December Birthdays 
After much consideration and waffling between new or used, Squier or Fender, etc, I decided to pull the trigger on Squier VM Jazzmaster. For what it's worth, I am passing along how I came to my decision and my purchasing experience.
I would like to someday own a Fender guitar that proudly displays the classic Fender logo on the headstock in large script. I really would. It appeals to the brand snob in me, but the reality is I'm a bedroom noodler and I don't gig. Not that I don't believe that a Squier is perfectly capable of gigging, I know that many do, I'm just saying that I’m more in the Squier demographic than a working professional. However, that being said, the Surf Green Classic Player Lacquer caused me to think long and hard.
So what factors led me to buy the Squier over the Fender? Pardon me while I stream of conscience for a bit.
I want a guitar that I would feel comfortable leaving out in a stand next to my desk, at the mercy of kids (not really a problem, they have their own guitars and know how to take care of them) and (more importantly) cats. I have been told that lacquer finishes should not be left in long term contact with the protective padding found on guitar stands. I really want a guitar that is readily available, plugged in and ready to go, not one that I would have to pull from a case, insert the tremolo arm and then plug in. It's a small thing, but those five minute intervals for a little playing between all of life's obligations are precious to me. The Squier's tough urethane finish fits the bill and the price makes the fortunes' of chance more tolerable.
Every guitar I have ever owned has had a 9.5' radius, or flatter, and medium jumbo frets, or larger. I hope to have the opportunity to try out some 7..5” vintage fret models. I might be missing out on a feature I would enjoy, but, again, the Squier's setup is what I'm used to.
This is my first offset body style guitar. This guitar is an experiment for me. I may find that in the long run I prefer my Strat (score one for team Ivan), in which case my dream-Fender money would be better spent on a fine MIA Stratocaster. I am well aware that some people find the offset style, especially the bridge, more problematic than others. I plan to do everything I can to keep it stock and to do most of that setup work myself (with the aid of all the information here at SG101 and Duceditor's fine guide over at Squier-Talk's forum. In line with that goal, I’m more comfortable with a truss rod adjustment located on the headstock than one that would require access to where the neck joins the body. That's just for ease of ongoing maintenance, I am completely comfortable removing the neck for shimming, if needed. If staying stock turns out to be untenable, I'm more at ease doing electronics surgery on a Squier, and if a Mastery bridge is called for, I've saved some money on the initial cost to pay for it.
All that being said, if the Jazzmaster becomes my true love, I can still pursue the Lacquer or even an AVRI, but for now the Squier VM JM better fits my curiosity, budget, and needs.
And now for the purchasing experience.
Color was a tough decision. The only color that I did not consider was CAR. I already have a Squier Standard Stratocaster in CAR and an Affinity Tele in Metallic Red, so enough red, already. I finally decided on Olympic White. That could be the Eddie Katcher influence (score one for team Katcher 
).
I hit some of the local music stores to check out tone, feel, color, fit and finish in person, but that was a mixed bag. If Jazzmasters were available at all, they had limited colors and at one store I believe the vibrato had been tightened to the point of allowing no actual vibrato at all. That, plus trying to hear the guitars I was testing over the din of other players and even the store's “background” music led me to go online.
I like the way Sweetwater operates. They do an inspection of their guitars and then post photos of the specific guitars they are offering. They were out of stock on Olympic Whites so I gave them my email so they could notify me when they got some in. After a couple of week's waiting, I received the promised email and found three with photos on their site. Being able to view the different guitars from all angles and knowing that a technician at Sweetwater had inspected (if only briefly) and tuned up the guitar help me to feel at least a little in control of the purchase, as opposed to blindly accepting the top box from the warehouse.
Having made my pick I decided to follow a tip I have seen here and other places to call and ask for a discount. I also decided to get the Gator Offset-body gig bag. Upon asking for a reduced price if I bought both, the salesperson at Sweetwater immediately said, yes, they would be able to do something. The price shown on the site was $299 for the JM and $40 for the bag, he came back with a total cost, including tax and S&H, of $310. On the invoice they applied all of the discount to the guitar, so the price was $270. Or you can say I paid full price for the JM and got the bag for $10, either way I'm glad I made the call instead of just clicking and paying.
Also, my timing was fortuitous in that on Wednesday the price for VM Jazzmasters increased by $100. That's part of the shell game played by manufactures and retailers. In the course of a week the standard asking price went from $299 to $399 and then settled at $319, and that new price is advertised as a “Price Drop”. That's only true if you started shopping on Wednesday, but that's the game.
I made my purchase Saturday morning, and it arrived Wednesday afternoon. It was well packaged and arrived in excellent condition. It came strung with 9s and felt and played great. I hated to do it but, after carefully measuring the action and neck relief, I replaced the strings with DR Pure Blues 11s. After tuning up, I let it sit overnight and then adjusted the relief. At this point I noticed a slight buzz at the saddle for the D string. Inspection under a magnifier showed that the larger gauge string was now touching the end of the intonation screw. I lowered the saddle about a quarter turn of the hex wrench and all seems good. I played for a bit and then put my new baby aside to let the truss rod adjustment settle and to write this post.
Am I happy so far? Absolutely! It sounds lovely, definitely a different tone from my Strat and Tele. The JM feels great in my hands. The neck is very smooth, not at all sticky like you might imagine a poly neck to be. The finish is perfect. The reason I chose this specific one over the other two pictured at Sweetwater is because in the online photos I could see a hint of flamed maple on the neck. In my hands, under natural light, the flame is very distinct and just beautiful. I hear it calling me again. Surf's up! Time to play!
-Tim
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Last edited: Feb 07, 2016 18:09:03
It would be an honor to take you up on your kind offer! Look for my PM. 
Thanks, Mike! And don't worry about me telling my wife about Eddie's blondes. I just need to explain it the way Eddie does: 
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