1964 Jaguar - Players Grade - comments welcome

[caples]

man that thing is sweeeet

[ohm-men]

Looking at the pics, it looks indeed super shimmed. The bridge is also jacked up pretty high.
Far from an expert on old jags, but nothing a propper set up couldn't take care of imho.

Expect some additional cost for a luthier. I'm more then comfortable with setting up my own offsets, but a good luthier usually goes the extra miles. (though do your homework and ask arround to avoid misery)
I'm sure the staple pick up won't be a huge dissapointment either.
I find that whatever pu you put in a jag, it still sounds like a jag....
but as pointed out by various other formites, at first sight, there is nothing that can't be restored back to original.

Depending on the price for the guitar, I think it will be a worthwhile venture....
Looks cool to me and and kind of special....

[cestlamort]

Very cool. All depends on the price, of course, but if it's reasonable* and you like the guitar, I wouldn't hesitate.

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

* Maybe obvious but "reasonable" prices depend on various factors: dealer/shop vs. private seller; is the seller paying fees, etc.. Basically: buying a guitar from a colleague at work should be much less than what you'd pay in a shop. The seller won't be paying the 15-25% listing or consignment fees for Reverb or having a store sell it on consignment.

[Winkybiker]

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

Excellent advice. Thanks. I was thinking of dropping it into Mike and Mike's in Seattle for an assessment and set-up. They're "offset" specialists.

[cestlamort]

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

Excellent advice. Thanks. I was thinking of dropping it into Mike and Mike's in Seattle for an assessment and set-up. They're "offset" specialists.

You're in Seattle? I'd also suggest Liz at Emerald CIty Guitars (pioneer square), Todd at Toddguitars (West Seattle) or Josh at Audiomanic (Olympia). I'm sure the Mike n MIke guys are fine, but I'm not a fan of how they sell/hype guitars.

[Winkybiker]

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

Excellent advice. Thanks. I was thinking of dropping it into Mike and Mike's in Seattle for an assessment and set-up. They're "offset" specialists.

You're in Seattle? I'd also suggest Liz at Emerald CIty Guitars (pioneer square), Todd at Toddguitars (West Seattle) or Josh at Audiomanic (Olympia). I'm sure the Mike n MIke guys are fine, but I'm not a fan of how they sell/hype guitars.

No, in Vancouver, Canada. Thanks for the suggestions.

[OffYourFace]

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

[Winkybiker]

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't know that.

[beauzooka]

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

M&M's is still very knowledgeable about offset setup & repair. They are however frequently backed up so I'd ask them about their current turnaround first.
But, if I were the OP, I wouldn't be coming all the way down to Seattle from Vancouver BC. I'd be really surprised if there weren't excellent offset repair people in Vancouver. Ask around.

[Winkybiker]

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

M&M's is still very knowledgeable about offset setup & repair. They are however frequently backed up so I'd ask them about their current turnaround first.
But, if I were the OP, I wouldn't be coming all the way down to Seattle from Vancouver BC. I'd be really surprised if there weren't excellent offset repair people in Vancouver. Ask around.

Yeah, thanks. I likely wouldn't make a special trip, and will definitely line things up first whatever I choose. Yes, there are good people in Vancouver, but the good ones are pretty backed-up as well.

[Winkybiker]

Update. I have purchased the guitar. I actually now think it's a 1964. L41xxxx serial number. I'll let you know how it works out.

[whitewatersky]

Update. I have purchased the guitar. I actually now think it's a 1964. L41xxxx serial number. I'll let you know how it works out.

woo hoo ! great to hear. enjoy !

[Winkybiker]

Update: I have taken delivery of the guitar. It plays well, and all the electronics work well. The neck is shimmed with some narrow plastic shims, which I'll replace with maple wedge-plates. The bridge is working quite well, so unless I run into issues, my plans to drop in a Mastery are on hold. I haven't really explored the tone of the after market pickup yet, but it works fine, and may be staying. The installation job is actually very high-quality, with the little half-moon filler pieces where the original pick-up extended into the pick-guard barely noticeable. The photos show them much more clearly than they are in real-life.

Tactile differences (that I feel) to my other guitars are largely restricted to the smaller vintage frets. The shorter scale length and small fret radius don't really bother me. The frets need a polish, and the fret-board needs a bit of love. The set-up is very good, with low action and no buzzing.

Although the Serial# checks as a 1964, the neck stamp is Aug 1965. Not really bothered by that at the price I paid. So certainly not a 1963 as I originally thought.

Overall, very happy, and I think is was a bargain.

[Fuzzbuzz]

Dang. That neck is higher than John Belushi. I’d definitely want to know what it’s on.

[Winkybiker]

Dang. That neck is higher than John Belushi. I’d definitely want to know what it’s on.

It isn't actually as bad as it looks in the photos. It's shimmed about a mm at the end of the heel. It might be slightly overdone, as the break-angle at the bridge is quite sharp for a Jag. But the strings clear the back of the bridge and the screws just fine, and the bridge is working great.