Well, I feel like getting another guitar... some questions

[Owl]

Hello there,

Well i'm very happy with my beloved modded CIJ Jazzmaster. Most of the time it's tuned in CGDGCD.
My first idea was to find a cheap little guitar (like a Bullet Mustang or some other Squier) and mod it to my likings... it would be fun i'm sure. The idea is to get a nice simple guitar that I would keep in regular tuning.
But as I started looking here and there, new or second hand, some other options came to light. Oh no ! Ther are too many options now ! What shall I do ?!

Indeed, I came accross some nice Classic Vibe Squiers Mustangs, encountered the Squier Offset Telecaster, started to think about possible mods (inclining towards the Jazzblaster territory...) which led me to what looks like a better contender : a Fender Player Jazzmaster... but a little bit more expensive. I love the buttercream one... and the fact that it looks like a solid piece of gear that would be quite different from my CIJ Jazz despite of the body shape.

This is what I am talking about:



I also saw a good bargain on this Jaguar model but I don't know if a Jag would be a good idea as I like Jazmasters so much... love the colour though.



My journey was not over at this point Here is what I stumbled upon :



It's nice, irridescent, lighter than the Jazzmaster, more expensive, maybe too "shiny and fancy all over the place"...

So, now you know ! Please gimme clues or whatever comes to your mind!

[marqueemoon]

IMO the Player Series guitars are junk in stock form, and while people have done some very cool things with them they are pretty expensive for a mod platform unless you find a good deal.

[Owl]

What would it be ? The hardware? The electronics ? Lutherie?
The reviews are not as hard knocking as you are !

[marqueemoon]

What would it be ? The hardware? The electronics ? Lutherie?
The reviews are not as hard knocking as you are !

The hardware is cheap and flimsy. The bridge and tuners especially.
The pickups aren’t terrible but they’re not great either. On the JM the high E on is nowhere near the polepiece on the bridge pickup. It doesn’t have any significant effect on the sound, but it’s an obvious failure at attention to detail.
Squier-level fit and finish at a Fender price. To be fair Squier’s is often very solid. $900 new for this quality is too much.

In the plus column it comes in Capri Orange, but sometimes The Stratosphere parts them out.

[BoringPostcards]

Get the Mustang. I also have a guitar dedicated to CGDGCD. One of Sonic Youth’s more usable tunings, for sure.
Greetings!

[Owl]

Yes very usable tuning !
I'd like to get more feedback about the Player Jazzmaster... isn't it some sort of Jazzblaster without the Wide Range?

[Owl]

Would a second hand American Performer Mustang be an even better choice?

[Owl]

Well, I'll go on with my quasi monologue The quest is not over though my mind is almost set on getting a mustang.
To all afficionados, is there a huge quality gap between a CIJ 65 Mustang and an American Performer one ?
Reading here and there, necks seem quite different, thoughts about it ?

[Larry Mal]

I used to have a Japanese made Mustang, it was nice. I would buy an American Performer one, though.

[BoringPostcards]

I’ve owned a few Mustangs. All, but one Squier, were Japanese made Fenders. I’ve played several vintage models over the years, which belonged to friends. I played an American Performer a bunch of times and felt it was the best Mustang I had ever laid hands on.
I get GAS for them occasionally, but have yet to buy one. It’s on my bucket list.
The performer has a subtle upgrade made to the vibrato, which actually makes a big difference, in my experience. Plus, it has a modern radius, which is nice.
I feel like it’s a sleeper model, the Performer. People didn’t make too big of a deal over them around here, but those of us who have actually played them, seem to have enjoyed the experience.
Anyhow, yeah.

[Owl]

"a sleeper model", I like that ! This trem question vaguely rings a bell, close to a Jazzmaster trem in use as I remember.
Well there is something cooking !

[Larry Mal]

The performer has a subtle upgrade made to the vibrato, which actually makes a big difference, in my experience.
Anyhow, yeah.

I thought this was the case, but when I looked it up I didn't find it. This would make all the difference to me right there.

[Owl]

Well thx to all for your input !
It's done the dice have been thrown.... See you soon (cross the fingers) for a NGD post...