THE Jag
Having a custom guitar specifically designed for you, is a dream that for most will never become reality. My Fender Telecaster has been my ride or die since I was 12 years old. But, I knew that I wanted something different that I normally wouldn’t gravitate towards at my local shop. I noticed this Epiphone Les Paul Jr. in my friend’s parent’s basement. “The Jag” as it came to be known, would became something special.
My Role
• Designer
• Art Director
• Researcher
• Project Manger
Methods/Tools
• Product Research
• Sketching
• Part Procurement
• Wood Working
• Painting
• Adobe Illustrator
Baby Steps
My friend had found the guitar at an “eviction” party. (You’re reading that right) It was missing parts, most things were broken, and covered in grime with yellow paint to mimic binding. I was able to get it playable and looking somewhat respectable. However, it was far from perfect and not good enough to play anywhere other than a living room.
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• Remove grime, yellow acrylic paint, and stickers
• Repair jack
• Re-solder the pickup and paint paick up cover
• New tuning machines
• New volume/tone knobs
• Set up at Twin Town Guitars
Building a battle axe
When going through a break up, some people like to get a drastic haircut. I decided to finally complete my little project. My best bud flew up from Atlanta for my bday and over 4 days “The Jag” was born. The name coming from the way Jeremy Clarkson says “Jag” on the show “Top Gear”, as well as from the inspiration of the color pallet from old British race cars. My friend’s family owned a guitar shop in Nashville, in addition to being a successful industrial designer. I knew I could count on him for the technical knowledge and skill. Refinishing the guitar was the hardest part by far. The rest of the build went pretty quickly and Twin Town Guitars put on the finishing touches.
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• Strip and repaint body and neck
• Paint neck plate, truss rod cover, and control cavity cover
• Install:
- New wiring harness
- New Gibson Soapbox P-90 pickup
- New volume + tone knobs
- New tuning machines
- Strap locks
- New pick guard
• Replace all screws with new gold screws
• Set up at Twin Town Guitars
Phase 3
The Jag had surpassed any of my wildest dreams, but it still needed some finishing touches. My friend had printed me a custom logo, I had spectacularly found a neck plate with a big cat on it, a gold truss rod cover, and a gold bridge that fit. The process was long but totally worth the wait. I am so proud of the work and I am grateful for all of the help I had along the way. Thank you to everyone who made my dream a reality.
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• Custom Logo
• Install:
- New bridge
- New neck plate
• Final set up at Twin Town Guitars
