JM-1 First Build

[Blueshound]

Finally got my hands on my first kit guitar (bit of a wild goose chase with Aust Post that nearly ended my guitar building ambitions prematurely). Here are some out of the box shots:







I have to admit, the pre-shaped headstock was a strong selling point.



I'm quite impressed overall. There are some dark scrape looking marks on the body - I'm assuming these will come out with sanding, or are these a feature?

[Blueshound]

This was the start of my mock build. I did fit the tuners (Grover upgrade) and strings but I guess I forgot to take a photo. The locking machine heads made it super easy to string up (and take apart). I think these will be a standard purchase for future kits.

I positioned the neck and bridge, measured nut to 12th fret and 12th fret to the bridge saddle of the high e - everything seemed to line up.

As this is my first build I was planning to keep things as simple as possible: just stock, sand and stain. However, the day I got my kit I found Zeromick's JM-1 mashup build diary and was both impressed and inspired. Zeromick's build is pretty much what I wish I could do. I like the look of the JM-1 but I'm not a fan of tremolo bridges and I don't much care for the pickup configuration in the pearloid red pickguard.

So with that in mind I figure I'll try some mild modifications.

• Rolling the fretboard edges
• Further rounding of the edges on the body
• Already ordered a Babicz 2 point trem. Figured if I have to have a trem, I'd try this out.
• Somehow, a P90 is going in that neck position.

I haven't decided on a finish yet. I bought DT Coolangatta Gold for the body with Mission Beach on the neck, then entertained the idea of doing a burst so bought an assortment of Dingotone (Black Stump, Bondi Blue, Outback Sunset) to experiment with…. and a second kit, an LP-1S, which will probably be my stock, sand and stain build (diary to follow shortly).

[Blueshound]

Whittled away the fretboard corners with a Stanley Knife (crude but effective) and pulled the plastic nut.


Taped up the neck in preparation for some fret levelling.


I didn't take any photos during the levelling process, but I basically just followed the guide on the forum. I went and splurged on some tools, as I'd really like to be able to set up a guitar properly - notched straight edge, fret rocker, fret levelling beam and a triangular crowning file from Stewmac.

I'm part way through crowning the frets. I'm enjoying the filing - there may be something wrong with me.

[Blueshound]

Started rounding the edges on the back with a bastard file. I just like saying bastard file.


This could so end in tears.


I've done some more, but I need to take photos; because really, who wants to read this stuff?

[dave.king1]

I've taken a couple of cheap option for fret work, a Stanley knife blade has a decent straight edge for a fret rocker and an aluminium spirit level has a nice machined surface for a levelling bar, both cheap and readily available at your local hardware store my local also had a nice little kit of assorted very fine files and 0000 steel wool

[Blueshound]

A Stanley knife blade as a fret rocker, that's an awesome idea Dave. Thanks for the tips.

[Bungee]

Get to get some cheap hacks. I keep watching YouTube how to videos and getting gear envy. I was watching a guy build a strat from scratch, he had just about every bit of gear imaginable, I thought he was sponsored by stewmac!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wokkaboy]

looking good Blueshound, I like the mods of the rounded edges on the body and fingerboard.
You should be able to cut the pickguard to fit a P90 neck pup.
Keep up the good work !

[Blueshound]

@Bungee
I know what you mean by gear envy. Gear envy and space envy. I had to make space just to open my first kit. Now I'm wondering where I could put a third.

[Blueshound]

Filing was good fun. I got carried away in parts and went past my pencil guidelines, but it's quite a comfortable shape now.