60s lacquer vs American pro

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
Horax
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60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Horax » Mon Apr 09, 2018 9:13 pm

So what’s the deal? The 60s lacquers have nitro paint, av65 pickups, 7.25 radius, bound fretboard with blocks (IIRC). The amer pro has poly, vMods, 9.25 radius, and new neck profile and frets.

Both come with hard cases.

I believe the 60’s is MIM and the pro is USA.

Difference in cost is about 300.00 or so.


Which would you choose and why? Ever played both and can compare them?
When in doubt, listen to the Ventures.

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marqueemoon
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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Apr 09, 2018 11:05 pm

60's Lacquer does not have blocks or binding. The 60th anniversary models do though.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Horax » Tue Apr 10, 2018 4:18 am

Correct.
Apart from that mistake, my question stands
When in doubt, listen to the Ventures.

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daysleeperjeff
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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by daysleeperjeff » Tue Apr 10, 2018 4:33 am

I got the Mystic Seafoam AMPRO Jazzmaster to have something different from my other JM’s. Same comfortable body I know and love with a satin finish Maple neck, different sounding pickups that would add different tones to my recordings. The craftsmanship on my AMPRO is top notch. Very high quality guitar. Feels American made for sure.

I can’t speak for the 60’s Lacquer, but that’s why I went for the AMPRO.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Beyer160 » Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:07 am

They're pretty different.

In addition to what's been mentioned the AmPro has a Staytrem bridge copy, '60s Lacquer has a traditional bridge. AmPro also moves the pickup selector to the upper bout and deletes the rhythm circuit.

I tried an AmPro and bought a '60s Lacquer. Other than the nice smell, nitro finishes really don't mean much to me- the main selling point was that the one I ended up buying is a dead ringer for my old '62 AVRI. It feels and sounds right, you know? The AmPro changed a lot of things about the Jazzmaster design, and IMHO none for the better. I especially didn't dig the pickups. But, lots of folks like the AmPro- the only way to figure out if you're one of them is to play one.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Larsongs » Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:53 am

The 60's L is a conventional JM & a very good choice. Mostly positive reviews. Great Guitar regardless of money. Would've been my 2nd choice if I hadn't purchased an AV65 JM.

The Pro is a modified version of a JM that has had considerable not so positive reviews. Supposedly all the Bugs have been worked out now in 2018?

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Horax » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:20 am

what bugs?
I've seen no changes in the 'description' of the guitar since it's inception and today.
When in doubt, listen to the Ventures.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by daysleeperjeff » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:29 am

Larsongs wrote:
Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:53 am
The 60's L is a conventional JM & a very good choice. Mostly positive reviews. Great Guitar regardless of money. Would've been my 2nd choice if I hadn't purchased an AV65 JM.

The Pro is a modified version of a JM that has had considerable not so positive reviews. Supposedly all the Bugs have been worked out now in 2018?
American Pro’s have very positive reviews from people who actually own them. Just look up reviews from stores and YouTube.

I find most of the negative comments come from Jazzmaster purists who don’t like the modifications.

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daysleeperjeff
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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by daysleeperjeff » Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:34 am

Horax wrote:
Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:20 am
what bugs?
I've seen no changes in the 'description' of the guitar since it's inception and today.
He might mean that Fender has appeared to fix the bridge issue where the E strings run too close to the edges of the fretboard.

I can’t say for sure if this was fixed across the board, but I bought mine last November and it didn’t have that issue.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Horax » Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:08 am

ah ok, I did hear about that.
That would explain when I played one in GC two weeks ago, they said they didn't have the new 2018 ones even though they did have a 2017.
I played the 2017 and really enjoyed it....but I wasn't looking to buy at teh time. I'm buying in July and am considering one from the mod shop OR the mystic sea foam. I love that color, but let's face it, everybody has it. I have something specific in mind, PLUS I could go with the AV65 pickups OR the Vmod's. Not sure if I want pure vintage or the modern, new take on the JM.

I'll have to be more discerning when I go to actually buy.
When in doubt, listen to the Ventures.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by secretroutines » Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:24 am

Horax wrote:
Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:20 am
what bugs?
I've seen no changes in the 'description' of the guitar since it's inception and today.
No bugs. I've played the AmPros and they are incredible guitars, objectively. It could be a reference to QC, but normally I only see quality issues on lower-end models. But a bad out of the box setup can really be damaging to the preception of series overall.

EDIT - saw the comment about the saddles, not new it was introduced on the Marr Jags when they were released.

There are plenty of folks who dislike the switch placement on the APJMs, which is totally ok and constructive criticism. But there are also plenty of folks who dislike them for not being “traditional” enough, which is kinda crazy because they aren't meant to traditional or vintage spec. I don't get the purist thing though. Take Jags for instance, the 4-way switch is way better than the traditional 3 switches from a practical stance.
TL;DR - play different guitars when you're shopping around, learn what you like and how the specs factor in.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by daysleeperjeff » Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:41 am

Horax wrote:
Wed Apr 11, 2018 7:08 am
ah ok, I did hear about that.
That would explain when I played one in GC two weeks ago, they said they didn't have the new 2018 ones even though they did have a 2017.
I played the 2017 and really enjoyed it....but I wasn't looking to buy at teh time. I'm buying in July and am considering one from the mod shop OR the mystic sea foam. I love that color, but let's face it, everybody has it. I have something specific in mind, PLUS I could go with the AV65 pickups OR the Vmod's. Not sure if I want pure vintage or the modern, new take on the JM.

I'll have to be more discerning when I go to actually buy.

I have the Mystic Seafoam and man, in person that color is the most beautiful thing on a guitar.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say everyone has it. It’s only on a few models and just came out unlike Olympic White, Sunburst or Candy Apple Red which have been around for decades.

I’d say the Mystic Seafoam model is still pretty niche. Even if it was everywhere it’s worth it for how incredible it looks. Changes color in all kinds of different light!

But yeah, lots of great colors in the Mod Shop too!

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by northernlights » Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:08 pm

%100 american pro. but you should see and select it.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by Larsongs » Wed Apr 11, 2018 2:43 pm

I have nothing against an unconventional. Jazzmaster. I do have something against Strings slipping off the neck while playing though. Why would anyone want a Guitar that does that? If you get an Am Pro the 2018's are hopefully better Guitars without issues.

The Lacquer 60's, other than lack of color choices, is an excellent Guitar out of the box.

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Re: 60s lacquer vs American pro

Post by DesmondWafers » Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:37 pm

The johnny marr jaguars have the same issue, fender simply can't or won't admit that they're terrible at designing a new offset bridge. Most people are going to change the bridge anyway, and it's not like the stock jm/jag bridge is problem free.

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