Operation: Juniormaster aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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JSett
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Operation: Juniormaster aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by JSett » Sun Jan 23, 2022 10:37 am

So, while digging through my parts drawers, and looking at old 50s Juniors I decided it might be fun to build something again. It's been a hot minute since I partscastered something.

The plan I have is to combine this neck I have already:

Image

With this 25.5" scale Jagmaster body I just scored off eBay:

Image

And stick one P90 in the bridge. Volume and tone control. BWB guard.

Not being a fan of strat vibratos at all I'm going to put a Mustang unit (hardtailed) on as that will cover the vibrato arm hole.

I'm trying to do this without spending more than £200 - not counting parts I already have. Having just blown basically half that budget on the body I now have about £100 to play with. Shopping list is as follows:

Mustang Vibrato unit - of any kind. Quality is irrelevant.
P90 - black, traditionally voiced
Pickguard - earlpilanz on eBay will sort that for £30

If anyone has a P90 or Mustang vibrato kicking about they want some small monies for (or trade for any parts over in my 'PARTS PARTS PARTS' thread) please let me know.
Last edited by JSett on Sat Feb 05, 2022 12:40 am, edited 5 times in total.
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JSett
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Re: Operation Jagmaster Jr

Post by JSett » Sun Jan 23, 2022 11:02 am

Here’s a visual representation of the idea for the body…

Image

I am open to other suggestions of bridges that I can install that'll cover the strat routing.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior

Post by JSett » Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:35 am

Sold some parts on here and raised enough to cover a cheap, but decent, Tonerider Vintage P90, so that's the pickup sorted and technically cost me nothing. They're not the greatest pickups in the world but the guy who runs the company is cool and, for the price, you can't beat them over here in the UK. I've used some of his before in cheap projects and they've always sounded good enough.

Current spend: £110
Budget remaining: £90

Pickguard is likely to cost me about £30, which will leave £60 for whatever bridge setup I decide to go for.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Unicorn Warrior
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:48 am

Love this idea. There’s so much freedom in a single pickup guitar. I know it’s not your cup of tea, but I don’t mind the strat Trem. Saves you money for now and might be able to get some quality electronics. Which is exactly where I’d want most of my investment in a single pickup guitar. Then again, depending on the bridge you’re set on, you may want to budget for that instead.

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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior

Post by JSett » Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:31 am

Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:48 am
Love this idea. There’s so much freedom in a single pickup guitar. I know it’s not your cup of tea, but I don’t mind the strat Trem. Saves you money for now and might be able to get some quality electronics. Which is exactly where I’d want most of my investment in a single pickup guitar. Then again, depending on the bridge you’re set on, you may want to budget for that instead.
Well, I already have CTS pots and switchcraft jacks etc here in my parts drawer, plus decent wire. The Tonerider will do for now and, like I said, they actually sound pretty decent from past experience. Plus, if I end up really digging the thing, I can always swap the pickup out for something more interesting
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:40 am

johnnysomersett wrote:
Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:31 am
Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Tue Jan 25, 2022 12:48 am
Love this idea. There’s so much freedom in a single pickup guitar. I know it’s not your cup of tea, but I don’t mind the strat Trem. Saves you money for now and might be able to get some quality electronics. Which is exactly where I’d want most of my investment in a single pickup guitar. Then again, depending on the bridge you’re set on, you may want to budget for that instead.
Well, I already have CTS pots and switchcraft jacks etc here in my parts drawer, plus decent wire. The Tonerider will do for now and, like I said, they actually sound pretty decent from past experience. Plus, if I end up really digging the thing, I can always swap the pickup out for something more interesting
Absolutely. Wonder if this Toronado bridge would cover it?

https://reverb.com/item/39763146-fender ... FkQAvD_BwE

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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior

Post by JSett » Wed Jan 26, 2022 7:11 am

The body and pickup arrived today and, after I checked it all lined up (which it does), I ordered the pickguard. Here you go...

Image

Image
Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Tue Jan 25, 2022 1:40 am

Absolutely. Wonder if this Toronado bridge would cover it?

https://reverb.com/item/39763146-fender ... FkQAvD_BwE
You're the second person to suggest this and, having an old Musicmaster bridge to hand, which shares it's dimensions, I offered it up...

Image

..soooooooooooo close damn you!! I reckon my partner will have some kind of glittery nail polish I can hide that with

*EDIT, just thought of an issue. Toronado's are string-through so wouldn't work. Gah!
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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior

Post by JSett » Wed Jan 26, 2022 7:34 am

Neck: check
Tuners: check
Body: check
Pickguard: on order
Pickup: check
Pots,jack & ancillary hardware: check + some expenditure
Bridge: TBC

Current spend: £163.20
Budget remaining: £36.80
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by nrwigley » Wed Jan 26, 2022 1:07 pm

What was the neck from? Ta

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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by JSett » Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:03 pm

nrwigley wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 1:07 pm
What was the neck from? Ta
I've had it years, came from a luthier in Australia
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by Steadyriot. » Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:40 pm

Such a rad build!

Depending on your ethics; Aliexpress sells sub €10,- mustang trems (sans bridge).


A Faction Mustang Hardtail plate would look extra snazzy on this!
Image
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by s_mcsleazy » Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:16 pm

im glad you can get repro jagmaster guards. 3 years ago, i was looking for one that would fit my red jagmaster and couldn't find one for love nor money. ended up just getting a friend to make me a blank one. i still don't like how it looks though.
Image

as for the silver sparkle. i do love that jagmaster colour. mine has kinda turned into this nearly gold colour because my friend (who's parents are heavy smokers) borrowed it for a year. i don't have many pictures of it..... except this one
Image
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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by JSett » Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:00 pm

s_mcsleazy wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:16 pm
im glad you can get repro jagmaster guards. 3 years ago, i was looking for one that would fit my red jagmaster and couldn't find one for love nor money. ended up just getting a friend to make me a blank one. i still don't like how it looks though.
Yeah, Brian aka earlpilanz on eBay, makes them. All kinds and custom if you want. 27 quid delivered. His work is, like, 8/10 and often need a little fettling to get right but he does almost every guard imaginable and is very fairly priced.
s_mcsleazy wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:16 pm
as for the silver sparkle. i do love that jagmaster colour. mine has kinda turned into this nearly gold colour because my friend (who's parents are heavy smokers) borrowed it for a year. i don't have many pictures of it..... except this one
Image
This one has gone pretty yellow/gold as well in the flesh. I'd say it's halfway between the two...I really dig the shade it's turned. Like a warm silver.
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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by JSett » Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:04 pm

I've decided, for now at least, to abandon the idea of changing to a top-mount hardtail due to lack of feasible options. I'm just going to block it off. I am, however, going to convert the existing bridge to a Tele-style 3 saddle. I can use the existing bridge holes for the strings and drill between for some compensated saddles. It'll look cooler and appease my irrational hatred of strat bridges somewhat.

Cost of mod: £8.99

Neck: check
Tuners: check
Body: check
Pickguard: on order
Pickup: check
Pots,jack & ancillary hardware: check + some expenditure
Bridge: check

Current spend: £172.19
Budget remaining: £27.81
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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JSett
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Re: Operation: budget Jagmaster Junior aka: The Sparkle B*stard

Post by JSett » Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:06 pm

Steadyriot. wrote:
Wed Jan 26, 2022 2:40 pm
Such a rad build!

Depending on your ethics; Aliexpress sells sub €10,- mustang trems (sans bridge).


A Faction Mustang Hardtail plate would look extra snazzy on this!
Image
Yeah I'd seen those and considered it. The cost of the plate, (plus the extra effort) would have blown the self-imposed budget. The cheapo Chinese vibrato is an option for the future however but would require filling the existing cavity and some routing. Both of which I can do if I decide to.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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