Assembling my 1st JM style!

[Norrin Radd]

...for ME as I wait for all of the parts to get here~!

Well, I currently have only 1 piece in my possession - the body. The rest is on order and on its way. I expect to have all the pieces by the end of December (we'll see!). I'll update the thread as all the pieces roll in. Any comments/questions/advice/insights/suggestions are more than welcome - especially as I've not done a JM before. Thanks for looking in!

SO, 1st up - the body. I think this one should make a good base:

[schoolie]

Looks like a good start, so far! What color is the body?

[Veitchy]

Make sure you get the right diameter bridge thimbles.

Mike Adams has some good stuff both in text and on video about setting up bridges and necks.

Shield the main cavity if you're planning on using single-coils.

Make sure the nut is cut for the string gauge you want to use.

Have some fun - its a Fender so it isn't exactly brain surgery.

[Norrin Radd]

Looks like a good start, so far! What color is the body?

“Tiffany Blue”

[Norrin Radd]

Make sure you get the right diameter bridge thimbles.

Mike Adams has some good stuff both in text and on video about setting up bridges and necks.

Shield the main cavity if you're planning on using single-coils.

Make sure the nut is cut for the string gauge you want to use.

Have some fun - its a Fender so it isn't exactly brain surgery.

I hope I did get correct size. Will find out in due course

Shielding is definitely under consideration. Got a favorite method? Copper tape? Stew mac paint? Aluminum foil? LMK

The nut better be cut proper or I’ll have words with its maker! (That would actually be me. )

Fun is the only reason to do it - I will!

[Veitchy]

Shielding is definitely under consideration. Got a favorite method? Copper tape? Stew mac paint? Aluminum foil? LMK

I may be in the minority here, but I find aluminium foil does just fine if you do a proper job of it. Lotsa folks like copper tape, which I wont argue with in terms of doing a thorough job, but I also think aluminium gets you most of the distance and you probably have some laying around somewhere.

[Norrin Radd]

Parts numbers 2,3,4 & (maybe 5&6) showed up yesterday:

[Larry Mal]

Copper tape is good, I've also grown to like this high quality shielding paint from MG Chemicals:

https://www.mgchemicals.com/category/co ... ed-paints/

The nickel is good, but you can get even better shielding if you move up in price a bit. Since you have the guitar body completely disassembled it would be easy to get a few coats on there now.

Don't use the Stew Mac paint, it's not very good. MG Chemicals has some charts that will show you the differences between the cheaper carbon paint like what Stew Mac sells (MG Chemicals sells it also) and the other, better stuff.

[kingmedicine]

Very cool looking body! Should be a great build.

Not sure if MJT has changed their specs since I used them, but in previous builds with MJT bodies I always had to enlarge the thimble holes to fit US spec thimbles or Mastery thimbles. Running the appropriate size drill bit in reverse (quite slowly) worked fine to enlarge them for me. I also found the rhythm circuit cavity to be slightly small on the outside lower edge to accommodate a US Fender pickguard and rhythm circuit (or at least the tone pot roller wheel brushed up against the edge of the cavity in my case). I could have just misaligned things, but I found I needed a bit of electrical tape in that edge of the cavity to prevent shorting with the rhythm circuit components and my copper shielding.

[lamp]

Nice, I really like that colour. What pickups have you gone for?
I did my first partscaster build earlier this year and it was lots of fun (thread here). I used copper tape for shielding and did the back of the pickguard too - turned out great, it’s the quietest guitar I own.

[Norrin Radd]

Nice, I really like that colour. What pickups have you gone for?
I did my first partscaster build earlier this year and it was lots of fun (thread here). I used copper tape for shielding and did the back of the pickguard too - turned out great, it’s the quietest guitar I own.

I’m using either Rainville or Bootstrap pickups. I’ve got a guy putting together the pick guard for me with Rainvilles specially made to have the bridge splittable. Then it will be wired with all the same controls as a American Pro II.

Yeah - I think I NEED to copper tape shield. Now - best place to get some?

[lamp]

Nice, I really like that colour. What pickups have you gone for?
I did my first partscaster build earlier this year and it was lots of fun (thread here). I used copper tape for shielding and did the back of the pickguard too - turned out great, it’s the quietest guitar I own.

Sounds good. I got my copper tape from a seller on Amazon. Just make sure it’s got conductive adhesive and you’re set.

I’m using either Rainville or Bootstrap pickups. I’ve got a guy putting together the pick guard for me with Rainvilles specially made to have the bridge splittable. Then it will be wired with all the same controls as a American Pro II.

Yeah - I think I NEED to copper tape shield. Now - best place to get some?

[lamp]

Nice, I really like that colour. What pickups have you gone for?
I did my first partscaster build earlier this year and it was lots of fun (thread here). I used copper tape for shielding and did the back of the pickguard too - turned out great, it’s the quietest guitar I own.

I’m using either Rainville or Bootstrap pickups. I’ve got a guy putting together the pick guard for me with Rainvilles specially made to have the bridge splittable. Then it will be wired with all the same controls as a American Pro II.

Yeah - I think I NEED to copper tape shield. Now - best place to get some?

Sounds good. I got my copper tape from a seller on Amazon. Just make sure it’s got conductive adhesive and you’re set.

[Norrin Radd]

Nice, I really like that colour. What pickups have you gone for?
I did my first partscaster build earlier this year and it was lots of fun (thread here). I used copper tape for shielding and did the back of the pickguard too - turned out great, it’s the quietest guitar I own.

I’m using either Rainville or Bootstrap pickups. I’ve got a guy putting together the pick guard for me with Rainvilles specially made to have the bridge splittable. Then it will be wired with all the same controls as a American Pro II.

Yeah - I think I NEED to copper tape shield. Now - best place to get some?

Sounds good. I got my copper tape from a seller on Amazon. Just make sure it’s got conductive adhesive and you’re set.

Will do, thanks!

Made some more mistakes that I discovered!

First, the trem arm I bought is of the pop in or set screw variety. I need one that’s threaded and screws in.

Second, I thought the bridge I bought was missing screws to adjust its height. It wasn’t. They are actually recessed in the posts and adjusted with a hex wrench (included with the bridge).

Third, well, no 3rd yet, but I’m sure it’s coming!

Thanks for all the tips and advice. Copper tape is inbound!

EDIT: Third - the thimbles are larger than the holes currently in the body. Drilling to commence when all parts arrive for assembly.

[countertext]

OSG member HNB has extensive experience with MJT Jazzer bodies. He might have loads of useful advice.