Welcome to another modding video!
After many requests following my VM Mustang series, I have decided to make a video about modding a Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar.
This time however, I will be doing things a bit differently. Since there are many online tutorials on YouTube and on guitar websites/forums, I will try not to go over ground already covered many times over. For example there are many tutorial online for creating a nut (I recommend StewMac’s resources) and using various power tools. However only use tools such as routers and drill press’s if you know what you’re doing! If not get someone who does to teach you or employ a tech to do the mods!
Anyway, I am doing this video differently so I can get all the mods covered in one video, because I think that will just be easier as the multiple short video format I did with the mustang was a bit unnecessary.
Something I forgot to cover while I was filming was how I lined up my humbucker routes. Basically I found the center point of the guitar which basically turned out to be the middle of the neck pocket. I put some masking style tape (painters tape will work) on the mid section of the guitar and marked out my center line. Then I simply lined up my routing template, which has a center line etching on it, and also lined it up with the existing cavity (so that the template lined up it’s top edge of the to-be-routed area with the existing top edge of the neck pickup cavity, and vice verse for the bridge), and then taped the template in the desired position for routing. Then it was a simple matter of lining these routes up with the pickguard and making the necessary holes using a dremel tool.
Also, if you choose to change the pots in the standard volume and tone position to an imperial sized pot such as CTS, you’ll need to enlarge the holes in the control plate to accommodate this. I did this in about 5 minutes using a rat tail file, so it’s not a huge deal! You can do it!
I didn’t show much of my doing the wiring because it is honestly hard to tell what’s going on over my shoulder. But instead I supplied the diagram I created for this build, so if you follow that you should be good (I think I had the 3 way toggle switch the wrong way around, but easy fix: just flip the switch around). Also I’m not going into how to do solder joins because again, there are many tutorial online and I want to make this video as short and accessible as possible!
A list of upgraded parts I used:
– CTS 1 Meg pots for volume controls
– 1 Meg Allparts linear taper roller pots
– Mini On-On-On toggle switch (unknown brand)
– Gotoh Tuneomatic 103B-T bridge
– Seymour Duncan JB (bridge), Seymour Duncan Jazz (neck) pickups
– Blank bone nut (allparts)
– Allparts white pickup mounting rings
– Chrome dome knobs
– Loxx strap locks
– Conductive adhesive copper tape
I used some original parts including the tuners, the 2 way slider switches and the output jack (added a star washer so it won’t loosen).
Link for the wiring diagram: https://i.imgur.com/f2NJ1ne.jpg
Here is the promised link for the 3 way toggle switch I used:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F322485810734
So there you have it! I’ll be sure to make a demo video of the finished product within the next week, but I promise you it’s sounds massive and is incredibly versatile!
If you’ve got this far, thanks for reading and watching this video, I hope it has been helpful for your own modding projects!
Also, a shameless self plug. I am operating as a tech in Melbourne, Australia. So if you’re needing this work done on your guitar but can’t do it yourself I am happy to help!
My fb page:
https://m.facebook.com/cowanguitarsau/
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What does that wave looking symbol signify on the wiring diagram?
If i use 2 humbuckers but it has only 2 wires on each, is it possible to create like this?
bruh i thought i pulled up another tab when i heard the troglys song start playing
Would the same wiring and mods work with DiMarzio Super Distortion and PAF humbuckers?
This is a master piece… that’s how it should come from Fender!! Nice job!!
u ruined a vintage guitar
I know it's been ages, but what was the purpose of the series/parallel switch in a hh?
more info the wiring but great info otherwise great job thank you kindly john
im new to guitar tinkering. ive played for 20+ years. I want to get a squire jag body and completely build it with good stuff. I basically want to make it as comparable to an american version as possible. Being new to this, i am confused on what components on a squire are “cheap”, and differ from the quality of the american versions. Like… is a Squire neck garbage? Is the American better? what is it about a neck that one is better, etc. Thank you!, amazing channel and ability you have
I definitely want to modify my 70’s Style Jag. I need to replace the singles with hums
Where did you get the scratchplate?
Hi how are you? I would like to make you a query
I put the same bridge on my jaguar and it was the same as yours, but the problem I have is that the strings come off the bridge very easily when playing a little hard, did the same thing happen to you? or how can i fix it? thank you
BRILLIANT wiring set up!
It just makes sense – very practical
Did you have to buy new pots and other electronics besides the 3 way toggle? Or can you use the old and the re wiring makes them work this way? Also could you link the 3way toggle? Thank you
just curious man, did you use low or high ring mounts for your pickups??
I just bought a fender blacktop jaguar hh special silver from 2011 it's awesome I found it used at my guitar shop in town Ksm music and it is in great shape so you should probably get rid of your shity squier jaguar and buy a fender blacktop jaguar hh
Great vid, but there is a waaay easier way to pull your bridge anchors with a bolt, a washer, and a piece of 1 inch pvc. At any rate, I am definitely wiring the volume and tones on my new MIJ Jag this way, once I put in the p90s. such a great idea. Thanks!
Great video!
When prepping the route for the pickups, did you align the template off of an existing edge, or did you center it off of the existing cavity hole?
Hey, do you have a neck shim in this? do you find any issues with action?
Squier is releasing a new Jaguar hh that has a hard tai and adjust-o-matic bridge. Maybe I might do these mods on it to make it look more like a jag
Hi, I wanna build a JM project based on a fender style neck (12" Radiused) and home made body made from some korina planksI have. As I want a TOM style bridge, should I route the neck pocket straight like a regular JM and shim it or angle the neck pocket, wich seems hard to do? Thanks for the video, it's really helping me.
About how much did this cost?
Check out the mastery bridge its fuggin expensive but well worth it