NGD - Fender Japan Traditional '60s Jazzmaster

[Surfysonic]

I can only blame myself for my weak guitar gear purchase willpower and maybe a little to Riorio when he put his up for sale that sold before my willpower totally crumbled.

Here's my Fender Japan Traditional '60s Jazzmaster! Beautiful roasted neck (which put me over the purchasing edge) and lovely Lake Placid Blue-finished body & matching headstock. The pickups are OK, if not a tad on the sterile side. I think I'm fairly lucky that I don't get much 60 cycle hum from the house wiring so the guitar was quiet in all pickup positions. I'm seriously considering swapping out the stock pickups for my Joe Barden Two-Tone Jazzmaster pickups, which are currently installed in my Squier CV '60s Jazzmaster (3TS).

Super light-weight - honestly weighs next to nothing, almost toy-like. Stock strings are OK but I prefer D'Addario 11s and after a bit of play, the stock strings ended up giving me some micro slivers. I'm currently out of 9.5" radius Mustang style bridges at the moment, so I might just go for a Mastery Bridge and Vibrato as there isn't a lot of play with the stock Vibrato/Tremolo bar.

I see on Mastery's site that they recommend the Mastery M2 bridge for older Japan-made guitars - am I correct in assuming this also applies to current Japan-made guitars? Also, is the Mastery OMV Vibrato system fine for US or Japan Fender Jazzmasters?

[koiom]

I'm not 100% sure on the M2 bridge being the one for the latest MIJ JM's (I assume it will be though), but I can tell you I have an OVM vibrato on a MIJ Jag

[Surfysonic]

Cool, thanks for the info, much appreciated!

[Zeus]

I would take careful measurements for the bridge/thimbles, as I know they did a major retooling of the Japanese line around 2-3 years ago, e.g. they now have the same size pickguard as the US-made JMs, now have full sized pots, etc.

I don't know if that's carried over to the hardware, but at least some of the received wisdom re: MIJ offsets is no longer true.

[Surfysonic]

Ah, good to know. I'll take measurements, thanks!

[JSett]

What's the neck profile like on this? Predictably thin like other MIJ models?

[Surfysonic]

What's the neck profile like on this? Predictably thin like other MIJ models?

I feel ya - I've not owned a Fender Japan offset since 2008 or so. I liken the Fender Japan necks back then as thin as the US Fender's "Modern C".

However, the Trad '60s JM is designated by Fender Japan as a "U"shape - wider and less deep front to back than a US-made thick "U" neck as on the American Original '50s Telecaster. The "U" shape designation and the beautiful roasted neck motivated me to get the guitar.

Comparing to other offset necks, It's as wide as my American Original '60s Jazzmaster but the Japan Trad '60s JM is deeper front to back compared to the AO '60s JM. To be more specific in regards to front to back depth, it's about the same as my Vintera '60s Jazzmaster in depth. I prefer big necks and this is very comfortable for my big hands.

[Embenny]

Congrats! I know you like big necks so I'm not surprised that you went for this. Boy, is it ever gorgeous. This is the colour scheme that launched my love affair with offsets - I got my CIJ Jaguar in OLB with mint guard back in 2002 and it's been with me ever since.

But man, that JM is every bit as gorgeous.

[JSett]

What's the neck profile like on this? Predictably thin like other MIJ models?

I feel ya - I've not owned a Fender Japan offset since 2008 or so. I liken the Fender Japan necks back then as thin as the US Fender's "Modern C".

However, the Trad '60s JM is designated by Fender Japan as a "U"shape - wider and less deep front to back than a US-made thick "U" neck as on the American Original '50s Telecaster. The "U" shape designation and the beautiful roasted neck motivated me to get the guitar.

Comparing to other offset necks, It's as wide as my American Original '60s Jazzmaster but the Japan Trad '60s JM is deeper front to back compared to the AO '60s JM. To be more specific in regards to front to back depth, it's about the same as my Vintera '60s Jazzmaster in depth. I prefer big necks and this is very comfortable for my big hands.

This sounds promising. I'm after a Jag with a fat neck that I can modify

[Surfysonic]

I saw your thread about that. I can only reiterate what someone else mentioned and recommend the Johnny Marr Signature Jag. If you're at all interested in a more budget-friendly option, try to find a used Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar. The Squier Vintage Modifed Jaguar's neck is comparable in shape to the Johnny Marr Jag's neck although the Johnny Marr Jag's neck is clearly of better quality.

The VM Jag is a bit thicker than the newer Classic Vibe version. I have all three Jags mentioned - Fender Johnny Marr Jag, Squier VM Jag, and Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jag as well as my '63 Fender Jag, where the neck is similar to the Johnny Marr Jag's neck, too, only better to me (more rounded).

[smora]

Are you able to measure neck thickness at 1st and 12th fret? Curious about this model, but only way to try one would be to order one and hope I like it.

[Surfysonic]

Congrats! I know you like big necks so I'm not surprised that you went for this. Boy, is it ever gorgeous. This is the colour scheme that launched my love affair with offsets - I got my CIJ Jaguar in OLB with mint guard back in 2002 and it's been with me ever since.

But man, that JM is every bit as gorgeous.

Thanks, Mike! I'm finding the stock pickups a bit sterile (but not horrible). I think this is going to be a perfect candidate for your old Joe Barden pickups. I'm going to take them out of my 3TS Squier Classic Vibe '60s JM and put that one back to stock and move it on soon...unless I decide to put in some Pure Vintage '65 pups in the the CV '60s JM instead.

[Surfysonic]

Are you able to measure neck thickness at 1st and 12th fret? Curious about this model, but only way to try one would be to order one and hope I like it.

I'm long overdue to get myself a digital caliper for accurate readings. I'll place an order tonight. I did a quick Google search and found the same model Jazzmaster for sale on Reverb with the following measurements:

The roasted maple neck has a fuller profile carve than earlier Fender Japan Jazzmasters, with a substantial U profile carve, particularly full shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .870" deep at the 1st fret and .910" at the 12th. The rosewood fretboard is a dark, tight-grained cut, with flawless slender fretwire and a modern-spec 9 1/2" fretboard radius. The scale length is a full 25 1/2", and the carved bone nut measures 1 5/8" in width. The headstock sports a Pre-CBS style "Spaghetti" Jazzmaster logo, with Kluson-style tuning machines which turn smoothly and hold pitch well.

Here's the specs from the eBay seller of my guitar which doesn't include exactly what you're looking for:

Body Material：Basswood
Body Finish：Gloss Polyester
Neck：Roasted Maple, “U” Shape
Neck Finish：Gloss Urethane
Fingerboard：Rosewood, 9.5” (241 mm)
Frets：21, Vintage
Position Inlays：Pearl Dot (Rosewood)
Nut (Material/Width)：Bone, 1.615” (41.02 mm)
Tuning Machines：Vintage-Style
Scale Length：25.5” (648 mm)
Bridge：6-Saddle Vintage-Style Adjustable with “Floating” Tremolo Tailpiece
Pickguard：3-Ply Mint Green
Pickups：Vintage-Style Single-Coil Jazzmaster(R) (Bridge), (Middle), Vintage-Style Single-Coil Jazzmaster(R) (Neck)
Pickup Switching：3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge And Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Controls：Lead Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Down): Master Volume, Master Tone; Rhythm Circuit
Controls (Slide Switch Up)：Two Thumbwheel Controls for Neck Pickup Volume and Tone
Control Knobs：Vintage White Plastic
Hardware Finish：Nickel/Chrome
Strings：Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges)

[RIORIO]

Happy to have played a part in this

Thety're lovely guitars!!

[Zeus]

Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar has sold a number of JMs from the MIJ Traditional line on Reverb and it seems the general neck measurements are as follows:

' ... .865" deep at the 1st fret and .920" at the 12th.'

I presume the roasted necks are about the same, give or take.