Dream Jazzmaster Build, or Yet Another Green Jazzmaster

[Rgand]

Wow, those are some very nice guitars.

[marqueemoon]

The ebony board/roasted maple/green combo is so nice.

[smjenkins]

Looks so good Doug! Not to throw anymore fuel on the GAS fire, but man that lavender Jag....

[ThePearDream]

I had a chance to get some decent pictures the other day. But first the final specs and a few thoughts.

Body: Alder by Guitar Mill
Finish: Euro Green Metallic by GuitarPaintGuys
Neck : Per my custom specs (on page one) by BestGuitarParts
Tuners: Kluson Revolution KTNC-3805CL
String Tree: Gotoh barrel
Nut: Graptech Tusq
Neckplate: custom engraved by Philadelphia Luthier Supply
Vibrato: AVRI
Bridge: Staytrem
Pickguard: Custom routed parchment by DecoBoom
Pickups: Duncan Antiquity II with PV65 covers
Wiring: N/M/B toggle, master volume, slide switch to select between lead tone knob and a preset rhythm tone, Parallel/Series/Series Strangle toggle switch (kill switch when in either series position and the p/u selector on bridge)
Knobs: Fender Pure Vintage Witch hats
Strings: 11-56
Final weight: 8.5 lbs (3.85 kg)

I'm really pleased with how this thing turned out. The final weight was a bit higher than I was hoping for, but it is bearable. The neck is absolutely perfect for me. The satiny roasted maple is awesome, as is the smooth ebony board. The .095 x.047 fretwire is just right for me - not too tall, not too wide, just a little larger than vintage wire.

I'm glad I upgraded the vibrato to the AVRI, it performs far better than the import models. Between the AVRI vibrato, Staytrem bridge, Tusq nut and higher ratio Kluson tuners, the tuning is rock solid. I use 10-52 on my strat/tele style guitars and and typically go heavier on Jags/Jazzys. I don't like how most sets of 11s have narrower low Es than I'm used to though. I decided to try a set of 11-56 from StringJoy and am happy with them so far.

I'm not sold on the Duncan Antiquity IIs being the right pickup. I'll live with them for a while, but may look at something pricier down the line. I'll also look at different pickup covers, as the PV65s look too minty to me.

I'm still waiting on the strap I bought for this to arrive. I pre-ordered one of the beach boy plaid straps for this, but it's taking forever.

I use google docs spreadsheets to track parts for my projects and to keep a general budget. I don't bother keeping things accurate to the cent or figure in small shipping costs. So, I don't have an official cost on this project, but it came out to be slightly more than a new MIJ and considerably less than a new AO Jazzmaster or a used AVRI / AV65.

[Matt_A]

very sweet. That neck -- I'm surprised you haven't taken a bite out of that headstock, it looks sooooooo good.

[Rgand]

That looks great! The Guitar Guys definitely do a bang up job. Nice choice of color.

[Singlebladepickup]

That looks absolutely perfect! I need something in that color one day

[djspecialist]

I absolutely love this. Fantastic work!

I'm very interested in the switching, and am considering something similar for the build I'm currently planning:
viewtopic.php?t=115112

Here's my understanding of how it works:

A. S/P toggle down:
Master toggle back -> Bridge pickup only
Master toggle middle -> Both pickups parallel
Master toggle forward -> Neck pickup only

B. S/P toggle middle:
Master toggle back -> Kill
Master toggle middle -> Both pickups series
Master toggle forward -> Both pickups series

C. S/P toggle up:
Master toggle back -> Kill
Master toggle middle -> Both pickups series + bright
Master toggle forward -> Both pickups series + bright

... so that's 5 sounds (6 if you count kill). Then for each one, the 2-way slider selects between master tone and preset rhythm tone.

Is that correct?

Since the tone switch uses just a resistor (with no capacitor), is the effect the same as turning the master tone down to a particular position?

[ThePearDream]

I absolutely love this. Fantastic work!

I'm very interested in the switching, and am considering something similar for the build I'm currently planning:
viewtopic.php?t=115112

Here's my understanding of how it works:
...

Is that correct?

Since the tone switch uses just a resistor (with no capacitor), is the effect the same as turning the master tone down to a particular position?

Thanks a lot! Your understanding of the switching is dead on. The tone switch is equal to the master tone set around 1-2 in this case. The exact postion it equals will vary though, depending on the exact value of both the master tone pot and the resistor. I have done the same switch in 3 (I think) other guitars and it always comes out equal to 1-2 in my experiences.

[djspecialist]

Do you by any chance have a template for the pickguard which you could share?

[ThePearDream]

No, sorry. I had the guard cut custom, but it should be easy for someone to replicate. The slide switch is centered on the normal rhythm tone roller position and I drilled the toggle hole in the normal rhythm switch location.

[neato]

Sorry to revive this thread, but read through it all and really enjoyed every step -- thank you for detailing it all!

I'm curious on your process of removing/adjusting the headstock shape, any insight you can provide on that? It came out awesome

[panoramic]

you made this guitar for me, kill yr idols neck plate and calling it "disappearer" my favorite SY song and the name i almost changed my username to back in the day.
RAD

[ThePearDream]

Sorry to revive this thread, but read through it all and really enjoyed every step -- thank you for detailing it all!

I'm curious on your process of removing/adjusting the headstock shape, any insight you can provide on that? It came out awesome

No worries friend. For the headstock, there would have been a small point on the ball to remove. I probably used my random oscillating sanding station to take most of it off with course grit sandpaper, then cleaned it up by hand with a finer grit.

you made this guitar for me, kill yr idols neck plate and calling it "disappearer" my favorite SY song and the name i almost changed my username to back in the day.
RAD

Nice. You can't have it though. It's mine.

-----

I guess I might as well post that I swapped out the Duncan Antiquity II pickups for a pair of Fender AV65 last year and now it's perfect.

[panoramic]

Sorry to revive this thread, but read through it all and really enjoyed every step -- thank you for detailing it all!

I'm curious on your process of removing/adjusting the headstock shape, any insight you can provide on that? It came out awesome

No worries friend. For the headstock, there would have been a small point on the ball to remove. I probably used my random oscillating sanding station to take most of it off with course grit sandpaper, then cleaned it up by hand with a finer grit.

you made this guitar for me, kill yr idols neck plate and calling it "disappearer" my favorite SY song and the name i almost changed my username to back in the day.
RAD

Nice. You can't have it though. It's mine.

-----

I guess I might as well post that I swapped out the Duncan Antiquity II pickups for a pair of Fender AV65 last year and now it's perfect.

It's cool, if it were really for me it would be LPB with a B&B neck and the finish would be total trash