I wanted to build a jazzmaster at first. But I have a soft spot for the mustang, so I initally wanted to combine the two. Instead of Jazz pickups, I went for p90s (tonerider vintage). These pickups and the Thurston Moore signature Jazzmaster inspired me.
The body is thicker than a mustang body, it is the same as a jazz/jag because I decided on adding body contours.
It took me a while to decide whether to have angled pickups, like a mustang. The mock ups I made looked better like this, and I'm not convinced it effects the sound too much...so I went with it.
Bigger p90s were a bit cramped, plus the availabilty of short scale necks, lead me to design a full-scale guitar (same as Jazzmaster).
I designed a jazz style pickguard, but the mustang guard meant easier construction (although had to extend it to fit the scale). Switching was always going to be simple 3 way toggle...eventually on the lower horn...although I considered upper horn and in the jack socket hole/chrome plate and having the jack underneath the body.
Body
Cut by (and designed with) luthier John Manuel (see ebay, click on image).
I'm interested in building more guitars...if you want one, email me.
One of the original ideas, a jazzmaster based p90 body with mustang style control and trem.
Rough mock up
I decided to go with a strat trem, the longer scale means less space at the back. Plus a strat trem is very consistent. I bought an old Squier strat (CBS style) neck on ebay. It is well worn and needs a bit of work, but the standard Squier necks are pretty good and I like the feel.
