A third build on the go? Yep, can’t get enough at the moment. Despite the issues around the JZA kit outlined in my other JZA build diary, I ended buying both the original one and the replacement kit Adam sent. I’m reasonably confident I can work them out, so time to plan the second JZA-1.
As is my standard approach, the first step is to think about what I can modify or do differently. Having recently strung a bass with piccolo strings I became fascinated with flipping the roles of bass and guitar. Whilst I’ve got a Bass VI, it’s not great with the low chords so I figured I should turn this one into a baritone. No, I don’t really need one, but it does give me a flimsy excuse to build again! I’m not doing a neck replacement, just stringing the standard neck with a set of 13-62s so I can drop it down to A or B tuning. I’ve done it before and that tuning/string weight combo ensures it doesn’t get too floppy.
I’ll also be playing around with some switching options, making control plates to suit (with my newfound love of working with aluminium), and a new pickguard. Anyway, the first step is to sketch out my plan on the untouched body. I’ll do a bit more tweaking to ensure that the new routs I need to make are in the right spot, but I love this part because it’s the first physical look at what until now has just been an idea.
Attachment 21262
