Wed May 01, 2019 9:09 am
Wed May 01, 2019 10:59 am
Thu May 02, 2019 5:14 am
Sun May 05, 2019 11:14 am
Sun May 05, 2019 11:19 am
Sun May 05, 2019 11:23 am
Danley wrote:I
-The Mexican 'Classic '60s' or 'Classic 60s Lacquer' Jazzmasters are the best value Jazzmaster, and hands-down the best feeling/sounding Jazzmaster other than the American series guitars. If you buy one of these guitars, nothing will need to be replaced. You can probably find one used for $500 - $700
-Any American series (American Original, American Vintage, American Pro etc.) Jazzmaster is a great choice, and also needs nothing out of the box - but obviously you will pay more. The vibrato/bridge on any American Jazzmaster is notably sturdier, better feeling, better looking and better built than any of the alternatives
-For the price, a Squier VM Jazzmaster is not a bad guitar - but expect to replace the vibrato and bridge with the American model (I've picked up many that are unstable or have rough pivots.) The body is basswood, thinner than Fender spec. - very light and dings easily. That said, the stock electronics and pickups are much better than a Japanese Jazzmaster, and the overall shaping of the body is more accurate than a Japanese Jazzmaster as well - I'd 100% pick one up over a Japanese Jazzmaster
-Japanese (MIJ/CIJ) Jazzmasters are severely overrated and overpriced. The stock Japanese bridge and vibrato are trash (especially on newer guitars- I've picked up three recent Japanese guitars with faulty vibratos I needed to replace or re-machine the pivot) so the first thing you'd need to do is replace them with the US bridge/vibrato from an American Original or American Vintage (or - with an actual vintage bridge and vibrato.) The pickups are not made to accurate Jazzmaster specifications and the bobbin is totally different (taller, narrower.) Nearly every other part of the guitar is inaccurate in some way to what a US Jazzmaster is - different pickguard shape, slightly different body shape, and you're stuck with a plasticky, cold-feeling finish. The chrome and metal pieces are thin and dull. People who talk about Fender Japan's great build quality are never talking about these guitars - The only good thing about them IMO is many have matching headstocks
Mon May 06, 2019 7:27 pm