Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Bringing your older offset back to life.
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ryverb
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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:58 am

drmw93 wrote:checking in! any updates coming soon?
Yep, Danocaster sent me this update over the weekend! Very nice 2.5 tone burst from Dan. I also was able to find a previously chromed original '58 or '59 gold guard from an OSG friend, I think this guard has changed hands a few times? Anyways I'm excited to be getting a bit closer on this project. Not sure if I can find an affordable original neck or not but I have a really cool bolt on Electrical Guitar Company neck on the way and some other fun plans for this build up.


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mcjt
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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by mcjt » Mon Feb 27, 2017 1:32 pm

Nice!
I'm going to enjoy this thread!

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will
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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by will » Mon Feb 27, 2017 2:43 pm

I'm glad that guard found a home!

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Mon Feb 27, 2017 3:41 pm

will wrote:I'm glad that guard found a home!
Absolutely! Thank you so much, Will! The guard looks great and will be perfect for this!

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RIORIO
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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by RIORIO » Fri Mar 03, 2017 12:14 am

I'm going to walk over and check this out in person when it's done :)

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:55 am

RIORIO wrote:I'm going to walk over and check this out in person when it's done
Is this Josh? Haha, we oughta have an offset party soonest yo!

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by RIORIO » Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:59 pm

ryverb wrote:
RIORIO wrote:I'm going to walk over and check this out in person when it's done
Is this Josh? Haha, we oughta have an offset party soonest yo!
It sure is man! I'm gonna set one up w all of the Porlandians when I get back. Stay tuned.

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:48 am

Update!

I got the body back from Danocaster last week and Dan really did an amazing job with the refin, so very excited for this project. I found a seller on ebay who was parting out a '59 and through some sleuthing was able to buy the neck, neck plate + screws, pickups + mounting screws, vibrato bar and strap buttons + screws before they were listed. 12/59 pencil date neck?! The neck has been refretted, headstock oversprayed and Schallers installed at one point but other than that it looks really nice with the original nut & string tree. The lead on the neck pickup was replaced at some point but they both have strong readings at 8.23 for the neck and 8.63 at the bridge. As of now all I am missing are tuners and volume/tone pots + capacitor. (I bought the remainder of a '59 wiring harness, toggle and output jack from Andrew W. on OSG).

Should be done with this project within the next month!

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by mcjt » Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:52 pm

WOW! Congrats!

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Ursa Minor
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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by Ursa Minor » Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:23 am

That was fast! Congrats on getting these parts. I've seen lots of vintage parts projects fizzle out quick because its usually pretty difficult to find everything you need. I've even been guilty of that myself.

Cheers! Can't wait to see the final product!
The artist formerly known as kosmonautmayhem.

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:04 am

Thanks y'all, I'm really excited for this project. Truthfully I didn't think it would come together so quickly or be as affordable as it's been. So far I've spent just half of the cost of a Fender custom shop guitar!

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Fri Jun 16, 2017 12:01 pm

Thought I'd update this thread, this restoration is all done for now!

- 11/58 pencil date body, once refinished in black now features a really nice 2.5 tone burst from Danocaster, thank you Dan!
- Body came with the neck plate and screws that date to mid '58, bridge thimbles, Pat Pend Trem + screws + arm with original spring
- Body also came with original shielding tubs / foam and I believe the original pickup covers as well although I'm not sure on this (anyone know?)
- 12/59 pencil date neck with light overspray on the headstock and profile, original neck plate and screws! Original tuners long gone, Schaller's installed at one point (tuners holes reamed - would like to dowel and redrill at some point). Neck has now been refretted by Nate Wood (@stahmanguitars) and the fret work is truly stellar. Stu-Mac #152 used, slightly taller than thin Fender vintage wire and absolutely perfect for bringing new life and playability to this beautiful Brazillian Rosewood board.
- Original pickups came along with the neck, pickups entirely original except for one lead (bridge) that has been changed, these pickups sound AMAZING!
- 58/59 gold guard was chromed at one point (boo!) and saved by forum member Will with some heavy sanding and lacquer (yay!) - Would like to find one in better condition at some point as this color is a bit too shiny for me.
- Original complete '58 rhythm circuit, 3-way toggle (circular Switchcraft stamp) and output jack
- New CTS 500k pots + Taihan "Black Bee" Oil-Paper Tone Capacitor Cap .047 uF
- New Gotoh Tuners
- Mastery Bridge
- Aged Amber tip and pickguard mounting screws from Danocaster

I think that about sums it up! So incredibly happy with how this project turned out.

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:48 pm

...dunno if you know, but you sir, are a very, very lucky guy, for owning this.
it is GLORIOUS. Bravo!
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by ryverb » Fri Jun 16, 2017 2:43 pm

Pacafeliz wrote:...dunno if you know, but you sir, are a very, very lucky guy, for owning this.
it is GLORIOUS. Bravo!
Thank you so much, I'm beyond thrilled with how this turned out. In the end I had to put in a lot of funds into getting this all finished up and I was really nervous that it wasn't going to be a great player. It's currently my only electric guitar and I couldn't be more excited! Truly a testament to early Fender craftsmanship and these vintage parts holding up over time. These pickups in particular are absolutely amazing, really defined & warm low-mids that cut through a loud band mix so well. Really light too, must be 7lbs or less.

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Re: Restoring a '58 Jazzmaster

Post by l9gaj » Mon Jun 19, 2017 8:29 am

The knobs seem to be sitting high? Perhaps you could fit a nut on the shaft under the guard to bring the down a bit. Or maybe you prefer how they are? Guitar is looking great!

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