Colin's JM-1L Build

[pablopepper]

One string tree or two? Usually around the g string tuner is good, but I don't think it really matters all that much,

Pickup height: see video

[Sonic Mountain]

Tru oiled and polished and some problems
- the scratch plate - the humbucker was stuck solid and I needed to remove it and file the opening to allow it to be adjusted. With the humbucker out the poor quality of the cut was obvious.

I had the same problem on mine and the laminate had lifted around the humbucker cutout as well. i spent a fair bit of time refining the curves and cutouts on mine. I guess I should check the wiring now that you've mentioned those issues.

Not sure about the spring trees, pick up height varies a lot. You can google up specs, but they are just a jump off point. The trick is to get them adjusted to sound good to your ears and even between each pickup when you switch between them. Some people like them nice and close, others prefer a bit of more distance. The out put of the pickups themselves will also factor in. I gather the ones from the PBG factories are quite low output so I'm guessing they might benefit from being closer. As far as I know its a suck it and see process until you are happy with it.

Guitar looks great, the black tuners set it off nicely. You definitely have a different bridge to the one that came with my kit.

[Sonic Mountain]

Yeah I've been looking at that set up in preparation for doing mine, I'll see how I go, but I don't really use the trem when I play either so I may fix it in place as you have.

[Simon Barden]

String tree positioning does depend on the height between the nut slots and the headstock face. On shallower necks, the trees need to be nearer the nut, on deeper trees, further away. And you may not need two string trees. Try living without the D/G string tree if you can.

Here's the Fender take on it.

[colin2121]

Apart from the ongoing small adjustments, I would consider this now basically finished.
Standard apart from the nut (Tusq) and tuners (Gotoh).
I am happy with the way it came out - the biggest issue was the incorrect soldering from the factory and the cryptic nature of the wiring diagram.
But it all works so I am happy. Pickups are nice and loud and the action is low with no fret buzz. I was a bit iffy about the bridge at first but it is very adjustable.

[Kick]

Looking very sweet!

[Sonic Mountain]

Came up really well Colin. How do you find it weight wise? I'm toying with the idea of putting mine on a diet when the inevitable rebuild to MK 2 happens.

[Sonic Mountain]

I'm thinking of taking around 50mm off the 'bottom' of it and re/shaping it a bit, but keeping the overall style and shape. I also want to move the hum bucker closer to the bridge, and redistribute the centre pickup.

I may yet just buy another body and neck for the MK2, it will be little while anyway. I have a few things on the go that I'll share in due course.

[wazkelly]

Looks good Colin. Well done.

[rastus]

hey man, very nice. Im at the start of a JMA build now. Your finish is very close to what Ive chosen for mine. Looks awesome!