Help me decide which project to do first!

kalipigeon · July 10th, 2008, 12:45 AM

So I've got some cash now that I'm working full time over the summer, but I'm still too poor to buy MIA (and most MIM). I've got several ideas that I wouldn't want to do to a good Fender anyway, but I need some help deciding which to do first. Here's where you guys come in: Take a look at my horrible photo(MSPaint)shops to help me decide.

First, the most horrible looking one: The Jagmaster refit. I would use this as a home for my SD P-Rails pickups until I can afford a better solution. I love these pickups, but they need more switches than I want to install in my Tele Custom (squier). It would be either as pictured, or with the 3 way in the bottom horn with the Jaguar upper horn control plate and Mustang style 3 way DPDT switches to select SC/HB/P90 where the roller pots should be. (the mustang switches fit that hole better...)

Next, this one involves an SX short scale Jaguar bass copy that would be modified to be like a Fender Bass VI with no tremelo. This would be tough since I'd have to dowel, skin, and redrill the headstock. Also, new nut, bridge and some routing - the most difficult, but also seems like fun to try and make a BassVI proper scale reissue for so much less than the custom shop reissue. (I have a Jaguar Baritone custom but the scale is shorter than it should be for a proper bass VI tone).

And finally, the one that you guys will probably like the most...the Telemaster. This one is an idea I had a while back, and now I know that Elliot Easton (the Cars) beat me to the punch a long time ago. His looks great, but I want to make mine look like a prototype from Fender. The new Squier Classic Vibe tele in white blonde makes this easy. I was thinking either this look, or a gold guard with black Jazzmaster pickup cover for extra prototype points.

So please, discuss and let me know what you guys like and what is a horrible idea. Part of the fun of this is the project to work on over the summer, not just the (somewhat) cheaper price in the end.

winny pooh · July 10th, 2008, 03:51 AM

I say do either guitar, how often you gonna play that bass anyway and you will have to do much painting, filling and drilling to get it working.

junk126 · July 10th, 2008, 04:54 PM

I think the Telemaster would probably deliver the most instant gratification. Not just because it's a Tele and all, but because it looks to be something you could be playing almost immediately. The Jagmaster could be just as quick if your just dropping the p'ups in, but if you have to wire and set up the numerous switches for it, ugh. That doesn't appeal to me. You might be better at soldering though and it might not be an issue. The JagBass does look fun, but it has the most potential to be frustrating and could loose the fun factor very quickly. It could also become one of the most fun things you do this summer so it's still a toss up.

My vote: (for what it's worth)
Telemaster
Jagmaster refit
Jaguar Bass VI conversion

Any way you go, it looks like you'll have fun this summer!

e-merlin · July 10th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Telemaster gets my vote.

kalipigeon · July 11th, 2008, 02:45 AM

Yeah, I want the telemaster really badly, and I played several Jagmasters at the local GC tonight that are on sale for $219. I didn't find the build quality to be on par with the rest of the Vintage Modified series. Maybe its my hate for strat tremelos coloring my experience, but I'm thinking that the Telemaster will be first because I want to get one of the first few of the Classic Vibe teles that everyone has been raving about before they change something to encourage people to buy the MIM standards for more money.

I'm also not convinced that the Jaguar control plates will cover the routes entirely on a Jagmaster, they're a little wonky. I can make my own pickguards from wood to cover anything, but I'm not about to try chroming my own control plates...

Anyone have any ideas for a good bridge for replacing a strat tremelo (or for putting bassVI strings on for that matter?)

July 10th, 2008, 12:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
kalipigeon TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Little Rock, AR Age: 26 Posts: 40	Help me decide which project to do first! So I've got some cash now that I'm working full time over the summer, but I'm still too poor to buy MIA (and most MIM). I've got several ideas that I wouldn't want to do to a good Fender anyway, but I need some help deciding which to do first. Here's where you guys come in: Take a look at my horrible photo(MSPaint)shops to help me decide. First, the most horrible looking one: The Jagmaster refit. I would use this as a home for my SD P-Rails pickups until I can afford a better solution. I love these pickups, but they need more switches than I want to install in my Tele Custom (squier). It would be either as pictured, or with the 3 way in the bottom horn with the Jaguar upper horn control plate and Mustang style 3 way DPDT switches to select SC/HB/P90 where the roller pots should be. (the mustang switches fit that hole better...) Next, this one involves an SX short scale Jaguar bass copy that would be modified to be like a Fender Bass VI with no tremelo. This would be tough since I'd have to dowel, skin, and redrill the headstock. Also, new nut, bridge and some routing - the most difficult, but also seems like fun to try and make a BassVI proper scale reissue for so much less than the custom shop reissue. (I have a Jaguar Baritone custom but the scale is shorter than it should be for a proper bass VI tone). And finally, the one that you guys will probably like the most...the Telemaster. This one is an idea I had a while back, and now I know that Elliot Easton (the Cars) beat me to the punch a long time ago. His looks great, but I want to make mine look like a prototype from Fender. The new Squier Classic Vibe tele in white blonde makes this easy. I was thinking either this look, or a gold guard with black Jazzmaster pickup cover for extra prototype points. So please, discuss and let me know what you guys like and what is a horrible idea. Part of the fun of this is the project to work on over the summer, not just the (somewhat) cheaper price in the end. __________________ What if fat-bottomed girls really do make the rockin' world go 'round?

July 10th, 2008, 03:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,610 7 Photos	I say do either guitar, how often you gonna play that bass anyway and you will have to do much painting, filling and drilling to get it working. __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

July 10th, 2008, 04:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
junk126 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alabama, United States Age: 29 Posts: 120	I think the Telemaster would probably deliver the most instant gratification. Not just because it's a Tele and all, but because it looks to be something you could be playing almost immediately. The Jagmaster could be just as quick if your just dropping the p'ups in, but if you have to wire and set up the numerous switches for it, ugh. That doesn't appeal to me. You might be better at soldering though and it might not be an issue. The JagBass does look fun, but it has the most potential to be frustrating and could loose the fun factor very quickly. It could also become one of the most fun things you do this summer so it's still a toss up. My vote: (for what it's worth) Telemaster Jagmaster refit Jaguar Bass VI conversion Any way you go, it looks like you'll have fun this summer! __________________ I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it. -- (Terry Pratchett)

July 11th, 2008, 02:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
kalipigeon TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Little Rock, AR Age: 26 Posts: 40	Yeah, I want the telemaster really badly, and I played several Jagmasters at the local GC tonight that are on sale for $219. I didn't find the build quality to be on par with the rest of the Vintage Modified series. Maybe its my hate for strat tremelos coloring my experience, but I'm thinking that the Telemaster will be first because I want to get one of the first few of the Classic Vibe teles that everyone has been raving about before they change something to encourage people to buy the MIM standards for more money. I'm also not convinced that the Jaguar control plates will cover the routes entirely on a Jagmaster, they're a little wonky. I can make my own pickguards from wood to cover anything, but I'm not about to try chroming my own control plates... Anyone have any ideas for a good bridge for replacing a strat tremelo (or for putting bassVI strings on for that matter?) __________________ What if fat-bottomed girls really do make the rockin' world go 'round?