jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

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jonasg
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jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by jonasg » Fri Dec 02, 2022 5:55 am

I have both a strat and a jazzmaster and although i love the jazzmaster the strat is so much easier to play because the action is much lower and it feels nice and slinky and easy to bend. my jazzmaster by comparison fights back and is harder to bend and fret. However, when i lower the bridge posts a tiny bit the jazzmaster, notes high on the fretboard are muted by the frets above due to the high low action. Can this be remedied? is it a truss rod issue? or are jazzmasters always gonna harder to play than strats? i’ve got a mustang style bridge and a one degree shim in the neck pocket. thanks

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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by jonasg » Fri Dec 02, 2022 5:56 am

just realised i put high low action lol. i mean low action.

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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by Larry Mal » Fri Dec 02, 2022 6:25 am

Yes, the action can be as low on one as another.

You might want to make sure your neck on your Jazzmaster has the proper straightness/relief, also you might want to check and see if your frets are properly leveled on the Jazzmaster.
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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by adamrobertt » Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:21 pm

Your neck is probably too straight. Insufficient relief can cause this problem. If that doesn’t help, you might need a little fretwork.

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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by Francer » Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:20 am

JM and strats have the same 25.5 scale length so all other factors being equal, string gauge, fret board radius, neck relief, frets level etc. it should be possible to exactly create the same action on both guitars.

One thing you also mention is ease of string bending, this is where I’m not so sure, I believe spring tension in the trem can affect this, and maybe overall string length, including behind the bridge, so you might struggle to get the exact same feel from both guitars.

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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by JSett » Sun Dec 04, 2022 11:03 am

Francer wrote:
Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:20 am
so you might struggle to get the exact same feel from both guitars.
...but, more importantly, why would you want that? Embrace the differences, that is the beauty of different guitars after all
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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by Francer » Sun Dec 04, 2022 11:32 am

johnnysomersett wrote:
Sun Dec 04, 2022 11:03 am
Francer wrote:
Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:20 am
so you might struggle to get the exact same feel from both guitars.
...but, more importantly, why would you want that? Embrace the differences, that is the beauty of different guitars after all
Fair point, well made. But after todays band practice, I’d just settle for a guitar that plays the right notes occasionally … :w00t:

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Re: jazzmaster action, can it go as low as a strat?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Sat Dec 10, 2022 8:25 am

I built a JM and the action is ridiculously low.
As for feel, that is harder to match. Longer strings feel stiffer. You could look for strings that have less tension (thin, round core) or go to a lighter gauge, if your JM and playing style can work with that.

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