Fender Marauder owner's club

Here's mine:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6854789179_179e7d9f81_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6854792407_cbf5a2fa46_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6854790953_2e4478eeba_z.jpg

I really like these, what do you think about the triple bucker? Do you usually play neck or bridge?

I've heard of a "Gibson" Marauder but never a "Fender" Marauder....This looks quite interesting :shock:

The one from TS is probably a new one.

There were some prototypes with that name in the mid 60s, for example one with 4 hidden strat style PU's. Didn't google yet but I've seen pics (in books) in the past.

I was looking at one though didnt play it ,My eye was turned by a Blizzard Pearl Blacktop Jaguar with a bound neck next to it .I have one on lay away now .http://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-fsr-blacktop-jaguar-hh-blizzard-pearl/57771

I really like these, what do you think about the triple bucker? Do you usually play neck or bridge?

I swap back and forth a lot, mostly bridge for rhythm and neck for leads. Even though I've been using the neck pickup for rhythm because it sounds so sweet.

The triplebucker is pretty nasty sounding. It sounds kind of thin and Stratty in single coil mode. There's honestly not a whole lot of difference between humbucker and triplebucker mode. In triplebucker mode, it sounds less trebly and a bit fatter, but not radically different. It also hums in 4/5 positions, which isn't a problem for me because I use a silencer.

The serial number on mine is CGF1108xxxx. Does this mean that it's the 8000th and some change one built?

Here's mine. Not too interesting because I think there are only 2 colors (Black and LPB like this). The build quality on these is very, very good. I was skeptical but after 20 mins in the store I knew I wanted one. It is a very versatile guitar in terms of tone selection.

I love everything about this guitar except that the volume pot needs a treble bleed bad. I don't know if the wiring in mine is faulty but the v-pot functions a lot more like a tone pot than I'd like. Has anyone experimented with this by any chance?

https://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pJoyA2lcEeoB9MkMGRfS_AS0T70k8pGIEJ9WylHfUcStn_fo fvNtf7kw_1Ew0suDZ424PY2rPMRN1kEzyw_mBpQ/2012-04-22T14-47-54.jpg?psid=1

Just to add to the convo about the triplebucker- I agree that it's not radially different from the HB setting but I think it's different enough to add to your tone palette. The neck reminds me of my 80s era Japanese 60s reissue strat. I'm enjoying it.

I'm not a fan of pearloid but that is a seriously cool guitar.

Anybody got one of these?

http://www.offsetguitars.com/personal/sookwinder/longneck/marauder.jpg

My beautiful blue Marauder arrived this week, and I agree about the triple-vs.-middle positions. The tone difference is so minimal that it seems unnecessary. In fact, I might replace the 5-way switch with a 4-way just because I'm weird about having things I don't use, but before I do that, I'd like to see what a humbucker/neck blend would sound like...? I could just swap the neck and middle p-up connections on the switch. The resulting switch position would be a little weird, but worth it for a fifth voice, don't ya think?

Haven't had time to fuss with the switch yet, but I've been noticing a serious lack of low resonance in this guitar. Even sitting unplugged, next to my Mexico Strat, the Marauder low E has much less body hum than the Strat does. It's a China guitar, so the body wood could be almost anything, but I'm more suspicious of the weird nut it came with. I can't tell how it's set in there, and it feels almost like some sort of paper product...? I'm sure that's not the case, but whatever it is might be dramatically holding back the otherwise fun, wide range of voices this guitar has.

I ended up a little carried away with this Marauder project which resulted in a really nice guitar! Here's a link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/johnny-lawndart/fender-marauder-baritone-project-to-whom-it-may-concern/462983220396912

I ended up a little carried away with this Marauder project which resulted in a really nice guitar! Here's a link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/johnny-lawndart/fender-marauder-baritone-project-to-whom-it-may-concern/462983220396912

Very cool.

Mine had a bit of a problem with the triple bucker for a bit but some re-soldering did the trick.

Personally, I think Fender should have put a P90 in the neck, as I prefer that tone over the smooth hollow tones of the current pickup, but really it is quite nice as is.

Thanks 0196. I kinda wish I had money left to hear a P90 in this too, but the humbucker/neck combo produces a mean, punchy crunch that really sounds nothing like either pickup alone. It's clean, but assertive... It's kinda like if you were to piss-off the neck pickup and it got all passive-aggressive on you, or maybe if you got it drunk, started talking health-care reform, and it got all up in your grill - it's that little bit of humbucker attitude washing over the polite, yet throaty, hollow, neck tone.

If you have your pickguard off again, I think you really ought to try switching your switch leads around to negate that somewhat redundant triple-bucker blend and sub in the humbucker/neck option. I guess you'd end up with the middle switch position being the neck, which is kinda weird, but I think it would definitely be worth it.

I wonder how a GFS mean 90 would be in the bridge position?

I wonder how a GFS mean 90 would be in the bridge position?

I'd like to hear one of those, and the chrome finish would look dynamite with the body features, but for how gimmick-y I had thought the tripplebucker would be, both the double/neck blend and the single/neck blend tones have really rich character, so now I'd be hesitant to swap the bridge out for a single. There also might be a problem with fit. This triple looks like an odd size. It's only aesthetics, but the P90 might sit a little shy of the pickguard...?

I'll be an official owner soon. My awesome wife ordered me a black Marauder for my birthday, Aug. 1. I'll post pics as soon as I can. This is a completely different guitar than I usually go for; I'm more into teles, jrs, simple straightforward guitars. Something about the Marauder really drew me in, can't wait for NGD!

What are the factory pots? 250k or 500k, and what cap is in this thing. It's time to do some modding.

Yeah, wives can be pretty awesome like that.

Dumb everyday, I'm no good at identifying components, and the only marks on the pots were "7H4." On the capacitor, maybe "2A3331"? I'm loving the tones on this as-is, but I guess the only deffinciency is that the humbucker is a little muted on the treble end. I don't mind. It works for what I play, but I could imagine that being disappointing.

What a great looking guitar. Thanks for posting.

I don't have a problem with the tone, just going to put the same ones in but full size cts, I am thinking they are 500k

Got mine in LPB.....I am loving it!! Had been on order from Sweetwater for 2 months.

Ok, the pots are 500k so I'm just trying to find out what the cap is now.
Anyone?

Figured it out, the cap is a .033uf. Hopefully this info helps someone else.

Ok, the pots are 500k, the cap is a .033uf.
So what are you thinking from there? Any ideas? I know that volume pot has an awful lot of tone change...

Not sure yet went today and got a bag of cap and I have been reading till my eyes hurt about vol and tone pot changes. So I think I am going with a 250k vol and a 500k no load tone. Not sure about the cap yet.

137394

Here's mine.

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/mnutz1970/newguitarday018.jpg

I just got it today. Fit and finish are excellent, and so is the setup right out of the box. Actually it's setup much better than my 2010 MIM tele was.

Haven't had a chance to play it much yet, but I'm very happy so far!

Mnutz, that's sharp, and it looks good with the Clash book. Maybe it's just the photo, but it looks like you got a nice, deep-tone rosewood fretboard there... almost like ebony. That looks bad-ass with the black body!

DE, that's a mean bag-o-caps ya got there! Will you post a report if your experiments give results? I've got no wisdom of such things.

Mnutz, that's sharp, and it looks good with the Clash book. Maybe it's just the photo, but it looks like you got a nice, deep-tone rosewood fretboard there... almost like ebony. That looks bad-ass with the black body!



Yep, the fretboard is nice and dark. About the only thing I'm not digging is the pearloid pickguard, too much bling for me. I think I'm gonna have a black one cut fot it.

The pickups are great. Nice clean old school tones from the Jazzmaster neck pickup, and the bridge pickup is rockin' hot.

Okay, so first problem with this guitar...

I somehow managed to cross-thread the trem arm yesterday and quickly stripped out the crappy trem block. Does anyone know if this trem will work for it?
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Made-in-Mexico-Import-Strat-UPGRADE-trem-Solid-STEEL-block_p_489.html


I think the spacing is right, not sure about the depth though, will it stick out the back of the guitar? I don't have a standard strat to compare body depth to. Is the Marauder thinner than a standard strat?

Does anyone know if this trem will work for it?
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Made-in-Mexico-Import-Strat-UPGRADE-trem-Solid-STEEL-block_p_489.html

I think the spacing is right, not sure about the depth though, will it stick out the back of the guitar? I don't have a standard strat to compare body depth to. Is the Marauder thinner than a standard strat?

The Marauder body is 2mm thinner than a MIM Strat, so I'm sure the Fetish block will work just fine. The only questionable clearance will be between the springs and the cover plate, but I think even that should clear. It's a brilliant idea, and crazy cheap! I bought a Callaham block and stainless arm for my Strat for twice that and it sounds great. Consider this mishap a blessing. Those stock blocks are corner-cutting, sustain-killing garbage!

I'm going to do an experiment with Fender tremolo arm slop using an extra import pot-metal trem block. I drill-reamed the arm hole 1/4-inch deep, and wide enough to press in a small brass bushing from the hardware store, then I cut it off flush. After that, I reamed the bushing out to about the same diameter as the arm. My hope is that with this snug fit the slop will be gone and it'll stay that way. If it works, I might attempt it on an aftermarket full carbon steel block, but I suspect the drilling will be a sizeable challenge in that stuff. This crap cuts like butter.

I'm going to do an experiment with Fender tremolo arm slop using an extra import pot-metal trem block. I drill-reamed the arm hole 1/4-inch deep, and wide enough to press in a small brass bushing from the hardware store, then I cut it off flush. After that, I reamed the bushing out to about the same diameter as the arm. My hope is that with this snug fit the slop will be gone and it'll stay that way. If it works, I might attempt it on an aftermarket full carbon steel block, but I suspect the drilling will be a sizeable challenge in that stuff. This crap cuts like butter.

This is a great idea! have you tried it out yet?

This is a great idea! have you tried it out yet?

Sorry Mnutz. Got swamped this week, but I should have it in this time next week, and I'll let you know.

I finally got the Marauder reassembled with the modified trem block, and it's fantastic! There's absolutely no slop, so the slightest touch gives fully controlled vibrato. The arm threads in there so tightly right now that it takes a bit more than pinky effort to move it, but since the bushing is brass I expect it to yield over time. If not, I guess I could dust it with graphite, but my hope is that it never yields enough for slop to redevelop. Only time will tell. While it does thread in tightly, I can still feel when the threads bottom out, so I'm not worried about ever stripping it out.
One thing I should mention is that this was a somewhat hasty experiment, so my drilling wasn't precisely centered in the original hole, which means the bushing hole is not necessarily centered over the threaded hole. If it had been, it probably wouldn't be so snug, but I still wouldn't expect it to have any slop.
Callaham's $90 trem block system uses a Delrin (like nylon) bushing in their blocks to reduce slop and add friction, but I've heard those can wear out, so I'm curious how this 90-cent old-world technology will work over time.

Haven't had time to fuss with the switch yet, but I've been noticing a serious lack of low resonance in this guitar. Even sitting unplugged, next to my Mexico Strat, the Marauder low E has much less body hum than the Strat does. It's a China guitar, so the body wood could be almost anything, but I'm more suspicious of the weird nut it came with. I can't tell how it's set in there, and it feels almost like some sort of paper product...? I'm sure that's not the case, but whatever it is might be dramatically holding back the otherwise fun, wide range of voices this guitar has.

It's made of Koto wood, whatever that is. I'm assuming it is an Asian tree.

The Marauder looks like a surf guitar but in reality it's a heavy metal machine. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Has anyone had there sustain block out? My Marauder came with a lefty trem arm taped inside the shipping box. I requested a righty arm from Fender and they actually sent me an entire new tremolo assembly.

Here is a pic of the 2 blocks.
http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv223/mnutz1970/newsketches0051280x960.jpg

It's hard to see in the photo, but the replacement block on the right, is much nicer. It is polished and nicely machined with crisp detailing. It is stamped with a logo GP, or maybe GR. The original looks like the typical cheapy import strat copy trem.

The new trem arm fits the new block perfect, with no slop or play. It had some play in the original block.

I'm curious what everyone else's block looks like.

Mine's the crappy China block like your original one. I wonder if they sent you a Mexican kit...? I can't supply evidence for this, but it's my understanding that the China and Mex blocks are the same shape, but different drilling and/or thread pitches, while the American ones are the "full" block (no sustain-reducing/weight-shaving sculpting of the lower half). I would expect the Mexi block to be of slightly nicer quality than the China block as well. The different drilling and/or thread pitch of the MIM block might explain why they sent you the complete bridge assembly instead of just an arm.

What a stroke of luck, eh? Now you've got no slop! :grin:

Hi all,
I just took delivery of my LPB Marauder and I love the looks and the variety of tones.
I'm also finding it a bit lacking in low-end grunt.
I'd like to use it alongside my Classic Player Black Dove tele
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/public/TEg1-zcCZyKrHZkBLMc_URNRvTKVf4Q8zpMEmNfnr0BL2DQ806Z640q Eyt6MNCdDD5Jzb9r98I1k2JwImXAUT8xubUt246UEeTz7NDLg_ u2hngajhvkSj9q-PNnQPaOF-IJY7NRQlAo6E2Eg4UQr56s
Which is my ballsiests, most pleasingly toneful guitar...
I wonder what I can do to increase the bottom/mid on my Marauder?

I was thinkingof maybe buying a black dove neck pup and installing it under the Marauder's neck jazzmaster cover. I wonder if the rout might not be deep enough though. Also, not sure how one would screw the pickup in...
Or maybe I should get a Seymour Duncan Hot Jazzmaster pickup and pop that in?

Perhaps rewiring the 5-way switch so one of the positions does neck and bridge humbucker at the same time would be a good idea... (Although not totally sure how to do that either!)

cheers

MrB

I really don't have the confidence to do any routing of the guitar myself so advice/pointers/general brainstorming would be much appreciated!

How about this...
If I can get the funds together I'll buy a Seymour duncan Hot Jazzmaster pickup for the neck (along with a white cover) and a White Seymour Duncan P-rails for the bridge (along with a white pickup ring - will have to search for one the right size as the Marauders' is a millimeter and half smaller or so)

Then I'd have to figure out how (or pay someone) to wire the 5 waqy switch so it goes:
1 - P90
2 - Single Coil Rail
3 - Humbucker
4 - Humbucker and Jazzmaster
5 - Jazzmaster alone

Would look cool too...

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24228267/marauder%20mod.png

Whaddya reckon...
Maybe I'll be able to do this some time in 2013...

MrB



Perhaps rewiring the 5-way switch so one of the positions does neck and bridge humbucker at the same time would be a good idea... (Although not totally sure how to do that either!)

For a gigging musician that has to cover blues, jazz, rock, country, reggae....., I think this guitar is about as close to perfect (think Swiss Army knife) as you can get.

I gave the first one I bought to my son, for precisely that reason.

After missing it for a few months, I ordered another one. It was either that, or buy a couple more Teles.....

The 50s mod is a nice touch on these guitars. Only takes a minute to do.

.

The 50s mod is a nice touch on these guitars. Only takes a minute to do.

Ooh, really... what is the 50s mod?

MrB

I'm finding it a bit lacking in low-end grunt. I wonder what I can do to increase the bottom/mid on my Marauder? Perhaps rewiring the 5-way switch so one of the positions does neck and bridge humbucker at the same time would be a good idea... (Although not totally sure how to do that either!)

MrBitey, I felt like the thin stock string gauge with the Strat trem held back a lot of tone depth, but I think your pick-up swap plan could also help a lot. I got great improvement on the bottom end by elevating the stock neck pick-up, so I ended up keeping it. You could work that in to your swap too.

But one thing I can’t stress enough is to get your neck/bridge blend on. There’s a world of throaty bad-ass in this guitar and it’s hiding right there. There are lots of options how, including just re-assigning the contacts, but one I came up with that I think would be really cool would be to pull the humbucker off the switch and move it to a push-pull tone pot. That way you would have all six tone options, the humbucker switch would operate like a sort of overdrive, and when activating it, you would already have your fingers on the tone knob which you’d want to crank up anyway, since the humbucker tone is a bit muted. It’s also a cheap and easy solution, which means it should be cheap to pay somebody else to do it as well.

Thanks Chu-chu

I'm interested in your mod with the Jaguar switch unit...

I wonder of wiring one of those in would be a good idea for me especially if I swap out the Triplebucker for a p-rail...
I assume with that kind of setup, one can just use the switch to turn each coil on/off.

i.e.
1 - turn P90 on/off
2 - Turn rail on/off
3 - Turn Jazzmaster pup on/off

That way I could have the following combos:
1 p90 only
2 rail only
3 p90/rail = humbucker
4 p90/jazzmaster
5 rail/jazzmaster
6 humbucker/jazzmaster

Does that sound like it would work?
Would have to take a bit of a leap of faith to cut a hole in my new Marauder's pickguard though...

MrB


MrBitey, I felt like the thin stock string gauge with the Strat trem held back a lot of tone depth, but I think your pick-up swap plan could also help a lot. I got great improvement on the bottom end by elevating the stock neck pick-up, so I ended up keeping it. You could work that in to your swap too.

But one thing I can’t stress enough is to get your neck/bridge blend on. There’s a world of throaty bad-ass in this guitar and it’s hiding right there. There are lots of options how, including just re-assigning the contacts, but one I came up with that I think would be really cool would be to pull the humbucker off the switch and move it to a push-pull tone pot. That way you would have all six tone options, the humbucker switch would operate like a sort of overdrive, and when activating it, you would already have your fingers on the tone knob which you’d want to crank up anyway, since the humbucker tone is a bit muted. It’s also a cheap and easy solution, which means it should be cheap to pay somebody else to do it as well.

Yeah MrB, that's exactly how it works. In addition to those six options you would also get the Jazzmaster alone.

I love how the Jag plate came out, both in looks and function, so I would recommend it, but it is a little unnerving to start cutting. There's very little margin for error with those switchplates. The pickguard hole is cut OUTSIDE those six switch screw tabs, which is why I measured, remeasured, lined up, double checked, and eyeballed everything before the knife even came out. In the end my biggest concern was getting the thing installed straight (parallel with the strings), but I'm kind of obsessive about that kind of thing.

It's totally do-able, it just takes a little patience. I wish I had put more about that part on the blog, but if you decide to do it I can throw out a few tips when the time comes.

Just joined the club with a blackie! I'm an absent minded surf guitarist and 5 pup options are too many for me. I'm looking to cut down to 3 options ala tele. Currently I'm thinking Neck...Neck/humbucker...Humbucker. I also bought a Bridge Jazzmaster pup just in case. The left-over pup would go into my backup ax which has only one big pup hole between bridge and mid position. I was thinking the Triplebucker would work well there giving that ax 3 options of its own. ... :?:

I need to get rid of mine to fund another guitar, and was wondering what they are going for since I can't find used ones to get an idea.
I replaced the nut ( graphtech), cts 5-way, switchcraft jack, cts pots, .33 vitamin q original non fake reissue, and all cloth wire. Any help would be appreciated.

I need to get rid of mine to fund another guitar, and was wondering what they are going for since I can't find used ones to get an idea. Any help would be appreciated.

Dumb Everyday, I'm sorry to hear that, but I know how it goes - projects begat projects.

I feel like these guitars are still too new to take much of a hit on resale value. If yours is still in new-ish shape, plug the improvements you've done and post it for just under full value. The Graphtech alone is a huge improvement on Tremolo performance. Do you have a push/pull pot laying around? I think running the humbucker through that would be the biggest mod bonus on this guitar, and it would be a pretty easy task. Just a thought.

Just joined the club with a blackie! I'm an absent minded surf guitarist and 5 pup options are too many for me. I'm looking to cut down to 3 options ala tele. Currently I'm thinking Neck...Neck/humbucker...Humbucker. I also bought a Bridge Jazzmaster pup just in case. The left-over pup would go into my backup ax which has only one big pup hole between bridge and mid position. I was thinking the Triplebucker would work well there giving that ax 3 options of its own. ... :?:

Samosurfer, nice trio! I really like your stuff! [I'll have to check it out with proper headphones tomorrow. You're just squeaking through crappy laptop speakers right now.]

If you were going to go 3-way with this, I think your idea is the best option for surf: neck - neck/humbucker - humbucker. The Jazzmaster bridge is a great idea too, but it sounds like you guys prefer the rougher edge of the surf spectrum, so that humbucker, and especially, the humb./neck blend is really gonna pay off. That said, I would be really tempted to put the tripple in your single as well. Maybe just drop a new humbucker in the Marauder bridge...?

So,
I've finished (for the moment!) pimping my Marauder.
Replaced the neck pickup cover with a white one, changed the knobs for chrome tele ones, put white tips on the trem and switch.
The bridge pickup has been completely replaced with a p-rails in a chrome surround.

Range of sounds is like this:
1) Bridge rail
2) Bridge rail/p90 in parallel.
3) Bridge P90
4) Bridge P90/Jazzmaster
5) Jazzmaster.

Gives me a nice range of sounds, maybe not quite as diverse as the triplebucker but a bit harder and tighter - more suited to the type of stuff I play. Loving it so far!

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24228267/20130104_090820.jpg

Maybe I'll post some sound samples if/when I can get round to it!

cheers

MrB

That looks really sharp, MrBitey! The white and chrome is a much more suitable compiment than black, and the "soap bar" pulls it back towards Jazzmaster styling. I like it. The chrome surround is brilliant. I'd like to add that, but I'm pretty sure the tripplebucker is larger than the rail/P90, right?

I would love to hear it if you can find the time, but I've been meaning to do that myself for months, so y'know... no pressure.

The chrome surround is brilliant. I'd like to add that, but I'm pretty sure the tripplebucker is larger than the rail/P90, right?

I would love to hear it if you can find the time, but I've been meaning to do that myself for months, so y'know... no pressure.

Hi Chu-chu... You can go ahead and fit a pa-rails or a mounting ring like mine. The triplebucker is a standard humbucker size, so a fair bit of flexibility is there with the bridge pickup...

MrB

I've had mine since February, and it's bone stock. I don't see any reason to chance the pickups as they sound awesome. The triplebucker is nasty, and the Jazzmaster pickup is smooth as silk.

I've had mine since February, and it's bone stock. I don't see any reason to chance the pickups as they sound awesome. The triplebucker is nasty, and the Jazzmaster pickup is smooth as silk.
Awesome, Bugo. Don't fix what ain't broke!

MrBitey, I know in the end this is all really about the sound and playability of a guitar, but since I have no time to play right now, and I suck when I DO have time, I'm ALL OVER that chrome surround! Thanks for the tip.

I ordered a maple neck for my Marauder: 9.5 radius/jumbo frets. It will be here in a couple of weeks. I'll do a Fender decal, age it with amber nitro and post some pics when I get done. Think I'll call it a Ramaruader......

The existing neck is going on my MP Thinline Tele. I already have a rosewood Tele neck on it, but I like the Strat/Jazzmaster headstock thing.

I would love to hear it if you can find the time, but I've been meaning to do that myself for months, so y'know... no pressure.


Here you are, have done a quick and dirty recording or my recorder straight into my AC15. Just a bit of onboard reverb and the amp's distortion on the second set of samples.
The samples run as follows:
bridge rail, bridge parallel rail/p90, bridge p90, bridge p90/neck Jazzmaster, neck Jazzmaster. First time round clean and next time round with amp distortion.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24228267/Marauder%20with%20p-rails.mp3

MrB

MrB

That's excellent, MrB. There's some great character in the P90 and the rail, both clean and distorted. The voice of the P90 fits the style of the others much better than humbucker did, which, like you said, will give you more range in the tones you're after. I like those riffs too! In the recording it sounds like the P90/rail blend still mirrors the rail alone similar to the stock set-up, so that's gotta be just the result of their proximity, I guess. Not only are they reading nearly the same string tone positions but I suspect there's something that goes on with the colliding magnetic fields they generate. (Whoa, that sounded scientific! I better have a nap.) The p90/bridge has a great hollow twang too. I wonder if the rail/bridge would sound different than those...?

- Chu

I ordered a maple neck for my Marauder: 9.5 radius/jumbo frets. I'll do a Fender decal, age it with amber nitro and post some pics when I get done. Think I'll call it a Ramaruader......

The existing neck is going on my MP Thinline Tele. I already have a rosewood Tele neck on it, but I like the Strat/Jazzmaster headstock thing.

"Remarauder," that's great! Is the new neck coming with a maple fretboard as well, or are you sticking with the rosewood? I'd like to see either body color with an amber maple neck. I think it would look excellent and was tempted myself, but the rosewood carried more of the baritone attitude I was after, so I'm looking forward to your pics.

I feel the same way about Tele headstock. It's hard to imagine a Tele without it, but it always looked like a hand without a thumb to me. (I know - I could be hung for saying such things.)

Chu-chu

"Remarauder," that's great! Is the new neck coming with a maple fretboard as well, or are you sticking with the rosewood? I'd like to see either body color with an amber maple neck. I think it would look excellent and was tempted myself, but the rosewood carried more of the baritone attitude I was after, so I'm looking forward to your pics.

I feel the same way about Tele headstock. It's hard to imagine a Tele without it, but it always looked like a hand without a thumb to me. (I know - I could be hung for saying such things.)

Chu-chu

All maple. My original 72 Tele with the Wide Range humbuckers had a Strat neck.

So, I thought I'd transplant the triplebucker into my Hofner Shorty.
Wired it up with a blend pot (removed the tone control) although I can only seem to get it to do humbucker/triplebucker/single coil with nothing inbetween...
Used to have a Dimarzio Super Distortion.
Sounds even better now!!
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24228267/shorty.jpg

MrB

Now that I have fitted sparkly white pickups, there is a bittoo much of a clash with the beige undertones of the aged pearloid pickguard.
WD Music are now doing replacement pickguards for the Marauder...
http://www.wdmusic.com/modern_player_marauder_mrmp_10.html

Might get a (non aged) pearloid replacement or just a plain white one...
Finding it hard to decide though..
What do y'all think?

MrB

Now that I have fitted sparkly white pickups, there is a bittoo much of a clash with the beige undertones of the aged pearloid pickguard.

MrB

Y'know, I ran in to that myself with white knobs and trem arm tip. I didn't notice the warm tone of the pickguard until I put the white with it. Even "aged" white knobs go a little green next to the pearloid. I was just hoping you had had better luck with it or didn't mind it if you didn't.

I still like the original pearloid, but MAN they've got a lot of replacement options! I wouldn't know where to start! Obviously, you're pretty safe going with the matching white pearloid as well as the solid white, but you don't sound like you're the diamondplate, snakeskin, or (my favorite) "skull pile" kind of guy. The only reservation I would have with solid white is that it starts to lose a little of its Jazzmaster style with that, so I guess I'd try the white pearloid.

Wondering what this one is: http://www.wdmusic.com/modern_player_marauder_mrmp_1022.html
They call it "trans milk white." I'm thinking it's a clear acrylic with white back...? It could look like hell, so I'm not necessarily recommending it, but I'm trying to imagine what it would look like.

By the way, I love the tripple on that shorty! The rails are a perfect match for the frets and the stark theme of the guitar. Nice fit!

Chu-chu

Bolted on the new neck, after shooting it with amber nitro and a bit of clear over the headstock/decal. Still have to finish installing the tuners. It's a 9.5, 22 jumbo fret model. Probably going to require a tort pickguard.

FWIW, the stock neck went on my MP Tele Thinline.

Ooh Harleysr, that looks fabulous with the maple neck! The thinine looks great too...
ChuChu, you're probably right that I should go for the WD pearloid, just a bit worried that it might endup looking the same (plus its 20 dollars more tgan the plain...). There is a UK branch of the websitetoo so I've mailed them to see if they stock Marauder pickguards too..
MrB

ChuChu, you're probably right that I should go for the WD pearloid, just a bit worried that it might endup looking the same
MrB

MrB, if you decide you want to stick with the pearloid, I think you're pretty safe with the "white." I've seen that material around (I was looking for blanks while working on mine) and it's really white compared to the tan warm tone of the stock "aged" one.

- Chu

This pic has a bit more detail and better lighting. The guitar's appearance reminds me a bit of a Framus Jazzmaster I had decades ago.

Oh, that's really nice, harleysr. Thanks for re-shooting that. I was really wanting to get a good look at it. It's beautifully surf-y! It looks like you also went with the smaller (pre-CBS) headstock...? Maybe it's just the angle.

- Chu

Oh, that's really nice, harleysr. Thanks for re-shooting that. I was really wanting to get a good look at it. It's beautifully surf-y! It looks like you also went with the smaller (pre-CBS) headstock...? Maybe it's just the angle.

- Chu

It is a new Strat replacement neck, as mentiond. 9.5 radius, 22 JUMBO frets. It was naaaaaaked, bright maple when it arrived. My trusty StewMac amber nitro and clear took care of that, along with the Fender decal. It came out pretty well. I like them on the "tobaccoish" side, when it comes to tint.

All in all, I am pleased with it. The neck plays like butter. I barely needed to intonate.

Here is a pic of mine, one I gave my son and another I am modding for a friend.

It's been interesting having 3 of these guitars around to compare. There certainly are differences in weight, tone, etc....

I did a little cosmetic work, having installed the maple neck. Thought it would look better if the pickups matched the lighter theme, so the Jazzmaster cover and ring around the Triplebucker now do.

I also rewired the Triplebucker so that the single coil is now closest to the bridge and the middle and closest to the neck sections form the humbucker. I think it's a big improvement. The single coil has more of a Tele twang to it, which I like. The humbucker is brighter and not as muddy: more usable. I did the 50s mod on the tone control, also a plus.

The humbucker is (obviously) louder than the other pickups. I noticed that it has a gorgeous (full and chimey) tone when I back the volume off a bit. I am going to install a switch with resistor to approximate that level/tone. It will balance with the other pickups, but I can run it full tilt when I want to open up.

Playing this and comparing it to my friend's stock unit was an exercise in contrast. I still like the 2 & 4 positions a lot on the stock unit. I'll have to see what I can dial in by adjusting my pickups.

Jeez, I feel like I'm monopolizing this thread.

At the suggestion of my brother, I installed some Strat V/T knobs. along with the white switch tip. Didn't think I'd like the knobs, but must confess, I think it has a unifying effect.

Other than installing a cut switch and coil tap for the humbucker, I think it's done.

Hey harleysr, sorry to leave you all alone here. I have been following your posts, but I got swamped this week and can finally take a breather.

That’s looking really sharp! I agree about the knobs, and actually went through a phase of swapping the stock ones for aged Strat knobs, then back again, then adding black Strat knobs to the cycle, then repeating, repeat… I finally settled on the black Strat knobs since what I really want are some “witch-hats,” but I have yet to search for them. I would actually have whites on myself, but I don’t have the “unifying” element that yours does, so mine looked awkward with the warm pearlite.

I’ve gone with the chrome 3-bucker surround like MrB suggested and I’m really happy with it. I think all three of ours are a big improvement over the stock big-black-box pickup design.

I rewired the Triplebucker so that the single coil is now closest to the bridge and the middle and closest to the neck sections form the humbucker. I think it's a big improvement. The single coil has more of a Tele twang to it, which I like. The humbucker is brighter and not as muddy: more usable. I did the 50s mod on the tone control, also a plus.

The humbucker is (obviously) louder than the other pickups. I noticed that it has a gorgeous (full and chimey) tone when I back the volume off a bit. I am going to install a switch with resistor to approximate that level/tone. It will balance with the other pickups, but I can run it full tilt when I want to open up.
This is brilliant. Are you saying you, in effect, swapped the humbucker position with the single (middle)? I'd like to try that if you think it pays off. Any idea on resistor size for that switch? Kind of a trial-and-error process, I guess. I could see maybe running that to a push-pull volume pot.

Oh, and what's the "50s mod?" Seems like I've come across it before, but I don't remember what it is.

- Chu

Hey harleysr, sorry to leave you all alone here. I have been following your posts, but I got swamped this week and can finally take a breather.

That’s looking really sharp! I agree about the knobs, and actually went through a phase of swapping the stock ones for aged Strat knobs, then back again, then adding black Strat knobs to the cycle, then repeating, repeat… I finally settled on the black Strat knobs since what I really want are some “witch-hats,” but I have yet to search for them. I would actually have whites on myself, but I don’t have the “unifying” element that yours does, so mine looked awkward with the warm pearlite.

I’ve gone with the chrome 3-bucker surround like MrB suggested and I’m really happy with it. I think all three of ours are a big improvement over the stock big-black-box pickup design.


This is brilliant. Are you saying you, in effect, swapped the humbucker position with the single (middle)? I'd like to try that if you think it pays off. Any idea on resistor size for that switch? Kind of a trial-and-error process, I guess. I could see maybe running that to a push-pull volume pot.

Oh, and what's the "50s mod?" Seems like I've come across it before, but I don't remember what it is.

- Chu

For me, the pivotal aesthetic element is the maple neck: hence. the off-white knobs and covers. Like you, if I'd left those black, I would have left the dark knobs, too. Sure am loving the maple neck, though.

Electronically, rewiring the humbucker was pretty simple and, yes, I effectively moved the humbucker forward. The coil closest to the bridge is the solo single coil, instead of the (stock wiring) coil furthest from the bridge. I did leave the single coil in the middle position (3) on the 5-way switch, so it is what gets mixed with either the humbucker or Jazzmaster in positions 2 & 4, respectively.

I also wired the humbucker in parallel, rather than in series (stock). Keeeeerist, it sounds better, IMHO. Improved clarity and reduced muddiness.

The big mod today was the installation of a couple of switches. I split the hots from each humbucker coil. The middle coil goes to the first switch, which takes it in and out of the circuit. Obviously, when it's out, you have the coil closest to the neck acting as another single coil. Can you say Strat?

The first switch feed the the second, which feeds the 5-way thusly: 1) straight through as either a humbucker or single coill, depending on switch 1, or, through a 120k resistor, which drops the volume of the humbucker to a point where it's close to the other pickups. This not only balances the guitar, but yields a truly gorgeous clean tone.

I had to do a little routing to put those switches up high (think Jag), as I would hit them if they were down near the 5-way.

The 50s mod is a simple and effective way to maintain better highs if you roll your volume knob back. I also installed a .01 cap, replacing the stock unit. I prefer these (or .015s), as they provide a much gentler high cut, resulting in a much more usable tone control. No mud! Some people around here refer to it as the "fezz parka" mod. There are a couple of variations on it, Here's a pic of the one I do. It may even be fezz's version. Turned up in a Google search a few years ago, before I joined the forum or heard of him. If this one is his, my hat is off to him. Variants have been around since the 50s, though.

Oh Harleysr, that's looking absolutely brilliant!
Your Pickup cover and surround seem to match the aged white pickguard a bit better than mine. Did you age them? What sort of ring did you use for the bridge? A normal slanted LEs Paul type one on a flat white

I'm still umming and ahhing about the pickguard. The ones from WD look ok, but the shipping cost for a pearloid guard to the uk is way more than the guard itself. I've read two or three less than complementary reviews online too...

Not sure about my chrome telecaster knobs and am thinking about getting some aged white ones. Perhaps strat type, or maybe white versions of the Mustang ones.. Again not sure... Was even thinking about white chickenhead knobs for an extra quirky retro touch...

The Marauder s going to get an outing on the 22nd when I play a show at The White Lion in Streatham, London UK.

https://www.facebook.com/events/118213551687712/

I was working on my tone last night...
In my old band I used to play Telecaster Black dove into a Vox AC15 through a Tubescreamer. I used a Vox extension cab to widen my sound so that I ended up with Greenback speakers pumping me out on either side of the stage...

I ended up giving myself a hernia from lugging the AC15 (heavy!) the cab and two guitars on my back!

So, I bought myself a ZT Lunchbox. Very small and pretty loud. I'm using the Vox extension cab as a second speaker to beef the sound up (as it's not too heavy). I'm going into the Lunchbox via a Smokey Cigarette Box amp which really gives an amazing distortion sound. I can control the distortion level with the Marauder's volume. For extra searing lead I'm using the Tubescreamer... Sounded great last night when my wife was out!

MrB

I like the chickenhead knob idea too, but you're right, it is excessively quirky. I can't believe we're going on so much about knobs. Seems like a small enough issue, but there's something about these guitars that make the knobs a tricky thing to nail down! I know what I want, but I have yet to find it. I'd like a pair of black "witch-hats" for guitar. They still make amp witch-hats, but the numbers are sort of upside-down for guitar use. MrB, I think aged white witch-hats would look excellent on yours.

Well I got some chickenheads. I prefer them to the chrome I had before. They are mini chickenheads and might, as such, be a fraction too small. So, of course, I have now ordered some larger ones... Got to get it right! Still umming and ahhing about the pickguard. I think I will get one if I manage to come into 50 pounds for free...

New to the Forum.

Just got a Marauder last week, so of course I sought you guys out. I'm in love with the Marauder! My previous Fenders have all been MIM Strats, which are great for me, but the Marauder is just so much FUN! Love the Triplebucker and even the combos within it. The neck is nice & smooth, playable right outta the box. Seems like they really did a good job in combining a strat and a jazzmaster. I thought I'd change the pickguard and the knobs, but ended up really liking the Jazz bass knobs, so left it alone. Here's a before and after:

169792

Welcome Hair Sun! Glad you are loving your Marauder. Love the look of the tortoiseshell scratchplate on the black body... Much better than the white. Its a real mean machine now. Where did you get the plate from, WD?

Cheers, MrB

thanks MrBitey! Yeah, got it from WD. Perfect fit and super easy. I'd never change a pickguard by myself, but as the pickups are attached to the body, and have no knobs, the only thing I had to add & remove other than strings was the selector switch. So easy even I could do it!:grin:

Brilliantly done, Hair Sun! It's funny, for some reason I've never cared much for tortoise-shell pickguards, and when I first met the Marauder I didn't even consider the black one, but now that I see the two combined I want another one like that! It really looks great.

Glad you found us!

- Chu

Hey Mr.B, got any pics of your chicken-heads yet?

Still waiting for the slightly larger chickenheads to come... Will post when its all done (and see if I
Can take some good pics in natural light...)

Brilliantly done, Hair Sun! It's funny, for some reason I've never cared much for tortoise-shell pickguards, and when I first met the Marauder I didn't even consider the black one, but now that I see the two combined I want another one like that! It really looks great.

Glad you found us!

- Chu

Thanks! Glad you like, I'm a sucker for the tort on black.:smile:

Wel, here is a non perfect pic with the chickenheads... Still not sure what to do about the mismatch between the pups and the pickguard. The knobs are quite beige so match the pickguard. The pickups really stand out. Does that look good? Should I get a whiter pickguard or work on 'ageing' the pickups?


170469

I dig the chicken-heads, and I can see that they're a good tone match with the plate. Y'know, I played the ageing game with my Strat knobs a few years back and got some great results with tea bags and coffee grounds, but more importantly, I learned that some plastics can be aged while others can't. The risk you run with the two p-up covers is that they might be of different composites and as a result, wouldn't match in the end, if they even "aged" at all. What I can tell you about my knob experiment (?!) is that I got similar results if the backside of the knobs looked like they came from similar mold processes. I don't know if that makes sense, and I don't know if that method would translate to p-up covers.

MrBitey- I hear what you're saying but I don't think the pups look all that bad. But i know how it is, you're the only one that REALLY matters in this, so if it's driving you nuts change it.

Just got a Marauder last week...Here's a before and after:
169792

Yes! That is gorgeous. I've had GAS off and on for these Marauders since they first came out. I haven't even actually played one yet.

I think both the LPB and the black are nice looking, and I do think they look good with the stock pearl pickguards, but I really wanted to see a black one with a tort pickguard.

My main bass is a parts P-bass in black with a reddish tort guard and rosewood fingerboard and I think it's a beautiful combination.

Back in the day I slapped pearloid pickguards on several of my instruments and I just got kinda burnt out on it. A little blingy for me these days, although some would say the same of tortoise shell.

Anyways, that's a fine looking guitar and thanks for posting the pic!

Can you fit a standard JM pickup in the bridge postion? How about a standard sized 'bucker?

Hi there and welcome! Yes a standard humbucker will fit in the bridge but not a JM pup...
MrB

Here's my Marauder - I've had it for almost a year.

I like the neck pup - deeper sound that a Strat, great for those surfy instrumentals like "Rebel Rouser" or "Rumble".

I also really like the Triplebucker - it's a raunchy sound great for Stones rythym chording & leads. Not too Metalish; a great Rock sound.

I agree that the Triplebucker combo position is pretty much a duplicate of the single Rail position. Pointless - I wish Fender had added a different sound in that switch position.

However, all in all a great new guitar with four very usable sounds!

I just saw that the backplate of the black marauder is the white one. Does anyone know if the backplanes are the right size to swap out with a tele or strat? I want to order my pick guard and back plate at the same time to save on shipping.

Does anyone know if the backplanes are the right size to swap out with a tele or strat?
The backplate has a slightly different hole pattern than my '04 Mexican Strat (:mad: wouldn't ya know it).

- Chu

Hi all,

I thought I'd share a picture of my modded Marauder in action.
I played a gig (as Army of Molemen) at the Pav Tav in Brighton, Sussex, UK on Friday 26th Of April and here's what it looked like!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24228267/IMG_6098.jpg

Had a chat with the promoter afterwards who loved the Marauder. "What is that?" he said, "looks like a cross between a Jazzmaster and a Cyclone. Very cool"

The Marauder sounded great and stayed in tune all set (even with a fair bit of whammy use on a couple of songs)

cheers,

Mr B

Hey, check you out with your bad-ass chickenheads! That's excellent and looks great. Glad it officially passed the stage test!

- Chu

The backplate has a slightly different hole pattern than my '04 Mexican Strat (:mad: wouldn't ya know it).

- Chu

Thanks so much. My Marauder should arrive on Monday. Stoked. I want to ditch the white plates.

hey guys i really enjoyed the posts and ideas you shared, so i just thought i'd share a few pics of my little Leia. i got her in march of 2012, and played it frequently over that summer but have decreased my playing ever since december because of some studies i have (bleq)

i'm not a particular fan of the pearloid parts, so i decided to wrap the pickguard, control plate and headstock in matte black. i took it to an auto wrapping studio, originally to get it wrapped in gloss balck, but upon seeing the matte i just loved it

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538780_10150714378933801_1037392841_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546024_10150714378978801_1880754295_n.jpg

next on my list of modifications is possibly a tremol-no system becuase i'm used to fixed bridged guitars and do not use it at all.

i was also considering changing the triple bucker because i feel its kind of useless since it gives me less volume eith 3 p ups then with 2, but i'm not that good with soldering so i might skip it altogether.

Looking good Laqmi... :-) Don't discount swapping the pickup out, it's not too bad... I managed it and I am no expert!

Had a go at modding my Marauder recently. Here's the result:

http://oi44.tinypic.com/zml6ox.jpg

Ooh very nice!