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I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster for
a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center and
Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order", "we
don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the new
Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
online? Are they worth the $1400.
Played a brand spankin new one on Saturday morning at the shop I use. The
neck on this on was as sweet as I've felt compared to a vintage model. Is
any guitar worth $1400? Maybe not, but the one I played had zero issues and
I would be willing to "pay the freight". You also need to look elsewhere
than GC or SA. Get a copy of Vintage Guitar Magazine and look for a guitar
shop in your area that carries Fender stuff. I personally would NEVER spend
that kind of money at GC or SA. Smaller shop's will set the guitar up for
your personal playing style and back it with great guarantees's. They are
VERY competitive with pricing. Also check out shops online at:
www.gbase.com
As many of us say in this group,IMHO. Hope I was helpful!
Mahalo
The Hodaddy
>From: "reverbtron" <>
>Reply-To:
>To:
>Subject: [SurfGuitar101] New US Jazzmasters
>Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 02:00:39 -0000
>
>I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster for
>a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center and
>Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order", "we
>don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the new
>Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
>online? Are they worth the $1400.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>.
>Visit for archived messages,
>bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
Locally, the only place I ever see these is at a little mom-and-pop (well, pop,
anyway)
guitar store called Music Exchange). The big chains like Guitar Center and
ProSound don't
ever seem to stock them, probably for the reasons you cite. A shame. Russ at
Music
Exchange gets talked into carrying them because Fender gives him a good deal
just to get
them in distribution, and he always sells them quickly because there are guys
looking for
something different - that you don't find in the big retail stores.
From my playing, though, you won't be disappointed if you special order. The
AVRI Jags
and Jazzmasters are very close to the original vintage guitars. A friend bought
an AVRI Jag,
and my jaw dropped at the quality and tone. Much better reproductions than my
MIJ
instruments were.
Gavin
--- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...> wrote:
> I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster for
> a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center and
> Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order", "we
> don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the new
> Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
> online? Are they worth the $1400.
The absence of any AV Jags or Jazzmasters is something
I've noted in the couple of GC's that I've been in. A
couple of the local places actually still have some of
the short run of MIJ's but they're at top dollar
retail price and they're sticking to that.
Personally, $1400 for an AV gives me a nosebleed. I'm
sure they're awesome, but I'm a crappy player and
would die of guilt for the indulgence. I still kick
myself in the groin every time I think about the time
I cancelled my order for the last LPB MIJ Jazzmaster
at Musicians Friend for $399...stupid, stupid,
stupid...
Richard
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--- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...>
wrote:
> I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster
for
> a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center
and
> Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order",
"we
> don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the
new
> Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
> online? Are they worth the $1400.
They do seem kind of hard to test drive. You should be able to get
your hands on one though. I know of a store in Iowa that had one, so
they can't be too hard to find! Where do you live?
You can get better deals than $1400 on eBay if you look hard enough.
I've seen a lot of AV's go for anywhere from $800-$1200 on eBay
depending on color and new/used condition. Unfortunately that doesn't
help you try one in person first. I am somewhat ashamed to admit it,
but I did actually buy an AV Jaguar blind on eBay. I got a good deal
and I love the guitar. I would not recommend this tactic to anyone
though. Your mileage may vary wildly....!
Good luck,
BN
-i've been having the same problem in the VA/NC area but with jaguars
and mustangs. i found one jag at a mom and pop store. it certainly
doesn't give one much to go by.................i'd like to try out one
of the hallmarks also, out of curiosity, but other than asking a band
if you can play one of their instruments (improper etiquite?) i don't
know where to test one of them either..........
-- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...> wrote:
> I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster for
> a test run in the New York, New Jersey area.
I faced the same problem. I found a real guitar store (Buffalo Bros. in
Carlsbad, CA) that had an AV JM in stock. Played it side by side to a
Japanese model, and decided the AV was much better. Paid about $1250
including tax.
You just have to keep calling all the guitar stores in your area until you
find someone who has it in stock. If you can't, well, my opnion is that they
are good guitars and are a few levels above the cheaper Japanese models. On
the other hand, more than a few people here were raving about the same
Japanese models that I though felt more like Danelectros than Fenders, so
what do I know.
Good luck,
Ran
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Neal" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 4:03 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: New US Jazzmasters
> --- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...>
> wrote:
> > I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster
> for
> > a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center
> and
> > Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order",
> "we
> > don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the
> new
> > Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
> > online? Are they worth the $1400.
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/05
As one whose first "serious" electric guitar was an "L" Series Fender
Jazzmaster, I really don't "get" all the negative comments regarding the
Japanese reissues! Especially the 2003's which were made with Alder bodies.
I've purchased several for my collection, and the only thing I could criticize
was the pickups (AV pups run about $80 a pair, and Seymour Duncan Vintage for
Jazzmasters run about $110 a pair) which can be upgraded and still leave your
wallet several hundred dollars thicker than if you bought the AV! The only
other mod needed is the "Buzz-Stop" for $40.00 but this applies to both the
Japanese and American reissues, not to mention the original vintage J/M's from
their 1958 introduction.
In my surf band, Longboard Ranch, which has been described by many surf music
fans as having the real, honest to gosh First-Gen sound, my guitars of choice
include a Japanese Ventures J/M, a Chinese Jagmaster with Seymour R/I pups and
American Deluxe Trem, and a Wilson Bros. Ventures VM10 Strat copy with Seymour
Antiquity II Surf pups, plus the Callaham forged steel trem block. The other
guys in the band like the sound of all three of these about equally.
(Also, to those who say the Strat isn't surfy enough: I'd be delighted to send
the wiring diagram to anyone requesting it, to simply, easily get all the pickup
combinations, and Tone Control on the bridge pup, without adding any switches,
or drilling any holes in the pickguard. It is almost "hair-splitting" to argue
the difference between the sound of the Strat with bridge/neck pups engaged,
versus a Jag set the same way. This mod costs well under $20.)
The workmanship on the Japanese-made Fenders is second to none, and that
includes the special "custom-shop" numbers for which Fender USA loves to charge
$2,500 and up. None of my Japanese Fenders has ever reminded me of a Dano, or
anything other than the best of the historic American Fenders of the 1960's.
When you can own a Japanese J/M R/I with the upgrades I mention above, for
$700-$750, spending the $1,250 on an AV R/I is a matter of purely personal
preference because you're not getting $500 more guitar with the AV, IMHO.
The '64 "L" series was my one-and-only electric guitar from 1971 until 1985, (I
also owned a Ventures Model Mosrite during those years, but never played it,
because the Jazzmaster was so much nicer to play) so I consider myself
qualified to comment on what an original J/M is and should be like, play like,
sound like and feel like versus the R/I's.
Bruce D
Ran Mosessco <> wrote:
I faced the same problem. I found a real guitar store (Buffalo Bros. in
Carlsbad, CA) that had an AV JM in stock. Played it side by side to a
Japanese model, and decided the AV was much better. Paid about $1250
including tax.
You just have to keep calling all the guitar stores in your area until you
find someone who has it in stock. If you can't, well, my opnion is that they
are good guitars and are a few levels above the cheaper Japanese models. On
the other hand, more than a few people here were raving about the same
Japanese models that I though felt more like Danelectros than Fenders, so
what do I know.
Good luck,
Ran
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Neal" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 4:03 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: New US Jazzmasters
> --- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...>
> wrote:
> > I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster
> for
> > a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center
> and
> > Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order",
> "we
> > don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the
> new
> > Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
> > online? Are they worth the $1400.
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/05
.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Having had very good experience buying a number of guitars on Ebay, I actually
do recommend it for solid guitars such as the AV Fenders. Be sure to check the
seller's feedback rating. You can also ask for a 24 hour right of refusal but do
so before bidding.
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Neal
To:
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 4:03 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: New US Jazzmasters
--- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...>
wrote:
> I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster
for
> a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center
and
> Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order",
"we
> don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the
new
> Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
> online? Are they worth the $1400.
They do seem kind of hard to test drive. You should be able to get
your hands on one though. I know of a store in Iowa that had one, so
they can't be too hard to find! Where do you live?
You can get better deals than $1400 on eBay if you look hard enough.
I've seen a lot of AV's go for anywhere from $800-$1200 on eBay
depending on color and new/used condition. Unfortunately that doesn't
help you try one in person first. I am somewhat ashamed to admit it,
but I did actually buy an AV Jaguar blind on eBay. I got a good deal
and I love the guitar. I would not recommend this tactic to anyone
though. Your mileage may vary wildly....!
Good luck,
BN
.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> The workmanship on the Japanese-made Fenders is second to none,
and that includes the special "custom-shop" numbers for which Fender
USA loves to charge $2,500 and up. None of my Japanese Fenders has
ever reminded me of a Dano, or anything other than the best of the
historic American Fenders of the 1960's. When you can own a
Japanese J/M R/I with the upgrades I mention above, for $700-$750,
spending the $1,250 on an AV R/I is a matter of purely personal
preference because you're not getting $500 more guitar with the AV,
IMHO.
>
Hmmm....I just got an AV Jaguar for $817 on Ebay, certainly better
than my CIJ with the upgrades, plus I didn't have to buy a case for
it. I got my first AV Jag on Ebay for a grand not a great deal, but
not 1399.99.
Both my 2003 CIJ Jazzmaster and Jaguar had sharp fret ends,
something I simulate with cheaper guitars. My 2003 CIJ's were the
supposed cream of the crop of all the exported models Fender's
offered(alder body Musician Friends' models). Both of my AV Jaguars
have really smooth fret ends, something I like.
This is coming from a guy who used to preach the good word on the
CIJ model guitars, I even record a full album with my stock CIJ
Jaguar. I have to disagree with you on the quality of the
CIJs...they don't match the quality of the AVs. First the trem
units are garbage on the CIJ guitars, second I prefer the US string
spacing, and third I don't like my guitars entombed in plastic.
Personally the CIJ necks didnt feel as good either.
So just wait for a deal on an AV you'll be happier in the long run.
One thing I forgot to add about the quality of the Japanese off-
sets. The saddles aren't that great. The AV saddles are much
closer to the vintage ones. I had strings popping off those CIJ
saddles so badly that I had to file them down, not so with the AV.
I also had the allen screws shake loose on the CIJ saddles, I fixed
this with elmers glue. The AV saddles aren't moving or buzzing on
either of my guitars. Also the intonation screws on my CIJ Jaguar
liked to shake themselves loose and catapult the springs across the
room. So far the AV intonation screws have stayed in place.
Bill
--- In , "supertwangreverb"
<supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
>
> > The workmanship on the Japanese-made Fenders is second to none,
> and that includes the special "custom-shop" numbers for which
Fender
> USA loves to charge $2,500 and up. None of my Japanese Fenders
has
> ever reminded me of a Dano, or anything other than the best of the
> historic American Fenders of the 1960's. When you can own a
> Japanese J/M R/I with the upgrades I mention above, for $700-$750,
> spending the $1,250 on an AV R/I is a matter of purely personal
> preference because you're not getting $500 more guitar with the
AV,
> IMHO.
> >
>
> Hmmm....I just got an AV Jaguar for $817 on Ebay, certainly better
> than my CIJ with the upgrades, plus I didn't have to buy a case
for
> it. I got my first AV Jag on Ebay for a grand not a great deal,
but
> not 1399.99.
> Both my 2003 CIJ Jazzmaster and Jaguar had sharp fret ends,
> something I simulate with cheaper guitars. My 2003 CIJ's were the
> supposed cream of the crop of all the exported models Fender's
> offered(alder body Musician Friends' models). Both of my AV
Jaguars
> have really smooth fret ends, something I like.
>
> This is coming from a guy who used to preach the good word on the
> CIJ model guitars, I even record a full album with my stock CIJ
> Jaguar. I have to disagree with you on the quality of the
> CIJs...they don't match the quality of the AVs. First the trem
> units are garbage on the CIJ guitars, second I prefer the US
string
> spacing, and third I don't like my guitars entombed in plastic.
> Personally the CIJ necks didnt feel as good either.
>
> So just wait for a deal on an AV you'll be happier in the long run.
As I said, what do I know. Never claimed to be an expert.
I just played a quite a few MIJ in stores, and remembered the vintage ones I
played felt much more solid (notice I said felt). I also remembered they
sounded warmer. I really wanted to buy them so cheaply (I couldn't really
afford the AV). Then I had the opportunity to try the AV vs. MIJ side by
side on the same amp. The moment I picked up the AV it felt much more solid
and closer to the vintage ones. It also sounded better. Later I learned,
that had I bought the MIJ, I would have had to replace the tremolo springs
(in addition to all those other items) as the MIJ were not built to handle
heavier strings (I use 15-65 flat wounds tuned down to D, and I would have
used even heavier if I could find any).
Is it worth $500 more? probably not. If your time is worth nothing, and you
like to buy a new guitar and immediately replace the pickups, buy a case for
it (last time I checked, these cases were selling for $150) and possibly
make a few other mods, the MIJ (or CIJ, I forget which is which) are a good
deal. I can only speak my opinion. I know that had I bought one, I would
have ended with a guitar I wanted to replace. I also hear a difference
between reissue printed circuit board with mediocre speakers and cabinets as
opposed to the older amps, and yet a lot of people love those reissues, so
it could be that I'm just imagining stuff.
Take it for it's worth, it's only my opinion
Ran
----- Original Message -----
From: "bruce d" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 10:17 PM
Subject: Re: [SurfGuitar101] Re: New US Jazzmasters
> As one whose first "serious" electric guitar was an "L" Series Fender
Jazzmaster, I really don't "get" all the negative comments regarding the
Japanese reissues! Especially the 2003's which were made with Alder bodies.
I've purchased several for my collection, and the only thing I could
criticize was the pickups (AV pups run about $80 a pair, and Seymour Duncan
Vintage for Jazzmasters run about $110 a pair) which can be upgraded and
still leave your wallet several hundred dollars thicker than if you bought
the AV! The only other mod needed is the "Buzz-Stop" for $40.00 but this
applies to both the Japanese and American reissues, not to mention the
original vintage J/M's from their 1958 introduction.
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/05
Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ Jazzmaster is bringing
back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
supertwangreverb <> wrote:One thing I forgot to add
about the quality of the Japanese off-
sets. The saddles aren't that great. The AV saddles are much
closer to the vintage ones. I had strings popping off those CIJ
saddles so badly that I had to file them down, not so with the AV.
I also had the allen screws shake loose on the CIJ saddles, I fixed
this with elmers glue. The AV saddles aren't moving or buzzing on
either of my guitars. Also the intonation screws on my CIJ Jaguar
liked to shake themselves loose and catapult the springs across the
room. So far the AV intonation screws have stayed in place.
Bill
--- In , "supertwangreverb"
<supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
>
> > The workmanship on the Japanese-made Fenders is second to none,
> and that includes the special "custom-shop" numbers for which
Fender
> USA loves to charge $2,500 and up. None of my Japanese Fenders
has
> ever reminded me of a Dano, or anything other than the best of the
> historic American Fenders of the 1960's. When you can own a
> Japanese J/M R/I with the upgrades I mention above, for $700-$750,
> spending the $1,250 on an AV R/I is a matter of purely personal
> preference because you're not getting $500 more guitar with the
AV,
> IMHO.
> >
>
> Hmmm....I just got an AV Jaguar for $817 on Ebay, certainly better
> than my CIJ with the upgrades, plus I didn't have to buy a case
for
> it. I got my first AV Jag on Ebay for a grand not a great deal,
but
> not 1399.99.
> Both my 2003 CIJ Jazzmaster and Jaguar had sharp fret ends,
> something I simulate with cheaper guitars. My 2003 CIJ's were the
> supposed cream of the crop of all the exported models Fender's
> offered(alder body Musician Friends' models). Both of my AV
Jaguars
> have really smooth fret ends, something I like.
>
> This is coming from a guy who used to preach the good word on the
> CIJ model guitars, I even record a full album with my stock CIJ
> Jaguar. I have to disagree with you on the quality of the
> CIJs...they don't match the quality of the AVs. First the trem
> units are garbage on the CIJ guitars, second I prefer the US
string
> spacing, and third I don't like my guitars entombed in plastic.
> Personally the CIJ necks didnt feel as good either.
>
> So just wait for a deal on an AV you'll be happier in the long run.
.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sounds like you may have just had a shitty L series Jazzmaster.
> Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ Jazzmaster is
bringing back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
While I agree with you, Bruce, I have owned two Japanese Fenders, a Jag and a
Jazz. Both
were absolutely great build. Neither, however, had the tone I was looking
for...changing
pickups would have certainly helped, along with changing pots and resistors to
original
1960s specs (don't forget, these play roles too).
But, having played the vintage and AVRI models, I just think the MIJ models
didn't have the
mojo. My friend's AVRI Jag simply blew my MIJ away! The differences were subtle,
but went
to the overall feel, balance, and tone.
Was it worth $800 more than my MIJ Jazz or Jag? Well, I don't own an AVRI, so I
guess that
answers the question. But, I wasn't satisfied with the MIJ guitars, so don't
have them
anymore either.
Taste is subjective; to me, the AVRIs were simply much better. But, that's not
to say that
anyone could be extremely pleased with a MIJ model - especially for the price.
Gavin
--- In , bruce d <wizzbangg2003@y...> wrote:
> As one whose first "serious" electric guitar was an "L" Series Fender
Jazzmaster, I really
don't "get" all the negative comments regarding the Japanese reissues!
Especially the
2003's which were made with Alder bodies. I've purchased several for my
collection, and
the only thing I could criticize was the pickups (AV pups run about $80 a pair,
and
Seymour Duncan Vintage for Jazzmasters run about $110 a pair) which can be
upgraded
and still leave your wallet several hundred dollars thicker than if you bought
the AV! The
only other mod needed is the "Buzz-Stop" for $40.00 but this applies to both the
Japanese
and American reissues, not to mention the original vintage J/M's from their 1958
introduction.
>
> In my surf band, Longboard Ranch, which has been described by many surf music
fans
as having the real, honest to gosh First-Gen sound, my guitars of choice include
a
Japanese Ventures J/M, a Chinese Jagmaster with Seymour R/I pups and American
Deluxe
Trem, and a Wilson Bros. Ventures VM10 Strat copy with Seymour Antiquity II Surf
pups,
plus the Callaham forged steel trem block. The other guys in the band like the
sound of
all three of these about equally.
>
> (Also, to those who say the Strat isn't surfy enough: I'd be delighted to
send the wiring
diagram to anyone requesting it, to simply, easily get all the pickup
combinations, and
Tone Control on the bridge pup, without adding any switches, or drilling any
holes in the
pickguard. It is almost "hair-splitting" to argue the difference between the
sound of the
Strat with bridge/neck pups engaged, versus a Jag set the same way. This mod
costs well
under $20.)
>
> The workmanship on the Japanese-made Fenders is second to none, and that
includes
the special "custom-shop" numbers for which Fender USA loves to charge $2,500
and up.
None of my Japanese Fenders has ever reminded me of a Dano, or anything other
than the
best of the historic American Fenders of the 1960's. When you can own a
Japanese J/M R/I
with the upgrades I mention above, for $700-$750, spending the $1,250 on an AV
R/I is a
matter of purely personal preference because you're not getting $500 more guitar
with the
AV, IMHO.
>
> The '64 "L" series was my one-and-only electric guitar from 1971 until 1985,
(I also
owned a Ventures Model Mosrite during those years, but never played it, because
the
Jazzmaster was so much nicer to play) so I consider myself qualified to comment
on what
an original J/M is and should be like, play like, sound like and feel like
versus the R/I's.
>
> Bruce D
>
>
> Ran Mosessco <burnman@n...> wrote:
> I faced the same problem. I found a real guitar store (Buffalo Bros. in
> Carlsbad, CA) that had an AV JM in stock. Played it side by side to a
> Japanese model, and decided the AV was much better. Paid about $1250
> including tax.
> You just have to keep calling all the guitar stores in your area until you
> find someone who has it in stock. If you can't, well, my opnion is that they
> are good guitars and are a few levels above the cheaper Japanese models. On
> the other hand, more than a few people here were raving about the same
> Japanese models that I though felt more like Danelectros than Fenders, so
> what do I know.
>
> Good luck,
> Ran
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian Neal" <bgneal@g...>
> To: <>
> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 4:03 PM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: New US Jazzmasters
>
>
> > --- In , "reverbtron" <fheapes@o...>
> > wrote:
> > > I have been trying desperetely to take a new US Fender Jazzmaster
> > for
> > > a test run in the New York, New Jersey area. Every Guitar Center
> > and
> > > Samash that I visit I get the same line "they are special order",
> > "we
> > > don't carry them because nobody buys them". Has anyone seen the
> > new
> > > Jazzmasters in music stores lately? Is my only option to buy blind
> > > online? Are they worth the $1400.
>
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/05
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks,
files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
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Not at all shitty, just typical for the era
supertwangreverb <> wrote:Sounds like you may have
just had a shitty L series Jazzmaster.
> Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ Jazzmaster is
bringing back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Do you care to elaborate? I'd love to hear YOUR take on this.
Bill
> Not at all shitty, just typical for the era
>
> supertwangreverb <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:Sounds like you may
have just had a shitty L series Jazzmaster.
>
>
> > Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ Jazzmaster
is
> bringing back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
My early Fender guitars included a '58 Duo Sonic with maple fingerboard, a '66
Mustang, and a '64 "L" Jazzmaster.
None of these had smooth-edged frets - Fender just didn't make 'em that way back
then. The Duo and Mustang were light-years better than the Sears-Teisco
electric I started with, but they both suffered from weak pickups, and the
Mustang was impossible to keep in tune.
The Jazzmaster, I owned and played for 14 years. I remember snagging the sleeve
of my sweater on the edge of one of the frets more than once. The bridge was
forever rattling and buzzing, until I squeezed a drop of Elmers down each of the
saddle-height screw holes. The pickups were great, the string action excellent,
and the sound of the guitar just perfect for playing along with all my old
Ventures records.
The strings were always popping out of the saddle grooves, especially when
stretching them, and sometimes when playing aggressively - Too bad Buzz-Stops
weren't around 30-odd years ago! I sold the Jazzmaster on consignment at
Norman's Rare Guitars in the mid 80's to raise the money for a new Strat
Standard.
Do I miss that old "L" series? Only for sentimental reasons. My '96
Fender-Japan Jazzmaster Ventures Model (with a Buzz-Stop) plays and sounds
better, and stays in tune every bit as well. Fender Japan made this series out
of light swamp ash, and used Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazzmaster R/I pickups, and
US hardware.
My 2001 Solid-Alder Squier Jagmaster with Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazzmaster R/I
pickups, a '57 Fender Strat R/I pickup in the middle, Sperzel locking tuners, a
Fender LSR Roller Nut, and Fender American Deluxe Series Strat Trem bridge is
the guitar I used exclusively for recording both Longboard Ranch CD's, and
compares very well against ANY Jazzmaster I've ever played.
I just got a phone call this morning from Robert Silverstein at 20th Century
Guitar Magazine, who's just completed reviews of both CD's. He kept going into
raptures about the killer West-Coast vintage surf sound that he heard on our
CD's, as did Phil Dirt in his reviews, and as most of the emails we've received
from purchasers of the CD's have attested. I am extremely doubtful that the
results, or these peoples' reactions would have been one iota more positive had
I been playing the AV Jazzmaster, or for that matter, one of the $4000+
Custom-Shop Jazzmasters.
I've been playing long enough, enough different guitars, and played seriously at
the semi-pro and full-pro level, to know what works and what doesn't work for
me.
You are more than welcome to have and express your opinions. My opinion, (based
on having done it), is that in less than one hour, I can rewire the Seymour pups
onto a Japan J/M, and install the Buzz-Stop, dropping a Mustang bridge into the
post-holes takes 2 seconds, and when you can buy a pristine 2003 Alder body Jap
J/M for $350 - $500, add $175-ish for those upgrades, and get the blonde or
brown Tolex G&G case for $129.00, you now have spent $650 - $800, and at this
point, your comment is that the fret edges are smoother on the AV.
I have no doubt that you're 100% correct on this, but, the fret edges on the
Japan J/M's have never been enough of an issue to me, to merit spending another
$350 to $600 for an AV. A good guitar tech can smooth those edges for about $60
- $100 if they're bothering you that much. And you'll still have saved $290 -
$500 toward future re-tubings for your amp and Reverb unit!
Ben Franklin once said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." One of the earlier
postings alleged that I must not value my time to be willing to do these mods
and upgrades, just to save a few hundred dollars. Au contraire mes amis! To
spend one hour max and avoid spending $290 to $500 is significant, at least to
me! Maybe some of you out there have money to burn; $290 per hour is more
than most lawyers bill for their time. Hello!!
Bruce D
supertwangreverb <> wrote:
Do you care to elaborate? I'd love to hear YOUR take on this.
Bill
> Not at all shitty, just typical for the era
>
> supertwangreverb <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:Sounds like you may
have just had a shitty L series Jazzmaster.
>
>
> > Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ Jazzmaster
is
> bringing back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
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Service.
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>
>
> __________________________________________________
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> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bruce makes an excellent point about frets. Let me go a step further. Even when
initially
well-dressed, exposure to arid climates (as in Colorado) can cause a neck to
shrink. And
then the fret ends protrude a bit. This has happened to several of my guitars.
The guys
who work on my guitars are very good at smoothing them for playability, but it's
easy
enough to do yourself.
I think a guitar should feel "right." And that is so subjective. I simply never
"bonded" with
my MIJ Jazz or Jag in the way I did with my $400 Mexican Strat or my CP Custom.
But I got
a serious case of envy over a friend's MIA Jag. Go figure! It seems like every
guitar has its
own personality. You can get a lemon for $400 or $2,000 - or a really sweet
partner for
the same money!
G
--- In , bruce d <wizzbangg2003@y...> wrote:
> My early Fender guitars included a '58 Duo Sonic with maple fingerboard, a '66
Mustang,
and a '64 "L" Jazzmaster.
>
> None of these had smooth-edged frets - Fender just didn't make 'em that way
back
then. The Duo and Mustang were light-years better than the Sears-Teisco
electric I
started with, but they both suffered from weak pickups, and the Mustang was
impossible
to keep in tune.
>
> The Jazzmaster, I owned and played for 14 years. I remember snagging the
sleeve of
my sweater on the edge of one of the frets more than once. The bridge was
forever
rattling and buzzing, until I squeezed a drop of Elmers down each of the
saddle-height
screw holes. The pickups were great, the string action excellent, and the sound
of the
guitar just perfect for playing along with all my old Ventures records.
>
> The strings were always popping out of the saddle grooves, especially when
stretching
them, and sometimes when playing aggressively - Too bad Buzz-Stops weren't
around
30-odd years ago! I sold the Jazzmaster on consignment at Norman's Rare Guitars
in the
mid 80's to raise the money for a new Strat Standard.
>
> Do I miss that old "L" series? Only for sentimental reasons. My '96
Fender-Japan
Jazzmaster Ventures Model (with a Buzz-Stop) plays and sounds better, and stays
in tune
every bit as well. Fender Japan made this series out of light swamp ash, and
used
Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazzmaster R/I pickups, and US hardware.
>
> My 2001 Solid-Alder Squier Jagmaster with Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazzmaster
R/I
pickups, a '57 Fender Strat R/I pickup in the middle, Sperzel locking tuners, a
Fender LSR
Roller Nut, and Fender American Deluxe Series Strat Trem bridge is the guitar I
used
exclusively for recording both Longboard Ranch CD's, and compares very well
against ANY
Jazzmaster I've ever played.
>
> I just got a phone call this morning from Robert Silverstein at 20th Century
Guitar
Magazine, who's just completed reviews of both CD's. He kept going into
raptures about
the killer West-Coast vintage surf sound that he heard on our CD's, as did Phil
Dirt in his
reviews, and as most of the emails we've received from purchasers of the CD's
have
attested. I am extremely doubtful that the results, or these peoples' reactions
would have
been one iota more positive had I been playing the AV Jazzmaster, or for that
matter, one
of the $4000+ Custom-Shop Jazzmasters.
>
> I've been playing long enough, enough different guitars, and played seriously
at the
semi-pro and full-pro level, to know what works and what doesn't work for me.
>
> You are more than welcome to have and express your opinions. My opinion,
(based on
having done it), is that in less than one hour, I can rewire the Seymour pups
onto a Japan
J/M, and install the Buzz-Stop, dropping a Mustang bridge into the post-holes
takes 2
seconds, and when you can buy a pristine 2003 Alder body Jap J/M for $350 -
$500, add
$175-ish for those upgrades, and get the blonde or brown Tolex G&G case for
$129.00,
you now have spent $650 - $800, and at this point, your comment is that the
fret edges
are smoother on the AV.
>
> I have no doubt that you're 100% correct on this, but, the fret edges on the
Japan J/M's
have never been enough of an issue to me, to merit spending another $350 to $600
for an
AV. A good guitar tech can smooth those edges for about $60 - $100 if they're
bothering
you that much. And you'll still have saved $290 - $500 toward future re-tubings
for your
amp and Reverb unit!
>
> Ben Franklin once said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." One of the earlier
postings
alleged that I must not value my time to be willing to do these mods and
upgrades, just to
save a few hundred dollars. Au contraire mes amis! To spend one hour max and
avoid
spending $290 to $500 is significant, at least to me! Maybe some of you out
there have
money to burn; $290 per hour is more than most lawyers bill for their time.
Hello!!
>
> Bruce D
>
>
> supertwangreverb <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> Do you care to elaborate? I'd love to hear YOUR take on this.
>
> Bill
>
> > Not at all shitty, just typical for the era
> >
> > supertwangreverb <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:Sounds like you may
> have just had a shitty L series Jazzmaster.
> >
> >
> > > Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ Jazzmaster
> is
> > bringing back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks,
files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
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>
> __________________________________________________
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> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It's funny....almost everything these days is considered to
have "vintage surf tone."
What I disagreed with was your original claims on the MIJ/CIJ line
being better than the current AV line, not the Vintage Fenders. I
doubt anyone here is going to agree with you that the CIJ guitars
are better than the AVs. There's more to it than just the fret
ends. Have you compared the trem units? Have you even played an
AV?? It would take a moron not to notice the differences between
these two guitars. It's well known that the import trems do not
support the heavier strings, causing them to bottom out prematurely.
I've seen three piece sunburst CIJ guitars, but I guess that
wouldn't matter as much as the over finised plastic body you get
with the imported models. The CIJs are decent guitars, don't get me
wrong, but they are not very accurate reissues... More like copies.
Do you go by the Ebay ID "guitargai"?
Bill
www.reluctantaquanauts.com
--- In , bruce d <wizzbangg2003@y...>
wrote:
> My early Fender guitars included a '58 Duo Sonic with maple
fingerboard, a '66 Mustang, and a '64 "L" Jazzmaster.
>
> None of these had smooth-edged frets - Fender just didn't make 'em
that way back then. The Duo and Mustang were light-years better
than the Sears-Teisco electric I started with, but they both
suffered from weak pickups, and the Mustang was impossible to keep
in tune.
>
> The Jazzmaster, I owned and played for 14 years. I remember
snagging the sleeve of my sweater on the edge of one of the frets
more than once. The bridge was forever rattling and buzzing, until
I squeezed a drop of Elmers down each of the saddle-height screw
holes. The pickups were great, the string action excellent, and the
sound of the guitar just perfect for playing along with all my old
Ventures records.
>
> The strings were always popping out of the saddle grooves,
especially when stretching them, and sometimes when playing
aggressively - Too bad Buzz-Stops weren't around 30-odd years ago!
I sold the Jazzmaster on consignment at Norman's Rare Guitars in the
mid 80's to raise the money for a new Strat Standard.
>
> Do I miss that old "L" series? Only for sentimental reasons.
My '96 Fender-Japan Jazzmaster Ventures Model (with a Buzz-Stop)
plays and sounds better, and stays in tune every bit as well.
Fender Japan made this series out of light swamp ash, and used
Seymour Duncan Vintage Jazzmaster R/I pickups, and US hardware.
>
> My 2001 Solid-Alder Squier Jagmaster with Seymour Duncan Vintage
Jazzmaster R/I pickups, a '57 Fender Strat R/I pickup in the middle,
Sperzel locking tuners, a Fender LSR Roller Nut, and Fender American
Deluxe Series Strat Trem bridge is the guitar I used exclusively for
recording both Longboard Ranch CD's, and compares very well against
ANY Jazzmaster I've ever played.
>
> I just got a phone call this morning from Robert Silverstein at
20th Century Guitar Magazine, who's just completed reviews of both
CD's. He kept going into raptures about the killer West-Coast
vintage surf sound that he heard on our CD's, as did Phil Dirt in
his reviews, and as most of the emails we've received from
purchasers of the CD's have attested. I am extremely doubtful that
the results, or these peoples' reactions would have been one iota
more positive had I been playing the AV Jazzmaster, or for that
matter, one of the $4000+ Custom-Shop Jazzmasters.
>
> I've been playing long enough, enough different guitars, and
played seriously at the semi-pro and full-pro level, to know what
works and what doesn't work for me.
>
> You are more than welcome to have and express your opinions. My
opinion, (based on having done it), is that in less than one hour, I
can rewire the Seymour pups onto a Japan J/M, and install the Buzz-
Stop, dropping a Mustang bridge into the post-holes takes 2 seconds,
and when you can buy a pristine 2003 Alder body Jap J/M for $350 -
$500, add $175-ish for those upgrades, and get the blonde or brown
Tolex G&G case for $129.00, you now have spent $650 - $800, and at
this point, your comment is that the fret edges are smoother on the
AV.
>
> I have no doubt that you're 100% correct on this, but, the fret
edges on the Japan J/M's have never been enough of an issue to me,
to merit spending another $350 to $600 for an AV. A good guitar
tech can smooth those edges for about $60 - $100 if they're
bothering you that much. And you'll still have saved $290 - $500
toward future re-tubings for your amp and Reverb unit!
>
> Ben Franklin once said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." One of
the earlier postings alleged that I must not value my time to be
willing to do these mods and upgrades, just to save a few hundred
dollars. Au contraire mes amis! To spend one hour max and avoid
spending $290 to $500 is significant, at least to me! Maybe some
of you out there have money to burn; $290 per hour is more than
most lawyers bill for their time. Hello!!
>
> Bruce D
>
>
> supertwangreverb <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> Do you care to elaborate? I'd love to hear YOUR take on this.
>
> Bill
>
> > Not at all shitty, just typical for the era
> >
> > supertwangreverb <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:Sounds like you
may
> have just had a shitty L series Jazzmaster.
> >
> >
> > > Funny, the more you go into detail, the more your CIJ
Jazzmaster
> is
> > bringing back vivid memories of my old "L" series J/M!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > .
> > Visit for archived
> messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived
messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
