First Warmoth Build: Jazzmaster Mahogany or Alder?

[anthonymunoz]

I'm totally new to this forum and this is my very first build on my own. I have lots of guitars (mostly vintage gibson), but I want to put together something totally different from my norm. I recently got a Troy VanLeeuwen Jazzmaster with a Mastery Bridge and Vibrato. I love playing this guitar and I want to build something similar in looks but with more of a harder rock sound.

Here is what I have decided on for hardware: Mastery Bridge and Vibrato, Bareknuckles P90 Mississippi Queen neck and bridge set, and Schaller tuners. I am undecided on the wood. I initially had in my head to go mahogany body (gloss black) and mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard similar to a Les Paul Jr with P90s, but those woods would have to be special ordered for over $900 through Warmoth. I can get stock parts in an alder body and maple/rosewood neck for just over $600. This seems to be the standard woods for Jazzmaster builds.

Does anyone have any person experience with either of these wood combos with P90s? I wonder if the mahogany combo would be worth the extra $300?

 

[bagman67]

Well, if you're not in a hurry, it seems likely to me that a plain-vanilla unfinished mahogany body ought to come along in the showcase from time to time.


Are you committed to the block inlays that are the Jazzmaster hallmark?  'Cause you can save a lot of dough by going with dots or even (my preference) skipping inlays altogether.  Otherwise, that's much more likely to need custom-ordering if you really have your heart set on it.


I am very fond of my Roadhouse P90's mounted in a mahogany telecaster body with a canary/ebony neck.  Soap bars really do it for me, so I'm of course in favor of your plans.  Good luck!


Bagman

 

[anthonymunoz]

Hey Bagman, thanks for your input. I'm not exactly in a rush, although I am all excited about getting it going. For now, I will be on the look-out for a mahogany body in the shop (I didn't know items pop up from time to time). My plan was to go with the classic block inlays for the neck, but I do kind of like the idea of no inlays at all! Now you've got me thinking.Decisions...

 

[Cagey]

I'm with Bagman. Lack of inlays is a Good Thing. Takes about 8 seconds to get used to - you really don't need anything other than side markers - and you'll marvel at how attractive your neck is. It's a very classy look, especially if you buy into a fancy fretboard.