New project idea - Jagcaster Custom

[Rab1s]

Just wanted to get some input on my new build idea. I have a VM Jag that I’ve turned into a Cobain Jag. I’ve owned VM Jags and JM Jazzmasters but ended up selling them cuz I couldn’t vibe with the tone/playability of em. Which sucks cuz I love their look.

My tried and true Partscaster tele has been a guitar in my arsenal for years and is my go to guitar. So I thought about combining the two. But with a little more flair than a regular offset tele/jazzcaster.

(Please forgive my poor photoshop skills haha)

I always wanted to try a Tele Custom so I figured go with that pickup set up. I love the plates on a jaguar but with the playability and feel of a tele. Probably go with a maple tele neck on here too.

Thinking warmoth for the body, Guitar Parts Recourse for the hardware, either used or GFS pickups, and a used neck off reverb or eBay.

What do you think? Any input/advice?

[Embenny]

If you're doing GFS or cheap pickups, I'd skip the hassle of a full-size WRHB. They're just regular-sized humbucker bobbins and PAF construction at that price point, with a size that limits your options.

You'll have more choices of pickups if you go PAF-sized. You can still get 3x3 covers, but you'll have more afforfable options, including more used pickups that sound clearer than regular PAFs, even if they don't have threaded magnet polepieces, so it'll sound closer to a proper Tele Custom, as well.

Cool project though, I approve of the amount of chrome involved in this.

[Rab1s]

I’ve found some Official fender ones for 60-70$ which ain’t bad. Maybe I’ll do that and a GFS tele bridge pickup. Any suggestion on those? I’ve had their HBs but not SC’s.

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

I dig the idea and love chrome/other metal-parts on guitars (besides that standard Tele-caster thing) - BUT: with the missing vibrato/the tele bridge in its stead I do think the pickguard/chromeplate/whatever needs another shape to look really good.

I‘m working on a Telemaster with a WRHB in the neck and a Custom-esque Pickguard - and I‘m exactly at this critical point!

As my routing is standard-tele - I may stick to 2 pots as well - but if you‘re going for a bigger route and 4 pots then think about it... maybe something like on the Dead on 67 models aka (Danelectro) „Hornets“.

I‘ve struggled for a week or so whether to go cheap and buy some 20 bucks 3x3 pickups - as I really love my GFS pickups but I‘ve decided to support an European pickup winder. But I understand if that‘s way out of your budget.

[Rab1s]

I kind of like it without the bottom plate and doin a jazzmaster 3way toggle instead. Simple and cleaner.

What did you have in mind for pickup shape?

Edit:

Adding just a little black on the left down by the bridge does a lot.

[Embenny]

I’ve found some Official fender ones for 60-70$ which ain’t bad. Maybe I’ll do that and a GFS tele bridge pickup. Any suggestion on those? I’ve had their HBs but not SC’s.

The official Fender ones are still just PAFs under the hood. I get that it's a particular look, which is fine, but it seems to me like a lot of hassle to go to for an average sounding PAF that costs an arm and a leg to replace with anything better should the tone prove disappointing.

In terms of import single coils, I like Tonerider more than GFS, though GFS makes competent pickups.

A used major name Tele pickup, or a new Wilde (keystone for single coil, L200TL for noiseless traditional style Tele tone, L298TL for a hot Tele tone but only if your bridge plate is not ferromagnetic) would be wiser investments in your tone than GFS IMO. I have been mildly to moderately disappointed in everything I've tried from GFS.

[Rab1s]

I’ve found some Official fender ones for 60-70$ which ain’t bad. Maybe I’ll do that and a GFS tele bridge pickup. Any suggestion on those? I’ve had their HBs but not SC’s.

The official Fender ones are still just PAFs under the hood. I get that it's a particular look, which is fine, but it seems to me like a lot of hassle to go to for an average sounding PAF that costs an arm and a leg to replace with anything better should the tone prove disappointing.

In terms of import single coils, I like Tonerider more than GFS, though GFS makes competent pickups.

A used major name Tele pickup, or a new Wilde (keystone for single coil, L200TL for noiseless traditional style Tele tone, L298TL for a hot Tele tone but only if your bridge plate is not ferromagnetic) would be wiser investments in your tone than GFS IMO. I have been mildly to moderately disappointed in everything I've tried from GFS.

Gotcha, yea I was leaning toward the 52 or 64 pickups. I think I have the 64 in my other tele so I might go for those again

[Rgand]

I like this. It really should look great. The Jag plates are a nice addition. This will be a fun one to follow.

[s_mcsleazy]

reminds me of the ADH guitar that ended up with aen from dwarftcraft. i know he calls it "teligular"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eei9tIabwQE

[jvin248]

.

You can get a Tele "half bridge", then mount the Tele pickup in the pickguard. Use a steel baseplate under the Tele pickup to get the classic tones (steel reflects the magnetic field). Twang in a Tele comes from the ergonomics of the bridge location, the strap pins, the thigh cutout, and not having a Strat volume knob in the way which all allow natural hand resting on or behind the bridge plate and picking over the pickup or between the pickup and saddles. Any guitar can twang when picked there but ergonomics favor picking in other locations on other guitars.

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[Rab1s]

reminds me of the ADH guitar that ended up with aen from dwarftcraft. i know he calls it "teligular"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eei9tIabwQE

Damn. That’s almost...exactly what I wanted to make.

Kinda makes me sad haha

[Shadoweclipse13]

reminds me of the ADH guitar that ended up with aen from dwarftcraft. i know he calls it "teligular"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eei9tIabwQE

Exactly what I thought when I saw it. Aen's ADH Jag is just killer.