Cross Guitars - projects and restorations

[MattK]

Nailed it indeed, great choices and great work as always

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

If anyone is thinking of getting one of these Hosco Jaguar bodies that are popping up on Ebay etc, there's a few things to consider.
They are not at all "vintage correct" I knew this before I bought it, so no biggy for me.
It will NOT fit a USA, MIM, Squier pickguard.

I have ordered a MIJ/CIJ style pickguard hoping one of those will fit it. I have the feeling it won't either. So I am now considering cutting my own.

The body itself is Jazzmaster shaped, Not Jaguar. So the upper horn is rounder like on Jazzmasters.
So they've basically taken the Jazzmaster body and routed it for Jaguar parts.

Other than these issues, it's beautifully made, perfect finish. excellent quality.

Could probably send those photos and measurements to Herad and he could help draw up a custom guard that fits. He's been really lovely with helping me do custom pickguards. Most recently made a jaguar pickguard which fit Teisco Spectrum pickups, and a drilling template for mounting hardware on a jag.

IMG_20231109_131447_854 by Rosie Brennan, on Flickr

I received my body from Northwestguitars (UK), specifically asked them if it was a JAPAN fit or US fit - (as they only sell Hosco Japan Pickguards in their store - to which they replied that the only Japan fit body was the unfinished one from Hosco, the rest (finished) would be US fit… so they just lied to my face.
These are JAPAN fit - I tested it with the original (modified) guard from my 2012 Thinline. And with the ones Herad made for that very guitar. They all fit perfectl. Well… but the US fit guards „fall off the edge“ and will have troubles fitting the switches into the diamond plate.


Japan


AVRI (Custom World Guitar Parts)


Reptile Guard

(*Herad‘s guards are not shown)

What good is it if you finally have some „nice“ Tortoise guard if it doesn‘t fit your build.

Edit for pic description.

[CROSS_guitars]

Not even that black Japanese one looks like it fits well, imo.

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

Not even that black Japanese one looks like it fits well, imo.

You mean both blacks don‘t fit? I thought the first one is alright.
(I just added the model description for clarity)

[CROSS_guitars]

The Japan black fits better than the AVRI one for sure but look at the edge on the Japan one where it meets the control plate.
It looks terrible.

[CROSS_guitars]

The MIJ pickguard arrived.
The shape looks stupid as well. Kinda looks like an Aliexpress Jaguar.
So, yeah I'll be making my own mdf template.

This is the Japan one I bought. Look at all that empty space on the side before it meets the control plate.

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

The MIJ pickguard arrived.
The shape looks stupid as well. Kinda looks like an Aliexpress Jaguar.
So, yeah I'll be making my own mdf template.

This is the Japan one I bought. Look at all that empty space on the side before it meets the control plate.

As I had trouble with the fitting of my last remaining Jag control plate to the AVRI templates I‘m guessing they even have/had their own plate shapes - it‘s a mess.

[CROSS_guitars]

I popped some vinyl racing stripes on my orange Mustang.
It's got a few air bubbles in it but they tend to disappear after a while.

[GilmourD]

I popped some vinyl racing stripes on my orange Mustang.
It's got a few air bubbles in it but they tend to disappear after a while.

I was thinking about doing that to my wife's Bullet Mustang, but I don't want to put on some vinyl and have it rub right off no matter how good it is. What's your experience with durability?

[CROSS_guitars]

They're pretty durable but I don't think they are particularly permanent. I like that they can be removed without any damage.
I'd only ever put these on a poly finish, not nitro.

[CROSS_guitars]

I did some more work on my 1980 Fender Precision bass.
It's been a gradual journey to restore it.

I refretted it with vintage-style fret wire. Which is a bit thinner than what was there. That's usually inadvisable but
I didn't run into any issues. I cut a new bone nut for it too.
It was a nice opportunity to give the fretboard a refresher. It looks brand new now, after I oiled it and polished the frets.
I also did some finish work on the back of the neck. It was heavily played in with dents and paint peel.
40 years of gigging had taken its toll. I didn't overdo it. just filled in some of the dents with superglue and refinished the edges where the maple meets the rosewood.

[JVG]

I did some more work on my 1980 Fender Precision bass.
It's been a gradual journey to restore it.

Wow man, that looks bloody awesome. Really nice, tasteful job.

[CROSS_guitars]

I've been experimenting with cutting out control plates from aluminium.
This is a left-handed XII control plate. I polished the crap out of it.
I reckon it looks pretty legit.

[Nudger]

I've been experimenting with cutting out control plates from aluminium.
This is a left-handed XII control plate. I polished the crap out of it.
I reckon it looks pretty legit.

Looks great!
Is there an advangage polishing your own rather than buying ready polished plate?

[Steadyriot.]

Damn that looks great! My experience with aluminum is that it always somehow keeps a grey undertone / cast in the sheen but this one looks just like stainless or chrome! Great job.