Talk me out of an American Professional Jazzmaster?

Chris_in_Idaho

Joined: Jan 14, 2018
Posts: 13

Posted on Jan 22 2020 10:46 PM

Thanks Ed! And thanks for your help via PM. Listening to some of your playing on YouTube is what pushed me over the edge to get a JM.

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eddiekatcher

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2764
Atlanta, GA
1 News Pin

Posted on Jan 23 2020 09:49 AM

Thanks you once again for your very kind words. I've been a Jazzmaster fan for a long long time. They aren't for everyone, but those of us who understand and appreciate their uniqueness are a tight fraternity.

Welcome aboard.

If you have any technical questions, don't hesitate to chase me down.

Best Reverbs,

ed

—

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

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Chris_in_Idaho

Joined: Jan 14, 2018
Posts: 13

Posted on Mar 26 2020 09:16 PM

Alright everybody, I finally got a little video/sound sample of the Squier JM. I guess social distancing has a payoff...

Be warned, I'm no professional recording artist... or actor... or model... but hopefully you'll enjoy anyway.

Top

SandBug

Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Posts: 439
California
United States

Posted on Mar 26 2020 11:05 PM

Bravo! Great sound! Right on!

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Joelman

Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1472
Redlands, CA
United States

Posted on Mar 26 2020 11:08 PM

Chris_in_Idaho wrote:

Alright everybody, I finally got a little video/sound sample of the Squier JM. I guess social distancing has a payoff...

Be warned, I'm no professional recording artist... or actor... or model... but hopefully you'll enjoy anyway.

I'm a blue stingray fan too!
I think you did a fine job of capturing the feel of the song.
I agree with you that the pickups sound brighter than those of an '62 American vintage reissue.
But all the Jazzmaster offered by fender are different in configuration and pickups.
So my question is,,,
Do you like it? And how does it play?
Joel

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eddiekatcher

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2764
Atlanta, GA
1 News Pin

Posted on Mar 26 2020 11:46 PM

I give the new guitar and your video ten thumbs up. I've always had ten thumbs and they come in handy at times like this. I too am a big Blue Stingrays fan.

Many congrats and keep it up!

Best Reverbs,

ed

—

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

Top

Richard

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1674
Georgia
United States

Posted on Mar 27 2020 07:30 AM

Sounds great, man (both the guitar and the playing)

—

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

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Surfadelphia

Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 403

Posted on Mar 27 2020 01:43 PM

Fine work by you.

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2252
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Mar 27 2020 03:20 PM

Congratulations of the new guitar, and on the great video, Chris! (And you don't look at all pissed-off to me.)

—

Bob

Last edited: Mar 27, 2020 15:21:18

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22SeaDo

Joined: Oct 30, 2018
Posts: 99
Mojave Valley, AZ.
United States

Posted on Mar 27 2020 03:37 PM

I should've bought 3 of those squiers for what I paid for my Jazzy. You could've saved me a lot of hard earned $$ had you posted this a year ago Chris.

—

"Here's to the man who drinks dark ale and goes to bed quite mellow. He lives as he ought to live and dies a jolly good fellow"

Top

ldk

Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 356
San Francisco Bay Area
United States

Posted on Mar 27 2020 06:04 PM

Very well done. Guitar sounds great, and I like it in red.

—

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

Top

j_flanders

Joined: Jun 28, 2017
Posts: 162

Posted on Mar 29 2020 12:30 PM

Chris_in_Idaho wrote:

I'll probably swap the pickguard and pickup covers...

The guitar comes with the same pickups as the JMJM. A lot of people like them a lot but they are P90's under Jazzmaster pickup covers and not Jazzmaster pickups.
It's a completely different pickup design. (bar magnets + screws vs magnetic polepieces)

Top

WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1532
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Mar 29 2020 01:14 PM

Another Blue Stingray's fan here, that was a beautifully done job on Surfer's Life and on the video.

I am a P90 fan, they tend work very well with a Deluxe Reverb. IMO your tone was awesome on that song, Mike Campbell would be impressed!

—

Jack
aka WoodyJ

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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Sonic_Blue

Joined: Feb 22, 2019
Posts: 190
2 Download Pins

Posted on Mar 29 2020 02:17 PM

Get a custom shop jazzmaster

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Chris_in_Idaho

Joined: Jan 14, 2018
Posts: 13

Posted on Apr 11 2020 12:19 PM

Thanks so much everyone for your encouraging responses! Sorry it's taken me so long to finally reply (most of my time is spent stopping my 3 and 6 year old sons from killing each other out of cabin fever).

As to how the guitar plays, everything is awesome except the bridge. The neck feels wonderful, the angled neck pocket sticks the strings and bridge out away from the body just a bit (particularly nice for me being so used to the Les Paul), and the body is comfy against my body. The vibrato makes click/creaky noises, but none of that comes across through the amp. The bridge is a tune-o-matic style, and that in itself is no problem, except it's kind of a crappy example of a tune-o-matic. The D and G saddles are loose and rattly/buzzy. When you play the guitar unplugged it sounds horrible from all the noise coming out of the bridge. Again, when it's plugged in most of that is gone, but single notes on the D and G strings come across weak and choked. I attribute this to the saddles rattling and absorbing the energy from the string. Very hard to get a nice clean attack on those strings, and if I try too let them sustain I hear weird overtones.

As my first Jazzmaster experience I can call it a big success in that I now know I enjoy and can comfortably play a Jazzmaster. That being said, I probably won't hang on to this particular example too long.

Top

Chris_in_Idaho

Joined: Jan 14, 2018
Posts: 13

Posted on Apr 11 2020 12:33 PM

I'm torn between swapping the bridge and pickups, or just selling it and saving up for a nicer one (maybe that American Pro I was initially asking about...).
I did establish that I personally wouldn't miss the rhythm circuit. Every time I start thinking the rhythm circuit sounded pretty good, I'd switch down to the lead circuit on the neck pickup and it was even better.

Top

Sonic_Blue

Joined: Feb 22, 2019
Posts: 190
2 Download Pins

Posted on Apr 11 2020 01:14 PM

I use my rhythm selector as a kill switch. The mastery bridge is pretty cool but I just ordered a stay trem because I like the tone better with a rocking bridge.

Top

BillAqua

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
3 POTD Pins

Posted on Apr 11 2020 05:15 PM

Old thread! I was prepared to talk you outta buying it!

—

"as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"

https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/

Top

Chris_in_Idaho Joined: Jan 14, 2018 Posts: 13	Posted on Jan 22 2020 10:46 PM Thanks Ed! And thanks for your help via PM. Listening to some of your playing on YouTube is what pushed me over the edge to get a JM. Top
eddiekatcher Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2764 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Jan 23 2020 09:49 AM Thanks you once again for your very kind words. I've been a Jazzmaster fan for a long long time. They aren't for everyone, but those of us who understand and appreciate their uniqueness are a tight fraternity. Welcome aboard. If you have any technical questions, don't hesitate to chase me down. Best Reverbs, ed — Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? Top
Chris_in_Idaho Joined: Jan 14, 2018 Posts: 13	Posted on Mar 26 2020 09:16 PM Alright everybody, I finally got a little video/sound sample of the Squier JM. I guess social distancing has a payoff... Be warned, I'm no professional recording artist... or actor... or model... but hopefully you'll enjoy anyway. Top
SandBug Joined: Feb 22, 2016 Posts: 439 California	Posted on Mar 26 2020 11:05 PM Bravo! Great sound! Right on! Top
Joelman Joined: Sep 07, 2006 Posts: 1472 Redlands, CA	Posted on Mar 26 2020 11:08 PM Chris_in_Idaho wrote: Alright everybody, I finally got a little video/sound sample of the Squier JM. I guess social distancing has a payoff... Be warned, I'm no professional recording artist... or actor... or model... but hopefully you'll enjoy anyway. I'm a blue stingray fan too! I think you did a fine job of capturing the feel of the song. I agree with you that the pickups sound brighter than those of an '62 American vintage reissue. But all the Jazzmaster offered by fender are different in configuration and pickups. So my question is,,, Do you like it? And how does it play? Joel Top
eddiekatcher Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2764 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Mar 26 2020 11:46 PM I give the new guitar and your video ten thumbs up. I've always had ten thumbs and they come in handy at times like this. I too am a big Blue Stingrays fan. Many congrats and keep it up! Best Reverbs, ed — Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? Top
Richard Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1674 Georgia	Posted on Mar 27 2020 07:30 AM Sounds great, man (both the guitar and the playing) — The Mystery Men? El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists SSS Agent #31 Top
Surfadelphia Joined: Sep 04, 2017 Posts: 403	Posted on Mar 27 2020 01:43 PM Fine work by you. Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2252 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Mar 27 2020 03:20 PM Congratulations of the new guitar, and on the great video, Chris! (And you don't look at all pissed-off to me.) — Bob Last edited: Mar 27, 2020 15:21:18 Top
22SeaDo Joined: Oct 30, 2018 Posts: 99 Mojave Valley, AZ.	Posted on Mar 27 2020 03:37 PM I should've bought 3 of those squiers for what I paid for my Jazzy. You could've saved me a lot of hard earned $$ had you posted this a year ago Chris. — "Here's to the man who drinks dark ale and goes to bed quite mellow. He lives as he ought to live and dies a jolly good fellow" Top
ldk Joined: Nov 08, 2017 Posts: 356 San Francisco Bay Area	Posted on Mar 27 2020 06:04 PM Very well done. Guitar sounds great, and I like it in red. — If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play. Bringing instruments back to life since 2013. Top
j_flanders Joined: Jun 28, 2017 Posts: 162	Posted on Mar 29 2020 12:30 PM Chris_in_Idaho wrote: I'll probably swap the pickguard and pickup covers... The guitar comes with the same pickups as the JMJM. A lot of people like them a lot but they are P90's under Jazzmaster pickup covers and not Jazzmaster pickups. It's a completely different pickup design. (bar magnets + screws vs magnetic polepieces) Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1532 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Mar 29 2020 01:14 PM Another Blue Stingray's fan here, that was a beautifully done job on Surfer's Life and on the video. I am a P90 fan, they tend work very well with a Deluxe Reverb. IMO your tone was awesome on that song, Mike Campbell would be impressed! — Jack aka WoodyJ The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
Sonic_Blue Joined: Feb 22, 2019 Posts: 190	Posted on Mar 29 2020 02:17 PM Get a custom shop jazzmaster Top
Chris_in_Idaho Joined: Jan 14, 2018 Posts: 13	Posted on Apr 11 2020 12:19 PM Thanks so much everyone for your encouraging responses! Sorry it's taken me so long to finally reply (most of my time is spent stopping my 3 and 6 year old sons from killing each other out of cabin fever). As to how the guitar plays, everything is awesome except the bridge. The neck feels wonderful, the angled neck pocket sticks the strings and bridge out away from the body just a bit (particularly nice for me being so used to the Les Paul), and the body is comfy against my body. The vibrato makes click/creaky noises, but none of that comes across through the amp. The bridge is a tune-o-matic style, and that in itself is no problem, except it's kind of a crappy example of a tune-o-matic. The D and G saddles are loose and rattly/buzzy. When you play the guitar unplugged it sounds horrible from all the noise coming out of the bridge. Again, when it's plugged in most of that is gone, but single notes on the D and G strings come across weak and choked. I attribute this to the saddles rattling and absorbing the energy from the string. Very hard to get a nice clean attack on those strings, and if I try too let them sustain I hear weird overtones. As my first Jazzmaster experience I can call it a big success in that I now know I enjoy and can comfortably play a Jazzmaster. That being said, I probably won't hang on to this particular example too long. Top
Chris_in_Idaho Joined: Jan 14, 2018 Posts: 13	Posted on Apr 11 2020 12:33 PM I'm torn between swapping the bridge and pickups, or just selling it and saving up for a nicer one (maybe that American Pro I was initially asking about...). I did establish that I personally wouldn't miss the rhythm circuit. Every time I start thinking the rhythm circuit sounded pretty good, I'd switch down to the lead circuit on the neck pickup and it was even better. Top
Sonic_Blue Joined: Feb 22, 2019 Posts: 190	Posted on Apr 11 2020 01:14 PM I use my rhythm selector as a kill switch. The mastery bridge is pretty cool but I just ordered a stay trem because I like the tone better with a rocking bridge. Top
BillAqua Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1054 Chicago IL.	Posted on Apr 11 2020 05:15 PM Old thread! I was prepared to talk you outta buying it! — "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there" https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/ https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/ Top

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Talk me out of an American Professional Jazzmaster?