P-Rails? Yes, but looked funny in a JM....

[musicispeace]

I really like those covers, well done. Although it may make some cringe I have taken to ordering the "universal route" whenever it is available to provide room for maneuvering but also the possibility to change my mind about pickups between initial idea and final guitar.

 

[BigSteve22]

I have taken to ordering the "universal route" whenever it is available to provide room for maneuvering but also the possibility to change my mind about pickups between initial idea and final guitar.

I too thought of going that way, but I was unsure if it would give me enough of a cutout in the upper and lower horns for both the P/U selector on top and a rotary switch for a mode selector down below. The areas used for traditional JM controls gives me that space.

 

[BigSteve22]

Can't wait to see it with the neck in place! Do give us a quick pic once it's back.

By your command, (and my pleasure), the first kiss of body and neck!

The neck is fresh back from Gagey this very day. Looks to be first class work. Can't wait to get it strung up and ready to play so my fingers can experience his handy work.

:icon_thumright:

 

[T89Rex]

That looks fantastic.

 

[Glimmer]

I agree -- it's quite a looker.

Bet it'll be quite a sounder, too!

 

[rgand]

Beautiful! What a nice look. I like the flame top with the tortoise shell pickguard. That neck ties it all together.

:icon_thumright: :icon_thumright: :icon_thumright:

 

[rapfohl09]

Did you use any sort of caulk to stick the covers to the pickups? Or just press fit?

No, these just press fit on. On my Hagstrom project I used these same covers in black on a pair of '83 vintage DiMarzio DP-103's. On that project I used a small piece of soft "dental wax" to hold things securely. Never had any trouble with them coming loose.

Awesome, I love the look of nice clean covers :icon_thumright:

Again, that flame top is so awesome. Looks great!

 

[BigSteve22]

A little progress tucked in between family obligations.

Got the bridge thimbles installed and the pickguard mounting holes done. Wiring starts tomorrow, if the wife lets me get a few minutes in edgewise!

Someone know the standard screw size for mounting a JM tremolo plate? Looks to be drilled for a #4 x 3/4", but I've been wrong before.

:icon_scratch:

 

[rgand]

Coming along. The close-up of the thimbles sure shows the intricacy of the grain. Beautiful wood, there.

 

[Glimmer]

Someone know the standard screw size for mounting a JM tremolo plate? Looks to be drilled for a #4 x 3/4", but I've been wrong before.

Hmm... You did receive the stainless screws Mastery provides with their vibratos, right? ???

 

[BigSteve22]

Hmm... You did receive the stainless screws Mastery provides with their vibratos, right? ???

Negative. I'm using a Mastery bridge, but not the vibrato. I'm using a hard tail conversion plate for the tailpiece. I don't use a tremolo, even the trem on my Strat is decked. The tailpiece is designed as a drop-in replacement for a standard JM trem unit. My estimate of the screw size is based on the holes that Warmoth pre-drills in their bodies routed for for a JM trem. Looks to be about a #4 diameter, between 5/64" (.078125) and 3/32" (.09375), (a 4-40 is normally drilled at to .0890"), and measures just short of an inch deep. Wood is usually drilled a little larger than standard wire drill specs.

No luck looking for the answer on the web. May just have to e-mail Warmoth and ask them exactly what drill they use. Would like to use standard size screws.

:icon_scratch:

 

[Glimmer]

Sorry, you did mention that up-thread and I forgot.

 

[BigSteve22]

Sorry, you did mention that up-thread and I forgot.

Certainly not a problem. I'd forget my kid's names if I hadn't tattooed them on their foreheads!

:toothy12:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I think the P rails look fine without adding the covers. The asymmetrical look is negated because there's 2 that are both asymmetrical.  Logically, most humbucking pickups with flat pole pieces on one side and adjustable poles on the other are asymmetrical.  It's also in an offset guitar, so any lack of symmetry is half the appeal.  The covers give the appearance of an active pickup.

 

[BigSteve22]

The covers give the appearance of an active pickup.

AND are reminiscent of the squared off, bar shape of the original Jazzy pups, which is what I'm going for.  I actually considered milling four, semi-circular, recesses into the pickguard at each pickup, to create sort of a faux JM pickup mounting arrangement. But that just seemed a little over the top....

:laughing11: :laughing3: :laughing7:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I get and appreciate that, but being a different size w/out exposed pole pieces and half circle mounting screws, it's not a stretch to say it more closely resembles this:

 

[BigSteve22]

I get and appreciate that, but being a different size w/out exposed pole pieces and half circle mounting screws, it's not a stretch to say it more closely resembles this..

No arguments here Bro. In fact, another thing I considered was using 2-56x1/8" pan head screws to simulate adjustable pole pieces centered on the covers. Might just pick up a spare set of covers and try that one. Wonder what that would do to the tone? Might need to use non-magnetic stainless.

:glasses9:

 

[BigSteve22]

Well, no wiring, or any other real progress of late. Spent the last week in New Hampshire due to a family emergency. All's well in the end.

Heard from Spike @ Warmoth regarding the size of JM tremolo mounting screws. He says they supply their "Non-Tremolo Bridge Screws" with a JM trem unit. #6x1" oval head.

Thank you Spike.  :icon_thumright: