Fender sure has come a long way since I owned my 1962 Stratocaster in high school. Played in a rock and roll band then. The lead player had Telecaster. 2 totally different sounds. Also had a bandmaster amp. Life was sweet and we had a blast. Made a ton of money for kids in high school on weekends.
I just got my JazzMaster Acoustasonic a couple weeks ago and it is great! If you go into it thinking it has to sound exactly like a regular acoustic, and a regular electric, then you probably will be disappointed in that. It comes close to sounding like either one, but it really just has its own unique sound and tone to it. I got an excellent deal also so I got an Acoustasonic 40 amp to use in my room. It’s perfect with my Mustang LT25 too, which I use in my room also. Shout out to Spencer Kennedy at Sweetwater though! He went out of his way to make sure I got the guitar I was looking for and explained the general stuff I needed to know like using Boveda packs in the case to help with humidity. As this was my first “acoustic” type guitar, I didn’t think about how important that was compared to an electric. Spencer made himself available if I had any questions also, and I did! LOL. I got my first guitar from him as my sales engineer also, and I was just as satisfied with my purchase then. I’m telling ya, I’m sure all the sales engineers are great, but Spencer Kennedy…that’s the man you want to talk to if you’re looking for something at Sweetwater! 👍
Some of the criticisms on The talk are valid compared to a lot of other channels. But in this case I found the commentary intelligent and helpful to discerning which guitar I would want. Other channels put the actual setting on screen for each way the switch is set.
I’m a very pleased A-Strat (from Sweetwater!) player, using the Mustang GTX50 digital modeling amp. So many sounds, infinite choices really. So glad you two discussed pick choices as that really makes a difference. For the acoustic channels, I prefer a Fender Medium, but I get the best jazz sounds out of the clean or slightly dirty channel with a Dunlop Jazz III, either Primetone or Stubby. It also matters where I choose to pick, closer to the neck (over the sound hole) for rhythm, closer to the bridge for lead. Best of all is the fingerstyle sound in the 4B position, just something perky and bright that makes me smile. The amp is great because I can use anything from an acoustic channel to Hendrix Wah and all railway stations in between. That’s where the 2 channel shines, allowing a roll from electric to acoustic. And lastly, fully pleasing sound without any amplification, great for practicing scales.
I think they all look great, but I would lean towards the Telecaster model. Possibly the Jazzmaster if I got a chance to play it first. Great video, thank you
I really like the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. Only 3 switch positions versus 5 on the Acoustasonic American Telecaster, but really covers the best acoustic versus electric options and is about $700 less. They're all great guitars though.
Ok here's a legit question! Obviously when plugged in , there's many options . But what about when your unplugged? Does the mod knob even matter or make changes unplugged? Is it just a straight up acoustic guitar ??
Hi, Cassandra. The controls on the guitar won't affect it at all when it's unplugged. If you're not plugged in you'll just be hearing the natural acoustic sound of the instrument. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
Went to the trouble to compare electric pickups clean to show difference and then played through an acoustic amp on one and an electric amp on the other. Agggg, I still don't know how they compare. Thanks for an otherwise good review.
For years I’ve been trying to replicate an acoustic sound on my comfy and I mean comfy electric guitar .. I hate the shape of acoustics it’s just awkward for my body .. I think I found the solution ..
Hi, Stinkroid Noodleshine. It just depends on the pickup and amp combination. If you’re using the magnetic pickup in the guitar and running into a traditional electric guitar amp, you should be able to get great overdriven tones, since you’re essentially playing an electric guitar at that point. Typically acoustics and distortion don’t go together super well so I probably won’t recommend that into an acoustic amp, or using the acoustic pickup. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
I do use a blues driver, a compressor, a chorus, reverb and a wah pedal and an ab switch to change the amps, if necessary. This is functioning more or the less well in all settings of the guitar. Even if you use only one amp there is always a setting which is usable to get the sound you want. Remember, the guitar gets into feedback really late, so drive and dirt is usable in the acoustic settings too. And it is pure fun to experiment with the sound possibilities and going beyond the usual ways of creating sounds. Most acoustic amps do have a feedback destroyer / phase switch onboard.
Thx! Very helpful! I was unsure which amp to use for my newly acquired A-Jazzmaster as so far I don’t own an acoustic amp, just electric ones (Marshall, AC30, Fender). Do do you think I could buy the new Fender Tone Master Princeton for the A-Jazzmaster?
Hey, Jean-Henri! Thanks for your interest and great question. You could pair that Jazzmaster up with an acoustic or electric amp depending on the kind of tone you want to get. That and the Princeton Tone Master would make a great pair in my opinion. If you want to talk over any details or comparisons, I’d be happy to help - feel free to reach out! Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
No, that is not the case. Using fresh strings on the guitar is showing a bright and brilliant sound. Also it depends on the equalization of the amps you use. And the speaker. In all 3 situations I usually have (using DI into PA, using an e-guitar amp or using an acoustic guitar amp, there are differences. But: you can have at all these types of amplification a great sound. Slightly use the EQs and enjoy. I had a sound problem using the Humbucker pickup (setting 1A and 1B): there I have in standard setting too much treble, so I am missing a Tone blend as a 3rd knob on the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster. Solution for this setting: I do use an EQ-Pedal or dial in less treble in other pedals I own or I do switch the amps (they have different EQ settings, one for acoustic sound, one for electric sound. There are a lot of different possibilities to get a great sound. Enjoy, that guitars are a masterwork!
Hi, James! Thanks for your message, Happy Holidays! The Acoustasonic is versatile enough to be played into a tube amp as well as an acoustic amp or full range system. Some use an A/B box to switch between systems to optimize the different pickup options for the acoustic and electric tones. There is no right or wrong, let your ears be the judge! Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them! Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
Hey there! Yes, you can certainly play this guitar straight through a PA. You'll just have to make sure that the PA system has a Hi-Z input on it - this is the required impedance for any instrument input. But as long as you have that, the guitar will work just fine straight into a PA. I hope this helps! Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
The answer is VERY simple. I LOVE Jazzmasters, so the Jazzmaster is the one I would buy. I just wish I was a good enough guitarist to justify owning one....
Easier choice for lefties - there is only one left-handed Fender Acoustasonic, an American Acoustosonic Telecaster in one colour (Natural). Luckily it is a fine guitar, improved by swapping out the stock Fender strings for either D’Addario, Elixir, or Martin.
Matt, I have a specific situation and would really appreciate your input. I am the only guitarist in our Praise band. I currently play a Taylor 214e Deluxe and mostly strum (light to heavy). I want something that can add some punch and a bit of grit when I need to build during a song. It would be about 90% acoustic with the rest at clean and dirty sounds. So, which one has the best acoustic sounds that match my current guitar for a heavy strummer?
Hey Max, That's a great question. You can get a tone similar to your 214ce in any of the 3 acoustasonic models, however the heavy strumming and wanting some more punch and grit really points you more towards the new Jazzmaster. That would be a phenomenal guitar for exactly what you are doing. If it's just you, another thing you might want to consider might be using a tambourine or a kick as well when you play to add a little more rhythmic interest while you play. It can really a lot even though it's just something simple. Thanks again for the question. Feel free to reach out whenever you have more questions. - Matt, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext 1635, matt_fawcett@sweetwater.com
I play Acoustasonic Tele in our praise band and find it works perfect for exactly what you describe. I play mostly acoustic but will switch to the electric pickup when I want a little electric grit. I also play thru a small pedal board with a tuner, overdrive, chorus and delay. It's fun hitting the mini tubescreamer when switching to electric. Good luck to ya and God bless.
Thanks for the video, guys! I'm really looking at one of these guitars for live gigs when I have a song that has an acoustic section. I use an Orange Rockerverb 50 out of a Marshall 4x12. In your opinion, would an Acoustasonic be passable in this set-up? Again, I'm thinking about when I play songs that have an acoustic intro before switching to electric for the rest of the song. Or, when switching from electric to a brief acoustic bridge before coming back in with the electric. Thanks!
i’ve never used it through an electric amp, but from what i’ve heard it works best with going straight into a pa. It processes the sound in the guitar, with an electric amp it essentially processes it twice, making it sound not so good
Yes this should work fine. I do use a Fender Deluxe Reverb Tone Master as my main amp and that suits me really well. Also it is working good with a direct connection to the PA System. In my practicing room I use an Ibanez Troubadour 80. All 3 options are no problem to the Acoustasonic and it sounds great every time. On vacation I use the tiny Fender Mustang Micro with my headphones. This guitar is the most versatile high quality Guitar I ever used.
Why the Strat, is it because it grips more like a classical guitar? Please let me know as that would be my reason for choosing it over the other models.
The acoustasonic Jazzmaster would be the choice for me, but not at $2000. I own an American Jazzmaster that I paid $1500 for and I'd rather just buy another one lol. For $2000 you can get a good acoustic guitar with a pick up and buy another guitar or maybe a decent amp.
The market for relatively inexpensive acoustic guitars and sound systems to deliver studio quality sound to live audiences may be 10 to 60 times what Fender is estimating it to be. Why they keep throwing out this trash to the American amerature musicians is a mystery. Neither Fender, line6, Fractal, Roland nor any other music empire company can see how big the acoustic market really is compared to how void the acoustic product universe that exists today. Companies are instead spending 99% of their R&D dough on bygone rock era gear.
Nope. The "clean electric" settings have an amp sims applied already.. so running them through an electric guitar amp sounds like dull doo doo. Please stop suggesting that's a useable sound.
It makes sense for live settings where you want an acoustic like sound but a guitar that’s not fragile and can take the physical stress of gigs. The neck is also easier to play compared to most acoustics. It’s not an ugly guitar. An ugly guitar would be something like a neon 80s hair metal type.
Ok. So I’m that old guy that doesn’t think social media means you don’t have to be polite. Apparently, you sat through an 18 minute video of guitars that don’t match your taste and then felt it a good idea to call them ugly, rather than say nothing at all.
Sorry to read that. My Acoustasonic was well made, well setup and was in perfect shape as it arrived at my home. And it is worth any penny. I do own 6 guitars atm and are selling some of them now, because the Fender is better. Beside the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster I will remain one E-guitar and a classical acoustic.
Choose your player! Which Acoustasonic speaks to you? Let us know in the comments👇
Jazzmaster
Squier Classic Vibe Acoustasonic
I'd have to say the Jazzmaster. I like the dirt sounds, the pickup and really like the knobs out of my way as I strum.
Fender sure has come a long way since I owned my 1962 Stratocaster in high school. Played in a rock and roll band then. The lead player had Telecaster. 2 totally different sounds. Also had a bandmaster amp. Life was sweet and we had a blast. Made a ton of money for kids in high school on weekends.
And if only you still had that 62 !
This version of the body in jazz format was sensational congratulations
I love the Telecaster - such a beautiful guitar. That sunburst finish really seals it.
Guess
5:19 "........cool!" That was hilarious and the timing was perfect
Thanks very much for comparing these 3 models. Very helpful! I like them all, but the Jazzmaster is more appealing to me.
Great review. I like them all but gotta say the Telecaster is still my favorite of the three.
Cocobolo all day everyday baby! This guitarr was MADE to play Stairway to heaven!
I just got my JazzMaster Acoustasonic a couple weeks ago and it is great! If you go into it thinking it has to sound exactly like a regular acoustic, and a regular electric, then you probably will be disappointed in that. It comes close to sounding like either one, but it really just has its own unique sound and tone to it.
I got an excellent deal also so I got an Acoustasonic 40 amp to use in my room. It’s perfect with my Mustang LT25 too, which I use in my room also.
Shout out to Spencer Kennedy at Sweetwater though! He went out of his way to make sure I got the guitar I was looking for and explained the general stuff I needed to know like using Boveda packs in the case to help with humidity. As this was my first “acoustic” type guitar, I didn’t think about how important that was compared to an electric. Spencer made himself available if I had any questions also, and I did! LOL. I got my first guitar from him as my sales engineer also, and I was just as satisfied with my purchase then.
I’m telling ya, I’m sure all the sales engineers are great, but Spencer Kennedy…that’s the man you want to talk to if you’re looking for something at Sweetwater! 👍
Some of the criticisms on The talk are valid compared to a lot of other channels. But in this case I found the commentary intelligent and helpful to discerning which guitar I would want. Other channels put the actual setting on screen for each way the switch is set.
I’m a very pleased A-Strat (from Sweetwater!) player, using the Mustang GTX50 digital modeling amp. So many sounds, infinite choices really. So glad you two discussed pick choices as that really makes a difference. For the acoustic channels, I prefer a Fender Medium, but I get the best jazz sounds out of the clean or slightly dirty channel with a Dunlop Jazz III, either Primetone or Stubby. It also matters where I choose to pick, closer to the neck (over the sound hole) for rhythm, closer to the bridge for lead. Best of all is the fingerstyle sound in the 4B position, just something perky and bright that makes me smile. The amp is great because I can use anything from an acoustic channel to Hendrix Wah and all railway stations in between. That’s where the 2 channel shines, allowing a roll from electric to acoustic. And lastly, fully pleasing sound without any amplification, great for practicing scales.
Very helpful. I’ve been wondering what the differences were. Thanks!
Got my new acoustasonic strat from you this week. Awesome instrument!
I think they all look great, but I would lean towards the Telecaster model. Possibly the Jazzmaster if I got a chance to play it first. Great video, thank you
Jazzmaster for me.
I really like the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster. Only 3 switch positions versus 5 on the Acoustasonic American Telecaster, but really covers the best acoustic versus electric options and is about $700 less. They're all great guitars though.
I just put this guitar in my wishlist in the Steel blue
I need one sitting around the house lightweight comfortable to play well built what's not to like...
I love the new Fender guitars, I’m a tele guy.
Looking at the Jazzmaster for purchase next year!!
Ok here's a legit question!
Obviously when plugged in , there's many options . But what about when your unplugged? Does the mod knob even matter or make changes unplugged? Is it just a straight up acoustic guitar ??
Hi, Cassandra. The controls on the guitar won't affect it at all when it's unplugged. If you're not plugged in you'll just be hearing the natural acoustic sound of the instrument.
Thanks for your interest!
Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
That new blue jazz master acousta sonic looks awesome.
So for a very basic strumming guitar player with chords, it's the telecaster or the stratocaster?
dont get if the necks are the same or not.. from fender web site info they seems exactly the same..
Went to the trouble to compare electric pickups clean to show difference and then played through an acoustic amp on one and an electric amp on the other. Agggg, I still don't know how they compare. Thanks for an otherwise good review.
For years I’ve been trying to replicate an acoustic sound on my comfy and I mean comfy electric guitar .. I hate the shape of acoustics it’s just awkward for my body .. I think I found the solution ..
Im interested in what would work best to get electric tones out of an acoustic amp
How do they take pedals? Like if you wanted more dirt on top of the overdriven sound?
Hi, Stinkroid Noodleshine. It just depends on the pickup and amp combination. If you’re using the magnetic pickup in the guitar and running into a traditional electric guitar amp, you should be able to get great overdriven tones, since you’re essentially playing an electric guitar at that point. Typically acoustics and distortion don’t go together super well so I probably won’t recommend that into an acoustic amp, or using the acoustic pickup.
Thanks for your interest!
Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
I do use a blues driver, a compressor, a chorus, reverb and a wah pedal and an ab switch to change the amps, if necessary. This is functioning more or the less well in all settings of the guitar. Even if you use only one amp there is always a setting which is usable to get the sound you want. Remember, the guitar gets into feedback really late, so drive and dirt is usable in the acoustic settings too. And it is pure fun to experiment with the sound possibilities and going beyond the usual ways of creating sounds. Most acoustic amps do have a feedback destroyer / phase switch onboard.
Thx! Very helpful! I was unsure which amp to use for my newly acquired A-Jazzmaster as so far I don’t own an acoustic amp, just electric ones (Marshall, AC30, Fender). Do do you think I could buy the new Fender Tone Master Princeton for the A-Jazzmaster?
Hey, Jean-Henri! Thanks for your interest and great question. You could pair that Jazzmaster up with an acoustic or electric amp depending on the kind of tone you want to get. That and the Princeton Tone Master would make a great pair in my opinion. If you want to talk over any details or comparisons, I’d be happy to help - feel free to reach out!
Connor Smith, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1793, connor_smith@sweetwater.com
I still think there's just too much muddy bass on some of the configurations specifically the Jazzmaster
No, that is not the case. Using fresh strings on the guitar is showing a bright and brilliant sound. Also it depends on the equalization of the amps you use. And the speaker. In all 3 situations I usually have (using DI into PA, using an e-guitar amp or using an acoustic guitar amp, there are differences. But: you can have at all these types of amplification a great sound. Slightly use the EQs and enjoy. I had a sound problem using the Humbucker pickup (setting 1A and 1B): there I have in standard setting too much treble, so I am missing a Tone blend as a 3rd knob on the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster. Solution for this setting: I do use an EQ-Pedal or dial in less treble in other pedals I own or I do switch the amps (they have different EQ settings, one for acoustic sound, one for electric sound. There are a lot of different possibilities to get a great sound. Enjoy, that guitars are a masterwork!
So can you not play the Strat through say a blues junior tube amp?
Hi, James! Thanks for your message, Happy Holidays!
The Acoustasonic is versatile enough to be played into a tube amp as well as an acoustic amp or full range system. Some use an A/B box to switch between systems to optimize the different pickup options for the acoustic and electric tones. There is no right or wrong, let your ears be the judge!
Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them!
Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
Can you play straight thru the PA?
Hey there! Yes, you can certainly play this guitar straight through a PA. You'll just have to make sure that the PA system has a Hi-Z input on it - this is the required impedance for any instrument input. But as long as you have that, the guitar will work just fine straight into a PA.
I hope this helps!
Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 3230, nick_pasquino@sweetwater.com
These are the most perfect guitar I have seen. I'd love to record with something like this on my old boss br600.
The answer is VERY simple. I LOVE Jazzmasters, so the Jazzmaster is the one I would buy.
I just wish I was a good enough guitarist to justify owning one....
Easier choice for lefties - there is only one left-handed Fender Acoustasonic, an American Acoustosonic Telecaster in one colour (Natural). Luckily it is a fine guitar, improved by swapping out the stock Fender strings for either D’Addario, Elixir, or Martin.
strings?
Matt, I have a specific situation and would really appreciate your input. I am the only guitarist in our Praise band. I currently play a Taylor 214e Deluxe and mostly strum (light to heavy). I want something that can add some punch and a bit of grit when I need to build during a song. It would be about 90% acoustic with the rest at clean and dirty sounds. So, which one has the best acoustic sounds that match my current guitar for a heavy strummer?
Hey Max,
That's a great question. You can get a tone similar to your 214ce in any of the 3 acoustasonic models, however the heavy strumming and wanting some more punch and grit really points you more towards the new Jazzmaster. That would be a phenomenal guitar for exactly what you are doing. If it's just you, another thing you might want to consider might be using a tambourine or a kick as well when you play to add a little more rhythmic interest while you play. It can really a lot even though it's just something simple. Thanks again for the question. Feel free to reach out whenever you have more questions.
- Matt, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext 1635, matt_fawcett@sweetwater.com
I play Acoustasonic Tele in our praise band and find it works perfect for exactly what you describe. I play mostly acoustic but will switch to the electric pickup when I want a little electric grit. I also play thru a small pedal board with a tuner, overdrive, chorus and delay. It's fun hitting the mini tubescreamer when switching to electric. Good luck to ya and God bless.
Thanks for the video, guys! I'm really looking at one of these guitars for live gigs when I have a song that has an acoustic section. I use an Orange Rockerverb 50 out of a Marshall 4x12. In your opinion, would an Acoustasonic be passable in this set-up? Again, I'm thinking about when I play songs that have an acoustic intro before switching to electric for the rest of the song. Or, when switching from electric to a brief acoustic bridge before coming back in with the electric. Thanks!
i’ve never used it through an electric amp, but from what i’ve heard it works best with going straight into a pa. It processes the sound in the guitar, with an electric amp it essentially processes it twice, making it sound not so good
Yes this should work fine. I do use a Fender Deluxe Reverb Tone Master as my main amp and that suits me really well. Also it is working good with a direct connection to the PA System. In my practicing room I use an Ibanez Troubadour 80. All 3 options are no problem to the Acoustasonic and it sounds great every time. On vacation I use the tiny Fender Mustang Micro with my headphones. This guitar is the most versatile high quality Guitar I ever used.
I want Jazzy one
Tele sounds but maybe the Strat!
Why the Strat, is it because it grips more like a classical guitar? Please let me know as that would be my reason for choosing it over the other models.
This guitar is awesome. I love to do loops using a looper pedal. If anyone is interested, I have quite a few demos on my channel.
mimpi tak terbeli!
Great guitars
The acoustasonic Jazzmaster would be the choice for me, but not at $2000. I own an American Jazzmaster that I paid $1500 for and I'd rather just buy another one lol. For $2000 you can get a good acoustic guitar with a pick up and buy another guitar or maybe a decent amp.
There's no videos showing how the acoustasonic sounds unplugged !!! Why not?
If you have any extra lying around the shop nobody wants, we could use one 🤪✌
I dont get why they out the pot right where yours strum
IYV is making a version of this model. I would buy theirs before I'd get involved with these Fenders.
it's Pleasant to listen to vs a clean jingly twangy quacky electric guitar 🙄
Lots of reviews but nobody ever mentions the intonation...hmm
The market for relatively inexpensive acoustic guitars and sound systems to deliver studio quality sound to live audiences may be 10 to 60 times what Fender is estimating it to be. Why they keep throwing out this trash to the American amerature musicians is a mystery. Neither Fender, line6, Fractal, Roland nor any other music empire company can see how big the acoustic market really is compared to how void the acoustic product universe that exists today. Companies are instead spending 99% of their R&D dough on bygone rock era gear.
I just can't get over that wacka-wacka tone like a piezo, sumptin' tonally and pitch that hurtz mi earz....
They all have that "Ovation plugged straight into the church PA" sound.
Finally someone expresses exactly how I feel
Tell you what! Give me a 60% off coupon and then I might even come close to affording the MIM version
Nope. The "clean electric" settings have an amp sims applied already.. so running them through an electric guitar amp sounds like dull doo doo. Please stop suggesting that's a useable sound.
It neither an electric or an acoustic.
They're expensive...!
The energy here is super creepy
A guitar worthy of smashing.
Sorry, I love Fenders, but the Acoustasonic line is just pretty ugly!
It makes sense for live settings where you want an acoustic like sound but a guitar that’s not fragile and can take the physical stress of gigs. The neck is also easier to play compared to most acoustics. It’s not an ugly guitar. An ugly guitar would be something like a neon 80s hair metal type.
Ok. So I’m that old guy that doesn’t think social media means you don’t have to be polite. Apparently, you sat through an 18 minute video of guitars that don’t match your taste and then felt it a good idea to call them ugly, rather than say nothing at all.
honestly i think they look awesome. i guess it's just personal taste
This guitar line is advertised more than Kiesel or Music Man Majestys with UA-camrs. And it is much uglier and worse sounding than the later 2.
Alot of small talk.
not worth the money... cheaply made, cheap wood, sharp frets
Sorry to read that. My Acoustasonic was well made, well setup and was in perfect shape as it arrived at my home. And it is worth any penny. I do own 6 guitars atm and are selling some of them now, because the Fender is better. Beside the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster I will remain one E-guitar and a classical acoustic.