My Oxford Blue JM Build

[jimd]

It's done!

I started this thing a little over a year ago.  I finally got it strung up, set up and playing today.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  This was my first build and I want to thank all the people here on the forum who answered my questions along the way.  I also relied alot on the telecaster forum tdpri.com ( also a great place).  There are a handful of screw-ups. If you look closely you can spot them. But in general you have to know where to look.

Here are the pics.





Here are the specs.

Body: USA Custom Guitars Jazzymaster
Neck: USA Custom Guitars, US-3 headstock (modded to the big Fender CBS shape), 12" radius
Trem: Fender AVRI
Bridge: Warmoth modified mustang (to get the right radius for the fretboard)
Tuners: Gotoh
Pickups: Fender AVRI
Finish: Krylon Oxford Blue and Deft clear

Some things I learned.

The trem route on the body was too narrow.  I fixed it with my dremel, but if you get a USACG body, check with them to see if it's been fixed.  Otherwise the quality of the USACG stuff was great.

Most of the aftermarket stuff is not so hot compared to the Fender stuff.  I started with a WD white pickguard.  It just didn't fit quite right, so I bought a Fender mint green.  Much better fit.  I also had some white knobs and pickup covers to match.  The pickup covers were somewhere between white and off white and they didn't quite fit over the pickup poles properly.  In the end I'm much happier with the fit and looks of the Fender mint green guard with the off white hardware.

I really like the AVRI pickups!

The warmoth modded bridge works well with the 12" neck.  I haven't played it enough to see if buzzing is a problem.

I really enjoyed making this thing and I'm already plotting a new one. I may try a poly finish next time.

Thanks for all the help!

[DB]

Great job!  Different color than usual makes it unique.

DB

[dj_techa]

I love it!  My friend use to have a pearl drum set that was that exact color w/ a star trek bass drum head.

[DB]

Finish: Krylon Oxford Blue and Deft clear

Can you provide some details on your finishing process?  I've done nitro but am getting ready to do a Krylon or Rustoleum color as a base with nitro as a clear.  I polished Krylon colors and while they look good they don't get as deep a shine as nitro.  Yours looks like it came out nice and shiny.

DB

[jimd]

The finish went like this

1) sanding sealer, 3 or 4 coats.  I used minwax brush on.  But I'd recommend something different.  The minwax took too long to dry - it was kind of gummy

2) 2 coats of primer.  It was just some home depot type brand.

2.5) I lightly sanded the primer smooth

3) about 3 light coats of color.  Just enough to get an even color.  A lot of folks recommend Krylon for the color.  It is compatible with nitro and has a nice spray tip.  It goes on easy.

4) Deft clear gloss.  I used about 4 cans on the body.  Maybe a little overkill, but I wanted a fairly thick durable finish.  I'm not into relics.

5) Sanded 600 to 2000 grit

6) polished using turtle wax rubbing compound and polish

A couple of things.  I didn't sand the color coats and I didn't sand between clear coats unless I made a run (often).  The Deft is nitro laquer.  It took forever to harden.  I think it is slow to harden in general and my heavy coats made it much slower than that.

[DB]

Thanks for the details.  I didn't know that Deft clear was nitro. 

Do you live in a humid climate?  Could that be the reason for the slow dry times?

DB

[JazzBlaster]

well done! reminds me of my baby 



I used a similar aproach with model car spray paint and nitro clear

David

[Junkyard God]

Very Nice Color. Those Krylon paints look like they work a treat

[fuzzking]

Nice indeed. Why dosn't anyone get the trem route right? Does not seem that hard...
I already wondered what it reminded me of, but it was JazzBlaster's one of course.

[the older brother]

Great job. Really nice colour!

Would look great with a goldguard too (the mint is killer also though)!

[jimd]

Thanks for all the comments!

I thought about going for a gold guard, but getting a good one seemed like a hassle.  I saw the mint green cheap on ebay and jumped on it.

I can't figure out the trem route thing either.  Is the MIJ trem smaller than the MIA one?

[Ryan]

WOW! That is a HOT color. One of the best blues I've ever seen on a Fender.

[Stratelejazzuar]

looks great! more pics!!!