Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster project - mod to awesome

[katmeho]

I'm using this forum to document my Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster project. I welcome all comments, advice and feedback.

Background
* I needed a new guitar for gigs that has simple controls that I don't have to over think while on stage.

* I wanted something different than my tele but something that sounds warm and gooey. I played the Sonic Youth Jazzy's, and though they were brilliant. But I didn't like going on stage with a signature guitar, nor with a $1500 guitar.

* I needed something that can get destroyed or stolen without too much heartache, which some of us know having lost gear out of the back of the van when playing shows...

* Lastly, this finally gives me a platform to start doing mods myself rather than paying someone $90/hour. All my other gear has sentimental value or I deem too nice to "play with". For less than $450 I can teach myself about the mechanics and electronics of guitar so I can properly manage all my own gear going forward. And still have a damn cool gig guitar that I promise will sound F'in rad when I get done with it.

* My music - I play guitar up against a laptop and synths. Pop music that we dig. We love Die Antwoord as much as Lilly Allen. . Songs about spies and working at the mall. We did the rock star thing many years ago, now its just us making music we want to, getting a few gigs here and there and hopefully some people will like it

* My rig - Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue with JJ tubes, Keeley Comp, Fultone OCD, Zvex Fuzz, EHX Small Clone, EMX Deluxe Memory Boy,


Project History
* After all the anticipation of the US release (thanks Fender for the Australia tease), I got mine ordered from Mass Street Music. Thanks Matthew for the great customer service and fast service. Support the local store and get a better deal than you would from one of your Friends.


The MOD LIST
* I decided to replace all of the electronics in the guitar
o Theres lots of places online to get new vintage parts. I dont know where to start
o I think I will try to shield the electronics
o I think Ill need to replace to 500K pots
o I will do a new cap, but have no idea why or which one
* I think I will need to replace the bridge based on the guitars that I demo'ed before I purchased, but we will see
o Considering http://www.masterybridge.com/home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
* I have been talking to Jason Lollar about new pickups
o Considering Jazzmaster P90 in the neck with an Imperial F spaced in the bridge
* I have also been talking to Lindy Frailin about new pickups
o Considering a hum canceling P90 in the neck and a Pure PAF F spaced (8000) in the bridge


Goals

* I want to record some samples of the guitar stock, and then as each mod happens, we can explore the differences.
* I also want to get lots of pictures posted of the work and the guts, so those of you out there looking to mod can get a feel before you buy or before you start the work.
* I'm not a guitar tech, so Ill be learning in the process. I want to share that with all of you so those who might be like me with no experience can gain some knowledge and maybe get inspired to do your own mods.

[budda12ax7]

Buy an SG.....

[katmeho]

Buy an SG.....

I did once, made me feel inadequate...

[noisepunk]

Using a top of the line bridge on a bottom of the line guitar seems pretteh silly to me.

So does a P90 in a Jazzmaster...

You might consider getting over your pride and take Buddah's advice about looking into another guitar. If you like the Sonic Youth sound your straying in the opposite direction; you should save your pennies for a CIJ/MIJ and swap out the electronics.

But to each their own, good luck I guess.

[katmeho]

Using a top of the line bridge on a bottom of the line guitar seems pretteh silly to me.

So does a P90 in a Jazzmaster...

You might consider getting over your pride and take Buddah's advice about looking into another guitar. If you like the Sonic Youth sound your straying in the opposite direction; you should save your pennies for a CIJ/MIJ and swap out the electronics.

But to each their own, good luck I guess.

I agree with the bridge comment, probably going to drop in a mustang bridge instead.

Maybe you guys (or I) am missing the point. I got this guitar as a platform to make what I wanted, rather than getting parts together one by one. This was a way to start a project guitar without starting from scratch and to give me a platform to do the work on my own and learn about guitars. Im not looking for Sonic Youth, Im looking for creating something of my own taste.

[chase]

I think it's pretty obnoxious to tell someone what kind of guitar you think they should want.

I agree that if the goal is "no stress about theft" that things like the Mastery bridge and Fralin or Lollar pickups would seem to go against that. A Mustang bridge and some GFS pickups might make more sense. And it looks like the existing bridge is an attempt to address the issues of the traditional JM one, by having single string grooves (like a Mustang) but height-adjustment screws (like a JM). It's possible that some Loc-Tite would be enough to make you happy there. But maybe not, sounds like you've played one, I haven't.

Personally I think a P90 makes more sense in the bridge, paired with the classic JM neck pickup. That combination seems to be popular around here, you get a little more beef from the bridge without changing the mid position too drastically, and you still have what many regard as the best neck sound ever. But there's already a humbucker in the bridge, and the HB bridge + P90 neck combo works very well on a number of other guitars (Reverend Double Agent comes to mind), so maybe that's perfect for you. Personally I'm really having to resist the urge to get one and throw a Seymour Duncan P-Rail and Triple Shot in the bridge.

And normally changes to pots, caps, etc, are best made as a response to a specific issue - ie, it's not bright enough, or it sounds too harsh with the pots full on, or you never use the tone control or whatever. But in this case you're using this as a learning platform, and these changes are easy enough to reverse, so get a good soldering iron and go nuts. Taking lots of photos and recording the sound before and after (try the scientific approach and change only one thing at a time, so it's clear where any difference is coming from) is a good way to maximize the gain from that.

[katmeho]

I think it's pretty obnoxious to tell someone what kind of guitar you think they should want.

I agree that if the goal is "no stress about theft" that things like the Mastery bridge and Fralin or Lollar pickups would seem to go against that. A Mustang bridge and some GFS pickups might make more sense. And it looks like the existing bridge is an attempt to address the issues of the traditional JM one, by having single string grooves (like a Mustang) but height-adjustment screws (like a JM). It's possible that some Loc-Tite would be enough to make you happy there. But maybe not, sounds like you've played one, I haven't.

Personally I think a P90 makes more sense in the bridge, paired with the classic JM neck pickup. That combination seems to be popular around here, you get a little more beef from the bridge without changing the mid position too drastically, and you still have what many regard as the best neck sound ever. But there's already a humbucker in the bridge, and the HB bridge + P90 neck combo works very well on a number of other guitars (Reverend Double Agent comes to mind), so maybe that's perfect for you. Personally I'm really having to resist the urge to get one and throw a Seymour Duncan P-Rail and Triple Shot in the bridge.

And normally changes to pots, caps, etc, are best made as a response to a specific issue - ie, it's not bright enough, or it sounds too harsh with the pots full on, or you never use the tone control or whatever. But in this case you're using this as a learning platform, and these changes are easy enough to reverse, so get a good soldering iron and go nuts. Taking lots of photos and recording the sound before and after (try the scientific approach and change only one thing at a time, so it's clear where any difference is coming from) is a good way to maximize the gain from that.

Good feedback thanks...ill certainly be doing the one change at a time thing. I may have forgotten to mention, that the changes are going to happen over time as needed...bridge issues during practice = change the bridge, tuners slipping at a show = change em, that sort of thing. Mostly my initial list is in response to the feedback from the few people who already own and play these have shared. The only change that I know I will be doing right off is the bridge pickup, which I think sounds poor in stock form.

This new line from Fender is getting a lot of modification attention and I figured I would share my learnings. Seems like the general attitude around here (on this and other posts) is "lame guitar, go buy something expensive to be cool". Maybe its because the modification parts list is costly, dont know. Dont care.

[Con-Tiki!]

although you might feel like you got flamed, it may not be anything to get pissed about.
"buy an sg" is an opinion,
people on this forum to things that defy logic all the time,
spend what you want.

personally, I wouldn't own a jazzmaster without a trem, so the blacktops are not for me. Can't argue about the price when you see what $400 gets, though.

build your guitar, show it off.
there's tons to learn here.

[noisepunk]

Seems like the general attitude around here (on this and other posts) is "lame guitar, go buy something expensive to be cool". Maybe its because the modification parts list is costly, dont know. Dont care.

Not sure where you're getting the "Go buy something expensive to be cool" thing from, the general attitude towards these so far (on here) from my experience has been that it defeats one of the major purposes to owning a jazz-master which is the sound.

I'm not a purist or elitist by any stretch, most of what I own is dirt cheap and modded in some way; what I was trying to point out is that the Jazzmaster neck pickup sound is excellent and it doesn't make any sense to buy a brand new guitar ($400+ isn't money to toss around in my opinion) just to turn around and make it sound like something it's not.

But, that's why they make JM p-90's, because everyone is different, some people like different things, and some people like guitars for different reasons. It'd be wrong to say anyone is wrong for their preferences.

Once again, good luck, sorry to have contributed to such an unfriendly welcome. I hope your project turns out well.

Ps. Con-Tiki!, the Blacktop JM does have a trem, though it's placement is the same or similar to the CP jazzmasters, so closer to the bridge- it's the Jaguars that don't have a trem.

[dug]

Blacktop jazzmasters rule. Most people around here hate the classic player ones as well.

[Con-Tiki!]

my bad, i was thinking neither had the trem.
gracias.

[budda12ax7]

although you might feel like you got flamed, it may not be anything to get pissed about.
"buy an sg" is an opinion,
people on this forum to things that defy logic all the time,
spend what you want.

personally, I wouldn't own a jazzmaster without a trem, so the blacktops are not for me. Can't argue about the price when you see what $400 gets, though.

build your guitar, show it off.
there's tons to learn here.

Gee Wizz fellows...I was only kidding.....Moding out a Black Top is what a lot people will be doing around here once the guitar is tried out and put through the forum paces.....I really want to try one....good luck on your build...please post some pics and give a review of the Blacktop...

[katmeho]

although you might feel like you got flamed, it may not be anything to get pissed about.
"buy an sg" is an opinion,
people on this forum to things that defy logic all the time,
spend what you want.

personally, I wouldn't own a jazzmaster without a trem, so the blacktops are not for me. Can't argue about the price when you see what $400 gets, though.

build your guitar, show it off.
there's tons to learn here.

Gee Wizz fellows...I was only kidding.....Moding out a Black Top is what a lot people will be doing around here once the guitar is tried out and put through the forum paces.....I really want to try one....good luck on your build...please post some pics and give a review of the Blacktop...

All good guys. I feel like theres goodness to come in our discussions and from these guitars..more details soon!

[MartysPooh]

I also plan on buying one of these and plan on swapping out the pickups first thing... thing is I already have a few spare pickups I can put in it, a Gibson 498T and a duncan custom custom and then for the neck PU I have an AVRI pickup set so to me its an great deal because I don't have to eat the cost for the pickup upgrade. Everything you talked about is going to make a $450 guitar turn into a $1000 guitar reeeaal quick. As far as electronics go mexican Fenders use CTS pots and such so it might not be worth swapping all of that stuff out especially if youve never done solder work before and plan on doing it yourself... youre just asking for noise if thats the case which will totally defeat the purpose of "upgrading". Secondly, tuners don't "slip", so don't go "upgrading" the tuners either if your guitar isn't staying in tune, instead have someone properly file and set up the nut because A: its a $450 guitar so the odds of the nut being messy are pretty high and B: locking tuners and a poorly cut nut still amount to a guitar that won't stay in tune, albeit a guitar that doesn't stay in tune that is a total breeze to restring. Just my two cents. As far as the bridge is concerned I say leave it, a mustang bridge is radiused for 7.25 and the guitar is 9.5 so it would probably be better to make the stock bridge work for you.

I think it's pretty obnoxious to tell someone what kind of guitar you think they should want.

I agree that if the goal is "no stress about theft" that things like the Mastery bridge and Fralin or Lollar pickups would seem to go against that. A Mustang bridge and some GFS pickups might make more sense. And it looks like the existing bridge is an attempt to address the issues of the traditional JM one, by having single string grooves (like a Mustang) but height-adjustment screws (like a JM). It's possible that some Loc-Tite would be enough to make you happy there. But maybe not, sounds like you've played one, I haven't.

Personally I think a P90 makes more sense in the bridge, paired with the classic JM neck pickup. That combination seems to be popular around here, you get a little more beef from the bridge without changing the mid position too drastically, and you still have what many regard as the best neck sound ever. But there's already a humbucker in the bridge, and the HB bridge + P90 neck combo works very well on a number of other guitars (Reverend Double Agent comes to mind), so maybe that's perfect for you. Personally I'm really having to resist the urge to get one and throw a Seymour Duncan P-Rail and Triple Shot in the bridge.

And normally changes to pots, caps, etc, are best made as a response to a specific issue - ie, it's not bright enough, or it sounds too harsh with the pots full on, or you never use the tone control or whatever. But in this case you're using this as a learning platform, and these changes are easy enough to reverse, so get a good soldering iron and go nuts. Taking lots of photos and recording the sound before and after (try the scientific approach and change only one thing at a time, so it's clear where any difference is coming from) is a good way to maximize the gain from that.

Good feedback thanks...ill certainly be doing the one change at a time thing. I may have forgotten to mention, that the changes are going to happen over time as needed...bridge issues during practice = change the bridge, tuners slipping at a show = change em, that sort of thing. Mostly my initial list is in response to the feedback from the few people who already own and play these have shared. The only change that I know I will be doing right off is the bridge pickup, which I think sounds poor in stock form.

This new line from Fender is getting a lot of modification attention and I figured I would share my learnings. Seems like the general attitude around here (on this and other posts) is "lame guitar, go buy something expensive to be cool". Maybe its because the modification parts list is costly, dont know. Dont care.

[katmeho]

Thanks MartysPooh, really good feedback from someone much more knowledgeable than I. Please keep us posted on your pickup swaps, it will be interesting to hear the changes! I realize that I need to get into the guitar before I make any changes, so I will have it in 2 days, and will start posting photos for people to see its guts...