Jazzmaster build (from templates)

DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Oct 12 2023 10:19 AM

Thank you Edward.

I found this excellent neck plate online. Party on!

Last edited: Oct 12, 2023 10:21:38

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Oct 12 2023 10:19 AM

Oops.

Last edited: Oct 12, 2023 10:21:19

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Dec 03 2023 05:01 AM

Changed the string trees to Fender Vintera ones. They look nice.

Also fine tuned the neck by taking a little bit of material off the shoulder, bass side between the 1st and 3d fret.

Last edited: Dec 03, 2023 06:00:29

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Apr 14 2024 08:49 AM

I have been playing this JM almost daily (and exclusively). But I was still bummed out because of the less than great application of clearcoat, particularly on the back. So I pulled it apart and sanded the body with 400 grit, put on a coat of primer and sanded that with 800 and 1000 grit. I also softened a few curves and removed any trace of the round-over router bit which I thought looked nice at first). Also filled a few dings.

Then I dropped the body of at an automotive repair / body shop. My friend works there. He used my left-over rattle can paint to scan the colour (I asked for maximum metallic). They mixed up a batch of modern automotive paint (the water based version) and covered it with a clear coat. A bit of a shame that their system can't deal with the original colour codes from the fifties and sixties that Ford and GM used).

One day later I could pick it up. It had a bit of orange peel but my friend told me to not sand or polish it, just give it a few days. And he was right, it disappeared. The paint feels smooth. It's a really thin coat, based on the masked tape I removed. Nothing like the polyester or polyurethane finishes. So I better not throw it around.

Last edited: Apr 14, 2024 08:58:09

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Apr 14 2024 09:10 AM

I also fitted a BEAUTIFUL new pickguard from General Vintage Tone. It's a "1963 Vintage Brown Tortoise Nitrate for Jazzmaster®️ Pickguard 4 layer Top real nitrate celluloid". It fits AVRI models. And more importantly, it fits the guitar I made from templates based on a sixties model JM (bought from Guitar and Bass Build (UK).

Advertised as real nitrate celluloid, and it did start to cup a bit after laying on my desk for a week. Nicely priced. Seems a good alternative to the (in my mind very expensive) Spitfire guards. One small thing: the tightest curves and points needed a bit of razor blade scraping due to having flat spots / looking too square.

I bought it at General Vintage Tone's Reverb store. He was good to deal with and sent it out quickly. The company is based in Spain, EU. General Vintage Tone

Last edited: Apr 14, 2024 09:38:30

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4446
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Apr 14 2024 09:27 AM

DrippyReverbTremolo wrote:

I have been playing this JM almost daily (and exclusively). But I was still bummed out because of the less than great application of clearcoat, particularly on the back. So I pulled it apart and sanded the body with 400 grit, put on a coat of primer and sanded that with 800 and 1000 grit. I also softened a few curves and removed any trace of the round-over router bit which I thought looked nice at first). Also filled a few dings.

Then I dropped the body of at an automotive repair / body shop. My friend works there. He used my left-over rattle can paint to scan the colour (I asked for maximum metallic). They mixed up a batch of modern automotive paint (the water based version) and covered it with a clear coat. A bit of a shame that their system can't deal with the original colour codes from the fifties and sixties that Ford and GM used).

One day later I could pick it up. It had a bit of orange peel but my friend told me to not sand or polish it, just give it a few days. And he was right, it disappeared. The paint feels smooth. It's a really thin coat, based on the masked tape I removed. Nothing like the polyester or polyurethane finishes. So I better not throw it around.

Beautiful.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2348
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Apr 14 2024 02:39 PM

Congratulations! Incredible job! Thank you for sharing the whole process. It is quite an amazing achievement.

—

Bob

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Apr 15 2024 11:02 AM

Thanks Bob and Synchro!

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Jun 03 2024 12:23 PM

Apparently, Ice Blue is very close to the Renault color 'blue celeste'. That is what the body shop used.

I installed a Staytrem collet and arm on the AVRI vibrato. The arm has a nicer curve and is 2 Cm longer - bonus. But I felt the arm had a bit too much resistance to be able to play while holding the arm.

I want it to stay in place and to be able to move it with just a finger.

My solution:
- pull the arm out
- insert a 5mm metal drill bit (or equal Imperial size) all the way down. 5mm was the equal thickness to my Staytrem arm. Measure yours to be sure.
- You won't be able to turn it by hand.
- Use a pair of pliers or vice grip and give it one turn. A small shaving of nylon came out when I did this.
- Now I could almost turn the drill bit by hand.
- Take out drill bit and insert the arm. Evaluate how it feels.
- Keep doing the above steps until you are almost happy. In my case it took 4 turns.
- Put a bit of chapstick or graphite powder on the arm (I mix them up in the chapstick). Now you will be happy with how it feels. Dead silent and smooth.

Last edited: Jun 03, 2024 13:03:29

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Pihabeach82

Joined: Sep 29, 2015
Posts: 479

Posted on Jun 04 2024 01:42 AM

EPIC work my man. That looks gorgeous.
Thanks for showing your process. Youve got some skills!
PLease post a sound demo when you get a chance

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DrippyReverbTremolo

Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 141
Netherlands

Posted on Jun 08 2024 12:24 PM

Pihabeach82 wrote:

EPIC work my man. That looks gorgeous.
Thanks for showing your process. Youve got some skills!
PLease post a sound demo when you get a chance

Thank you, very kind. Here are two vids I did last year:
https://youtu.be/dwILxigJjVs?si=vs9avM7bqtQiN2AJ
https://youtu.be/LYBBxQSZ-ho?si=PmSyuAZKjsObcye_

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DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Oct 12 2023 10:19 AM Thank you Edward. I found this excellent neck plate online. Party on! Last edited: Oct 12, 2023 10:21:38 Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Oct 12 2023 10:19 AM Oops. Last edited: Oct 12, 2023 10:21:19 Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Dec 03 2023 05:01 AM Changed the string trees to Fender Vintera ones. They look nice. Also fine tuned the neck by taking a little bit of material off the shoulder, bass side between the 1st and 3d fret. Last edited: Dec 03, 2023 06:00:29 Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Apr 14 2024 08:49 AM I have been playing this JM almost daily (and exclusively). But I was still bummed out because of the less than great application of clearcoat, particularly on the back. So I pulled it apart and sanded the body with 400 grit, put on a coat of primer and sanded that with 800 and 1000 grit. I also softened a few curves and removed any trace of the round-over router bit which I thought looked nice at first). Also filled a few dings. Then I dropped the body of at an automotive repair / body shop. My friend works there. He used my left-over rattle can paint to scan the colour (I asked for maximum metallic). They mixed up a batch of modern automotive paint (the water based version) and covered it with a clear coat. A bit of a shame that their system can't deal with the original colour codes from the fifties and sixties that Ford and GM used). One day later I could pick it up. It had a bit of orange peel but my friend told me to not sand or polish it, just give it a few days. And he was right, it disappeared. The paint feels smooth. It's a really thin coat, based on the masked tape I removed. Nothing like the polyester or polyurethane finishes. So I better not throw it around. Last edited: Apr 14, 2024 08:58:09 Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Apr 14 2024 09:10 AM I also fitted a BEAUTIFUL new pickguard from General Vintage Tone. It's a "1963 Vintage Brown Tortoise Nitrate for Jazzmaster®️ Pickguard 4 layer Top real nitrate celluloid". It fits AVRI models. And more importantly, it fits the guitar I made from templates based on a sixties model JM (bought from Guitar and Bass Build (UK). Advertised as real nitrate celluloid, and it did start to cup a bit after laying on my desk for a week. Nicely priced. Seems a good alternative to the (in my mind very expensive) Spitfire guards. One small thing: the tightest curves and points needed a bit of razor blade scraping due to having flat spots / looking too square. I bought it at General Vintage Tone's Reverb store. He was good to deal with and sent it out quickly. The company is based in Spain, EU. General Vintage Tone Last edited: Apr 14, 2024 09:38:30 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4446 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Apr 14 2024 09:27 AM DrippyReverbTremolo wrote: I have been playing this JM almost daily (and exclusively). But I was still bummed out because of the less than great application of clearcoat, particularly on the back. So I pulled it apart and sanded the body with 400 grit, put on a coat of primer and sanded that with 800 and 1000 grit. I also softened a few curves and removed any trace of the round-over router bit which I thought looked nice at first). Also filled a few dings. Then I dropped the body of at an automotive repair / body shop. My friend works there. He used my left-over rattle can paint to scan the colour (I asked for maximum metallic). They mixed up a batch of modern automotive paint (the water based version) and covered it with a clear coat. A bit of a shame that their system can't deal with the original colour codes from the fifties and sixties that Ford and GM used). One day later I could pick it up. It had a bit of orange peel but my friend told me to not sand or polish it, just give it a few days. And he was right, it disappeared. The paint feels smooth. It's a really thin coat, based on the masked tape I removed. Nothing like the polyester or polyurethane finishes. So I better not throw it around. Beautiful. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2348 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Apr 14 2024 02:39 PM Congratulations! Incredible job! Thank you for sharing the whole process. It is quite an amazing achievement. — Bob Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Apr 15 2024 11:02 AM Thanks Bob and Synchro! Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Jun 03 2024 12:23 PM Apparently, Ice Blue is very close to the Renault color 'blue celeste'. That is what the body shop used. I installed a Staytrem collet and arm on the AVRI vibrato. The arm has a nicer curve and is 2 Cm longer - bonus. But I felt the arm had a bit too much resistance to be able to play while holding the arm. I want it to stay in place and to be able to move it with just a finger. My solution: - pull the arm out - insert a 5mm metal drill bit (or equal Imperial size) all the way down. 5mm was the equal thickness to my Staytrem arm. Measure yours to be sure. - You won't be able to turn it by hand. - Use a pair of pliers or vice grip and give it one turn. A small shaving of nylon came out when I did this. - Now I could almost turn the drill bit by hand. - Take out drill bit and insert the arm. Evaluate how it feels. - Keep doing the above steps until you are almost happy. In my case it took 4 turns. - Put a bit of chapstick or graphite powder on the arm (I mix them up in the chapstick). Now you will be happy with how it feels. Dead silent and smooth. Last edited: Jun 03, 2024 13:03:29 Top
Pihabeach82 Joined: Sep 29, 2015 Posts: 479	Posted on Jun 04 2024 01:42 AM EPIC work my man. That looks gorgeous. Thanks for showing your process. Youve got some skills! PLease post a sound demo when you get a chance Top
DrippyReverbTremolo Joined: Mar 11, 2023 Posts: 141	Posted on Jun 08 2024 12:24 PM Pihabeach82 wrote: EPIC work my man. That looks gorgeous. Thanks for showing your process. Youve got some skills! PLease post a sound demo when you get a chance Thank you, very kind. Here are two vids I did last year: https://youtu.be/dwILxigJjVs?si=vs9avM7bqtQiN2AJ https://youtu.be/LYBBxQSZ-ho?si=PmSyuAZKjsObcye_ Top

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Jazzmaster build (from templates)