Jazzmaster Recs

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hotsawce
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Jazzmaster Recs

Post by hotsawce » Sun Oct 10, 2021 9:42 pm

Hey all,

Looking for recs on a Jazzmaster in my budget. Ideally, 1k or less. Was considering a vintera, but saw in many places some people had issues with them and it may not be worth the price compared to a well setup squier classic vibe jazzmaster... or a JMJM. I'd also consider a partscaster.... but that seems like it can get pricey very quickly. I do feel like I'd want to tinker on a classic vibe...maybe swap out the pickguard, pop in a new bridge...but at that point, is the vintera the better choice? Also, I want to love the vintage spec neck...but I feel like I'm more comfortable on a modern radius. Ideally looking for a great sound and a neck that's a joy to play.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by manwithtitties » Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:45 pm

I wouldnt go with a jmjm, and the bridge on the cv would be considered better than the vintera by most. I would go with the vintera if you like the look + matched headstock, and cv if you want something thats probably almost as good.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by Domm » Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:49 am

If you keep your eyes on reverb you can still find deals on Japanese JM’s in that price range so that’s another option.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:07 am

I’m gonna suggest a used American Pro here.

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hotsawce
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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by hotsawce » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:27 am

Thanks for some recs. I’ll probably go to a guitar center today and put a few in my hands just to see what feels good and what doesn’t.

I’m not too high on an American pro… I know the build quality is probably there but it’s still a bit pricey and (to me) they’ve butcher the guitar in too many ways…

Why wouldn’t you recommend the Mascis? A lot of people seem to really like it.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by JSett » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:48 am

hotsawce wrote:
Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:27 am
Thanks for some recs. I’ll probably go to a guitar center today and put a few in my hands just to see what feels good and what doesn’t.

I’m not too high on an American pro… I know the build quality is probably there but it’s still a bit pricey and (to me) they’ve butcher the guitar in too many ways…

Why wouldn’t you recommend the Mascis? A lot of people seem to really like it.
The Mascis JM is 'butchered' plenty itself.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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hotsawce
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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by hotsawce » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:55 am

Yes, but still with a vintage look. I can deal with that for a $450 guitar. An American Pro 2 at 1200+ used looking the way it does… I don’t think so

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by JSett » Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:58 am

hotsawce wrote:
Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:55 am
Yes, but still with a vintage look. I can deal with that for a $450 guitar. An American Pro 2 at 1200+ used looking the way it does… I don’t think so
I'd consider the abomination of a tune-o-matic and the fact it doesn't have proper JM pickups more of an issue, but that's just me.

A lot of people are raving about the JMJM but I tried one and thought it felt nothing more than okay. It felt like a $450 guitar.

AmPro II Jazzmasters are way more accurate to an actual JM than a JMJM. Don't confuse them with the AmPro I models
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by hotsawce » Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:56 am

Is there a year range I should look out for on 60s MIJ jazzmasters?

I could swing one of these, I like the look, and though I’ve only played older MIJ instruments I’ve always found the build quality to be on par or better than American instruments

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hotsawce
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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by hotsawce » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:27 am

Well, no vinteras at my local shop but tried a JMJM, a few classic vibe jazz, and some Mexican made players.

Hated the JMJM. The neck felt cheap to me… but I understand how some people prefer that.

The Mexican guitars felt cheap with the fretwork also.

The classic vibe surprisingly had some of the best fretwork and the best feel. I liked it a lot. I’ll probably pick one of those up and tinker with it.

I also liked the 9.5” radius.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:55 am

hotsawce wrote:
Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:27 am
Well, no vinteras at my local shop but tried a JMJM, a few classic vibe jazz, and some Mexican made players.

Hated the JMJM. The neck felt cheap to me… but I understand how some people prefer that.

The Mexican guitars felt cheap with the fretwork also.

The classic vibe surprisingly had some of the best fretwork and the best feel. I liked it a lot. I’ll probably pick one of those up and tinker with it.

I also liked the 9.5” radius.
I think the classic vibe is the obvious choice. If you want to upgrade it you can. That’s how many parts guitars start. Another inaccuracy with the Jmjm is the incorrect trem spacing

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by MC5tooge » Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:05 pm

You have to be careful with Fender Japan Jazzmasters. They often have pickups that aren't really Jazzmaster pickups.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by hotsawce » Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:31 pm

I went with an olympic white JM from CME. The late 50s was tempting but based on what I played and some sound demos of the regular 60s CVJM, it was the right move. CME does a setup (which is great) and down the line, maybe I'll get a nice aftermarket neck with rolled edges and same fretwire/nut spacing/dimensions since I like how the stock Squier felt. Even with a custom neck, still significantly cheaper than a vintera. I like how the pickups sound.

I may want to swap the knobs to flat style chrome teles, upgrade the tuners, and swap out the pickguard. Does anyone have a resource for CV JM parts that are pretty much 1 to 1 drag and drop? Especially the pickguard and tuners, as I don't want to fill or drill any new holes! Thinking a mint white guard and some nice vintage tuners would be a worthwhile upgrade here.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by manwithtitties » Tue Oct 12, 2021 8:53 am

I dont think you would gain anything from changing the cv tuners, theyre really good. I also think people who like tele knobs should be in jail, so i couldnt help you with that either.

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Re: Jazzmaster Recs

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:41 am

hotsawce wrote:
Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:31 pm
I went with an olympic white JM from CME. The late 50s was tempting but based on what I played and some sound demos of the regular 60s CVJM, it was the right move. CME does a setup (which is great) and down the line, maybe I'll get a nice aftermarket neck with rolled edges and same fretwire/nut spacing/dimensions since I like how the stock Squier felt. Even with a custom neck, still significantly cheaper than a vintera. I like how the pickups sound.

I may want to swap the knobs to flat style chrome teles, upgrade the tuners, and swap out the pickguard. Does anyone have a resource for CV JM parts that are pretty much 1 to 1 drag and drop? Especially the pickguard and tuners, as I don't want to fill or drill any new holes! Thinking a mint white guard and some nice vintage tuners would be a worthwhile upgrade here.
The tuners are pretty good tuners, unless you prefer locking tuners. For the guard, 60s Classix Vibe is the same (or damn close) to an AVRI guard. I swapped out my (lefty) CV JM guard for an anodized AVRI (can't remember if it's the 9-hole or the 13-hole) and it's damn near perfect.
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