Gav's Jim Root Jazzmaster Build

hi guys,
I've been thinking about this build for quite a while now. What I really wanted to achieve was something along the lines of the Jim Root sandblasted jazzmaster. Love that look.

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Anyway, I ordered a custom jazzmaster kit from Ads in mahogany and it arrived recently. Both the body and neck are mahogany (3 piece body) with a maple fretboard. It's not 100% what I expected - I would have preferred a maple neck and a dark fretboard, but I'm very happy with it nonetheless. I've got a feeling that mahogany necks are just kinda the standard for mahogany bodies. Anyway, with a darker body the maple fretboard is going to look great.

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I ordered black hardware, some grover lockable tuners, and some Entwistle dark stars. Should play and sound killer with any luck.

I'm still trying to imagine how to achieve the sandblasted look. Maybe my dremmel and cheap sandblaster from the big green shed? Any suggestions guys? Looking at Jim's guitar it sure looks like that's what the guys at Fender custom shop did. There's no long grain lines in the mahogany so I reckon they've made some themselves.

Anyway, If I can't produce a test run I like, I might just end up staining it cherry with black filler, or even just a natural look - it's quite a nice lump (lumps) of timber.

The only issue with the kit is the heel of the neck, which is rounded and doesn't fit the squared off neck pocket. I think I'll try to square it off with the belt sander prior to installing it.

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cheers,
Gav.

Sounds like we have close ideas for our next build. I just started a post for a new JBA4 and I'm aiming to achieve something quite similar for the body!
I saw a build from Arzi where he used a power drill with brass brush to achieve something similar (not that pronounced though) and I"m going to try this...

I will need to follow this closely. I intend at some point to do a JM, and I have been lured into this by Mr. Root's minimal white one. I watch on with great interest Gav!

hi guys,

Yes it's me. I'm not dead!
I got back to this build today for an hour or two. I attacked the surface with my dremel and some wire brushes. It's starting to look ok. Maybe. I might need yet more. I thought I'd give it a little time to see what I thought. The idea is to fill the mess of grooves with black timbermate and stain the rest deep crimson.

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I don't have much time to build at the moment, but it was really nice to smell sawdust in my nose again! I'm hoping I can find time to continue with this one over the next month. Fingers crossed!
cheers,
Gav.

Good to see you back, Gav - and good to see another creative finish underway. Look like Freddy Krueger has been into it, using a mirror as reference. Very keen to see how it shapes up with some staining and filling.

Welcome back to the fold Gav, good to see this one getting some love, albeit tough love it seems.

Thanks guys, it's good to be back that's for sure. Tough love indeed Frankie! It was almost a shame to spoil all that beautiful mahogany. Nah! G-man I never thought about the Freddie likeness - but it's all I can imagine now :) !!

I've filled what I've got with timbermate, so once that dries I can really see what the pattern is going to look like.
Fingers crossed!

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cheers,
Gav.

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Originally Posted by gavinturner

Thanks guys, it's good to be back that's for sure. Tough love indeed Frankie! It was almost a shame to spoil all that beautiful mahogany. Nah! G-man I never thought about the Freddie likeness - but it's all I can imagine now :) !!

I've filled what I've got with timbermate, so once that dries I can really see what the pattern is going to look like.
Fingers crossed!

Attachment 29602

cheers,
Gav.

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So are you going to be investing in some interesting masks an other accoutrements for playing this?

Gav,

Awesome to see you hands on again. I missed seeing your builds and reading your helpful advice. Wicked tough Jazzmaster you have there. 😎

Nice to see you back Gav

Welcome back Gav. That would have taken some huevos to start all that cutting. If it was me I would have spent days agonising before I could bring myself to do it.

Thanks guys :) great to be here. Frankie, my ageing leathery face is more than enough to scare the little kids. Fretty, yes I sweated over it for months but decided to just go for it. Nothing ventured and all that ;).

Here's what it looks like sanded back with 240

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Looks a bit shit right now, but hopefully it will look better with the red dye applied ;). If not, well I tried.

cheers,
Gav.

That looks like Croc hide!

Looks awesome so far!

Nice gav good to see your back building

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

That looks like Croc hide!

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The Gatorcaster;)

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Originally Posted by Andy40

The Gatorcaster;)

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Snappy title. :)