Best cheap backup Jazzmaster with a good size neck profile? *that's not a Mascis Squire*

[JSett]

As I'm selling off a bunch of guitars I do, however, need a Jazzmaster to use as a backup at gigs. I rarely have an issue (and can't even remember the last time I broke a string) but I always take a backup anyway.

So, what's about these days (used preferably but new is fine if it's cheap enough) that has a decent sized neck profile - ie: not too skinny? Vintage spec a bonus but not a dealbreaker just so long as it doesn't have a TOM bridge . Fender or Squier is fine as it'll likely almost never get used. One of the Ventura models? Recent MIJ? Something else? I don't want to have to spend the usual chunk of change upgrading almost everything though.

I've not taken much notice in recent offerings as of late so nothing really springs to mind.


*Edit: not interested in the Mascis Squire, it needs too many mods to get it even close. Wrong vibrato position, non-JM pickups, and has a TOM.... definitely not fitting the bill here.

[jvin248]

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Reverend Guitars offsets, several models.
G&L Doheny, if they make a Tribute model then you'd keep the price down.

Harley Benton MS-60 and JA-60 then with the extra cash route it for whatever bridge+trem you want. Price on these are $135 each. Last I remember, you could buy 2-3 guitars for the same shipping fee as one guitar. Which makes the second guitar less than half price. You could put a 'Les Trem' on the JM-styled model. It's just a backup guitar anyway.

[redchapterjubilee]

Squier Mascis neck profile has more girth than the ‘62 style necks in the other Squier or MIM/MIJ reissues.

[Nevets]

The Squier Deluxe Jazzmaster (red with gold pickguard) has the same neck profile as the Mascis.

[sal paradise]

I have no right to comment here, being a lefty and all. BUT- given the JMJM is more P90, the squier CV would be my first port of call.

My CV telecaster sounds ridiculously good with the stock pickups. No idea if that’s the same for JM, or if the necks have a bit of size. But yeah, CV is lots of guitar for your money.

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster in Lake Placid Blue with Block Inlays?

I personally find the Vintera series awesome (I have the Jag). If you can choose between a handful you might even find a Pau Ferro neck that isn‘t too light/red but actually beautiful without messing too much around (oiling and darkening and stuff - Squier’s Indian Laurel do already look great imo).

On the Jag the neck is a bit chunkier than my others - and it‘s vintage Radius and Trem position.
You could get the White one to replace the XII…

[GreenKnee]

I used to take a CIJ Jaguar as backup to gigs but found myself in your situation where I never used it. Instead, I now keep spare strings and a string winder/cutter in the little black Fender pouch that comes in the case. Nothing has gone wrong yet but I feel like quickly swapping a string will be 2 minutes max and saves me lugging 2 guitars around.
I solder the ball ends of my strings myself usually, but the emergency backup strings are D'Addario presoldered ones. I think they recently changed to the NYXL series.
Something else for you to consider

[Embenny]

Get a used Squier Mascis, dowel and drill for proper JM bridge and call it a day. Chunky neck, great guitar, readily available on the used market.

[JSett]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, definitely need to go digging. This however...

I used to take a CIJ Jaguar as backup to gigs but found myself in your situation where I never used it. Instead, I now keep spare strings and a string winder/cutter in the little black Fender pouch that comes in the case. Nothing has gone wrong yet but I feel like quickly swapping a string will be 2 minutes max and saves me lugging 2 guitars around.
I solder the ball ends of my strings myself usually, but the emergency backup strings are D'Addario presoldered ones. I think they recently changed to the NYXL series.
Something else for you to consider

...is a vary valid and relatable reply. I think I've needed 'the backup' once in the last decade, maybe more, but it's very much a security blanket and not taking one is tempting fate almost as much as not bringing a spare jack cable or patch leads in my world. Considering how it's likely to never get used, maybe I should just get whatever is cheapest and sounds about right...it's going to live in a case 99.999% of the time anyway.

[Surfysonic]

*Edited since you're not a fan of the Squier J Mascis JM.

Another solid option IMHO is the less expensive Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster. It has a fuller C-shape than the Classic Vibe '60s JMs. Unless you are cool with the vintage style bridge, you'd have to upgrade the 9.5" radius bridge on the Squier VM JM. I wasn't a fan of the stock Seymour Duncan pickups, YMMV.

If willing to spend a bit more and don't mind the Pau Ferro fretboard, I was impressed with the Fender Vintera '60s Jazzmaster. It has a “Mid '60s C”-shaped neck and is a similar shape to the Johnny Marr Jag. With its 7.25”-radius, a standard Mustang bridge would be the only upgrade I'd make (aside from the usual pickup upgrade itch). Stock pickups weren't bad in any case. I see some used ones as low as $850 US.

[sal paradise]

After spending a lot of time touring Europe in an old BMW 3 series and 3 out of 4 of us were 6’+, I got used to just changing strings quickly.

If we had a van, you can be sure as shit that I’d have taken a backup guitar to not have all eyes on you whilst you’re rushing away.

Things that can’t be helped: amps blowing up, or most likely: so drunk that you wire your pedalboard backwards & can’t figure out why there’s no sound.

[JSett]

so drunk that you wire your pedalboard backwards & can’t figure out why there’s no sound.

Bloody lefties

[sal paradise]

so drunk that you wire your pedalboard backwards & can’t figure out why there’s no sound.

Bloody lefties

We opened for Ignite at the underworld & I was so panicked/drunk that I just went straight into the amp. No tuner, no delay. Afterwards I realised my mistake. Wasn’t my greatest moment. Still, I’m sure the 4 people who were hanging around at the bar didn’t really care.

[JSett]

To be honest, I've done exactly the same thing.

[sal paradise]

To be honest, I've done exactly the same thing.

And that’s why you always need a backup guitar