Warmoth Jazzmaster Build - Rhythm Circuit and Fender AVRI Tremolo Fit Issue

[gheorge77]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to finish the wiring on my first build, which of course I chose to be a traditional jazzmaster setup.  So far I've had no issues with shielding (continuity checks out throughout the cavity) or in wiring the lead controls.  My issue is with the rhythm circuit. I obviously am using a Warmoth Jazzmaster Body with a Warmoth Pickguard.  I purchased the Fender Rhythm Circuit Control Plate, Fender/CTS Mini Pots, and Fender Rollers but when I went to actually connect the Control Plate with the Pots and Rollers assembled, I could not fit it in the designated holes.  I am assuming now that I have to use the Jazzmaster Control Plate sold on the Warmoth site.

Is anyone familiar or had a similar issue? Thanks!

-Ian

 

[Cagey]

I had similar issues with a Jaguar a few years ago. You need to use the Warmoth parts or they won't quite go together. I had issues with the controls fitting, the plates matching the pickguard, and the bridge matching the route for it. I made it all work, since I have a router and I'm not afraid to use it  :laughing7:

 

[Verne Bunsen]

When you say "rhythm circuit control plate", are you referring to the bracket that the rhythm circuit pots mount to? I ask because the traditional Jazzmaster control setup has everything on the pickguard rather than a pickguard in addition to separate control plates like Mustang/Jaguar/Tele. I also encountered alignment problems with the pots on that bracket on my Warmoth Jazzmaster (my pickguard was a Tone-Guard aluminum cut to Warmoth spec, the bracket was either All-Parts or WD Music, can't recall which...). I had to add a small washer between the pots and the bracket to lower the pots relative to the pickguard cutout, then I also had to use a washer between the pickguard and the bracket to back the assembly away so the roller knobs didn't rub the cutouts. Having done that, it all lines up perfectly without any modifications to the body or pickguard. Hope that helps!

 

[Verne Bunsen]

For clarification, this is the part I am refering to:

I'm not sure what else would be considered a "control plate" here, as everything is ultimately mounted to the pickguard:

(Semi-gratuitous full body shot...  )

If I am misunderstanding you, please do clarify which parts you're having fit issues with.

 

[Cagey]

I thought maybe he was talking about these plates, but you're right - the Jazzmaster doesn't have them.

 

[gheorge77]

When you say "rhythm circuit control plate", are you referring to the bracket that the rhythm circuit pots mount to? I ask because the traditional Jazzmaster control setup has everything on the pickguard rather than a pickguard in addition to separate control plates like Mustang/Jaguar/Tele. I also encountered alignment problems with the pots on that bracket on my Warmoth Jazzmaster (my pickguard was a Tone-Guard aluminum cut to Warmoth spec, the bracket was either All-Parts or WD Music, can't recall which...). I had to add a small washer between the pots and the bracket to lower the pots relative to the pickguard cutout, then I also had to use a washer between the pickguard and the bracket to back the assembly away so the roller knobs didn't rub the cutouts. Having done that, it all lines up perfectly without any modifications to the body or pickguard. Hope that helps!

This is the exact advice I was looking for. Thanks!  I guess my terminology was incorrect.

To clarify a few things, I can either get away with using the Fender version and add some washers to the to lower everything (which definitely needs to be done) or I can order the Warmoth version and it will fit perfectly?  If I order the Warmoth version then do I need the Warmoth versions of the mini pots? I would prefer to use the Fender CTS pots if possible.  Also, what size are the washers you are adding? Where would I find them? I had an issue finding a replacement nut for the Fender mini pots.  Amazon sent me the 1M without the nut.

This was the only issue I've incurred so far assembling and prepping the guitar.  Shielding worked out great with continuity throughout the entire body, including in the tremolo cavity.  I burinshed the GA neck last night up to 3000 grit using wet-dry and it is a sight to be seen. I'm expecting the 4000 grit polishing papers tonight to finish it off, neck and headstock then I'm going to lacquer and put down a decal on the front of the headstock.

I also noticed a gigantic difference in the build quality of the so called "switchcraft" 3 way jack from all parts v. the actual Switchcraft version ordered from Mouser. 

Again, thank you for being such a great resource. It has been an incredible help throughout my first build.  So far I'm enjoying this more than pedal building.

-Ian

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I thought maybe he was talking about these plates, but you're right - the Jazzmaster doesn't have them...

That's what I was picturing too. There are so many permutations of these guitars around, who am I to say there's no Jazzuars or Mustmasters out there?  :laughing3:

This is the exact advice I was looking for. Thanks!  I guess my terminology was incorrect.

To clarify a few things, I can either get away with using the Fender version and add some washers to the to lower everything (which definitely needs to be done) or I can order the Warmoth version and it will fit perfectly?  If I order the Warmoth version then do I need the Warmoth versions of the mini pots? I would prefer to use the Fender CTS pots if possible.  Also, what size are the washers you are adding? Where would I find them? I had an issue finding a replacement nut for the Fender mini pots.  Amazon sent me the 1M without the nut.

This was the only issue I've incurred so far assembling and prepping the guitar.  Shielding worked out great with continuity throughout the entire body, including in the tremolo cavity.  I burinshed the GA neck last night up to 3000 grit using wet-dry and it is a sight to be seen. I'm expecting the 4000 grit polishing papers tonight to finish it off, neck and headstock then I'm going to lacquer and put down a decal on the front of the headstock.

I also noticed a gigantic difference in the build quality of the so called "switchcraft" 3 way jack from all parts v. the actual Switchcraft version ordered from Mouser. 

Again, thank you for being such a great resource. It has been an incredible help throughout my first build.  So far I'm enjoying this more than pedal building.

-Ian

Glad that helped! Also: welcome to the forum!

I'd be hesitant to tell you that the bracket Warmoth supplies would fit any better/different that the one you sourced. I haven't sat down with examples of both to compare them, but I bet they are essentially the same. There is a difference between Jaguar brackets and Jazzmaster brackets, but a Jazzmaster bracket should be a Jazzmaster bracket. If anything it's probably slight variation in the pickguards that creates the issue rather than in the bracket itself. The washers I used were from my "miscellaneous hardware bin", just hardware store stuff. They were conductive, but beyond that I'm not sure on the specs. My pickguard was aluminum, but if you're working with a plastic pickguard keep in mind that making those openings a little bigger is quick work for a file.

As for the mini-pot nut size, I'm not sure. I know the full size pots are 3/8" NEF, but I don't know about the mini-pots. I'd talk to the seller on Amazon, unless they say expressly that it doesn't include mounting hardware that's a pretty standard expectation.

I know what you mean about the switches, there's toggle switches and then there's Switchcraft toggle switches. Like changing from a cheap lever switch to an Oak Grigsby or CRL. No comparison.

I for one would be most interested to see some pictures of this project of yours!

 

[gheorge77]

Just to add a further follow-up:

I did order the Warmoth version of this pickguard attachment and it does fit the Warmoth pickguard properly.  The resulting problem I have, of course, is that when I ordered it, the 1M mini roller pots where out of stock and the Warmoth pickguard attachment has larger mounting holes for the Warmoth mini roller pots.  It should also be noted that the Warmoth rollers only will work on the Warmoth Mini Pots, since they have a much larger diameter opening.  In the end I went to my local hardware store and bought a bunch of 3/16" flat washers for the mini pots (2 worked well) as well as 4-40 brass flat washers for the attachment to the pickguard.  That portion only needed 1 washer.  One of the rollers was a bit stuck but I think that was because I used a mismatched nut on it, since when I ordered it the Fender mini pot didn't include that part. I'm going to change it out tonight with a replacement mini-pot I got.

For further data points, the Fender rollers use a 1/16" allen wrench to tighten.

My next step, after finishing up the wiring on the rhythm circuit, is to enlarge the tremolo area for the Fender AVRI.  I've printed out the tremolo area from this: www.tdpri.com/attachments/jzm_eh_version_revc_goodlines_tiled_print-pdf.52246/

Hopefully that will be easy enough to follow with a file/dremel to enlarge the lock button as well as squaring off the back for the tremolo.  Once i get going a bit further I'll create a build thread with photos and post a link here. 

Thanks again for the helpful advice!

 

[gheorge77]

So a follow-up question on the Fender AVRI tremolo.....it doesn't fit well, obviously.  Is the best/only way to make it fit to use that template and either use a dremel sanding bit or a router to open it up enough?  Anyone have experience with this issue?

-Ian

 

[Cagey]

I had that issue with a Jaguar, and there were two ways around it. One was to route it so the Fender part fit, the other was to buy the part Warmoth sells. The part Warmoth sells doesn't have the lock button on it like the original parts did. The body looks like it was routed to allow for that, but it's not.

 

[gheorge77]

I had that issue with a Jaguar, and there were two ways around it. One was to route it so the Fender part fit, the other was to buy the part Warmoth sells. The part Warmoth sells doesn't have the lock button on it like the original parts did. The body looks like it was routed to allow for that, but it's not.

From previous replies on this subject, it also appears that the Mastery Vibrato fits without extra sanding in the tremolo cavity.

If I just use the round sanding attachment for the dremel, would it be sufficient to enlarge the cavity itself? It looks like based on my pushing the tremolo plate up and down that it rubs pretty heavily on the top rear portion almost a half an inch there so I would imagine I will have to completely sand down that portion until it stops rubbing, while also expanding the size of the tremolo lock area.

Just another annoying unexpected issue to deal with.  Oh, the fun of a first build!

 

[Cagey]

I don't remember. Seems like if it was just a matter of sanding, that's probably what I would have done and I know I used the router on it. But, I also had to open up a control cavity, and I also created a channel between the upper control cavity and the neck pickup because the hole they drilled for the wiring was too small. So, maybe as long as I had the router out, I used it on everything. They're hungry beasts, and once they taste guitar body flesh they're hard to stop.