Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I noticed we don't have a "general instrument" section so i'm posting this here since I just bought a new Fender Jazzmaster. I have been lusting after one of these for some time, and decided to trade in my SG Special (which I've barely touched in the last year) to get it. I've always found it interesting how many non-Jazz players (myself included) are attracted to the Jazzmaster, a guitar that Leo Fender designed for the Jazz guitarist but which instead took off with the Surf and Indie scenes, falling into bands like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr.

Here's a pic, and a short soundcheck I recorded showing off some of the clean tones. I replaced my guitar stands with wallhangers and that freed up so much room. Much less risk of knocking them over, too.
Cleans: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1244235/GtrStuff/JM.cleans1.mp3

Grey wrote:I noticed we don't have a "general instrument" section...

We do, actually:

viewforum.php?f=44

So like I said, I posted it in the wrong place on purpose so that one of our fantastic moderators could have the opportunity to move it.

Hey Erik, very nice looking Jazzmaster! Looks like a Classic Player. I like those, vibrato-placement notwithstanding. A student of mine had one and, besides needing a Buzzstop (string kept popping out of the saddles), quality was excellent.

I just had to sit down and do a count - I've owned NINE Jazzmasters! That includes three MIJ's, two AVRI's, one Thin Skin, and one absolutely bizarre '63 body with a TINY '68 A-width neck, B&B with NO string tree:





They seem to be the one guitar I have constant GAS for, but can never seem to hold onto because I always seem to forget about their shortcomings.

Previously, the best one I owned was a '66 RI CIJ, B&B, white, with matching headstock. I only sold it when a 4001v63 came up for cheap and I HAD to have it. It broke my heart to sell this JM. The previous owner had set up the bridge perfectly and it had all AVRI pickups and electronics.



I tried a few AVRI's, but couldn't stand the radius and I hated the necks. I found them to have oddly sticky finishes too.

Same went for the Thin Skin. It had a really odd finish that would mark up really easily. Supposed to be nitro but felt nothing like nitro to me. It had a 9.5" radius and bigger frets - usually a winning combination for me - but I STILL couldn't get it to play without fretting out in the upper register all the time. Shame - it was GORGEOUS:



Right now, though, I have found myself in the unlikely position of having the two best ones I've ever owned:
- a Squier J. Mascis.
- a Mark Jenny (MJT) body/MIJ '66 RI neck/Novak electronics.

Both of these address some of my issues with Jazzmasters:
- They both have strong, higher-output, non-wimpy bridge pickups.
- They both have "pro" bridges (TOM on the Mascis, Warmoth Modified Mustang on the MJT.
- They both have flatter radii (I can deal with 7.5" on some guitars but hate it on the JM and most of them have it).

I like the Mark Jenny/CIJ a little better - the checked, thin nitro finish is just wonderful. The whole thing has been lightly relic'd. The color is BEAUTIFUL, and it's a color I never liked previously. Seeing (in person) is believing! The Novak pickups are just ridiculously good. The bridge pickup is some kind of overwound P-90 thing and it SCREAMS. Neck is a nice mellow vintage Jazzmaster thing. Tons of sounds in this guitar and it sustains like I have never heard a JM sustain before. I cannot believe the previous owner parted with it.

That all being said, the Mascis is a freakin' KILLER guitar and I would recommend it in a SECOND to anybody who is Jazzmaster-curious. The price tag is very friendly - $350 or so. I like it better then any other Jazzmaster Fender is currently producing. In fact, the only thing I really don't like about it is the color of the anodized pickguard. Not even close.

Nice history! They could do a documentary about Biscuti and his guitars. I already have a title "IT MIGHT GET SOLD"

jdogric12 wrote: I already have a title "IT MIGHT GET SOLD"

PERFECT

I've owned one white MIJ with a tortoise p/g and small peghed. I'd always wanted a Jazzmaster, but I was never happy with the one I had, mainly due to the sloppy trem arm, even after adjusting the socket spring tabs, and the wimpy p/ups which were really Strat pickups with JM covers.

If I ever bought another one I'd want a white one with the white painted headstock, block inlays, and bound neck, Like John used to have.

paologregorio wrote:I've owned one white MIJ with a tortoise p/g and small peghed. I'd always wanted a Jazzmaster, but I was never happy with the one I had, mainly due to the sloppy trem arm, even after adjusting the socket spring tabs, and the wimpy p/ups which were really Strat pickups with JM covers.

If I ever bought another one I'd want a white one with the white painted headstock, block inlays, and bound neck, Like John used to have.

Paul, the MIJ ones really do come with crummy pickups. Totally uninspiring IMO. Novaks or Lollars are a must for *that* sound. The hot Novak I have in my current Jazzmaster is to die for, albeit a little humbucker-ish, so perhaps not your thing. But wimpy it ain't!

sloop_john_b wrote:

paologregorio wrote:I've owned one white MIJ with a tortoise p/g and small peghed. I'd always wanted a Jazzmaster, but I was never happy with the one I had, mainly due to the sloppy trem arm, even after adjusting the socket spring tabs, and the wimpy p/ups which were really Strat pickups with JM covers.

If I ever bought another one I'd want a white one with the white painted headstock, block inlays, and bound neck, Like John used to have.

Paul, the MIJ ones really do come with crummy pickups. Totally uninspiring IMO. Novaks or Lollars are a must for *that* sound. The hot Novak I have in my current Jazzmaster is to die for, albeit a little humbucker-ish, so perhaps not your thing. But wimpy it ain't!

Yeah, I hear once the p/ups are replaced w/something good, that issue disappears. I would prolly try a JM with HBs; IIRC, Marr's used one of those to good effect. A friend of mine replaced the factory p/ups on his MIJ/CIJ with Duncan Antiquities and was quite happy with the result.

Yeah, the MIJ Jazzmaster pickups were literally Strat pickups in a JM shell. Apparently MIJ Jazzmasters which have a "JV" prefix in the serial number had real JM pickups.

I sat with both the Classic Player and the AVRI at Sam Ash, and came to the conclusion that I like the Classic Player more. Of course price was part of my decision, but IMO the CP is a better instrument. The closer trem placement increases the break angle over the modern TOM-style bridge which makes the guitar much more stable and it sustains better. It has hotter JM pickups than the AVRI and I like the 9.5" fretboard radius.

Grey wrote: I sat with both the Classic Player and the AVRI at Sam Ash, and came to the conclusion that I like the Classic Player more. Of course price was part of my decision, but IMO the CP is a better instrument. The closer trem placement increases the break angle over the modern TOM-style bridge which makes the guitar much more stable and it sustains better. It has hotter JM pickups than the AVRI and I like the 9.5" fretboard radius.

Yep, the CP is definitely more of a gig-ready instrument then the AVRI. I don't really get them to be honest - they don't capture much in the way of feeling like a real pre-CBS Jazzmaster. At least the '52 Teles and Strats walk into the ballpark.

paologregorio wrote: Yeah, I hear once the p/ups are replaced w/something good, that issue disappears. I would prolly try a JM with HBs; IIRC, Marr's used one of those to good effect. A friend of mine replaced the factory p/ups on his MIJ/CIJ with Duncan Antiquities and was quite happy with the result.

Oh yes, the Antiquities are supposed to be excellent as well. Never tried them myself though.

I just realized there is a nasty S curve in the first few frets, treble side, of my CP.

sloop_john_b wrote:Paul, the MIJ ones really do come with crummy pickups. Totally uninspiring IMO. Novaks or Lollars are a must for *that* sound. The hot Novak I have in my current Jazzmaster is to die for, albeit a little humbucker-ish, so perhaps not your thing. But wimpy it ain't!

I upgraded my '62 reissue MIJ to a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickups and added a Mastery Bridge, which rings out like nothing else. The guy who sold me mine said it has one of the best playing necks of any Fender that he's used. I love it and wouldn't swap it even for a vintage one.

Here it is being used by Mr Ricky Maymi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBYdhwC4 ... re=related

I fell in love with the Jazzmaster very early on. One of my first bands the guitar player played a Jazzmaster. Never ended up with one as I never really played guitar. Maybe someday.