Help for a first time assembler with needed parts/tools

[chip3341]

Hi All!

I am planning on assembling a Warmoth Jazzmaster (I say assembling because I won't be painting or drilling anything). I'm not new to soldering - I've successfully built 5 or so effects pedals before, and I am decent at guitar setup (although I currently don't have an action gauge, which I imagine I'll need).

So here's what I'm building:

- Painted standard JM body/neck
- Gotoh TOM/Stoptail
- Standard JM controls/input rout - vintage sliders and all
- Jazzmaster pickup rotued but with JM in neck and JM-size P90 in bridge



I know that, aside from the above, I will need tuners, nut, pickguard, screws, wires, and all the pots and knobs and sliders and switches.

Can someone tell me if

(a) I'm missing anything
(b) There are any special wires I need or shielding or if regular shielded wire (like I'd use for building pedals) is good
(c) WHAT TOOLS I NEED. This is the part I'm probably most lacking. I have a decent soldering iron and various screwdrivers, and some wrenches and pliers, but that's about it.


THANKS!!! I'm super excited to get this started.

 

[stratamania]

I recommend you watch the video series on YouTube, by smbstressfest.

Here's a link http://youtu.be/mqLfllURlo8

Also I put together a diary of the build/assembly I recently did you might find it useful.

http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=22445.0

Important is to pre drill and pre thread and wax pilot holes and avoid screw breakage.

And welcome to the forum...

 

[ihavenothingprofoundtosay]

So far as I can tell, you've got all you need, though I might add having a rubber mallet to do the bridge stud inserts.  But there's plenty of ways to do that without getting a special tool.

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

You will need a drill and drill bits for pick guard screw holes and tuner fastening screw holes.

 

[Updown]

Strap locks ..... plus need to drill for them too.

 

[Cagey]

Can someone tell me if

(a) I'm missing anything
(b) There are any special wires I need or shielding or if regular shielded wire (like I'd use for building pedals) is good
(c) WHAT TOOLS I NEED. This is the part I'm probably most lacking. I have a decent soldering iron and various screwdrivers, and some wrenches and pliers, but that's about it. 

I don't think you can get away without a drill motor and some twist drills. Although, you could ask somebody else to handle that duty if it bothers you or you can't get the tools.

Shielded cable is the way to go if there's any chance of noise reduction; shielding the various cavities is pointless. But, be aware that single coil pickups like the Jazzmaster soapbars or P90s are going to be noisy no matter what you do, so don't go to any heroic lengths. You won't gain anything. Better off with a good NR device, like Rocktron's "Hush" unit.

 

[chip3341]

You will need a drill and drill bits for pick guard screw holes and tuner fastening screw holes.

great thanks so much for the help guys! Could I get away with a Black and Decker AA powered drill assuming the batteries are fully charged?

It's basically this: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-AD600-Accessory-Assortment/dp/B000077CPQ


Also, this may be a stupid question, but should I expect to need to file the frets? And if show what file(s) would you recommend?


OOO also one final question. I'm making something similar to this in appearance: http://davesguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/501053.jpg


I'm assuming that's sonic blue, but the pickguard doesn't exactly look like Warmoth's red or its tortoise. Also, the hardware looks nickel, but could I achieve a similar aged look with the gotoh chrome? Or should i look somewhere else and get the nickel.


THANKS!

 

[mark1178]

You'll need a drill with more power to make sure your screws go in tight and holes don't take forever to drill. And a larger drill is just easier to handle with both hands, which will give you a lot more control. Buy, we HIGHLY recommend you find someone with a drill press to drill holes for pots, can get a straight hole by hand but not as straight as it would be with a drill press.

Or if you're willing, get a table top one you can store in the closet like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Eurotool-Benchtop-Drill-Press/dp/B0058ECQX2


Don't worry about the frets, from my one time experience with a warmoth neck, the neck is playable right out of the box, and in sure a lot of people here feel the same. But, I do plan on getting a pro setup on it, I could try to do it myself but I don't have the tools yet, and I'm ascared.

 

[stratamania]

On frets, a similar question discussed starting here.

http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=22445.msg338994#msg338994