OffsetGuitars.com

man that thing is sweeeet

Looking at the pics, it looks indeed super shimmed. The bridge is also jacked up pretty high.
Far from an expert on old jags, but nothing a propper set up couldn't take care of imho.

Expect some additional cost for a luthier. I'm more then comfortable with setting up my own offsets, but a good luthier usually goes the extra miles. (though do your homework and ask arround to avoid misery)
I'm sure the staple pick up won't be a huge dissapointment either.
I find that whatever pu you put in a jag, it still sounds like a jag....
but as pointed out by various other formites, at first sight, there is nothing that can't be restored back to original.

Depending on the price for the guitar, I think it will be a worthwhile venture....
Looks cool to me and and kind of special....

Very cool. All depends on the price, of course, but if it's reasonable* and you like the guitar, I wouldn't hesitate.

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

* Maybe obvious but "reasonable" prices depend on various factors: dealer/shop vs. private seller; is the seller paying fees, etc.. Basically: buying a guitar from a colleague at work should be much less than what you'd pay in a shop. The seller won't be paying the 15-25% listing or consignment fees for Reverb or having a store sell it on consignment.

cestlamort wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:26 am

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

Excellent advice. Thanks. I was thinking of dropping it into Mike and Mike's in Seattle for an assessment and set-up. They're "offset" specialists.

Winkybiker wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:26 am

cestlamort wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:26 am

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

Excellent advice. Thanks. I was thinking of dropping it into Mike and Mike's in Seattle for an assessment and set-up. They're "offset" specialists.

You're in Seattle? I'd also suggest Liz at Emerald CIty Guitars (pioneer square), Todd at Toddguitars (West Seattle) or Josh at Audiomanic (Olympia). I'm sure the Mike n MIke guys are fine, but I'm not a fan of how they sell/hype guitars.

cestlamort wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 1:50 pm

Winkybiker wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:26 am

cestlamort wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:26 am

As Ohm-men said, just factor in a trip to a pro for a setup and you're good to go.
I'd leave the pickup there until something warranted changing it. There was a reason it was added. It may not be a good reason, but still worth exploring while it's there.

Excellent advice. Thanks. I was thinking of dropping it into Mike and Mike's in Seattle for an assessment and set-up. They're "offset" specialists.

You're in Seattle? I'd also suggest Liz at Emerald CIty Guitars (pioneer square), Todd at Toddguitars (West Seattle) or Josh at Audiomanic (Olympia). I'm sure the Mike n MIke guys are fine, but I'm not a fan of how they sell/hype guitars.

No, in Vancouver, Canada. Thanks for the suggestions.

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

OffYourFace wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:12 pm

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't know that.

OffYourFace wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:12 pm

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

M&M's is still very knowledgeable about offset setup & repair. They are however frequently backed up so I'd ask them about their current turnaround first.
But, if I were the OP, I wouldn't be coming all the way down to Seattle from Vancouver BC. I'd be really surprised if there weren't excellent offset repair people in Vancouver. Ask around.

beauzooka wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 31, 2023 9:19 am

OffYourFace wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:12 pm

The Mike that knows how to set them up is no longer there so I don't suggest going there.

M&M's is still very knowledgeable about offset setup & repair. They are however frequently backed up so I'd ask them about their current turnaround first.
But, if I were the OP, I wouldn't be coming all the way down to Seattle from Vancouver BC. I'd be really surprised if there weren't excellent offset repair people in Vancouver. Ask around.

Yeah, thanks. I likely wouldn't make a special trip, and will definitely line things up first whatever I choose. Yes, there are good people in Vancouver, but the good ones are pretty backed-up as well.

Update. I have purchased the guitar. I actually now think it's a 1964. L41xxxx serial number. I'll let you know how it works out.

Winkybiker wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:48 am

Update. I have purchased the guitar. I actually now think it's a 1964. L41xxxx serial number. I'll let you know how it works out.

woo hoo ! great to hear. enjoy !

Update: I have taken delivery of the guitar. It plays well, and all the electronics work well. The neck is shimmed with some narrow plastic shims, which I'll replace with maple wedge-plates. The bridge is working quite well, so unless I run into issues, my plans to drop in a Mastery are on hold. I haven't really explored the tone of the after market pickup yet, but it works fine, and may be staying. The installation job is actually very high-quality, with the little half-moon filler pieces where the original pick-up extended into the pick-guard barely noticeable. The photos show them much more clearly than they are in real-life.

Tactile differences (that I feel) to my other guitars are largely restricted to the smaller vintage frets. The shorter scale length and small fret radius don't really bother me. The frets need a polish, and the fret-board needs a bit of love. The set-up is very good, with low action and no buzzing.

Although the Serial# checks as a 1964, the neck stamp is Aug 1965. Not really bothered by that at the price I paid. So certainly not a 1963 as I originally thought.

Overall, very happy, and I think is was a bargain.

Dang. That neck is higher than John Belushi. I’d definitely want to know what it’s on.

Fuzzbuzz wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:34 am

Dang. That neck is higher than John Belushi. I’d definitely want to know what it’s on.

It isn't actually as bad as it looks in the photos. It's shimmed about a mm at the end of the heel. It might be slightly overdone, as the break-angle at the bridge is quite sharp for a Jag. But the strings clear the back of the bridge and the screws just fine, and the bridge is working great.