Blacktop Jazzmaster HS Mod Plans

[DiAmoroso]

My dad is retiring, and he seems to be struggling to figure out what he's going to be doing with his time now. About 10 years ago he modded out my junk Univox Badazz leaving basically only the wood as stock, making it a really decent guitar, and really enjoyed it. So I suggested that him and I work on another modding another guitar, either my Squier Affinity Strat (my first guitar) or a Fender Blacktop HS I have but rarely play for multiple reasons. As he isn't a player, he had me decide which guitar to do and obviously being a huge offset fan I chose the JM. Him and I can work on that Strat next .

Any way, plan is to sand down the sunburst poly finish, and refinish over it with Reranch's Crown Royal Purple. Considering potentially matching the headstock too, although I usually prefer an unmatched headstock. I'm pretty set that I'm going to put a TV Jones Classic Plus in the bridge but am still considering what pickup I'd like to put in the neck, and am open to suggestions. With the stock pickups, the neck actually isn't bad (Duncan Designed JM pickup), but does feel a bit more P90 than JM, and I would like something a bit smoother sounding. I'm considering putting a Fender Pure 65 in the neck, but if you guys have suggestions I'd be very open to hear them.

Also, in regards to the tuners, does anyone know what size the holes are? The specs I have been able to find on the guitar just call the tuners standard cast/sealed tuning machines. The tuners work just fine, but I'd like to switch them to the vintage style, just for aesthetic reasons really.

Any way, just figured I'd share the plan, and can post progress photos in this thread as we go through the steps. If anyone has any suggestions for a neck pickup, or knows if the vintage style tuners will work I'd appreciate it!

[timtam]

Also, in regards to the tuners, does anyone know what size the holes are? The specs I have been able to find on the guitar just call the tuners standard cast/sealed tuning machines. The tuners work just fine, but I'd like to switch them to the vintage style, just for aesthetic reasons really.

What you have is most likely 10mm ..
https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/art ... -Machines-
https://hazeguitars.com/blog/replace-mo ... tage-part1
https://hazeguitars.com/blog/replace-mo ... h-vintage2

[DiAmoroso]

What you have is most likely 10mm ..
https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/art ... -Machines-
https://hazeguitars.com/blog/replace-mo ... tage-part1
https://hazeguitars.com/blog/replace-mo ... h-vintage2

Excellent thank you. Doesn’t seem worth the effort really then, considering functionally they’re fine.

[kgbAttack]

You could retain the holes and put these kluson like tuners https://shop.fender.com/en-NL/parts/ele ... l?rl=en_US they fit standard 10mm holes

[DiAmoroso]

You could retain the holes and put these kluson like tuners https://shop.fender.com/en-NL/parts/ele ... l?rl=en_US they fit standard 10mm holes

Perfect, thank you, I’ll almost definitely get these.

[DiAmoroso]

For anyone interested, we got started recently. So far we’ve taken off all the parts, sanded down the sunburst poly finish, and sprayed the primer. Looking pretty good so far I think. Next we’ll be sanding down the primer just to get it as smooth and perfect as possible before we begin shooting the color. We have a couple cans of the Crown Royal Purple waiting. Still need to do the headstock as well. Here are a couple progress pics:

[DiAmoroso]

Considering I'm working this project with my 65 year old father, making progress has a been a bit tough with the Covid-19 pandemic. Still making some! The headstock is looking good, although I wish I took a bit more time cutting the logo to show less outline. The body needs a bit more paint to get it as shiny and glossy looking as the headstock, but we're out and Reranch isn't taking orders! We'll see how nice we can make it look with some sanding and polishing before deciding if we'll wait for Reranch to reopen before taking the next steps. Any way, thought an update was in order:





I have pretty much all the parts I want, just still deciding on what pickguard color would look good. Tort, mint, black? Any suggestions?

[Ceylon]

Cool!

I'd say either mint or a lighter, red tort. Black could look good as well but if you want to keep the pickups and knobs black too the whole could be pretty subdued, i.e. the purple might get a bit lost.

That could be a sweet look too if that's what you're going for, but white or mint or cream will definitely bring out the purple.

[DiAmoroso]

Cool!

I'd say either mint or a lighter, red tort. Black could look good as well but if you want to keep the pickups and knobs black too the whole could be pretty subdued, i.e. the purple might get a bit lost.

That could be a sweet look too if that's what you're going for, but white or mint or cream will definitely bring out the purple.

Thank you! I forgot to mention, the pickup covers I got for this are white. Going put a PV65 JM pickup in the neck and a TV Jones Classic + in the bridge position, will probably get white knobs too. I like the idea of the light red tort for sure. Really wish I could find a light lavender pickguard, but haven't had any luck finding this offered by anyone.

[manwithtitties]

gold guard like on the original j mascis! also witch hat knobs

[DiAmoroso]

gold guard like on the original j mascis! also witch hat knobs

Honestly, purple is probably the only color I like the gold guards on, but despite the color I'd like to differentiate this from the J Mascis model.

[andy_tchp]

Thank you! I forgot to mention, the pickup covers I got for this are white. Going put a PV65 JM pickup in the neck and a TV Jones Classic + in the bridge position, will probably get white knobs too.

Then I vote to keep the black pickguard. The contrast against white plastics is so so good, especially on Jazzmasters.

[DiAmoroso]

Not completely finished here yet, but it’s a playable guitar as of today. Neck pickup is a PV65 JM, and the bridge is a TV Jones Classic Plus. Still going to change out the tuners for aesthetic reasons, add a Mastery bridge, and as probably going to make a few more aesthetic adjustments. Hope you guys like it!

[Scout]

Beauty! Black sets off the purple nicely.

[cdwillis]

I love it. The TV Jones in the bridge sounds awesome, I bet.