, just the bottom circuit.
I'll decide near the end on what radius it'll be. 7.25 or 9.5.
I'll keep an eye out for used staytrems, vibratos, etc over the next 6 months or so... I need to sell some things first!
Right-angled Switchcraft sprung toggle selector switch. Switchcraft six terminal Rhythm Circuit slider switch.
I'm not going to install the rhythm circuit. I know the expression "it's better to be looking at it than looking for it" fits here, but I never used it on my last JM. I possibly used it only to tame to really shrill sounds coming out of the guitar that used to bug me...
I've been tempted to change mine to a series/parallel or phase switch but never got around to it.
Next up will be keeping an eye out for a neck. I have a Custom 77 which has a "slim taper neck" which feels really nice, so I'm not sure how close I could get to that with what I need to get.
Either way, I'm going to keep an eye out on the used market for the rest of what I need where possible. Something about the idea of recycling stuff that's been used on other guitars appeals to me!
Good plan to keep a look out for used Jm parts, you can save a far bit of cash that way. A lot of parts to collect!
www.rexterguitars.co.uk
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Genuine-Fender-JAPAN-62-Jaguar-Jazzmaster-Vibrato-Tailpiece-026-4248-000/401527331443?hash=item5d7ce4da73:g:eHUAAOSwNeVbfnqt:rk:1:pf:0
Also, could someone recommend some modern tuners for a Jazzmaster? I've yet to get the neck, but didn't like the old style ones that I had on my CIJ one. I prefer modern ones...
Unless you use that function, save your money and buy a Squier unit.