SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 15 2021 09:49 PM
Needless to say this was inspired by one of Dave Wronski's many sparkle Jaguars, but there're a lot of differences here since I wasn't trying to copy his, just inspired.
Been working on this build for a while since I'm in no rush. I wanted to keep the components high quality so almost all of the pieces are made in the USA. The only parts not of USA origin are the bridge + vibrato arm (UK), and the Kluson 18:1 ratio staggered tuners (Korea).
This guitar is a mixture of vintage specs and custom mods. Things that make this guitar different from a stock Fender Jaguar are the Emerson pots, partially recessed Switchcraft switches, staggered tuners, Staytrem bridge and arm, custom paint job, treble bleed circuit, and series/parallel mod. Guitarmill accommodated the 2 degree angle cut into the neck pocket. Things that are straight-up Fender are the Jaguar '65 pure vintage pick-ups, '65 reissue neck with 7.25" radius, binding and vintage spec. frets, AVRI tailpiece, mute, Fender USA control plates, knobs, neck plate, brass shielding plates, and strap buttons. Even the felt washers are made in the USA.
About the assembly... There was a fair amount of extra routing to make the pick-up selector cavity big enough, and the tailpiece rout also needed more wood taken out. The rhythm circuit panel need some extra space too. Bridge thimble holes needed to be widened, and the neck pocket needed typical sanding for a perfectly snug fit. All the screw holes for the pickguard, control panels, strap buttons, and tailpiece had to be marked and drilled. I went into a nervous sweat anytime i had to remove any wood or make any holes even though I've done this before, it was always on a cheap guitar. Working on this one with an expensive custom paint job made it stressful for me since I'm not into "relicing". I also had to drill the tuner holes in the headstock to be a few millimeters deeper so the Kluson bushings sat all the way down on the headstock. Still waiting for a better pickguard that will fit perfectly.
Fresh out of the box, it still smelled strongly of nitrocellulose, which was fine with me.
It was like Christmas every time a new part arrived.
Wiring under way...
Vibrato pivot point before re-shaping and smoothing.
Pivot point done, very smooth and rounded.
Neck and tuners on, it's really starting to feel like a real guitar now.
It's hard to see in pics, but i asked Guitarmill to put extra holoflake into the mix, in person this thing looks like it has Christmas lights all over it.
Pee Wee thinks it's coming along well. Though sometimes he gets jealous of the attention I've been putting into the build. He lets me know it's time to take a break by walking up to me and sinking his claws into my knee.
Last edited: Jan 17, 2021 18:27:16
|
Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 01:55 AM
-
Last edited: Mar 03, 2022 04:56:17
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 12:54 PM
Gilette wrote:
That's a piece of art. 
Beautiful colour! They don't make rugs like that anymore you know. Stunning.
Also, what an absolute beauty with the sparkles. Great idea to add the holo flakes. Subtle shade of green is just right!
Frank, you can still find these rugs new, here's a link if you'd like to order one for yourself... shorturl.at/bvyI4
Last edited: Jan 16, 2021 12:56:16
|
DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1343
New Orleans
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 01:39 PM
Great lookin’ geetur, and what a fine gato as well!
— Daniel Deathtide
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 05:31 PM
DeathTide wrote:
Great lookin’ geetur, and what a fine gato as well!
Thank ya, and gracias, amigo!
|
Reverbenator
Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 257
San Diego, Ca
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 06:27 PM
That turned out really nice, SandBug. Thank you for sharing the build with us.
— -Cheers, Clark-
-Less Paul, more Reverb-
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 06:36 PM
Reverbenator wrote:
That turned out really nice, SandBug. Thank you for sharing the build with us.
Reverbenator, thanks for your encouragement early on! I'm proud and stoked with this build.
|
edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 661
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 08:00 PM
Looks great! I love the sparkle green finish and the neck with binding. Ought to be really nice to play.
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 16 2021 10:20 PM
edwardsand wrote:
Looks great! I love the sparkle green finish and the neck with binding. Ought to be really nice to play.
Thanks edwardsand, the 65 reissue neck is sorta chunky (in a good way) compared to the 62AVRI Jaguar that i have. Today i strung it up and adjusted the truss rod, so far so good!
Last edited: Jan 17, 2021 00:45:23
|
pavlovsdog
Joined: Nov 22, 2010
Posts: 281
|
Posted on Jan 17 2021 03:41 AM
Can you expand on the 2degree accommodation you requested? I've always wanted to do a partscaster build; sick color!
Last edited: Jan 17, 2021 03:41:45
|
Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
|
Posted on Jan 17 2021 05:39 AM
-
Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:16:48
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 17 2021 01:50 PM
pavlovsdog wrote:
Can you expand on the 2degree accommodation you requested? I've always wanted to do a partscaster build; sick color!
Thanks, I love this color and i think Chartreuse will be my next sparkle color. And the 2 degree neck pocket angle was suggested to me by Guitarmill sales person Jack Brunson, he offered the option when i was emailing him about details of the build. At that point my plan was to send them a neck then Guitarmill was going to fit it in the neck pocket. I mentioned that the neck currently was using an angled shim, and asked if i should send it with the neck, he let me know that they could cut the neck pocket with a pre existing angle so it would be an ideal coupling at the joint. No extra charge. It's a regular neck pocket except that the base of the pocket creates a downward 2 degree angle. It works perfectly and the set up on this guitar has no issues. The work was very clean so i assume it was machined to be at an angle.
Tqi wrote:
As a glitter-coated-offset addict, I have to say: nice.
Thanks! It's interesting that you used the term "addict", because i agree that the sparkle truly is addictive.
Last edited: Jan 17, 2021 16:02:33
|
cosmonaut
Joined: Apr 02, 2019
Posts: 339
|
Posted on Jan 17 2021 03:11 PM
there it is. beautiful work! love that color so much.
I want a chartreuse sparkle guitar one day. good choice for your next sparkle.
I'm also very curious how the rounded tailpiece works out. I know wronski loves it, have you done it to any other guitars? I may try it on my import fender vibrato to see how it works.
also, for anyone curious, staytrem is selling their parts to the US again. I'm currently awaiting an invoice from John for a few bridges.
Last edited: Jan 17, 2021 15:15:14
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 17 2021 03:45 PM
cosmonaut wrote:
I'm also very curious how the rounded tailpiece works out.
Thanks, it was inspiring to see your build in real time, i was often at the same stage of the build, really loving how your's is turning out! Makes me want an orange Jaguar now!
The rounded pivot point works like a charm, I've done it on my Squier Jaguar as well, these two are now the smoothest vibratos i have, a real pleasure to play, no catches, no feeling of friction or jostling around, just smooth as a warm ocean breeze. Highly recommended, worth the work. No special tools needed, i used a small flat diamond coated file from a cheap set i got from Harbor Freight and then various grit sandpapers on a flat surface. I went from 60 and stepped up to 2000 to get a sleek polished surface. You can use a sharpie marker to help keep track of what you're removing as you shape the semi circle.
Last edited: Jan 17, 2021 16:17:31
|
Surfadelphia
Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 403
|
Posted on Jan 18 2021 03:47 PM
Nice!!! I've always heard great things about Guitar Mill.
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 19 2021 12:41 PM
Thanks, Surfadelphia! The body is slightly different from modern day Fender Jaguars, so despite Guitarmill saying that all vintage and AVRI will fit, they don't, so buyer beware, just be ready to modify nearly every route to make the parts fit perfectly. Gotta say though, their customer service is great.
|
cosmonaut
Joined: Apr 02, 2019
Posts: 339
|
Posted on Jan 22 2021 03:54 PM
What do you use for neck oiling? I have the day off.
|
SandBug
Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
|
Posted on Jan 22 2021 08:35 PM
cosmonaut wrote:
What do you use for neck oiling? I have the day off.
https://www.musicnomadcare.com/Products/Fretboard-F-ONE-Oil-2-oz/
|
raylinds
Joined: Jul 05, 2019
Posts: 141
|
Posted on Jan 23 2021 09:56 AM
That is drop-dead gorgeous! I remember going to drag races as a kid and loving the cars with the metal flake pint jobs. I would love to get a sparkle finish on my Jag.
|
TheHappyHodad
Joined: May 15, 2019
Posts: 31
Vista, CA
|
Posted on Jan 23 2021 10:43 AM
What a gorgeous guitar you've built yourself! The few times i've seen Slacktone play I was mesmerized by Dave's playing and his custom jaguars.
Did you go with the 65 pure vintage pups over the 62 pups to keep on point with the 65 jaguar neck? Or do you prefer the output of the 65 pups overall?
|
April Birthdays 
