Why a Jazzmaster?

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:21 am

I've also got a '62 AV Jazz RI. Black with the tortoise pickguard, just like Costello is playing in that YouTube video; although I had no clue his was finished that way, too. Learn something new everyday...

Like George, I've got a modified one, too. The pickups (and switching) are configured like a Strat. Wilkinson vibrato.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:25 am

Man! I thought the appeal of the Jazzmaster was the pickups, switching, and vibrato! Surprised to see you guys changing all that out.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:28 am

They're going for the shape, which is certainly appealing on its own (although it takes a certain frame of mind to be amused by it!).

For me, without the sound and switching and vibrato, it's a customized bitsa, but of course TEHO.

George, the siren can't be done with anything but a stock JM or Jag vibrato!

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:32 am

He has a different JM in this vid(unless he had his original refinished and customized).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG8KHeXPAxM&mode=related&search=

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:46 am

I can't speak for George's mods...

But in my case, I just cannot "warm up" to an actual Strat. I don't like the looks, I don't like the way it fits on me. Perhaps it's all in my head? So my solution was to do what I did. Heck, mine isn't even a Fender, but a Warmoth.

My Fender RI is completely stock.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:54 am

Strats are my fave guitar...my JM's and my Strat for that matter are not Fender products....yes, the body shape of the JM is the thing...the added pup and switching system gives more options at the expense of the standard JM and Jag configuration. I like the sound of P-90's over the stock JM pups also. For me, the Strat vibrato is better..and ya GOTTA have a reverse headstock!

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 6:23 am

A nice little jazz jam starts over at the 2:25 mark of this This Video. Johnny's solo with his JM starts at about the 3:45 mark.

I been lucky enough to jam with these two and needless to say, I was taken to school.

blazer · Post by **blazer** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 4:27 pm

What I like about Jazzmasters is how ergonomically correct their design is. It's feels even better than a Strat.

Their vibrato designs also have their advantages, when used properly they give this really cool shimmer and can out do a bisgby.

Here's my selfbuilt Pine Jazzmaster which has just the Humbucker at the bridge connected, it's punk, it's red, it's brash, it rocks and it's cool.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/guitarman91/Jazzmaster.jpg

randyz · Post by **randyz** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 2:50 am

Sir Andrew: Costello's best known Jazzmaster is his original greenburst with tortoise pickguard. This is the one seen on the cover of 'My Aim Is True' in 1977. By 1979 he had his name inlaid across the fingerboard. I've seen him playing other Jazzmasters (i.e. black, orange, etc), but his first Jazzmaster is easily identified by the personalized fingerboard.

sir_andrew_of_left_coast · Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:56 am

In the YouTube video that Mitch posted, it did look a little green... but I thought it might've been just due to the lighting or the low-res video format.

Well, greenburst it is!

octagon · Post by **octagon** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 12:12 pm

Here is that same Jazzy after he had it customized:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG8KHeXPAxM&mode=related&search=

brianeharmonjr · Post by **brianeharmonjr** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:32 pm

I absolutely love my Jazzmaster. I have one of the American Vintage reissues in ocean turquoise and with a little set-up, it has become my favorite 6 string. I love the controls. The lead/rhythm circuit is great and very easy to use and the guitar can get everything from strat-style out-of-phase tones to really mellow, bass, jazzy tones.

In regards to the buzz-stop, I didn't understand it at first, but when I tried to record with the JM, a little buzz was coming through. I bought a buzz-stop and haven't had any problems since.

The only thing I wish to change about it is the capability of adding a mute system like on the Jaguars.

Also, in regards to J. Mascis, Fender is making a J. Mascis signature jazzmaster. I believe it will be Japanese made, but for the american market. It has a little bit simpler electronics and a tunomatic bridge instead of the standard jazzmaster one. It's purple-sparkle with matching headstock and an anodized gold pickguard. I work at a music shop and the Fender sales rep brought in a sample last week for us to check out and it is great. I think they will be selling for $899 street price. If I hadn't gotten my american jazzmaster a year ago, I would definitely consider the Mascis one as an alternative ($500 cheaper). Check out the specs at this url:
http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0255800550

blazer · Post by **blazer** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:15 pm

Thank you for that Brian, I had been GASsing for a J Mascis. You made it easier for me to pull the trigger on one of those.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:31 pm

Brian, how can you get an out-of-phase tone from a JM?

If your JM buzzed, chances are that one or more saddles were out of adjustment, or the strings were too light. .011s are what it cries for; you need that tension on the bridge. I run D'Addario Chrome Flats on my JMs and Jags.

I don't believe current Jags have the flip-up mute. These are more for curiosity value, as few players use them throughout a song and they are not foolproof in action, and take a fraction of a second to engage/disengage. Edge of hand muting is much more effective and flexible, too.

You'll find the J. Mascis JM discussed at length in another thread which ran last week.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:01 pm

Thanks, Walter. I suppose the vintage people raised a hue and cry. A few years ago, guys were installing these on the Japanese reissue Jags--a nasty job, to be sure. I find them to be more gimmick than useful.