I'm going to finally order my body to make my "Jem contest" design tomorrow from ET Guitars and after talking to them today, he asked me a question I have no idea about...... and that is.
Will the pickups be attached to the body or the scratchplate?
I was unaware that pickups could be attached to a scratchplate so my question is, for the design below, having a clear scratchplate over it, would I have the pickup "ears" routed out to attach the pickups to the body or attach it to the scratchplate?
I'm confused..... can some of you Jem nuts explain this a little better and maybe suggest which would be the better option for the design below. Small modifications to the design won't be a problem to include the Pickup Ears.
Early FPs had the p'ups attached to the (clear) scratch plate. That changed in the early 90's. I guess it's personal preference (and what scratch plate you have).
The majority of rear routed bodies (to my knowledge at least, someone correct me if im wrong) are direct mounted, but as DrewIvy said the early florals were not, so you can do both. Most front rounted bodies (like the 7vwh) have the pups attached to the pickguard.
I have nothing yet...... the body is the first thing I'm ordering tomorrow and I need to know whether to get the ears routed in or not.....I'm thinking yes at this point. I currently own a 7VWh and I don't know how they're attached just by looking at it.
Jeminizer, It has to be rear-routed to allow the design to cover that area and have a clear pickguard on top. Thanks for the info mate, that makes sense.
This project has become an obsession that is all I can think about...... it's taking me over, the wife is getting annoyed but there aint no stopping me. My mind's set and I want this guitar.
Some would say attaching to the body gives more sustain/better tone, but,
it's pretty much always been done by attaching to the scratchplate/pickuprings, so can't be too bad!
Jim
oh hell yes...... who else would I show it off to?..... This would be my first port of call. Hopefully it won't take me forever, but once I do the clearcoat, I won't be touching it for 3 months to let it cure 95% before wetsanding.... that's gonna be excruciating.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ibanez JEM Forum
1.3M posts
69.6K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to Ibanez JEM guitar owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, displays, models, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!