Offset guitars

[acheld]

After watching EL34's work on his new Jazzmaster, just wanted to let everyone know that I'm also a big fan of offset guitars.

On the right is a Jaguar 1965 reissue. The only mod is a Mastery bridge.  I love this guitar, so much so that I built two similar (looking) guitars.

I took the blueprints for Jazzmaster and Jaguar bodies, combined them and added my own 2 cents (for better balance), and the result is the gray guy in the middle with humbuckers.  I experimented with various bridge configurations, but settled on a Schaller Hannes.   I just never use the trem bar . . .

Several years later, wanted some new tonal options and built the red one on the left with Jazzmaster pups.  Not my favorite.

These bodies are a bit heavy for me . . . toying with an idea of building a hollowed out version.   

[rake]

How about a pine body? Or maybe Red Cedar? The cedar would almost demand a natural finish!
For me I'd want the pup switch in the upper bout. (personal preference) A reversed headstock
might be a slick look too! 

[acheld]

I've done pine before with mixed visual results, but sounds very good.

Now red cedar is interesting.   That could look very cool indeed and should be lighter. 

For guitar finishes, I've mostly used lacquer.   But over the past few years I've embraced hard wax oils for cabinets.  Really like the finish, which with care can be very soft feeling, yet very tough.   I've used several brands, Osmo especially, but do love the color range with Rubio.  And the fact that I can finish inside the house without a gas mask!

Off to my local wood emporium this week.

[shooter]

hard wax oils for cabinets.

used them in the way back days, I built projects with cherry, the wax is a pain until you get the hang of it, but the finish, it's 2nd to none!
just feels like velvet

[rake]

I've got two large red cedars going to get milled up.
Big one is 26" across the butt. I won't know what I'll get until it's cut up as many of them have huge voids inside.
The stuff makes real nice binding. I did all the braces and linings out of red cedar in an OM model acoustic.
Looked great and it smelled wonderful when you opened the case! LOL!

[bmccowan]

Rake, do you have pics of that guitar you can post? OMs are the most attractive of the acoustic models.

On Jaguars - I have a recent USA model. Fender ships these with regular 9s. WTF are they thinking? Before I went to drastic measures like replacing the bridge, I put heavier flat wound strings on it. That brought out the shine. I would not want my only guitar to have flat wounds but if you have more than one electric (who here doesn't?) its a great change of pace.

[rake]

Rake, do you have pics of that guitar you can post? OMs are the most attractive of the acoustic models.

Sorry Bro but that was two crashed computers ago! I'm bad about backing up files! LOL!

[acheld]

I have one Tele with round wound strings.   All of my other guitars have flat wounds -- 10, 11 or 12s. 

My Fender Jaguar (2016 American Vintage '65) would not stay intonated until I installed the Mastery bridge.   It's very possible that user error contributed to the problem. . .

[Willabe]

My Fender Jaguar (2016 American Vintage '65) would not stay intonated until I installed the Mastery bridge. It's very possible that user error contributed to the problem.

No, it wasn't you. It's well known those Fender bridges for the Jag/Jazz Masters don't stay in tune.

That's why the guy made/invented that Mastery bridge as a solution. And as you know that Mastery bridge does keep it in tune now. 

IIRC, fellow member, G. Hoffman, a Luthier up in Minneapolis Minn., is friends with the inventor.   

[shooter]

I've got two large red cedars going to get milled up.

I'm taking down a blue spruce probably next month.  probably drag it across the street for milling in Mar.  ~~24" "butt" tapering to 20" at about 10'
Anyone has a use, let me know, the mill will cut anything from 1/2" thick n up

[acheld]

And as you know that Mastery bridge does keep it in tune now.

It really does . . .

[G._Hoffman]

My Fender Jaguar (2016 American Vintage '65) would not stay intonated until I installed the Mastery bridge. It's very possible that user error contributed to the problem.

No, it wasn't you. It's well known those Fender bridges for the Jag/Jazz Masters don't stay in tune.

That's why the guy made/invented that Mastery bridge as a solution. And as you know that Mastery bridge does keep it in tune now. 

IIRC, fellow member, G. Hoffman, a Luthier up in Minneapolis Minn., is friends with the inventor.   

Woody used to work for us, before the Mastery thing got big enough he didn't need to do repair work anymore.  The Mastery bridges really are the duck's guts.  I've got one on my Jazzmaster parts guitar, and if I ever make another Tele for myself I'll probably get one of his Tele bridges (same saddles on a Tele plate - made at the behest of Bill Frisell).

[acheld]

OK, this inspires me to a new offset build using the Mastery vibrato, which did not exist when I built my offset guitars.

[G._Hoffman]

OK, this inspires me to a new offset build using the Mastery vibrato, which did not exist when I built my offset guitars.

The Mastery bridge, and the trem, is well worth it. 

[rake]

I found these in a drawer today. Got to be 20 years old or better.

[Willabe]

Probably still good. They still look good.