NGD SJM-62

[BatUtilityBelt]

Before buying from GC, I thought the bridge might have a problem. The pictures show odd string spacing that puts the low E string between saddles in the bridge. It turns out that low E does jump around and change positions on the saddle easily, so I think a bridge change is in order.

Bridge string spacing uh oh.jpg (53.91 KiB) Viewed 190 times

If that was the only problem, this guitar would be a killer deal. But I'm torn. The listing condition said "great", and what I received was not great. It has issues, most of which I can fix, but I doubt I'll do a refin.

The guitar was shipped in a very skinny (4-1/2" outer) package not leaving much space for packing materials, and they used crumpled paper, not bubble wrap. In shipping, the pickup selector switch tip was broken off. The switch functions, but it's not really usable without the tip and must be replaced. The pickup mounting screws were also sticking out, not holding the pickups to the body. At first I wondered why they left the pickups unscrewed, but then I realized the hit the guitar took that broke the pickup selector switch probably launched the pickups forward and stripped the wood those thin screws were gripping. They screwed back in very easily (too easily?), so those holes may need a little filler.

The body has some deep dings, it was not treated nicely. Steaming and drop fills won't handle all of them. Refinishing would require enough filler that a transparent finish would not be attractive. I would have to paint it a solid color. Refinishing the body was not something I was considering given the "great" listing condition. I don't know whether I'll try to keep it more original and accept some relicing, or take the plunge to give it a unique finish. This ding was the first thing I saw while unboxing.

The trem lock button is missing. I have another SJM whose trem's lock button was not functional and clunked around, so this SJM's previous owner might have removed it on purpose. I'm ok with not being able to lock out the trem as I never use that feature on my Fenders either. It's fine.

The electronics are noisy, but fully functional and the pickups sound really good. It clearly needs its cavities shielded, which I'll do when replacing the broken selector switch. I'm tempted to consider giving it a Jaguar control plate during that operation. I did that to a red Liquid hardtail and love it. If the condition was much better, I'd try to keep this guitar original, but it feels destined to be modded. Here's that red one:

I did a lot of bridge and saddle adjustment, but the low E and A strings have some annoying fret buzz when fretted almost everywhere. This is probably the saddles. I'll know after I replace the bridge. My MIJ Jaguar tells me these saddles would work fine if the guitar was short scale. I already have a roller bridge I know will work.

The fret ends are viciously sprouty, really bad. I was being careful to avoid scraping them, but thought my thumb was going to start bleeding at one point. That'll be a while filing all the ends.

Having said all that, it's still a good playing, fun, nice sounding guitar and I only have one other Liquid with a trem (SJM). I like the rosewood board, the trem works great, and it maintains tune well. I've paid more than this guitar's $140 in the past for mod platforms. So really I'm just stuck hating the idea of buying a guitar listed in "great" condition when I'd call it "fair" and needs a bunch of work. I'll do the work because this is one of my favorite models, and only my second SJM-62. Sad that I can't find one that hasn't been abused, and for the life of me, can't find one of the short scale SJMs Kurt told me they also made. So here it is, next to my other SJM-62.

[sabasgr68]

Bitter-sweet HNGD I guess!

Work on it, and then, enjoy!

[tobijohn]

Been there, done that way too many times. In fact, I've got over a dozen that that I still have to get around to. But if you have the time and it's a labor of love, I guess it's worth it, and it was a great price...

BTW, I have that same model except the body is the same size as the Liquid, yours looks smaller.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Been there, done that way too many times. In fact, I've got over a dozen that that I still have to get around to. But if you have the time and it's a labor of love, I guess it's worth it, and it was a great price...

I agree all around. Just a great model, original or modded.

BTW, I have that same model except the body is the same size as the Liquid, yours looks smaller.

Your burst looks like the same exact model for sure. Mine seems to be the same size as my other Liquids, so I guess it's the pictures or the black pickups maybe? Out of curiosity, do you have any of the 24" scale version?

[tobijohn]

Your burst looks like the same exact model for sure. Mine seems to be the same size as my other Liquids, so I guess it's the pictures or the black pickups maybe? Out of curiosity, do you have any of the 24" scale version?

I do not. I do have a pink SX Rock n' Rose Strat with a 24.75" scale though...

[idiotsdelight]

SJM was my first Rondo SX purchase from adad. Still have it.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Following up, I heard back from the manager of the store that put the guitar up for sale on GC Used. He agreed they did a poor job of packing the guitar, and conceded they may not have accurately conveyed its condition. He offered a partial refund of $52.81, which I found to be very fair. That does a lot for my continued belief in GC Used finds. As for the SJM, it was now quite a bargain and after I do some repairs, it will be a very good guitar. My first step is filing away the fret sprout so I can play it a lot more and assess the rest of it better.

[tobijohn]

Yikes, everything else notwithstanding, that was a great deal!

[BatUtilityBelt]

Yikes, everything else notwithstanding, that was a great deal!

I totally agree, in today dollars, it was a great deal. But the original price on this exact model, brand new, was incredible! I wish I had a time machine.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Following up. I earlier filed the fret ends so I could stand to evaluate the rest of the guitar, but today was a really good day for this SJM-62. I tore it down and...

Removed the half of the lock button that was rolling around inside the trem cavity.
Glue filled the pickup mount holes so the screws could hold better.
Shielded and grounded the cavities.
Replaced the broken pickup selector switch.
Cleaned and oiled the fretboard.
Test-fit a Jag/JM control plate, and yes, it would fit using existing small pots.
Closed up and put on fresh strings.

It's great now, a real pleasure to play. One thing I left out above is that I planned to swap the bridge and try one with roller saddles. When I tried to take off the old bridge, I found I couldn't remove it. It doesn't move at all, and even with significant up-force, it doesn't budge. I didn't want to risk damage, so I moved on. I don't know what the previous owner did to make that the case, but I might have to try and take a picture inside the height adjustment holes. I already knew that no allen wrench will work with whatever's in there. They are supposed to be allen screws for height. Pretty happy with the guitar as-is now though!