1Q22 challenge - New Jaguar build begins - finally!!

stickyfiddle

EDIT: Now part of 1Q22 challenge and parts are coming in


****Original post: (Aug 2019...)****

This one might take some time, and I’m not 100% sure of the finished article yet, but the first component popped up cheap on reverb so I grabbed it....

 

Andyjr1515

Well, from little acorns, mighty oak trees do grow

Mind you, oak's a bit heavy and blunts your tools...

paulnb57

Thats often how my partcasters start out, I find a component and then plan a build round it, great fun!

stickyfiddle

paulnb57 said:

Thats often how my partcasters start out, I find a component and then plan a build round it, great fun!

Yep. I've always been convinced I'm a Jag fan but never quite found one that ticks all the boxes. Currently considering an MJT or SCRelics build, possibly with firebird pickups, but routed to fit either those or regular Jag pickups, so I can play about with it.  

paulnb57

Thats joy of it, you can take an established design and mess with it, mix and match,  great fun and if it doesnt work the parts can often be recycled onto something else...very addicitve!

Funkfingers

stickyfiddle said:

If your project grinds to a standstill, I would like first dibs on that selector switch plate, please.

stickyfiddle

After a disproportionate amount of soul searching, I've decided to definitely sell the ES-330, and I'm keen to get on with this now. 

I'm still thinking about firebird pickups, but will also get some decent "regular Jag" pickups so I can try both options.  Neck will be similar to my JM; binding, dots, middling size C profile, 6105 frets, and very heavily rolled edges. 

And for colour I was thinking Aztec Gold until one of these lovely Firemist things popped up in Peach...  

paulnb57

Stunning colour!

stickyfiddle

paulnb57 said:

Stunning colour!

Yeah I thought so. I've always been drawn to classic but little-used colours. Sherwood green on my first Strat, Paisley Tele, Inca Silver JM, etc. 

I like the classic as much as the next guy, but every other player has a collection of black, red & sunburst so it's nice to be a bit different, particularly on custom builds.

paulnb57

I like the classic as much as the next guy, but every other player has a collection of black, red & sunburst so it's nice to be a bit different, particularly on custom builds.

Totally agree!

stickyfiddle

Argh.. gold?

impmann

(Aged) Charcoal Frost Metallic... 

Adam_MD

stickyfiddle said:

Argh.. gold?

Now that's cool I love goldtop gibsons but there's something about a fender in gold that just works

stickyfiddle

Adam_MD said:

stickyfiddle said:

Argh.. gold?

Now that's cool I love goldtop gibsons but there's something about a fender in gold that just works

Yeah, and I've never had anything gold, except an MIC Burny that only listed a few months. I'm thinking Aztec would make a nice complement to my Inca silver JM. 

Hey, maybe if I like both pickup options I'll just have to build a second one in that faded firemist to use t'other pickups...  

greggreg66

The gold is so nice! 

paulnb57

Hey, maybe if I like both pickup options I'll just have to build a second one in that faded firemist to use t'other pickups...  

No brainer!

stickyfiddle

Onwards! Staytrem bridge and arm ordered. I'm also going to try a Mastery on this one, as I think the extra sustain might be useful on a Jag, but we'll see. I'll shift whichever I don't prefer. 

Apparently Musikraft have a new website, so I'll have a flick through that later. The neck will certainly come from them. Body will come from whoever can do a body dual-routed to fit both Jag and Firebird pickups. 

I'm fixed on gold for the finish having not wavered for a whole 8 days... 

Next question - who makes the best Jag and Firebird pickups? 

stickyfiddle

Zombie thread update...

I sold the ES-330 mentioned at the top of the thread. Then I put this project on hold and built a P bass instead, then bought another ES-330 and sold a Les Paul (and bought & sold a Rickenbacker)....

And then yesterday I found a good looking nitro-finished Allparts neck on Reverb for very reasonable money. Vintage radius and no binding but otherwise looks good and I can deal with those two factors. 

I'm going gold for the body, not least because I painted my office walls green and that yellow firemist will look awful on a hanger there. 

Questions for the group: 

- Who is good for reliced nitro bodies and doesn't take 6 months? 
 
- Who makes the best slightly-hot Jaguar pickup these days? 

ThePrettyDamned

@GoldenEraGuitars sells relic nitro bodies if you want relic, in nice colours, but you'll need to wait until they "drop".

His thing seems to be vintage accuracy with colour, which may or may not interest you. Obviously colours change over time as they age anyway, so whether this is worthwhile to you I'd up to you - once aged, they'll probably stay broadly as they are? 

stickyfiddle

Yeah, Scott's stuff looks really good but I'm in no mood to wait, given I know what I'm after. I've good stuff from MJT before but they tend to take ages from ordering to delivery. 

I might give @lamf68 a buzz after such great work on that sparkly Marry Jaguar the other week

GoldenEraGuitars

stickyfiddle said:

 I'm in no mood to wait

This is why I am shying away from commission work  

Thank you for the mention though