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Post subject: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:48 pm
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I have a 1962 JM that I bought in 1968, so I can vouch it's authenticity. I had the body refinished but other than that it is all original, including the tag and bridge cover. Unfortunately the switch tip disintegrated and I only have some of the bits left! The cellulose scratchplate has, of course, shrunk and the pick-up covers are very tight. The frets are very worn and the nut needs attention as the G slot has worn low causing it to sit too low. The neck is sound and in very nice condition at the back but the vintage tuners are showing their age - one in particular is very stiff despite my attempts to oil it! The neck has the original Olympic White headstock.
Should I get a re-fret, new nut and scratchplate or leave it in its present condition?
Vintage value v playing value - what do you think? I really don't want to sell it - we have so many happy memories.


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:55 pm
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If you sell that guitar you will regret it!

Personally, I'd buy replacement parts and keep the original parts stashed safely somewhere away from sunlight, that's what makes the plastic shrink and fall apart.

As for the frets and nut, I'd say those are necessary "running repairs", I don't see them devaluing the guitar per se BUT you've got to get a very good repair guy if you have a bound fingerboard and need to pull the frets out.

If at all possible I'd get the frets levelled, dressed and re-crowned rather than replaced altogether.

Just a final thought - maybe think about putting the guitar in semi-retirement and buy a new Jazzmaster?

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:15 pm
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Just another final thought - let's see some photos of this beauty!

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:39 pm
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a big +1 to all above statements. :)

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:33 am
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Thanks for your words of wisdom. Exactly the response I was expecting so I'll leave well alone. I have a MIM De luxe Strat as a second "toy" and really can't justify buying a new model JM. Only an AV would do and that's a bit to expensive for a poor pensioner (aaahhh!).
As regards pics I don't know how to post them but at the moment she is in too poor a state, I'm embarrassed to say. If pressed I will post a couple of pics when I get her strung up again.

There is a picture here - http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/hofner/e ... and18.html. In the first picture I am holding my 1959 strat that I sold to buy the JM. I think the guy who gave me £70 for it got a bargain, don't you?

Thanks again


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:08 am
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Cool! I have a '63 Jazzmaster myself. My opinion.... since the body has been refinished the value will have dropped significantly. If you don't want to sell it, you might as well make it playable and enjoy the guitar. Keep any parts that you replace, especially the pick guard since no repo part will ever look as correct.

The refret would not hurt the value too much as long as it is done professionally.


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:21 am
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i cant believe there are many 50's and 60's strats out there that havnt been refretted. if i was in the game of buying super expensive guitars, my opinion/valuation of a guitar certainly wouldnt change if it had been refretted - as long as its got the original type of frets.

as for a guitar thats already been refinished, and one that doesnt sound like it will get sold, get it refretted with whatever frets you want and make the most of it.


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:54 am
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As an old timer having had sellers remorse, unless there are financial circumstances of necessity, keeping a guitar that has served you well, seems like the best way to avoid future regrets, and more important, the basis to justify and enjoyment of buying another guitar, letting you semi-retire and preserve the old dog. IMO, the best of all choices.


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:55 pm
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Mr telstars- welcome to the forum, kind sir. You have come to the right place for sure! I'm no vintage buff, however I'm under the impression that you would like to keep you Jazzmaster playable so yes, by all means have the necessary work done to keep it that way. However please do some research and take it to someone who is a specialist on vintage instruments. Don't take it to someone who will butcher it. I'm sure other forum members will chime in and give their advice too :)

It sounds like you certainly have a jem of an instrument :D As for posting pics-

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52777

We hope to have you around for a while :)

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:07 pm
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Hi everybody - just to let you know I am not ignoring you - I have been busy elsewhere, including trying to track down a decent luthier to take on the job.
A lot of things need attention (not just to the JM!) but if I do decide to go ahead with a re-furb I shall keep a full photographic record at all stages!
'Bye for now but it will be some time before I can come back.
Best regards


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:29 pm
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Hi everybody - I don't know whether this is the right way to come back on a posting. but here goes.

You may be interested to know that I have found a luthier to "appraise" my JM for re-fret etc., and having spoken to him and read some favourable testimonials he seems a genuine enthusiast of all things guitar (his first response was -"that's a beauty!"). Anyway, I can lose nothing by going to see him.
Next issue is - irrespective of whoever does my re-fret, a new nut is essential and I have searched high and low to find out the original string guages fitted in 1962, without success. This is not critical to my ?playing style, but I think a wound G is a must to retain the authenticity element and therefore the new nut needs to be cut accordingly.
There are few string sets that come with a wound G, but the one I am favouring is the D'Addario EXL110W (10's). I have an old set of Fender 1550's (.011,.015,.022w,.032,.040,.048) but as these are no longer available it would be silly to have the nut cut for these.
The D'Addario EXL115W(11's) are the other option with a wound G.
I fancy the original spec was 11's or above, but do you think 10's would work with the vintage fret height?
As I am only going to get one shot at this all input will be appreciated.
I know there is no definitive answer and maybe my "luthier" will suggest something totally different but it is good to hear all views.
'bye for now (and I haven't forgotten the photos!)


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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 2:17 pm
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If you play this guitar regularly (either professionally or as a hobbyist), I recommend that you have the guitar configured and optimized for whatever brand/gauge of strings you routinely use -- frets, nut, neck relief, etc. Any luthier capable of refretting your JM should also be able to install a new nut and perform a full set-up. You'll find aged Kluson Deluxe repro tuners available on Ebay -- they're a drop-on replacement for your worn originals. Likewise, catalin-style switch tips are also around though they are no longer fabricated from catalin (a type of baked porcelain). RS Guitarworks and Crazy Parts in Germany offer excellent repro's. Be sure to save every original replaced part and screw for "posterity".

Best of luck, HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:28 pm
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Ernie Ball do an wound G 11-52 set which may be a bit more balanced in string tension than 11-48

http://www.ernieball.com/products/elect ... -w-wound-g

or there's these flatwounds, never tried DR Strings though so I can't comment

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/p/911738 ... ngs-11-48/

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 4:38 pm
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This should help ... no one seems to do your exact guages but if you search this page for "11 15 22w" then there's quite a few close matches, mainly flatwound if that's your thing ...

http://www.bigcitystring.com/11s.htm

I suspect you may just have to buy singles and make up sets that way if you want those exact guages.

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Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster dilemma
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:25 pm
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Telstars wrote:
I have a 1962 JM that I bought in 1968, so I can vouch it's authenticity. I had the body refinished but other than that it is all original, including the tag and bridge cover. Unfortunately the switch tip disintegrated and I only have some of the bits left! The cellulose scratchplate has, of course, shrunk and the pick-up covers are very tight. The frets are very worn and the nut needs attention as the G slot has worn low causing it to sit too low. The neck is sound and in very nice condition at the back but the vintage tuners are showing their age - one in particular is very stiff despite my attempts to oil it! The neck has the original Olympic White headstock.
Should I get a re-fret, new nut and scratchplate or leave it in its present condition?
Vintage value v playing value - what do you think? I really don't want to sell it - we have so many happy memories.


"what do you think? "

Welcome to the Forum Telestars, sounds like a cool guitar lucky you, pic's please whatever you do have fun. :D

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