Another Jagmaster mod thread

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:20 pm

Although I mentioned this in another thread (tagged onto that crazy racist's Jagmaster topic), I've finally got hold of a Jagmaster. It deserves a topic of its own. It's one of the post 2005, conversion neck models.

I've got a bit of budget left over to do some modifications, but really need some help and advice from current owners!

Firstly, I'll be using the Strat style vibrato now and then, so I'd like to change it to something a little more solid and effective. I'm not worried about having to drill any holes to mount it to the body, but am concerned about string spacing etc. Has anyone actually changed directly to another Strat trem? The Wilkinson ones look great, but I'm not sure what's actually compatible with Squiers. Closest I've come to an answer is the GFS site banging on about stuff being suitable for 'Import' guitars, but the rest is typically vague.

Changing the pickups to the G+B 'Twangmasters'. Need to buy a couple of 1meg pots, I think.

http://www.axesrus.com/axehumbuckers.htm

It's 42mm at the nut, right? Probably going to buy a graphite one and fit it. Also, changing the tuners to some Kluson style (probably split shaft). What conversion work is needed to make these fit?

Apologies if I've asked stuff that's been answered in other threads, but I'm far from certain at the moment!

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 8:44 pm

So, it arrived today. Deliberately reliced by previous owner. I rather like it.

String spacing seems to be 54mm, which was a surprise.

rlm2112 · Post by **rlm2112** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:42 am

Nice. I think all the mods you mentioned can be done. I briefly had one after Christmas, and I was going to swap the bridge with a 2 post Wilkinson if I kept it.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:04 am

hell yes. twangmasters

jagblaster mini!!!!1

DO EEEEET GUY

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:30 pm

Twangmasters arrived today, along with split shaft Wilkinson tuners. Oh, and a six hole solid block bridge. Pots are in the post.

I must say, I'm delighted with the neck.

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:16 pm

Pickups sound great; helped by the new pots, I'm sure.

I thought I'd measured the tuner holes correctly, but I was wrong (10.5mm as opposed to 10.3mm). Besides, the screws on the Wilkinsons wouldn't line up, anyway. Oiled and tightened up the stock ones, and they seem to work well.

Bridge required two of the existing mounting holes to be filled and redrilled. No problems now. String spacing is fine.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:17 pm

that looks great. thanks for the update. i think i know what i'll be putting in the neck of my jagmaster...

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:29 pm

Had to recut the pickguard to fit those, actually. Hadn't anticipated that, but makes a lot of sense. Will be nice to try it through a decent amp. Played it as stock through Doog's Marshall amp, and it sounded like it was playing through soup.

Just got to set the trem up. Only ever had hardtail guitars until now.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:39 pm

what'd you have to do the pg? just square up the corners of the holes? i don't really want to butcher my vista pg.

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:42 pm

this thing looks rad!!!

when i put soap covers on my guitars, i have to sand out the pickguard holes too. i use a dremel on the corners and a really thick grit sand paper on the flat parts

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:59 pm

Thankfully, pickguard holes were perfectly aligned.

Had to file a good millimetre off the length off, and a little on the width. And yes, corners need some work. If you've got a set of decent files, you've nothing to worry about.

Dice · Post by **Dice** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 12:20 am

That came out great - nice work!

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:04 am

As far as I know, the Wilkinson will work fine, as more or less everything on it can be adjusted and set.

It might be an idea to replace the block on the trem that's there, though. That might get you the result you're after with less cost and headaches. The strat stle bridge, when set up properly is very, very solid. I haven't modified my Jagmaster at all and it simply will not go out of tune.

I don't know if you've much experience setting up these bridges, but I found I had much more success after I removed the four middle screws leaving the two outside ones.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:57 am

It certainly does look ace.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:42 am

That does look really great I have to say. The relicing looks pretty tasteful too.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:50 am

The only thing that would make it hotter would be a Mustang trem and bridge, or possibly a Jaguar/Jazzy style bridge and trem, but both of those things involve major surgery.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:47 am

While I'm not usually a fan of these, that looks ace. Well done.

MikeG · Post by **MikeG** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:40 pm

Thanks guys!

The relicing was done by the previous owner (guitar player in Nine Black Alps, I believe).

The bridge I bought, in the end, was the Wilkinson WVP6, with the solid steel block. Hard to tell without A/Bing it with a stock Jagmaster what effect it has on the tone, but it's a great bit of kit.

Daedalus · Post by **Daedalus** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:02 pm

i like the split pickups.. small touch, but so much nicer looking than the all-in-one row pole pieces

joc · Post by **joc** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:35 am

This is a jagmaster I bought recently and had some fun with, tonerider pure vintage pups, mint green plastic, jag chrome, bone nut, vintage style gotohs.