making my own JEM! - well not really...

[darthpolster]

Whilst I am saving up to buy a JEM, I have a huge urge to make my own as well!
I have a pacifica that would fit the bill nicely.
Strat shape, good neck (only 22 frets tho) w/ rosewood fingerboard (maple neck I think, not sure), HSH config with 5way switch, *tone/vol knobs, natural finish (not sure what wood thou).

I want to strip the varnish off the natural coloured body and paint it something else. *Then replace the p/u's, add a pickguard to it. *Add a monkey grip.
Maybe do somthing with the fretboard inlays, they're only pearloid dots now. *It's got 6 tuners of some type, dunno how to tell if they are good or not, and a 6 screw tremelo bridge that goes out of tune all too often. *If I add a locking nut, will i have to use a floyd rose type trem, so that i can do the fine tuning? *Any other bridges that I can put in , so that the thing stop going out of tune so soon?

What tools will I need to do this job? *Any advice you can give me?

Thanks.

[carlos seo]

For the job on the body, I think you should look for some professional work, because if you have no experience, it's hard to cut the monkey grip.

About the bridge, I think it's up to you to choose what would fit your needs better. There two good solutions for tuning problems: Floyd Rose double locking tremolo + Gotoh die-cast tuning machines, or Wilkinson VS50 tremolo + LSR Roller Nut + Sperzel Trim-lok tuning machines. Both should keep your guitar in tune.

For pickups, I would choose DiMarzio Evolution (bridge), Fender Texas Specials (middle) and DiMarzio PAF Pro (neck). This combination works fine.

Get some bigger frets also. Dunlop 6105 should be your choice.

Hope I helped you!

PS- yes, your guitar has a maple neck

[cerealk]

darth
check out http://www.universaljems.com

Brian does all the custom work (apart from the fretboard inlay-though ask him about that as well) you want.

Good luck with the conversion.

best wishes

Simon