Ventures style pickguard

[sexy andy]

I think it would be pretty cool if a pickguard shape similar to the one on the ventures signature jazzmaster could be added to the dressingroom..
If it isn't too much trouble of course

[fullerplast]

Yeah, that would be cool. I really like that style guard on an offset, like the XII.

Here's one I made in MS Paint for a Hardtail Jag project:

[Stereordinary]

I've been working on a drawing of the Ventures style pickguard using the drawings from Fender.  I copied the lines from a 50's Stratocaster and resized it a bit to connect it with the regular Jazzmaster guard.  My theory is that either I'm drawing it all wrong, or the internal routing by the neck pickup is different from regular Jazzmaster wiring.  I would love to get my hands on one of those pickguards so I can trace it.  For awhile I was thinking about doing one on my '54 Jazzmaster project.

[sexy andy]

I've been working on a drawing of the Ventures style pickguard using the drawings from Fender.  I copied the lines from a 50's Stratocaster and resized it a bit to connect it with the regular Jazzmaster guard.  My theory is that either I'm drawing it all wrong, or the internal routing by the neck pickup is different from regular Jazzmaster wiring.  I would love to get my hands on one of those pickguards so I can trace it.  For awhile I was thinking about doing one on my '54 Jazzmaster project.

But you changed your mind?  ..
If you can still do it, I urge you to do it because it looks way too cool to uh.. not do it 

[Stereordinary]

Well, I'm still thinking about it actually.  It would be nice because it would show off more of the grain in the beautiful Swamp Ash that I got for the project.  I'm just not happy with that drawing.  If I had a real Ventures guard to trace, I'd probably go for it for sure.  I won't make any final decision until the last minute, when I either route the cavity or I don't.

[sexy andy]

*crosses fingers* 

[RumorsOFsurF]

That drawing looks great, Paul.  It reminds me of a VI. 

[the older brother]

My theory is that either I'm drawing it all wrong, or the internal routing by the neck pickup is different from regular Jazzmaster wiring. 

I should guess the later - I bet the neck pup routing is a mirrored bridge pup routing.

Looks awesome, Paul! - When you're ready to start producing those guards - PM me.

[Gordon]

I should guess the later - I bet the neck pup routing is a mirrored bridge pup routing.

Same thought here: as there's no rythm circuit on the upper horn, the pickup rout doesn't need to be that long, and is most likely shortened compared to an original JM rout, to the same length as the bridge pickup rout.

[Stereordinary]

I'm not so sure guys.  Look rrreeeaaalllyyy closely at the Jazzy in this photo and you can see that the curve closest to the upper horn actually comes closer to the edge of the body than mine does.  My thought is that they actually took the line in proportion to the Jazzmaster's much bigger (than a Strat) body.  I'll go back to my drawing and tweak it so maybe you guys can see what I mean.

[the older brother]

I see what you mean. The curve on the Ventures JM guard is much flatter and bridge end top and neck end top is equal far from Y=0 (center line of neck).

The upper edge of the Electric XII pickguard on the other hand....



...looks way better than the Ventures JM guard - IMHO that is. 

[sexy andy]

maybe you can enlarge the pickguard around the bridge pickup to compensate for the area at the neck pickup. Like that it will keep the big curve.

[Stereordinary]

Okay, I think I tweaked this thing to where I'm mostly happy with it.  It doesn't require modified pickup routing now, and I tried to make it more like the pictures I could find of the real deal, but I ended up liking it like this better.  What do you guys think?

[sexy andy]

Looks great! I think it would look a little bit more balanced though if you move the 'bridge hump' a bit to the right.. But if you don't, it still looks cool

edit: nevermind, it looks great as is

[RumorsOFsurF]

Great work, Paul.  I'd love to have a JM like that.