Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:03 pm

hpr_hpr wrote:
Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:13 am
It depends on the wood of the body . . . if it's a hardwood (polar for the look of it) I would say you're probably OK screwing the posts directly into the body wood (wood has an undeserved bad rap for holding threaded pieces that can be adjusted), if it's basswood I would have some concerns . Not sure about how the posts will mate with the bridge though . . . the good news is that if it doesn't work you haven't lost anything, you can still drill out the holes for the correct bushings later. The reason FOR the business with modern bridges is that you can make adjustments 'ad infinitum' without problems, while it WILL work with the post screwed directly into wood it will get looser with every adjustment (just a little bit) and after the 134th adjustment it may just be to loose . . . and post/bushing combination just doesn't have that 'problem' as there is less wear . . . but then, how often do you change the height of your bridge, if you set it and don't futz with it every day there won't be any wear and things will be just fine pretty much forever.

Also it isn't that hard to enlarge the holes, run to your local hardware store and get drill bits in 1/32 increases from the size of the holes now to the size you want, and progressively ream the holes . . . reaming by hand or an eggbeater drill is the 'safest', a drill stand with a well set depth stop would be just fine, a hand drill with a depth stop collar on the drill bit will do but requires caution (make sure the stop is securely fastened), using hand drill without a positive depth stop (a piece of tape it NOT a positive depth stop) is possibly but risky . . . the bit might catch and pull THROUGH the body before you realize it.

Argh auto correct on rereading . . . corrected auto correct failures
This is an incredibly helpful post. Thank you so much!

Yes, the wood is poplar... but I see what you mean about it getting loose over time. Mind you, there are ways to tighten that up down the track as well...

However.. I am tempted to take your encouragement and enlarge the holes. I had not even considered using an eggbeater hand drill. That would be a LOT easier to control and stop it from "running wild" on me.

Talking metric here... I would be wanting to work up to an 11mm drill bit (according to ye olde StewMac). They have the bit to use for Nashville bridges listed at 6.35mm (1/4"). That would make sense as I have measured the holes in it now and they are closer to 7.5mm (my Nashville bushings are slightly looser than I would like, so maybe the hole is a tiny bit larger than it should be... but finish would fill that up and make it perfect if need be...).

Do you think upping the hole 1mm at a time would be a safe enough bet? Start with a 7mm (because I would also need to make it a bit deeper than the Nashville bushings) and progress through 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, and finally 11mm? If I take my time and use a hand drill, this should be totally doable, I think.

The "safe" option of using the Nashville roller bridge has the downside of being 12" or 14" radius instead of the 9.5" that my Mighty Mite neck will be... not horrible, but not ideal either.

User avatar
Ohioisonfire
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 9:29 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by Ohioisonfire » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:13 pm

tommycarlos wrote:
Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:48 pm
Ohioisonfire wrote:
Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:11 am
How was working with rosser guitars? Was thinking of getting one of his JM bodies but you have me thinking about one of these now.. Is there any chance you could take a picture of this next to your JMJM for size comparison?
Here they are side by side (the JMJM is currently bridge-less while I decide what to do... heh).

Image

Looking at this pic makes me very worried about finding a case for it, lol.

Might need a bass case with some foam to keep things in place.
Interesting... Looking at it on its own I thought it was bigger than the JM, but side by side definitely not. Maybe just wider in the upper half of the body?

How thick is the body? I have become obsessed with this hybrid idea..

User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:18 pm

Ohioisonfire wrote:
Wed Feb 28, 2018 4:13 pm

Interesting... Looking at it on its own I thought it was bigger than the JM, but side by side definitely not. Maybe just wider in the upper half of the body?

How thick is the body? I have become obsessed with this hybrid idea..
Body thickness is the same as the JMJM. No contours though (tummy or arm).

The body is "taller" than the JMJM, and a bit wider overall... I know cause it doesn't fit in my aftermarket JM case. heh.

User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:38 pm

Success!!!

Only had one minor set back... turns out my cheap drill is only a 10mm chuck! I couldn't use the 10.5mm or 11mm bits!

I was trying to figure out what to do about that when I noticed my neighbour was in his back yard. He is a builder by trade, so I asked if I could borrow his "proper" drill for 10 seconds... and TADA 🎉

Image

Note, they are not hammered in yet as I still need to sand and finish the body...

User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:56 am

The neck and vibrato arrive tomorrow, apparently. These are the last two pieces. Assuming the neck fits, it's 100% GO TIME!

I am very excited. Going to be a fun weekend

User avatar
Ohioisonfire
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 9:29 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by Ohioisonfire » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:57 am

tommycarlos wrote:
Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:56 am
The neck and vibrato arrive tomorrow, apparently. These are the last two pieces. Assuming the neck fits, it's 100% GO TIME!

I am very excited. Going to be a fun weekend
Very excited to watch this progress and see it with the neck and vibrato on it.

User avatar
Jaguar018
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8045
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:48 am
Location: Burbs of Washington DC

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by Jaguar018 » Thu Mar 01, 2018 9:02 am

Looks great! Welcome to the club, amigo. 8) :)
Image

User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Thu Mar 01, 2018 10:42 am

Jaguar018 wrote:
Thu Mar 01, 2018 9:02 am
Looks great! Welcome to the club, amigo. 8) :)
Image
Hah. Thanks!

Not gonna lie, yours and the Tym guitars one were my inspirations!

User avatar
Steadyriot.
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1262
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:16 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by Steadyriot. » Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:33 pm

Cool build!
Why not go with a less opaque sonic / Daphne like a see trough blonde but in blue.
Kinda like this:
Image

Best of both worlds!
"If someone duetted with a Bald Eagle, they could rule the Country charts from here to eternity." ~shadowplay

User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:28 pm

The neck and vibrato are here. That's EVERYTHING.

This afternoon will be a date with the sanding block, and I should be able to start painting tomorrow!

It's all starting to come together, finally.

Here is a new mock up with the real neck and vibrato:

Image

How much better is that neck colour? hahah. It feels really nice too, no sharp fret ends, etc.
Steadyriot. wrote:
Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:33 pm
Cool build!
Why not go with a less opaque sonic / Daphne like a see trough blonde but in blue.
Kinda like this:
...
Best of both worlds!
Yeah, it has certainly been tempting. I even discovered something like this bleached blue wood stain:

https://www.amazon.com/Rust-Oleum-29741 ... B01BK9Z1PS

User avatar
Ohioisonfire
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 9:29 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by Ohioisonfire » Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:41 pm

Wow, looks really good all mocked up like that!

User avatar
paulnb57
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 92
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2014 2:23 am
Location: Isle of Wight UK

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by paulnb57 » Thu Mar 01, 2018 11:48 pm

That look so right! Looking forward to seeing it finished, great stuff!

User avatar
marqueemoon
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 7344
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
Location: Seattle

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by marqueemoon » Fri Mar 02, 2018 6:35 am

So much better with the new neck. It almost matches the pickup covers.

User avatar
Ninet1gt
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 4:41 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by Ninet1gt » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:31 am

Looks great. Can’t wait to see more progress.

I’m also working on a NR body from Rosser. I’ll get to join the club soon too.

Image

User avatar
tommycarlos
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 100
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 2:55 am

Re: Non-Reverse Firebird/Jazzmaster/??? hybrid dream guitar build

Post by tommycarlos » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:23 pm

Ninet1gt wrote:
Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:31 am
Looks great. Can’t wait to see more progress.

I’m also working on a NR body from Rosser. I’ll get to join the club soon too.
Oh, that is a beauty!

Does it have an arm contour? Did you add that in, or do the NRFBT models have one?

Post Reply