Build your DREAM JAZZMASTER for less than $200!!!
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Why buy one when you can build a better one for cheaper?!!!
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*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice. Please check the links below for current pricing.
Here are the parts I used for my build:
Use Coupon Code: GUNSNGTRS to save 10% at The Fretwire!
P-90 Jazzmaster kit:
shrsl.com/13u0m
laser cut wood pickguard:
FlattGuitar.com - email Mr. Flatt directly thru his website to save 20% on your order in 2018!
roller bridge:
amzn.to/2HAa7KH
roller string trees:
amzn.to/2HAcZmC
graphtec nut piece:
amzn.to/2FpCXaI
d’addario light top heavy bottom gauge strings:
amzn.to/2Hwj9bo
Push/Pull 500k pots:
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Keyhole router bit:
amzn.to/2JJlCvE
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission.
Here are my videos on fret crowning and RF shielding:
• DIY Fret Crowning and ...
• Guitar shielding hack:...
Build your dream jazzmaster
Hey guys, if you saw my original review of the p90 jazzmaster kit from the fretwire, you know that I was actually pretty impressed all around by the kit. I really thought it was a good value, and you actually get a decent guitar out of it. But with just a few minor upgrades and modifications, you can turn this kit into a pretty amazing guitar. I’ve got less than total invested in this project, and it might be my favorite guitar to play right now. I’m dan, this is guns and guitars, and I’ll tell you all about it right now.
Don’t forget that if you’re interested in building a kit Guitar, you can use coupon code GUNSNGTRS to save $10 on any kit at the fretwire.com, link in the description.
Before we go any further I need to apologize for something. When I reviewed this kit originally I talked about how the frets were nearly good to go and that they would just need a minor touch up to make for an awesome playing guitar. Well I must’ve been drunk or something when I originally looked closely at them, because when I took the neck off to work on it I actually found out that they were really bad. Like really really bad. It was honestly a miracle that I got it setup and playing as good as it did, I’m still trying to wrap my head around how that happened. Anyway, So I did have to do a full leveling, crowning, and polishing job on them. The good news is that while I was doing that I came up with an awesome hack on how to save a bunch of time and get consistently good results using a little tool I made myself, and I did make a video about it, so if you haven’t seen it yet, check it out, Theres a link in the description.
Now other than that, I had two other beefs with this kit, and I’ll tell you how I fixed those real quick:
The tremolo was pretty sluggish, not the way a jazzmaster style tremolo should be, i felt like I really had to force it and it wouldn’t give me that nice gentle vibrato I was looking for.
The fix for this turned out to be pretty simple, and it’s likely that this issue was unique to my instrument and wouldn’t necessarily show up on other kits, but what was happening was that this little plate right here that holds the strings and the trem bar and spring underneath, was ever so slightly rubbing up against the wood at the front of the cavity. It actually wasn’t rubbing when the strings weren’t attached or when it was detuned, but when it was under tension, the strings must’ve been pulling it forward just enough touch the edge of the cavity, and that extra friction was causing the sluggish response from the tremolo. To fix it I just removed about mm or two from front edge of that cavity, bam, perfect function. Of course, that extra friction had also been the reason for the great tuning stability I was having, so once I “fixed” the issue with the tremolo, my tuning stability when out the window. slaps forehead but that is actually a pretty easy fix as well which I’ll tell you more about in a little bit.
The other beef I had was that this kit didn’t come with any shielding whatsoever. And p-90s need shielding. Bad. They are extremely sensitive to RF interference. So I used some aluminum foil and spray adhesive to make a home brew diy shielding job. I won’t go into details here because I now have a video dedicated to it. A video in which I completely botch the description of what RF interference actually is...but I promise, the shielding hack works, it made a big difference on this guitar, it’s much much quieter now...
I converted a tele to semi-hollow by shaving 3/8" off the top, hollowing the existing body with a router, adding a quilt top, and rerouting the top. It sounds absolutely killer.
“But it’s my guitar and I don’t give an F-hole what you think”😂😂😂
That quotes gonna make you famous
😆
Turning a solid body into a semi-hollow body? You peaked my interest with that. I'm a fan, and a hobbyist luthier. Although I don't always agree with you, you are entertaining and intelligent. Thank you for the videos.
You’re welcome. And thanks for your honesty!
Those light high/heavy low strings are the real deal. I was working some fingerpicking ideas in Nick Drake's CGCFCE tuning, and it didn't sound/feel satisfying on my electric until I switched to the string set that is mentioned here. I am happy to say that I am totally into these strings in standard tuning too. Seriously. Rad.
Great job with this vid. Love your humility and willingness to admit if you’re wrong about something. You’ve got some LEGIT setup skills!
I liked both the series the parallel pick up configuration with the bridge at 80% in the neck at 100%. Sounds great Dan, awesome work as always.
Thanks!
Can you make a Video about the Thinline Tele on the fretwire
Always love your mods! I like that you don't care what people think about any design changes you make to the style of your guitars either. You make it your own without trying to please everyone and make a cookie cutter copy of what everyone else does. I finally figured out you control knobs...looks like shotgun shells...I think??? One thing is cool is that you can look at pictures of your guitars with pictures of others and always pick out yours! That's a cool talent. I've always done that with my cars and I'm trying to do the same with my guitars too! Keep up the great work and making cool videos...always look forward to them!👍😎🎸🎶
Thanks man! You’re correct the knobs are made from shotgun shells, I have a video up on how to make them. And what you said about my guitars being unique...best compliment I can ever ask for. Thanks so much!
Guns and Guitars yep...you're welcome! I'll check for the video on the shell knobs...thanks!
I love blending pickups. Personally I would have added a third knob for master tone as well since in my old age I am finding a use for it.
Locking tuners are made so that there are no wraps around the tuning post. This can be a reason that tremolos knock guitars out of tune, the normal way of stringing a guitar to have 3-4 wraps around the post causes the strings to uncoil, and coil again in a different position when the tremolo bar is depressed and released. Locking tuners eliminate this problem, however the common misconception with locking tuners has people using them the wrong way, and not getting the results they're after.
Locking tuners are for quick string changes for those who gig. If you get the staggered locking tuners you can get rid of your string trees.
Also, shimming the neck .85 degrees, will help get rid of unwanted buzz, by raising the bridge level.
Both pickups in Parallel, with bridged roleled back a bit, sounds just so amazing. It's sweet and crunchy but has surprisingly good definition!
the mods and the upgrades, the mods and the upgrades, the rippin and the tearin, the rippin and the tearin
One of my favorite channels.
What are you playing for the demos? It sounds awesome
The guitar
Chords
AMEN to the string-wrapping!! Row behind row behind row!! I've been doing it that way for 20 years, thanks to a good teacher.
How do ya do it
Nice job on that kit build dude, I dig your channel and good for you for participating in that ride for ending childhood cancer.
Thanks and thanks!
Good job man. I love the fake soundhole. Pick guard is awesome. A+
Thanks!
I maintain that the Jazzmaster tremolo is the best design there is - I've had two and never had any tuning issues on either, even with wild wobbly bar whacking action
You may also have fun changing magnets they are cheap and easy. Blues 2 or 4 Ceramic for metal rest are in between
That does sound fun. I might try it!
Another benefit of locking tuners though is that they eliminate the wraps on your tuning pegs. Those wraps can cause the strings to resettle slightly differently after tension on the strings changes (vibrato bar, bends, heavy strumming). You'll always have this issue unless you get locking tuners. Just something to think about
If you turn the volume all the way down on one pickup and up on the other the 3 way switch will act as a kill switch, which is always fun
I never thought of that, but you’re absolutely correct.
Again a great video, Dan! I really like series/parallel options on teles but I think p90s are beefy enough on their own. Looking forward to those pickguard swaps.
Thanks for your input on the pickups!
The fact that you made it interchangeable is just awesome. I never thought of doing that
Still waiting for a drop-tuned/7-string metal-ish guitar to see what kind of hacks you would do :v
I will get to this build eventually. I would personally love a 7-string.
É o Patrux! Pensei que eu era o único BR nesse canal...
Guns and Guitars if you do build a 7 string try to find a long scale kit like a 26.5 or a 27
Bomfim 003 pensou errado, otário
Guns and Guitars Bargain Musician has a 7 string flying V, that would be sweet!
Man, you have got a winner there. Enjoyed the video, and am impressed with your creativity and workmanship. I like your loose attitude and kind of coolness. Thanks very much, time well spent watching.
Love watching your videos. One thing I believe you mention in this and the one where you built the Purple $750 guitar you sold in 1 day, is the dollar amount you have invested seems minimal. What I think is pretty obvious is your skill as a Luthier and the equipment you already have. Meaning the various tools you use to carve out the body, tools for measuring the frets, etc. I know cost of time is subjective & you wouldn't have second rate tools, so unless someone has your skill level and tools, it's a bit unfair to say that. I'm planning to do a kit with my grandson, but it will be on the inexpensive side until we/he feels comfortable with doing this more. Then I'll invest in better kits and better tools.
Locking tuners have better tuning stability because there are far less windings around the shaft, they're not a gimmick, but are really only called for on guitars with tremolo
I understand how they work, I’ve just not had any better tuning stability with them than cheap tuners with a tremolo. In my experience the bridge and nut make a much bigger difference in tuning stability, and for far less money. I do like how much easier they are to string up though.
I've used both methods, wraping the string under itself and locking tuners. The locking tuners are much more stable. But if your like me and you take your strings on and off a lot to mod your guitar etc. Then locking tuners are easier in those situations but more likely to break the string at the kink rendering it useless. So there's pros an cons but I prefer locking tuners for now, the tuning stability has improved on every guitar I've used them on. They do take time to get used to but I found it worth it. I went from tuning ever 1-2 days to tuning every 5 days to a week or more and I practice/jam multiple times a day.
I love your headstock design, never seen something like that!
I love seeing all your crazy build hacks! You just keep adding to the list of toys I want to buy. Thanks for putting these videos together. As soon as I build my own kit with your hacks I'll make sure to post a picture and maybe an audio clip.
I made and used the fret crowning hack, it works perfectly. I didn't do a great job looking at it now so might go back and fix it, but the tool is a top notch idea.
I built that same kit. No F hole but I did replace the tailpiece with an original Fender Jazzmaster piece and your other mods except the bridge. I got the bridge you recommended but the damned holes didn’t line up. The pins weren’t set wide enough. Routing out the wood for the tailpiece with a Dremmel was a bitch but the cover hides my shitty work. Sounds great.
The Jazz master pickups also are badly noise sensitive. That's why there are aluminium pick guards on the originals usually. I had to shield mine additionally still though. Now it is perfect. Was no kit though
I have always, and I do mean always locked in my strings like that on my personal guitars. When I worked at a music store a good 15years after I first started playing, I had to learn how to string up the "normal" way so customers didn't get confused.
I will say though that fender vintage fstyle slotted tuners are my favorite. The end of the string gets shoved down into the hole too, so no sharp bits to cut my fingers.
@Zach Isley well, yeah, that's definitely the easy way to say it :)
dan this kit is awesome! I cant believe you only have $200 IN IT!!!
I've played on Ernie hybrids (top 3 from a 9 set, bottom 3 from a 10s set) pretty much all my life. Nice to see you joining the bandwagon on the mixed sets, they're awesome!
As for the coment below about the wilkinson 2 point trems, try one on the firebird or a V maybe? I know Pitbull guitars would easily edit a V or Firebird kit to have a 2 point trem on them, or heck, go the whole hog and throw in a floyd rose or something. So many people that think you HAVE to dive and abuse the F-hole out of floyds yet forget you can use them for small, classy bending as well.
Honestly, I think a 2-point V or Firebird would fit great, both guitars are common in both rock and metal styles and some lighter ones, so a trem that sits between "no trem" and "heavy metal double locker" would also fit quite nicely.
This, of course, assumes you've not ordered either a firebird or a V yet.
Just coming to mind, aren't their Bass vibratos? maybe a build with one of them on it?
I tried a "toasted" finish once on a kit guitar and that's how I discovered that it was a composite (MDF) body with a grain veneered on.
So only do it on a solid wood guitar body!
Oh no! 🤦♂️ great tip for those looking to do this on a veneer
that is a gorgeous guitar and a killer swapout plan. i would suggest finding a multipin connector so you can simply make one connection, no soldering. kinda like a soca. you can wire the connectors to plan. excellent work!
I just bought this kit, I'm thinking I'll eventually put a pair of Seymour Duncan p-rails in and wire it up so I can switch between the single coil/p90/humbucker tones.
I'm pretty sure I'll end up upgrading the bridge, nut, and string trees to the ones you got as well.
dude that sounds awesome! I want to try out those p-rails, they are really cool
You can definitely tell more of a tonal difference when they're in series than paralell. Turned out awesome and makes me want to build one myself
I agree, I really like the series wiring as an option to beef it up a bit.
Greetings from the UK! You did a fantastic job, as always. Cheers.
If you could expand on the finish a little bit that would be great. Just how many coats of stain and tung oil. I'm building a bass for my son and that coloring is wonderful. Thanks and great job!
What a great and creative guy you are! Best greetings from Vienna, Austria!
bro, you did an amazing job on that guitar, its beautiful.... I've been playing and occasionally building guitars for 20 years and thats a keeper
series with Bridge at 80% sounded the best for me
Quickswap pick guard and pickups is a fantastic idea.
Love the Rickenbacker touch.
Did anybody like how that guitar sounds?
Yes, right here. May the Lord bless and show you His love, in Yeshuah’s name
thanks for these videos, ive learned so much. i just got my first kit and with these videos i kind of feel like i know what to do, and maybe what not to do. I appreciate it.
Maybe try making a short-scale baritone (24.5") and use bass strings on it. I tried a .105 string on an Epiphone Jr and tuned it to C, it worked.
I was just getting ready to buy this very kit! Glad I found this video! I’m thinking dark blue wood dye and finding a pearl white Pickguard! One thing I had decided to do was looking into purchasing a replacement Jazzmaster neck! From what I understand are the correct scale length and should fit with minimal adjustment
Did you end up doing that?
Do some Fretwire Kits come with quick connectors? It would be a lot easier than learning to solder.
If you go to a local workshop, you could probably get access to a laser cutter. (I don't know about where you live, but if you live in any major city, there is probably a local workshop in your neighborhood.)
my guy paul gilbert has a painted on f-hole on his signature guitar so I don't see why anyone would hate on your jazzmaster, besides its lookin pretty baller
I enjoyed the pickups in parallel with the bridge at 80% the most.
I like your style of playing and the tone you get out those guitars you build.
I love the swappable pickguard/electronics idea! I'm wanting to do a similar thing to a kit bass!
Nice results on the JazzMaster tremolo. I use Hipshot™ Tremsetter on my Squier Stratocaster Deluxe and with a pro setup, it is as good as the original, thanks to the "Duncan Designed" pickups. CNC machines can output quality guitar bodies and neck faster and cheaper. What used to be a crappy guitar manufacturers now produce decent guitars at a much lower price.
Locking tuners also make it possible to tune without having several wraps around your tuning pegs and putting and unnecessary force on them which could damage them and eventually causing them to snap. Get some locking tuners.
Exactly, locking tuners are convenient, they just aren’t the most important thing when it comes to tuning stability.
Guns and Guitars but they’re beneficial to keeping your hardware intact as well. It’s not just a convenience.
Man. Thanks. I have a vintage modified jaguar squire and I will do some of these upgrades.
Love what you did with the headstock 👍👍👍
Wow wasn't expecting what I found when I clicked in on your video. Really glad I did. I'm 60 years old I love my guitars and my gun's and you really made me feel good about this countries future. thanks for making my day better!
Thanks Randy!
I don't recommend, but I bought a router bit, and opened up that trem cavity, and put a fender vintage in there, and it made all the difference in the world.
This channel is underrated. You honestly deserve more subs
What's the song?
Also bought one I’m currently doing a vintage sunburst like the 67 it’s absolutely gorgeous!
Sounds awesome man! I’d love to see a pic of it!
Much better than the stock kit... which I liked.
My favorite tones were the double-100% series, which the parallel counterpart close behind.
I like the multiple pickguard switching idea, but the SSS one needs to be a different color. Well, it doesn't NEED need to be, but I think tortoise would look better.
If you're looking for an awesome replacement pickup brand, Warman pickups are a great option for interesting styles and great price to quality
Could you please make a detailed explanation on how to wire the guitar like you did with this one?
the stain is nice. reminds me of elvis costello's jazzmaster
That wood pickguard is sharp lookin'
the thing with locking tuners is that you dont have to wrap the string around the post. Lets say you wrap a string 2 times around the post, then when you use the trem that wrap around the post loosens and tightens rapidly which can change the seating of the string around the post if that makes any sense.
It makes total sense, I appreciate your input. Like I said, there are a lot of reasons to have good tuners, but for tuning stability, there are other things I’ll spend my money on first.
If you want to make the ultimate modular pickguard then you should do something with magnets like the battery bay on the new fender pedals. I.e, install some strong magnets in the body (preferably far away from the strings) and make sure to have some metal in the pickguards. Now, IF you had locking tuners all you would have to do was to unlock the 6 strings, slide them out, replace the pickguards magnetically, and re-lock the strings. Trolling about locking tuners not intended.
Yeah, with this style trem, the whole bridge tremolo comes out with a few screws, so that’s actually easier access to removing the pickguard than removing the strings from the tuners
Dan. Try out a kiesel kit or kiesel pre fretboarded and truss rodded neck through neck/body.
I am really inspired to build and mod guitars in the future. Also, making these can make great gifts.
Skinny top heavy bottom have been my go to for the last year. They’re the perfect set tbh.
Agreed!
Took the plunge and bought kit. First ever build for me. Ordered the roller bridge and noticed it doesn't fit into provided holes. What did you use to install it? Thanks
Do you have an update? I wanna build one too so I know how to prepare
I really love this series
Thanks! These videos are my favorite to make
Pronounced ‘Dad-a-Rio’ or ‘Daddy-Rio’ ;) I dig your content. You got me building my second guitar now. First was a 335 from fretwire, now I got a $70 strat eBay kit to work on. Still in need of a detailed soldering video, if possible. Cheers!
Just did this build myself, had the same issue with tremolo. As soon as a got the strings to pitch the tremolo would stick wherever I moved it. Gonna sand down the cavity tonight.
It works now?
Do you have any video showing how you "lock" the strings down with how you wrap them? if not maybe a small vid to demonstrate?
Thanks and keep up the good content love the review
I don’t, but a lot of people are requesting it, it would be easy enough so I probably will make one here soon.
Wow just in that quick shot of the neck you could see the gap under the middle of the frets all along the neck. The ends looked fine but they hadn’t hammered down the middle...that would definitely need to be done before the levelling or you’re heading toward future disaster. Besides that, beautiful guitar.
Cool guitar! I love how the burnt finish looks. Also, cool idea having the different pickguards.
Thanks man!
locking tuners offcourse works .. because you dont have that few turns of string on pole ... you will have about half turn on locking tuner...
Heck I want one.
The Pots for knobs is absolutely to die for
You are great man !!!!! Very very good work !!!!!!
I really appreciate what you do !!!!
Thanks!
You could try to do something like guitarfetish with their "quickplug" stuff and use what looks like a 3.5mm plug to connect the ground wire to the pickguard to make the swap easy. They use it for pickups though, kind of like EMG
That’s pretty similar to my hack.
Oh sweet! Looking forward to your video on that!
The sieries one sounds a little more distorted, while the paralell sounds a little cleaner.
Def love your videos. I was curious about those roller string trees when I saw them. I'm glad they turned out to be a good product. I think I'll use them on my first build :)
please make a review of one of the rickenbacker- style guitar kids!
It's quite impressive this build. I'll save up for making one
Go for it!
Hey Dan could you please do a vid on how to string your guitar like a lock-in tuner guitar! Thanks, keep up the good content and work.
I think I probably will one day
When will you do the floyd rose strat video?
That’s a long term collaboration project. Hopefully within the end of next month.
It would be really perfect to me if it had a thick lacquered neck and maple fretboard. Maybe a Humbucker in the bridge position
Awesome Job you did there ! I'll be glad to see more
I used high top/heavy bottom strings for years and years. I went back to 10-46, because I started to notice that I had a bigger difference in volume between bottom and top, and it began to annoy me.
And I had my 2v/1t setup changed so the volume the closest to my hand was the bridge volume.
Hmmm...I don’t have that issue with the volume being inconsistent across the strings. Maybe an adjustment to the pickup height would’ve fixed it? Like drop the low string side a tad or raise the high string side a tab?
Done all of that, and it didn't work. And it got really boomy on the full mahogany guitar (neck and slab body), in combination with a firm distortion (rock/grunge/metal).
I'm not that handy, so I had it done by the guy who sold me the guitar 10 years before I switched to 10-52's, and I tried it the long haul; almost 7 years I tried to get it balanced, and it was right back when I went back to 10-46.
Plus I discovered that heaviness is in the playing, not in the strings you use.
Ive watched a few of your videos and just now noticed that there is a les paul on the gun in your logo
Beautiful job. My dream guitar is an offset with p90s so that is my favorite tone here. Wish I could pull something off like this.
been using those strings for years, no set compares.
Right? I’m loving them.