Johnny Marr Sig Jaguar

[somebodyelseuk]

What size string gauge are you guys using on your JM's? I was told it came with 10's so that is what I am using... I am getting a little fret buzz on a few of my strings. Had to raise the action way too high to get it to stop. Have any of you had to adjust the neck to maybe give it more relief to keep the action low? Thanks for your help!

Try shimming the neck - maybe this will help with fret buzz - i would hope the neck is straght. Do you live somewhere where someone can set it up to your liking?

Assuming the frets are levelled properly and a dramatic climatic change hasn't caused any of the frets to lift, your guitar needs the neck relief checking/sorting. It should NOT be straight - it should have a slight forward bow when tuned up.
Shimming the neck won't make any difference to this problem.

It's an easy, routine job, but if you had to ask, take it to a pro for a setup.

[tetramime]

I think you are on point. I've just been reading up on everything and trying to educate myself on the proper way to check the relief with a feeler gauge to determine the adjustment. I do not like my action high and the way the JM Jag came setup- the action was nice and low- but did start to develop some buzz on the D and G string after the guitar settled a little in the new environment. I am assuming that the neck is probably pretty strait. The action feels very nice and if I play gently there is no buzz. But if you get some attack in there you'll get an occasional buzz which is amplified by any effects you are using. I am not getting any dead frets or muting of strings so I am assuming relief is what I need to give it a forward bow. I wish there was an easier way to adjust the neck without removing it. Need to get a feeler gauge and do some testing. Question for you guys though: I will find this out soon enough but.. When you remove a neck, do they use metal threads down in the wood? I don't want to wear out the wood if I have to keep taking off and putting back on the neck. Because if its just drilled out wooden threads into the guitar, those can get stripped worn more easily, than say if you had metal threaded openings sunk down in the guitar. Thanks for all your help tips and suggestions!

[andy_tchp]

Because if its just drilled out wooden threads into the guitar

It is. The maple is plenty hard, and should withstand numerous dis assembly/re assemblies without issue. Make sure they're going in straight, start tightening them slowly/gently, and avoid the temptation to over-tighten the bejeezus out of those screws.

(And probably stating the obvious, don't use any kind of powered screwdriver/drill+driver bit for these.)


EDIT: Just to say too, you don't need to completely remove the neck to adjust the truss rod. You can slacken the strings, loosen the neck screws most of the way off and get enough tilt to access the truss rod adjuster, give it a turn IF necessary (start with 1/8 turns to get a 'feel' for it), re-tighten, re-tune strings, rinse and repeat if necessary until it's right.

[somebodyelseuk]

Like the previous poster says, take it easy putting the screws back in and you'll be fine.

It's most likely it will only need the rod slackening/tightening by an eighth-quarter of a turn, so will only be off once, but if this is your first time doing this, I really wouldn't do it on a £2k guitar. Learning this stuff is best done on a cheap guitar, in case you screw it up.
I still advise paying a pro.

[tetramime]

Thanks for those tips- I think I am going to leave it for a little while longer (play it) and see if anything changes... I am also getting some bad harmonic overtones mainly on my G, and B string when I mainly hit these open notes… And I can tell the string is not hitting the frets...Its only mainly noticeable through my amp. Ive changed strings, changes string gauges, lubed the nut etc.. but these high harmonic overtones are ringing out when I hit these open strings. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Seems like it could be a pickup related issue? Noticed predominatly on both pickups selected in Parallel. The weird thing is, I can only really hear it when playing through an actual amp with a speaker. I do not notice it when playing on my Line 6 POD with headphones... Thanks for any insight or suggestions you may have!

[andy_tchp]

If it's the strings ringing out between the bridge and tailpiece, that's just what offsets do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_bridge

[somebodyelseuk]

The 'overtones'... if something only happens in a specific set of circumstances, the problem is most likely with those circumstances.
Simply, there are three types of problem with a guitar: Construction problems, Setup problems and electronics problems. The first two are easily spotted unplugged, the other requires amplifying, usually.
If the problem is in the guitar, whether it shows up unplugged or not, it will always show until it's fixed. If it only shows up when plugged into a specific piece of equipment, but not with others, that equipment is the problem, not the guitar.
If you're ONLY getting the problem through YOUR amp speaker, then it may be the speaker - check the speaker isn't loose, but don't overtighten if it happens to be. Try the guitar through another amp, if possible.

Unless you get lucky, randomly changing things won't fix it. Changing string gauges without the associated adjustments introduces other issues - potentially, intonation, neck relief and nut slot problems - especially when going heavier than what the guitar was set up for.

[azzurri7]

What size string gauge are you guys using on your JM's? I was told it came with 10's so that is what I am using... I am getting a little fret buzz on a few of my strings. Had to raise the action way too high to get it to stop. Have any of you had to adjust the neck to maybe give it more relief to keep the action low? Thanks for your help!

On a side note, after one of Johnny's shows back in November, I caught him backstage and asked him what gauge strings he uses on his jaguar. He told me "Elevens all day"! He then proceeded to tell me how proud he was that I bought his signature guitar and then signed my booklet that came with the guitar. Cool guy who is generous with his music and gear knowledge. So, according to Johnny, his Jag is designed to be used with 11s.

[Rob J]

So, is everyone still loving their Johnny Marr Jags? It took some time, but I think I've read through every post in this thread and am convinced that I WANT one!

One thing I'm curious about. Without having to go back and search through the many pages of this thread, has anyone changed out the pickguard and if so, can you tell me it you had any fit problems? I've read that the AVRI Jag pickguards will fit, but I'd like to know for sure. I'll be getting the Oly White model and while the white on white looks good, I would be happier with the classic look of a tortoise shell guard. Does anyone know a source where one can be found that will definitely fit the Johnny Marr?

[JazzmasterJonny]

I've literally just swapped my guard for a tort one. I'm not sure of the origin of the replacement, definitely a USA one.

Fender USA guards do fit though.

I'll get some pics up.

[Rob J]

I've literally just swapped my guard for a tort one. I'm not sure of the origin of the replacement, definitely a USA one.

Fender USA guards do fit though.

I'll get some pics up.

Hey - good timing on my post I guess! Pics would be great. I'll be looking for them.

[JazzmasterJonny]

Here's a quick one, apologies for the poor lighting. I'll do some better in daylight soon.



The guitar is awesome though. I love it. I find the neck chunkier than other jags which is good for me. It is very comfortable to play and hold, the body rear contour is based on a Strat apparently. And the range of sounds through the various switching makes this jag a very versatile instrument. I'd heartily recommend one to anybody.

[Guitarmunk]

Well, I had a gig 2 days ago, my main guitar is a modded MIJ Jazzmaster and I forgot to bring a spare guitar.
I also forgot a keyboard stand for our keyboard player. (I had the gear at my place)
So the bassplayer and I went to the local musicstore for a keyboard stand and some strings for guitar.
And there it was! The OLY Johnny Marr Jaguar.
I've been looking at jaguars for a while, and owned a CIJ Jaguar for a while, which I didn't really like.
Then some time later I saw the Marrguar on a website and thought "Wow! This guy really solved all the Jaguars problems, I need it".(I must admit, I didn't really know who he is, I've been researching today and yesterday) 30 minutes later, after walking past it several times and then trying it with some Fender amps, I bought it, and about one and a half hour later it was on the stage performing.
Only for one song though.
It was already chipped 2-3 places, so I got it around 300 USD cheaper, and it was even more chipped after the gig.
I'm not concerned, worn guitars look great and this one will be a work horse along with the Jazzmaster.
I love it! The sound, the look, the feel of it.

[Rob J]

Are there any new reports of pre-mature paint peeling, chipping or flaking on your Johnny Marr's? I've had mine for a couple of months and so far the paint seems to be holding up. From what I read though, it may just be a matter of time before the first ding appears. For anyone who has experienced paint problems of this sort - have you attempted to make a warranty claim with Fender? Does a Fender warranty cover paint problems?

[Maggieo]

I totally forgot about this thread!

So, better post pix of my JM with its Spitfire 'guard!


Fender Jaguar and Swart Atomic Space Tone, March 13, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Johnny Marr Signature Fender Jaguar in Sherwood Green, With Spitfire Tort Pickguard, March 10, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Johnny Marr Signature Fender Jaguar in Sherwood Green, With Spitfire Tort Pickguard, March 10, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Johnny Marr Signature Fender Jaguar in Sherwood Green, With Spitfire Tort Pickguard, March 10, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Johnny Marr Signature Fender Jaguar in Sherwood Green, With Spitfire Tort Pickguard, March 10, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

I absolutely love that guitar.