First time project, custom Jaguar

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:30 pm

First post here, so hello.

I guess before I go any further, I should explain what it is I intend to build. Basically, its just going to be a regular Jag with stock hardware (none of that Japanese HH stuff), with a Mustang bridge. I'm going for a midnight or gun metal blue finish with either a white or black pearl PG. I will be doing all the painting and finishing on my own. I still havent decided on what kind of Pups I really want, but they will most likely be Duncan humbuckers. I'm not going for a surf tone.

I may be committing a crime by wanting to create a custom Jaguar with Humbuckers, but I'm looking for opinions on some of the custom guitar parts makers out there. I discovered Warmoth, and have read a great deal of some of the projects made here with Warmoth parts, but have also come across names like USA Custom Guitars, and the Guitar Mill. I'd like to know if I should expect good stuff from any of them, or if I should expect horror stories.

So basically all I want to know is if there are any things that I should be on the lookout for. And for the Single Coil Police, worry not, I already have plans for a second custom project with SC's in it.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:40 pm

Shaguar
Shagwire
WTF?

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/shagwire.html

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:42 pm

Oh it's your guitar, put whatever pickups you like in it. Although you'll be paying a pretty penny to make one from scratch- wouldn't it be easier to buy a CIJ Jaguar and route it for humbuckers?

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:15 pm

To tell you the truth, yes it would probably be easier, but I've always wanted to make my own guitar, and I figured since I liked the shape of the Jag, that's what I'd go for.

Post by **Mike** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:04 pm

Shaguar wrote:To tell you the truth, yes it would probably be easier, but I've always wanted to make my own guitar, and I figured since I liked the shape of the Jag, that's what I'd go for.

But you're not really making your own, you're sticking it together from parts. Getting a beat up CIJ and refinishing it and routing it is the sensible way to go. You'll get a body and neck that are already mated well and it will cost you literally half the money.

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:53 pm

I get what you are saying Mike, but I dont have the 600 to 800 and some odd dollars to fork over all at once for a CIJ at this very instant. Building from parts would allow me to buy the guitar in stages.

I guess I can still have a look see if I cant get a deal. Where do you recommend looking for old beat up CIJ Jags? Anything else besides ebay?

Post by **Mike** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:30 pm

Shaguar wrote:I get what you are saying Mike, but I dont have the 600 to 800 and some odd dollars to fork over all at once for a CIJ at this very instant. Building from parts would allow me to buy the guitar in stages

Are you American? I'm sure you could get a CIJ secondhand for more like $400 on ebay or Craigslist. 600-800 dollars is a joke, they don't even cost that amount new.

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:37 pm

I live in Canada.

I must be looking in the wrong places, I've seen lots of new ones from 700 to 850$, and a few used ones on ebay going for 600$ or so. I'll google craigslist and see.

Post by **Mike** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:44 pm

I don't know the Canadian market that well but these things are normally a dollar to pound relation in my experience. I seriously think that given you don't care about dinged paint on the guitar you're looking for that you should definitely be able to find one for $400.

If you cost up the price to build one from scratch including all parts I think it will give you the impetus you need to get a CIJ.

Don't forget you need:

Body
Neck
Tuners
String tree
Nut
Neck plate
Neck bolts
Scratch plate
Scratch plate screws
3x control plates
4x switches
2x roller pots
2x pots
2x jaguar knobs
1x jack
2x pickups
wire
capacitors
solder
Bridge
Tremolo Plate and springs
Tremolo Arm
Strap buttons and screws
Strings
Primer
Paint
Lacquer
Sand paper (lots and lots of grades)
Sanding block
Buffing compound

I made a project guitar recently and the prices all add up. It is MUCH more expensive than getting a second hand guitar and doing it up.

finboy · Post by **finboy** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:51 pm

ebay cij prices are a bit more now that the canadian dollar is around 80 cents usd. if you keep your eyes open you can score deals on used AVRI's for 8-900, but be prepared for $100 shipping charges.

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:20 pm

Right...I guess I should have given a little info on my background. I'm a mechanic, and I have do a bit of bodywork every now and then, so paint, sandpaper, sanding blocks et al, not a problem for me, and I get good quality stuff cheap.

So in my going through a project guitar, my major expense will be in the wood and the hardware. I added it up a couple days ago, and I think the highest price I got for a complete guitar was around 600$ (750$ for me in canadian funds).

I will keep your idea in mind though, there are pros and cons to both ways that I may take on this project. I'm not going to go 100% stock hardware on this.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:22 pm

Here in Ca, I rarely see CIJ stuff for sale. And when it does come up on Craigslist it is often almost as much as USA

handen · Post by **handen** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:22 am

I'll be selling the red guitar in this picture pretty soon for about $500 and I'm in Canada so shipping would be cheap. It's the Japanese HH stuff that you don't really care for though...

Shaguar · Post by **Shaguar** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:16 pm

Hey that's pretty cool Handen, the middle one is actually the type of finish I'd be going for. The only reason I dont really care for the Japanese HH stuff is the lack of the vibrato.