Right, this is a project that is bound to go very wrong.
A while ago I've moved to a country where I literally have no access to interesting guitar stuff. I'm a small woman dreaming of a small and light offset guitar that is not a Mustang. I have a fairly lightweight Jag body, but it's far too big for me. My idea is to reshape it to a smaller body and have made a few shape designs that would work. I have access to tools and can even change the pockets for the pickups. I'm thinking of either Jaguar or Jazzmaster pickups, but can't quite decide what. I do like the sound of Jazzmasters more, but apart from not being able to test both in a shop I also don't know what a shortscale Jazzmaster would sound like. I'm looking at Creamery pickups, though the owner has so far not been very helpful. Well, he's very busy.
How can I make the right choice, and how do I chose exactly the right kind of pickup among many?
Oh yes, music I like: very much into very alternative bands that rarely play on the radio. Doesn't really help. I like both a bright sound that doesn't sound thin, but also a darker sound. Bit of sustain would be nice, possible to make some proper noise, but also play clean, beautiful sounds. Not into humbuckers, thus that's easy. Maybe Classic or Modern 58' Jazzmasters? Though the sound might get even warmer with a shortscale setup. Even more puzzled about Jag choices to be honest.
Any suggestions?
Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4QZSDu1wx8
Mind you, I don't like the chrome look of Jags, plus it makes the guitar heavier again. As I need a custom pickguard anyway I'll go down the kind of Jazzmaster route with it. Less bling, more surface area for a nice pickguard colour.
You can also save money on the Jess Louriero pickups and they're highly rated.
Sounds a bit like the Jackson Dinky idea to me.
Is your project guitar body already routed for pickup, controls and cable channel cavities? If so, this will limit the extent to which you can scale down the body outline. The standard body edge runs within 25mm of some of the standard cavities. The scratchplate screws need something in which to bite. Thus, 10-12mm is about the most you can remove.
Would your comfort and reach be eased by giving the project guitar body a more generous forearm contour? (Think of David Gilmour's "workhorse" modified Fender Esquire with the unsightly surform reshaping along its upper edge.)
Have some of each.
If you are not confined to replicating the appearance of a genuine vintage Fender, there is nothing to prevent you from mixing and matching Jaguar and Jazzmaster pickups. JM bridge + Jag neck should work. Two Jag pickups with a Jazzmaster pickup in the middle would also work (but require some clever wiring).
My money went on Seymour Duncan Antiquity (again!).
www.rexterguitars.co.uk
I have used Creamery and they are great.
I have a set with a Custom 13 Humbucker in the bridge and a Wide Range in the neck of my Jazzmaster. It still sounds like a Jazzmaster, even though the pickups are non-standard.
Otherwise, I know Mojo no longer sell standard humbuckers but they are the ones making Area59 humbuckers, which get a lot of love.
I think you could easily reach out to either of those builders, tell them what you are after sound wise and they will sort you out.