Changes are coming

[Jaguar018]

Some of the project/forum regulars may remember that I have this guitar. It's a NR Firebird shape with a bolt-on neck that was intended to be a Jaguar in a Firebird's clothing. I had wanted it to be 24" scale, but the builder talked me out of it. It turns out that a if you want a guitar to sound like a Jaguar you really need that 24" scale. Instead, what I have is a cool-sounding guitar, but not ideal.

The other thing is that I don't really like the color all that much (another thing that the builder kind of foisted on me )

Editing for clarity: some of the stuff I realized is more 20/20 hindsight of me being wishy-washy than the builder's fault. He made an amazing guitar. When I ordered it, I didn't understand just how much scale length would affect the sound, and I should have been a little more clear and definitive about the color; I remember him asking me a few times and me dragging my ass.

So I'm getting it refinished, and I'm putting some Jazzmaster pickups in it. That means it needs a little routing, stripping, and a new pickguard. Currently it's in the shop for the routing before it goes off to Rowyco Customs.

Pretty excited.

This is what it looks like now:



And for all the people that reply: "don't change it! I like it the way it is!" Sorry, suckers.

[Rgand]

Don't change it! I like it the way it is!

OK, OK, that was dumb. I look forward to seeing it when you have it finished. Have you decided on the color?

[solfege]

You keeping the Jag slide switches and (presumably) the high pass filter, or just go with a 3-way JM style?

[Amon 7.L]

I say: Go for it and don't let foisted to do anything you don't want to, it's your guitar!

That said, tell us more, which colour are you going for body, pickguard and pickups?

[Embenny]

It was cool before and it'll be cool now.

I think a bigger problem than the scale length was probably the pickup positions. That bridge pickup is crazy far from the bridge. To line it up with the equivalent spot on a Jag, it would have to be right up against the edge of where the pickguard currently sits.

If you want it to sound like a JM, make sure the new bridge pickup is sitting in the right spot relative to the bridge, and not relative to the current pickguard outline.

[Jaguar018]

Extremely obvious color hints:

[StevenO]

Awesome!


(Also, sell me your Digiverb that you're clearly not using)

[RIORIO]

Who built this for you originally?

[Jaguar018]

Who built this for you originally?

Ron Kirn. I should also clarify that some of the stuff I realized is more 20/20 hindsight of me being wishy washy than the builder's fault. He made an amazing guitar. When I ordered it, I didn't understand just how much scale length would affect the sound, and I should have been a little more clear and definitive about the color.

[I think I'll just add this to the first post because I hate dragging people unintentionally.]

(Also, sell me your Digiverb that you're clearly not using)

Ah! But I am using it now and it's on my 'home' board. If you really want it send me a message.

[RIORIO]

I love the build. It’s a really well executed hybrid

[Ronkirn]

"I should also clarify that some of the stuff "

Phew! I was worried... I don't tend to "talk" guys out of things unless it will result in a significant issue ... If there's any equivocating.. then we discuss what the ultimate goal is, but, quite simply, "you" can have pretty much anything you want..within reason ..

That was actually a Fun guitar to do...

r

[Jaguar018]

^ Hi Ron!

I did a lot of research trying to find the right builder for my idea, and Ron was and is great. He had some great points about not angling the headstock (Gibson style) and keeping it straight to preserve the Fender tonez.

Really fun to work with and kept me updated with pics.

[tdbajus]

^ Hi Ron!

I did a lot of research trying to find the right builder for my idea, and Ron was and is great. He had some great points about not angling the headstock (Gibson style) and keeping it straight to preserve the Fender tonez.

Really fun to work with and kept me updated with pics.

Hey Ron- I'd love to hear your thoughts on the back-angle headstock. I'm very curious about exactly that. How does it change the string tension and the sound?

[tommycarlos]

This guitar was one of the inspirations for my custom non-reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster hybrid monster. I still kinda wish I had the Jaguar control plate like that... it looks so awesome...

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

[Jaguar018]

Apparently I will never tire of green guitars. Progress pic:

This guitar was one of the inspirations for my custom non-reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster hybrid monster. I still kinda wish I had the Jaguar control plate like that... it looks so awesome...

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

Since it's being 'changed' to have Jazzmaster pickups, I'm also switching the pickguard/pickup selector to Jazzmaster switch style.