Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just picked up a MIJ Jaguar for a nice price off eBay. Was local, so I picked it up today.

Basically, the owner didn't like all the funny little switches and such and picked up a plain black pickguard that covered up all the areas where chrome would have gone. Luckily though, he included everything that came stock with the guitar.

Not having much knowledge about the inner workings of a guitar (but learning), I'm not sure where all these pieces of shielding are supposed to go (There are five, two I can't figure out) and this thing looks like a nightmare to wire.

Does anyone have photos of the inside of a Jaguar, or can point me in the direction of some schematics? The one reputable local guitar shop that does this type of thing is quite pricey and i'd like to attempt it myself.

John, if you Google "Fender Jaguar", you will hit upon hundreds of URLs which have this type of information. I've got all this saved on my home computer, and I'm at my office right now, but there's one site in particular that has exactly what you're looking for.

Let your fingers do the walking on this one. It's a fine guitar and I'm shocked at some people's ignorance (like the guy you bought it from). The switches are very, very simple. These sites explain this, too.

My take on this is simply that many people grow up with no experience in simply reading. Mr. Previous Owner was really letting his stupidity on this one, hang out. Congratulations. I hope you got it for, oh, $625 or less in good condition--if so you got a good deal.

Thanks Paul, figured you'd be the one to step up to bat on this one.

$500 with a real bad nick where the forearm would sit, but plays and sounds like a dream. I think i'm gonna upgrade to the SD's eventually.

Here's how I got it:

It also came with a really nice case and an upgraded Mustang bridge. I've owned a few Jazzmasters and couldn't stand those stock bridges. And if you can't tell, the tremolo arm is a Strat arm, suitably bent, with a piece of electrical tape to hold it in place. Works well...

Man, do I dig Jags (both kinds)!

IMO the Mustang bridge is not an "upgrade". Jags have a lot of tiny set screws in the stock bridge, but if set up properly and Loctited, they will not buzz.

The Mustang bridge is just some guy;sidea of an upgrade because it has less parts and is easier to set up.

I play my Jag regularly and NOTHING beats the sound for single-coil surf type leads.

The Duncan Vintage Jag pickups are the only upgrade I'd do. Mine sounds like the old nice pre-CBS Jags did, and that's the only mod I made.

Paul, my issue was never really buzzing as much as it was the strings slipping around, especially the E. I tend to strum pretty hard.

Do you think it would be a tonal upgrade by going back to the stock bridge, or do it just not matter at this point?

I am definitley going to go for the SD's, at least the bridge one, which is the pickup I'll mainly be using.

I have a pdf file of the switching functions for a Jaguar IV bass. I'm don't if they're the same as the guitar version. It's for the MIJ bass.
Email me and i'll send it to you.

John, just go back to stock and deepen the slots in the threaded pieces, with nut files.

I'd get both pickups. The stock MIJ units are wrong; too thin-sounding.

What makes people mess up a otherwise decent guitar?

If you don't like it sell it & don't butcher it!

Jason Lollar has his "blackface" pups that really sparkle and are worth considering. I would agree with John when it comes to vintage pieces. I personally have no problem with taking a current issue guitar and swapping out pups, bridges etc with the hope of ending up with a better instrument. Vintage guitars and in particular vintage amps need upkeep and often cannot remain totally stock...which is why my repair guy will get some cash from me next week for capping and repair of a pair of Fender duals showman heads! Keep Rockin!

I see this as a "faithful to style" issue. If a Jag is an ultimate surf guitar, then do what you have to in order to reinforce or strengthen this aspect of its performance.

I agree with John K. Don't mess with it.

If it don't fit, you must omit. Get rid of it and find a fit.

Indeed! It does what it does well, but it was never meant to sound like a Les Paul.
Surf on!

John,you should go to the Jagstag/Jaguar forum:

http://www.jag-stang.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2

Those guys know everything about Jaguars and they are very helpful.It's a great forum like this one.

Has anyone here tried the "Buzz Stop". Check it out here:

http://www.marshallparts.com/Default.asp

It listed under Fender Jaguar parts. Maybe might be of some help to those that play harder.