Jazzmaster from Parts

[grape]

I've just started reading the forums here, but I was wondering if anyone has gone the warmoth route and ordered all of the parts to make a jazzmaster.  Realistically, is it a way to get a guitar you'll want to play?  Or will it just satisfy you until you can save up the cash to get the real thing?

Obviously some of this will depend on your skill level, but having never constructed a guitar from scratch, and not even having done any self-modding, I am trying to find a way to get all the features I want on a JM without breaking the bank.  But then, I have been dragging my feet on making a decision so long, I will eventually be able to afford a standard american JM.  I almost bought the J Mascis, I'm actually a big Dinosaur Jr. fan, but I just can't stand that purple finish.  Maybe the Elvis Costello JM will be prettier and still cheap.

Someone ease my suffering.

[GUITARmole]

After building my own I'll never buy another Fender...

I'm in the process of building a JM from parts right now.  With companies like USACG, Musikraft, and Guitarmill there are lots of options for getting the features you want.

[ohm-men]

Indeed, as Guitarmole said. But make sure to do your homework (ask arround) in which are the best parts to go with. Not everything is interchangeable. Look up which neckprofile you like, which level of accuracy you want etc.
But I'm sure that even without expirience a good guitar can be build from parts since you learn a lot from it.

But be aware that some aftermarket bodies are modeled after Japanese Jazzmasters and other after Vintage American Jazzmasters. Same goes with the necks.
Some formites are starting their own production of necks. So look and ask arround. I'm sure you'll find what you need here.
Warmoth is not everyone's first choiche. So also check the alternatives....
And, welcome!

[Jay]

Warmoth would be my last choice for a JM...  there are quite a few partsmaster project on the site I think.  Take a look in the mods, projects, and restorations category for some good build posts.

[GUITARmole]

Warmoth would be my last choice for a JM...  there are quite a few partsmaster project on the site I think.  Take a look in the mods, projects, and restorations category for some good build posts.

They'd be my last choice for a neck as well.  Musikraft and USACG both make great necks to vintage specs (single action trussrod, clay dots, etc) and are more accommodating to custom requests than Warmoth.

[grape]

Well it's good to hear encouraging advice.  I wasn't set on warmoth by any means, it was just a blanket term for any parts website.  I'll look into a few of those companies and try to make some choices.  What I would like to do is do the research right now, spend time making my choices leading up to the summer, and then when school's out try to spend the whole summer working with the parts and putting it together.  I may get a book about guiter electronics or something... and I'll definitely use the resources here.  I am concerned about the paintjob though.  I have access to woodworking and electrician's tools... but I don't know anyone who deals with paint of any kind.  I am not the type that needs a pristine perfect condition guitar, I'd like something with a little character that I'm not afraid to play like an animal... but I definitely want the paintjob to look nice.

Anyway thanks for welcoming a newby, and I'll get to reading.  Hopefully as my project progresses I can give you guys updates and photos...

For now, time for research!

[mjet]

You can certainly make a guitar as good as or better than a Fender production model by using this approach, but you'll rarely save money. Bear that in mind, along with the fact that parts guitars typically fall short on resale value - unless it's a great player and someone buys it from you based on how they like it. Flogging it on eBay won't get your money back the way a "genuine" Fender will, but that's largely due to irrational belief in the guaranteed superiority of labels.

[Surfoverb]

The way I'm making my partscaster is the easiest most idiot-proof method that doesnt involve anything more than just soldering and bolting everything together. I'm not good with woodworking and I'm horrible at painting and my water-slide decal skills leave a lot to be desired so I'm buying all finished parts and simply assembling them.  This way isn't cheap though, in fact it would be cheaper to just buy the guitar whole but the best part is that I get to choose what neck profile I want, body color, hardware, and PUPs.
THat is what's great though you can choose the 'build everything from scratch' route or the 'paint-by-numbers' route I'm taking or anything in between.  The end result is the same: A guitar that didn't exist before.
Site's like this one, reranch, telemodders, and the numerous parts stores and ebay gives one an endless palette to work from.

[fenderjeff]

  Or will it just satisfy you until you can save up the cash to get the real thing?

through this forum, I realized that offsetters often go the opposite way : many of us own a "real" Fender and build partsmasters for fun, or to have a guitar that suits better to their musical aspirations.
for example, I bought a CIJ jm few years ago, then went to a luthier to build my very own jm and now I'm building a 3rd jm from scratch... talk about obsession?

[grape]

I definitely want a guitar that is unlike any other.  That is part of it.  Also I want the experience of making it myself so I can learn how to mod.  Really, if it looks like a jazzmaster and the neck feels good and it stays in tune, EVERYTHING else is going to be up in the air.  I want to mess with it and add stuff.  Try all sorts of pickup combos and wiring messups.

But first, I want to build it  .

I am considering a frankensteiny approach.  I might even consider making a p-90 guitar with jaguar electronics....  As you can see I'm somewhat indecisive.  But mainly I want the guitar to be mine and that's why the parts/scratch approach appeals to me.  I'm going to do some shopping and try to put something together.  Maybe make a few options and you guys can give me some logistical criticism. 

[mcjt]

it's an expensive way to go. i know this unfortunately coz i have the DIY bug bad! Eight axes, almost all piecemeal instruments.
All unique, all fun.
Also the risk of having a dud is higher- and that a real luthier will have to fix your mess ($$$$)
Despite the fact that they have a certain template from which they won't stray, Warmoth has IMO the most reliable product. Best selection of wood. But their JM body doesn't follow vintage lines, nor do they make a JM headstock.
the other manuf's do good work, but not quite to this standard. Hell, i might not be objective coz i LOVE exotic wood....

good luck with your project!

[GUITARmole]

Well it's good to hear encouraging advice.  I wasn't set on warmoth by any means, it was just a blanket term for any parts website.  I'll look into a few of those companies and try to make some choices.  What I would like to do is do the research right now, spend time making my choices leading up to the summer, and then when school's out try to spend the whole summer working with the parts and putting it together.  I may get a book about guiter electronics or something... and I'll definitely use the resources here.  I am concerned about the paintjob though.  I have access to woodworking and electrician's tools... but I don't know anyone who deals with paint of any kind.  I am not the type that needs a pristine perfect condition guitar, I'd like something with a little character that I'm not afraid to play like an animal... but I definitely want the paintjob to look nice.

Anyway thanks for welcoming a newby, and I'll get to reading.  Hopefully as my project progresses I can give you guys updates and photos...

For now, time for research!

Don't waste your money on buying a guitar electronics book...you can get all the diagrams you need from the Fender site or guitarnuts.com.

Also, you didn't post where you live?  In the U.S?  If so check out www.reranch.com for paint and their forum for help.

[John Beef]

I built a Warmoth Jazzmaster from parts and it was my main guitar for 4 1/2 years. After seven years of playing a Japanese Jazzmaster, the Warmoth was spec'ed out to correct all the things I felt hindered the Fender. It's a great guitar. I would encourage anyone to go that route.

[mcjt]

any pics, mr beef?

[sookwinder]

the reality is building a guitar from new parts and orderinmg neck/body from USCG/Warmoth /etc will basically cost equal to or more than "a good deal" on a fender gtr from ebay.... same reason no one builds a car from parts...

but if you want to save $$$ then you can wait for bargains on ebay for new or 2nd hand parts.
Building it yourself allows you to spread the $$$ over a far longer period, so although it may cost more, the pain is less.

And for me, it allows the build a guitars that are a little differenmt to what I can get from Fender ...  and in that there is much enjoyment because I am utilizing good fender parts, but in a way no one (or at least not many) have done before.  and sometimes you come up against issues that take time to solve, but that is also fun