I love Nelson's bluntness in this. "That one sucks, that one doesn't. fuck a rhythm circuit it's dumb." but of course said somewhat more magnanimously. Though you can still catch glimpses of Jason's Jazzmaster loving heart getting slow motion broken al a Ralph Wiggum, even though he knew Nelson was right & justified.
In all fairness, I am really impressed with the rhythm circuit of my Vintera II Jazzmaster. That thing can get funky with the fuzz, in a way I really dig.
Nelsen: *I'm the least knowledgeable about gear, on the WCM team, so it's always nice to hear that people don't think my opinions are complete dogshit*
@@WorkingClassMusic I am extremely knowledgeable about gear, have been for several years, and some people never stopped thinking my opinions are dogshit. Learn more if you love it or to make the most of tight money, not for validation. 🫂
I work in a guitar shop and a fella came in for a player tele he tried it then I handed him the player 2 and he didn't even plug it up and immediately he said he was taking the player 2 the build quality is simply so much better,
My first thought when I learned about the Player II series was "why?" but now after hearing them side by side there is a pretty big difference in sound. Personally I love the rhythm circuit but I don't judge anyone who wants a streamlined version they can pickup and play.
How does the rhythm circuit stop anyone from picking up and playing? It’s an additional feature to the Player II that has no effect on the same features on both models
@@Paulyb7 I don't understand it myself. I just know people who don't like how it sounds and don't want something on the guitar that they never intend to use
My favorite current JM is my Vintera II, which is now my main. Not going to lie though, this Player II one is very tempting as I've been mulling over having a 2nd JM that has more of a 60s sound, and the prospect of having a more modern feeling one at the same time is very appealing!
While I am a bit bummed that the Player II doesn’t have a rhythm circuit (a JM isn’t a JM without one imo) it is leagues better than the Player I because it actually SOUNDS like a JM. With the JM being the perfect and best guitar model of all time I think all versions should have all its quirks but as a modern iteration I can’t hate the Player II at all.
Probably because they reviewed a guitar you were looking into. I was trying to make heads-or-tails of a jag-stang I picked up for 200 dollars a few years back, and that's how I found them. Also subbed.
Great review I really love both those colours gotta love a jazzmaster. I really don’t use the rhythm cct but to me it’s part of the kookiness of a jazzmaster. But they look great value
I appreciate Nelsen’s no BS I don’t work for GC I can say my thoughts approach to this comparison haha! I def like the player II of the pair sound wise and ya swapping the bridge to a mastery or staytrem would be the usual approach so it’s good they are starting to listen to customers in find ways of addressing that.
Mine just arrived, in blue. The set up was perfect out of the box. One issue tho is that the switch can kind of pop when I’m going from bridge to middle. Anyone else notice that? It’s pretty negligible so I’m wondering if it’s just mine. Only when i am fixating on it do i notice it. Not a deal breaker but still….the neck is sweet, tuners real smooth. pu’s are strong and loud with good bite or soft tones when turned down.
You know, I was really disappointed that they didn't include the rhythm circuit or even the routing. But it's true that I probably wouldn't even use it. I really love the rolled fretboard and that blue finish. This one could be my first Jazzmaster! I'll definitely be trying one out when they're available.
A humbucker in a jazzmaster is offensive. If you're going to do that, just get an SG. My favorite jazzmaster is whichever one Kevin Shields happens to be using.
I recently got one of these CME Player jazzmasters and I agree that I'm not a huge fan of the Pure Vintage 65 pickups. They're just really thin feeling in any position other than the 4th series position, BUT like you said, it's a really strong modding platform and that's exactly why I got it. Hoping to put some jm sized P90s in it and probably different wiring. I kinda want to keep the series/parallel option, though I'm not sure if I'll really need it with higher output pickups. Oh also changed the bridge saddles cuz the one I got didn't come with barrel saddles
Personally don’t have a favorite Jazzmaster I’m more into a parts build. But. That birch green may be the one. Personally I use only the bridge pickup on a Jazzmaster and use the volume to taste. Treble bleed is a must if I do so. Maybe something different in the bridge depending on how I feel in the mix.
I got the pro 2 jazzmaster in surf mist green dam I love that guitar and the jm jm which was my introduction to jazzmasters and now I’m totally converted
I have a player 1 jazzmaster in candy apple red that I keep as my "jazzblaster" but I had to do some upgrades to it. The stock bridge is awful. I had an AM pro 2 but had to sell it for financial reasons so I would like to get one of the player 2 so I have something with proper jazzmaster pickups. Good demo.
The original "Classic Players" Jazzmaster was the best. Tune-o-matic bridge, pickups designed by Curtis Novak, rosewood fretboard. Just a solid guitar..
@@aaronhiggs They really are sweet sounding guitars. And the thing about them is they were made in Mexico at a time MIM guitars were considered cheap. But those "classic players" came with medium jumbo frets, stable tuners, and the vibrato set closer to the bridge so with the "gibson" style bridge you get more sustain and don't have to worry about your strings moving or your bridge rocking back and forth. Just make sure it was made before 2010 and you should be good to go..
For me I think the Player 2 Teles are cool..maybe swap that bridge out. Otherwise pretty good standard. My issue with these is just the lack of rhythm section. Bit of a bummer the Jaguar and Jazzmaster feel incomplete. But I mean it’s a ok price, quality build and I get they are trying to keep that $799-$899 price tag. For me the white blonde chambered Tele would be a good buy. For a Jazzmaster I’d prob take the next step up to the Vintera 2 series personally. Or even the American Player or a MIJ. For the money being a few hundred different…I feel better investment. The player 2 Teles and Strats seem like a good deal to me. The others, I’d rather spend the extra $250-$300 for the extras at the price point already. Or go used on something else. I see the store demo American 2s, at my Guitar Center for around $1300 right now they are clearing out. Maybe something new is coming with that? Because that’s a pretty decent deal on store demos.
Player II Pros over Player I: 1. Actual Jazzmaster pickups 2. Rolled fingerboard edges 3. Rosewood fretboards (debatable/subjective) 4. Classic tuners (debatable/subjective) 5. Better Mustang bridge Both models do not have the rhythm circuit which is a shame as it can be used for an instant jazz tone and sounds great as a lead sound with some fuzz or treble boost pedals
I’d love to see a shootout of all the jazzmasters you can get your hands on. I’m very happy with my vintera ii JM and Squier J mascis. Would you recommend upgrading the JMJM with the signature Mascis pickups?
Player series 1 is better for the fact it doesn’t have that horrible vibrato placement closer to the bridge. Pickups can always be swapped. Fender USA jm pickups are only $100
@@WorkingClassMusicyeah but you can never move the vibrato back on a player II… you’re stuck with that modern version which definitely isn’t for me or most offset players so who is this guitar even made for? Why can’t Fender just stop dropping the ball and finally give the offset players what they want?
@@coreycann6751 oddly enough considering the squier j mascis is the most popular jazzmaster for the last decade plus…i think its safe to say most offset players dont care about the vibrato placement. The only people that seem to care are people who prefer the traditional jazzmaster, I think this is for someone who wants a Jazzmaster but doesn’t care for the rhythm circuit or just folks who want a inexpensive jazzmaster that says fender. Also, it’s worth noting that Mike Adams did a video comparing the modern/vintage trem placement and found very little to no tonal differences at all.
Well, again you make a valid point, but as far as who the the Player 2 would be for, we gave an answer for that in the video. It'd be for someone coming from Nelsen's perspective. Specifically someone who's not particularly familiar with JazzMasters, but is interested in them, and wants to delve into them without a variety of complications.
I love Nelson's bluntness in this. "That one sucks, that one doesn't. fuck a rhythm circuit it's dumb." but of course said somewhat more magnanimously. Though you can still catch glimpses of Jason's Jazzmaster loving heart getting slow motion broken al a Ralph Wiggum, even though he knew Nelson was right & justified.
Totally agree with Nelson
In all fairness, I am really impressed with the rhythm circuit of my Vintera II Jazzmaster. That thing can get funky with the fuzz, in a way I really dig.
Nelsen:
*I'm the least knowledgeable about gear, on the WCM team, so it's always nice to hear that people don't think my opinions are complete dogshit*
@@WorkingClassMusic I am extremely knowledgeable about gear, have been for several years, and some people never stopped thinking my opinions are dogshit. Learn more if you love it or to make the most of tight money, not for validation. 🫂
I work in a guitar shop and a fella came in for a player tele he tried it then I handed him the player 2 and he didn't even plug it up and immediately he said he was taking the player 2 the build quality is simply so much better,
My first thought when I learned about the Player II series was "why?" but now after hearing them side by side there is a pretty big difference in sound. Personally I love the rhythm circuit but I don't judge anyone who wants a streamlined version they can pickup and play.
Glad we could clear that up for you! Thanks for the feedback
How does the rhythm circuit stop anyone from picking up and playing? It’s an additional feature to the Player II that has no effect on the same features on both models
@@Paulyb7 I don't understand it myself. I just know people who don't like how it sounds and don't want something on the guitar that they never intend to use
My favorite current JM is my Vintera II, which is now my main. Not going to lie though, this Player II one is very tempting as I've been mulling over having a 2nd JM that has more of a 60s sound, and the prospect of having a more modern feeling one at the same time is very appealing!
Mine is the same color and the more I play it The more I find different tones with it. I really love it.
The player 2 sounds so much better imo
It's louder and that creates the illusion that it sounds better.
@@thesmellycatjazzI would say it’s more defined.
@@thesmellycatjazzI hear a lot more
Clarity and the player II doesn’t sound as thin.
The American Pro 2 is a good modern Jazzmaster. The stock old style bridges are made to be used with gauge 11 and 12 strings.
Never clicked on a video so fast! Also Ready Player One does NOT need a sequel! Dope comparison and video!
thanks for the feedback,
and we're glad you enjoyed this episode of the show!
While I am a bit bummed that the Player II doesn’t have a rhythm circuit (a JM isn’t a JM without one imo) it is leagues better than the Player I because it actually SOUNDS like a JM. With the JM being the perfect and best guitar model of all time I think all versions should have all its quirks but as a modern iteration I can’t hate the Player II at all.
For whatever reason UA-cam stopped recommending ya’ll even though I’m subbed. Either way glad to see you are all still making awesome content :)
Well thanks for still sticking with us
Probably because they reviewed a guitar you were looking into. I was trying to make heads-or-tails of a jag-stang I picked up for 200 dollars a few years back, and that's how I found them. Also subbed.
It may not be the best, but the Classic Player Jazzmaster has this whole early-2010s nostalgia thing going for it.
Great review I really love both those colours gotta love a jazzmaster. I really don’t use the rhythm cct but to me it’s part of the kookiness of a jazzmaster. But they look great value
I’m going for the birch green. Looking forward to it.
*GREAT CHOICE*
I appreciate Nelsen’s no BS I don’t work for GC I can say my thoughts approach to this comparison haha! I def like the player II of the pair sound wise and ya swapping the bridge to a mastery or staytrem would be the usual approach so it’s good they are starting to listen to customers in find ways of addressing that.
Nelsen is the *Wild Card* of the WCM Team
I love anyone who says “Boom” as an affirmative comment. Boom 👊
and a *boom* right back at ya, buddy
i just recently bought a Harley Benton JA60cc jazzmaster, and it's kinda stupid how good it is for the price.
I bought one of those a while back, fitted a les trem II, adjusted the set up and it's a seriously good guitar!
Mine just arrived, in blue. The set up was perfect out of the box. One issue tho is that the switch can kind of pop when I’m going from bridge to middle. Anyone else notice that? It’s pretty negligible so I’m wondering if it’s just mine. Only when i am fixating on it do i notice it. Not a deal breaker but still….the neck is sweet, tuners real smooth. pu’s are strong and loud with good bite or soft tones when turned down.
I thought Nelsen was going to break that low E string right off that player 1 guitar
yeah, he was really giving it the business
Man I really dig your guys’ vibe. Subscribed 😎
Glad you dig it, and thanks for subscribing. We've got plenty of other videos if you wanna see more stuff from us.
You know, I was really disappointed that they didn't include the rhythm circuit or even the routing. But it's true that I probably wouldn't even use it. I really love the rolled fretboard and that blue finish. This one could be my first Jazzmaster! I'll definitely be trying one out when they're available.
glad we could help!
don't forget to use our affiliate link if you decide to get your hands on the Player 2 JazzMaster
A humbucker in a jazzmaster is offensive. If you're going to do that, just get an SG.
My favorite jazzmaster is whichever one Kevin Shields happens to be using.
I wait for Player III. It will be even more awesome.
I want both
*good choice*
so exited for the to be in music stores nearby, fantastic demo!
*thank you, thank you*
Love the video guys. It's always really cool seeing fellow black millennial guitar nerds!
I recently got one of these CME Player jazzmasters and I agree that I'm not a huge fan of the Pure Vintage 65 pickups. They're just really thin feeling in any position other than the 4th series position, BUT like you said, it's a really strong modding platform and that's exactly why I got it. Hoping to put some jm sized P90s in it and probably different wiring. I kinda want to keep the series/parallel option, though I'm not sure if I'll really need it with higher output pickups. Oh also changed the bridge saddles cuz the one I got didn't come with barrel saddles
hell yeah!
Personally don’t have a favorite Jazzmaster I’m more into a parts build. But. That birch green may be the one. Personally I use only the bridge pickup on a Jazzmaster and use the volume to taste. Treble bleed is a must if I do so. Maybe something different in the bridge depending on how I feel in the mix.
Player II definitely has more definition with played with distortion.
yeeeeeeeah, we thought so too!
I got the pro 2 jazzmaster in surf mist green dam I love that guitar and the jm jm which was my introduction to jazzmasters and now I’m totally converted
That player series I ❤
I have a player 1 jazzmaster in candy apple red that I keep as my "jazzblaster" but I had to do some upgrades to it. The stock bridge is awful. I had an AM pro 2 but had to sell it for financial reasons so I would like to get one of the player 2 so I have something with proper jazzmaster pickups. Good demo.
*thanks for watching and leaving a comment!*
The original "Classic Players" Jazzmaster was the best. Tune-o-matic bridge, pickups designed by Curtis Novak, rosewood fretboard. Just a solid guitar..
I want one of them. Saving for it currently. My bud had one and it was the most sweet sounding Jazzmaster I ever played.
@@aaronhiggs They really are sweet sounding guitars. And the thing about them is they were made in Mexico at a time MIM guitars were considered cheap. But those "classic players" came with medium jumbo frets, stable tuners, and the vibrato set closer to the bridge so with the "gibson" style bridge you get more sustain and don't have to worry about your strings moving or your bridge rocking back and forth. Just make sure it was made before 2010 and you should be good to go..
For me I think the Player 2 Teles are cool..maybe swap that bridge out. Otherwise pretty good standard. My issue with these is just the lack of rhythm section. Bit of a bummer the Jaguar and Jazzmaster feel incomplete.
But I mean it’s a ok price, quality build and I get they are trying to keep that $799-$899 price tag. For me the white blonde chambered Tele would be a good buy.
For a Jazzmaster I’d prob take the next step up to the Vintera 2 series personally. Or even the American Player or a MIJ. For the money being a few hundred different…I feel better investment.
The player 2 Teles and Strats seem like a good deal to me. The others, I’d rather spend the extra $250-$300 for the extras at the price point already. Or go used on something else. I see the store demo American 2s, at my Guitar Center for around $1300 right now they are clearing out. Maybe something new is coming with that? Because that’s a pretty decent deal on store demos.
The real question, red or green on the new jazzmaster? Maybe green on the jazzmaster and red on the jag? I've never owned a jag.
*ohhhhhh*
that's a hard choice,
but that red on the Jazzmaster really pops, and edges it out over the green
Might you compare a Player II Jazzmaster with a G&L Tribute Series Doheny?
Player II Pros over Player I:
1. Actual Jazzmaster pickups
2. Rolled fingerboard edges
3. Rosewood fretboards (debatable/subjective)
4. Classic tuners (debatable/subjective)
5. Better Mustang bridge
Both models do not have the rhythm circuit which is a shame as it can be used for an instant jazz tone and sounds great as a lead sound with some fuzz or treble boost pedals
You got it!
*Thanks for the feedback*
I’d love to see a shootout of all the jazzmasters you can get your hands on. I’m very happy with my vintera ii JM and Squier J mascis. Would you recommend upgrading the JMJM with the signature Mascis pickups?
I put the neck from a JMJM on a CME Player Jazzmaster. I also have the vintera II. I wish the neck were more chunky.
@@trailingupwards nice. Yes, the neck on the vintera ii Jaguar has a much chunkier feel than the JM.
that'd be a fun video because we've got quite a few
Man this ramen is tasty!
Working Class Music, Ichiban!!
I wish they wouldn't have classic player'd it. Move that trem back
The classic player is still the best imo
that's totally understandable!
thanks for watching and leaving us a comment!
Player series 1 is better for the fact it doesn’t have that horrible vibrato placement closer to the bridge. Pickups can always be swapped. Fender USA jm pickups are only $100
that's a totally valid opinion, and that's why it makes a great mod platform.
@@WorkingClassMusicyeah but you can never move the vibrato back on a player II… you’re stuck with that modern version which definitely isn’t for me or most offset players so who is this guitar even made for? Why can’t Fender just stop dropping the ball and finally give the offset players what they want?
@@coreycann6751 oddly enough considering the squier j mascis is the most popular jazzmaster for the last decade plus…i think its safe to say most offset players dont care about the vibrato placement. The only people that seem to care are people who prefer the traditional jazzmaster, I think this is for someone who wants a Jazzmaster but doesn’t care for the rhythm circuit or just folks who want a inexpensive jazzmaster that says fender. Also, it’s worth noting that Mike Adams did a video comparing the modern/vintage trem placement and found very little to no tonal differences at all.
Well, again you make a valid point, but as far as who the the Player 2 would be for, we gave an answer for that in the video.
It'd be for someone coming from Nelsen's perspective.
Specifically someone who's not particularly familiar with JazzMasters, but is interested in them, and wants to delve into them without a variety of complications.