Vintage Modified hands down. I'm all about the Candy Apple Red with white pickguard and also the rosewood fingerboard. Indian laurel fingerboards feel and play fine but they're sooooooo thirsty for oil! Beyond that, I would use any Squier JM as a mod platform so the rest doesn't really matter to me. Thanks for the very thorough comparison!
Honestly, at this point, I have to admit that color is the primary deciding factor for me. If I were going to buy one of these, I'd go with the CV despite the thicker neck. For color: Shell Pink, Daphne Blue or Sonic Blue, in that order. What questions do y'all have for people with time machines. Asking for a friend.
The pickups aren't different at all. They both have rebranded roswell pickups in them. Look on the back of the pickups, they have the exact same product number on it! Both are from partsland Korea ✌️
So glad to have my CV 60’s JM. I replaced the vibrato to an AVRI and shimmed the neck and did a bit of work to clean up the fret work and its been so fun to pick up and play! The bridge is starting to rattle, though I may have torqued it too much when I last adjusted it, and I’d like to dip my toes into some different pickups, but even with everything else stock, it feels like the most accurate JM for the price point. (Y’all stop making me drool over the J Mascis I can’t afford a new guitar 😭…)
I've often been tempted, but I've never been able to commit to a Jazzmaster. And what would my Jaguar think? The resulting offset-highlander battle would probably mess up my house.
I've had a vintage modified jaguar since 2016 it was the second guitar I ever bought... Loved that series so much I was so sad when the classic vibe series came out 😭😭💔🤦🏻♀️
I tested Squier Jazz Masters against each other and against Fender Models and I ended up with the Classic Vibe. The build quality could be really an issue but if you find one with not too many flaws you will get what for my ears is that distinctive Jazz Master sound. Love this Guitar ! Thanks for all your videos on the the Jazz Masters!!!
I have had both and I think the classic vibe is the better choice. The bridge, pickups, and nut are all improved for you. I also feel like the CV sounds more like how a Jazzmaster is supposed to sound.
@@numero6285 it has been several years since I had the Vintage Modified, but I feel like the classic vibe neck is pretty much the same except not being rosewood board.
@@mikegutterman3427 Thanks a lot for your answer. I have the VM and the main thing that could make me regret not having chosen the CV would be a more ergonomic neck. Overall I think the CV is more qualitative and closer to a real Jazzmaster, but I also think the particular tone of the vintage modified is more what I like.
@@numero6285 The VM's had hotter bridge pickups for sure. I wasn't a huge fan of that. I just got a CV jazzmaster and the neck is really fantastic on it. Maybe a little chunkier than the VM but I really can't remember my VM tbh! They are both great honestly. In the 90's I would have lost my mind to have such great affordable jazzmaster options!
You could do what I did and get all the parts you want. I spent a total of $380 on mine. It has the j mascis neck and tuners, vintage modified body, avri 65 pickups, avri tremolo, mustang bridge, and fender electronics. I've had mine built for about 4 years now and I love it to death. The only guitar I'll ever really need to be honest (that won't stop me from getting others, but none have topped it for myself).
Enjoyed the demos and the playing, I would like a little more clarity in terms of which guitar was being played even if it's just a caption. The bridges are definitely a bigger deal on the Jag-scale guitars than the Jazzmasters, both series are very solid but overall I lean toward the Vintage Modified in general because I prefer the Duncan-designed to current Fender pickups... that said the Jazzmasters are really close so it may come down to personal peference for feel.
I'm still on my Jazzmaster search, and so greatly appreciate this video. I loved everything about the CM exclusive 50s Classic Vibe, but shipping and customs charges (I'm in Canada) would have brought it close to a MiM Fender, so I'm still holding out. Great work folks.
Great video. Plus one for the thrashers jersey! I have the J Mascis Jazzmaster, and it was a choice between that and the red VM. I’m glad you mentioned the differences in the bridge and bridge placement, I didn’t even realize that.
The VM was my first Jazzmaster, I bought it the first year they were released and really caught the offset bug. I have a some other Jazzmasters now including Wildwood Thinskin, Ame. Pro and MIJ Traditional, Mascis Squier. But I still have my older VM, it has a beautiful rosewood board and it’s always been a great player. Maybe not the best electronics or pups, but it still has a vibe about it that I love. I learned how to setup the vintage bridge correctly on that guitar and it’s never been much of an issue. I haven’t had the chance to try a CV version, but I’m sure they’re also very nice. Good stuff guys, dig your vids ✌️
Just got a new classic vibe jazzmaster from Gc for 350. Screaming deal… it gets better. Had Amazon points and picked up the AVRI 65 jazzmaster pickups for like $50.
Very much to the point and factual. I miss your jokes and stabs at each other 😊 I never had to choose between these two, but still enjoy the ice blue Vintera JM. Slap some fuzz on that thing and it 's wild!
I need some inlays in my life. As I already have the J Mascis I'm not about the off white anniversary JM with gold hardware but that blue one with gold might get me.
i remember back when i got a vintage modified squier mustang in like, 2012.... sonic blue was quite pale looking.... oh, and 12 years later, it looks like it went into more of a green territory, which is fine, i like green. but now i have a daphne blue CV jazz coming in the mail, and i hope it looks as good as the pic. anyways, yay, commenting on a 2 year old video!
I have a blem candy apple red VM Jazzmaster. It was first exposure to offsets. It’s fine yet feels cheap in terms of wiring and playability. If I were to do over again the choice or had other option, would of went with CV. Squier needs to get more boutique like Fender Mexico with prices matching now to what they once were. Await a nitro squier guitar limited line. It’s possible and more finishes like that be nice. Think a standard nitro guitar should be more common being it’s not relic or made of complete high quality components.
Nitro is uncommon because it's bad for the environment and doesn't hold up under duress. I'm a Gibson guy so I understand why you'd prefer it but it's an objectively inferior finish option so mass-production operations tend to avoid it.
Sorry if this exists and I’m lazy but: would love y’all to do a video on your philosophy behind upgrading pickups. Thinking about modding my Squier Tele Deluxe and wanna hear the ~working class~ perspective.
I haven’t tried the CV. I just got a CAR VM that I’m looking to mod and upgrade. JM’s aren’t my main guitar and I hate the vintage style truss rod so I’m hoping it like it. Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks for this serious comparison. My choice would be the Vintage Modified, cause of the woods. Basswood is more expressive than Poplar, Rosewood is warmer than Laurel. Sure behind you have to change the bridge and the tuners. But the lutherie base is more interesting and if you install a set of Fender Pure Vintage 65 pickups: you will be able to easily compare it to an USA pro serie.
Both wonderful guitars😎🎸 I prefer the vibe more got the Squier 70s vibe, definitely in the future I'll will be purchasing 60s vibe (surf green) when it goes on sale again thanks for the awesome review 😁👍
I love my lefty Classic Vibe JM. We only get one color, but whatever! I changed out the electronics and pickups (Rose Picasso humbuckers), but it was fine before that.
My Olympic white VM with antiquity II’s is an amazing instrument. Prefer to my more expensive JMs. Find the stock vibrato better than CIJ. Appreciate your attention to detail.
Great demo! These two are made at same factory I take it? So there should be much difference quality wise. I recently tried out a Classic Vibe 60's JM and the necks on those things are just perfect. I find that the standard modern C (or whatever they call it) Fender uses on most guitars is way too thin. The slightly thicker neck on the CVs is amazing. The thing stays in tune pretty well too even-though it comes with 9's which as you know way to thin for the JM bridge. I think the current Sonic Blue looks smashing on the CV JM. It should come with a mint-green guard instead of the tortoise one though.
I have the 2022 gold 40th anniversary. And I've shimed the neck. It's a guitar that is playable out of the box. But can play better. I also have a 2022 square jazzmaster contemporary and it's all round a better players guitar if your not looking for it to be traditional. And the shell pink looks like a Goldie brown flake. At most angle. And pink only some times. It's a odd look the 22 shell pink
@@JasonTMays I'm sure the 40th anniversary are just classic Vibe 70s jazzmasters. And note with the contemporary jazzmaster. The 2021/22 is updated from the contemporary JM 2018/19
@@Mystninja Oh, I didn't even realize that with that 40th anniversary stuff. but you're right! And Yea, I definitely want to try a new contemporary Jazzmaster! I'm curious about them.
I bought my classic vibe a few months ago and found that my bridge lowers as I play. Idk if anyone else has come across this, but it’s getting hard to defend the newer classic vibe guitars sadly. At least mine was that way
Blue thread lock fixes that. I think I got that tip from Puishin's channel. Emphasis on Blue. You can still make adjustments, other varieties will lock it up.
I bought my VM Jazz back in 2016 and I love it. I am yet to try a CV version but I recently got a CV Mustang and that thing rips too. I'd argue you can't go too wrong with either and they are great value for money so if you find one cheaper get that one. They're superb modding platforms too. I just can't recommend the Squier stuff enough.
Damn you guys seemed really tired. Hope whatever it is, it gets better. Stay strong guys, I love your channel.
Vintage Modified hands down. I'm all about the Candy Apple Red with white pickguard and also the rosewood fingerboard. Indian laurel fingerboards feel and play fine but they're sooooooo thirsty for oil! Beyond that, I would use any Squier JM as a mod platform so the rest doesn't really matter to me. Thanks for the very thorough comparison!
VM always feels better to me 👌
Honestly the channel I’ve been waiting for.
I love my VM. I don't even have issues with the bridge.
Honestly, at this point, I have to admit that color is the primary deciding factor for me. If I were going to buy one of these, I'd go with the CV despite the thicker neck. For color: Shell Pink, Daphne Blue or Sonic Blue, in that order. What questions do y'all have for people with time machines. Asking for a friend.
There is extremely strong scientific evidence that green guitars sound better than other guitars
@@realxandercuck "Tone is in the paint!"
@@realxandercuck hmm that must be why I have a surf green tele and strat 😬
As a lefty, I am just glad that both of these are available left-handed. The CV was my first offset, and it is the guitar I play the most now, by far.
_Almost spat my beverage, Ecco (the dolphin) would be proud._
The pickups aren't different at all. They both have rebranded roswell pickups in them. Look on the back of the pickups, they have the exact same product number on it! Both are from partsland Korea ✌️
So glad to have my CV 60’s JM. I replaced the vibrato to an AVRI and shimmed the neck and did a bit of work to clean up the fret work and its been so fun to pick up and play! The bridge is starting to rattle, though I may have torqued it too much when I last adjusted it, and I’d like to dip my toes into some different pickups, but even with everything else stock, it feels like the most accurate JM for the price point.
(Y’all stop making me drool over the J Mascis I can’t afford a new guitar 😭…)
I dig your videos.
Ever do or consider a video talking about those sweet amps back there? Cheers!
It's coming. I've literally written essays about each one lol
I've often been tempted, but I've never been able to commit to a Jazzmaster. And what would my Jaguar think? The resulting offset-highlander battle would probably mess up my house.
A Jazzmaster is basically a Jaguar with a Strat neck. They're incredibly similar
Squier is my favorite brand-best bang for buck. Love you guys
Tia always manages to absolutely slay the intro!! Also, Jazzmasters are amazing.
I've had a vintage modified jaguar since 2016 it was the second guitar I ever bought...
Loved that series so much
I was so sad when the classic vibe series came out 😭😭💔🤦🏻♀️
I tested Squier Jazz Masters against each other and against Fender Models and I ended up with the Classic Vibe.
The build quality could be really an issue but if you find one with not too many flaws you will get what for my ears is that distinctive Jazz Master sound.
Love this Guitar ! Thanks for all your videos on the the Jazz Masters!!!
I have had both and I think the classic vibe is the better choice. The bridge, pickups, and nut are all improved for you. I also feel like the CV sounds more like how a Jazzmaster is supposed to sound.
What about the neck, is it identical on the two models? (my question concerns the playability, not the difference of the woods used)
@@numero6285 it has been several years since I had the Vintage Modified, but I feel like the classic vibe neck is pretty much the same except not being rosewood board.
@@mikegutterman3427 Thanks a lot for your answer. I have the VM and the main thing that could make me regret not having chosen the CV would be a more ergonomic neck. Overall I think the CV is more qualitative and closer to a real Jazzmaster, but I also think the particular tone of the vintage modified is more what I like.
@@numero6285 The VM's had hotter bridge pickups for sure. I wasn't a huge fan of that. I just got a CV jazzmaster and the neck is really fantastic on it. Maybe a little chunkier than the VM but I really can't remember my VM tbh! They are both great honestly. In the 90's I would have lost my mind to have such great affordable jazzmaster options!
That's some serious sunn shine behind ya'll!
It's always bright in our studio
You could do what I did and get all the parts you want. I spent a total of $380 on mine. It has the j mascis neck and tuners, vintage modified body, avri 65 pickups, avri tremolo, mustang bridge, and fender electronics. I've had mine built for about 4 years now and I love it to death. The only guitar I'll ever really need to be honest (that won't stop me from getting others, but none have topped it for myself).
that sounds like a great custom build!
Enjoyed the demos and the playing, I would like a little more clarity in terms of which guitar was being played even if it's just a caption. The bridges are definitely a bigger deal on the Jag-scale guitars than the Jazzmasters, both series are very solid but overall I lean toward the Vintage Modified in general because I prefer the Duncan-designed to current Fender pickups... that said the Jazzmasters are really close so it may come down to personal peference for feel.
I'm still on my Jazzmaster search, and so greatly appreciate this video. I loved everything about the CM exclusive 50s Classic Vibe, but shipping and customs charges (I'm in Canada) would have brought it close to a MiM Fender, so I'm still holding out.
Great work folks.
Great comparison. I love the offset design of these. I kind of like a chunky neck so glad you guys detailed that.
Ok "Dunkin' " got me, and damnit, you got me again the second time.
Great video. Plus one for the thrashers jersey! I have the J Mascis Jazzmaster, and it was a choice between that and the red VM. I’m glad you mentioned the differences in the bridge and bridge placement, I didn’t even realize that.
I went with the Classic 60s Vibes because ....cheaper deal. It arrives next week !
The VM was my first Jazzmaster, I bought it the first year they were released and really caught the offset bug. I have a some other Jazzmasters now including Wildwood Thinskin, Ame. Pro and MIJ Traditional, Mascis Squier. But I still have my older VM, it has a beautiful rosewood board and it’s always been a great player. Maybe not the best electronics or pups, but it still has a vibe about it that I love. I learned how to setup the vintage bridge correctly on that guitar and it’s never been much of an issue. I haven’t had the chance to try a CV version, but I’m sure they’re also very nice. Good stuff guys, dig your vids ✌️
Just got a new classic vibe jazzmaster from Gc for 350. Screaming deal… it gets better. Had Amazon points and picked up the AVRI 65 jazzmaster pickups for like $50.
Proud owner of CV in daphne blue. Amazing guitar overall. Obviously, the temptation to mod it just a bit is getting real buuuut...
Super happy to find this channel - love my CV JM and love a good Thrashers jersey
Very much to the point and factual. I miss your jokes and stabs at each other 😊
I never had to choose between these two, but still enjoy the ice blue Vintera JM. Slap some fuzz on that thing and it 's wild!
I need some inlays in my life. As I already have the J Mascis I'm not about the off white anniversary JM with gold hardware but that blue one with gold might get me.
Have you checked out the new cv 70's JM on Andertons?
LPB w/ matching headstock + blocks and binding!
i remember back when i got a vintage modified squier mustang in like, 2012.... sonic blue was quite pale looking.... oh, and 12 years later, it looks like it went into more of a green territory, which is fine, i like green. but now i have a daphne blue CV jazz coming in the mail, and i hope it looks as good as the pic. anyways, yay, commenting on a 2 year old video!
Great review from both of you! Also love the Kramer hat.
Great shootout guys! Also Tia in an Atlanta Thrashers hockey Jersey! 🙌 hell yasss! Modified def wins for me
I have a blem candy apple red VM Jazzmaster. It was first exposure to offsets. It’s fine yet feels cheap in terms of wiring and playability. If I were to do over again the choice or had other option, would of went with CV. Squier needs to get more boutique like Fender Mexico with prices matching now to what they once were. Await a nitro squier guitar limited line. It’s possible and more finishes like that be nice. Think a standard nitro guitar should be more common being it’s not relic or made of complete high quality components.
Nitro is uncommon because it's bad for the environment and doesn't hold up under duress. I'm a Gibson guy so I understand why you'd prefer it but it's an objectively inferior finish option so mass-production operations tend to avoid it.
cv any day. just reshape the trem plate and its perfect.
Wow, thank you, cool video!
Sorry if this exists and I’m lazy but: would love y’all to do a video on your philosophy behind upgrading pickups. Thinking about modding my Squier Tele Deluxe and wanna hear the ~working class~ perspective.
Funny enough, I think we’re going to do a video upgrading the pickups in the vintage modified. But yea, we’ll definitely include that!
We touched on this briefly in the Starcaster video. New pickups made that thing sound incredible
I haven’t tried the CV. I just got a CAR VM that I’m looking to mod and upgrade. JM’s aren’t my main guitar and I hate the vintage style truss rod so I’m hoping it like it. Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks for this serious comparison. My choice would be the Vintage Modified, cause of the woods. Basswood is more expressive than Poplar, Rosewood is warmer than Laurel. Sure behind you have to change the bridge and the tuners. But the lutherie base is more interesting and if you install a set of Fender Pure Vintage 65 pickups: you will be able to easily compare it to an USA pro serie.
Both wonderful guitars😎🎸 I prefer the vibe more got the Squier 70s vibe, definitely in the future I'll will be purchasing 60s vibe (surf green) when it goes on sale again thanks for the awesome review 😁👍
Great video as always!
Thanks for a great comparison video. Great playing too.
I love my lefty Classic Vibe JM. We only get one color, but whatever! I changed out the electronics and pickups (Rose Picasso humbuckers), but it was fine before that.
My Olympic white VM with antiquity II’s is an amazing instrument. Prefer to my more expensive JMs. Find the stock vibrato better than CIJ. Appreciate your attention to detail.
Great demo! These two are made at same factory I take it? So there should be much difference quality wise. I recently tried out a Classic Vibe 60's JM and the necks on those things are just perfect. I find that the standard modern C (or whatever they call it) Fender uses on most guitars is way too thin. The slightly thicker neck on the CVs is amazing. The thing stays in tune pretty well too even-though it comes with 9's which as you know way to thin for the JM bridge. I think the current Sonic Blue looks smashing on the CV JM. It should come with a mint-green guard instead of the tortoise one though.
Mercy store didn’t work. Help?
Y’all the best
I have the 2022 gold 40th anniversary. And I've shimed the neck. It's a guitar that is playable out of the box. But can play better.
I also have a 2022 square jazzmaster contemporary and it's all round a better players guitar if your not looking for it to be traditional. And the shell pink looks like a Goldie brown flake. At most angle. And pink only some times. It's a odd look the 22 shell pink
I want to review one of those!!!!
@@JasonTMays I'm sure the 40th anniversary are just classic Vibe 70s jazzmasters.
And note with the contemporary jazzmaster. The 2021/22 is updated from the contemporary JM 2018/19
@@Mystninja Oh, I didn't even realize that with that 40th anniversary stuff. but you're right!
And Yea, I definitely want to try a new contemporary Jazzmaster! I'm curious about them.
Did you guys take the plastic off the pickups on the classic vibe?
You guys should really tell us what rig you’re running through. I tell people what rig i run through even when i’m not discussing guitars.
Thanks for the vid! You guys were hella thorough. Keep on rollin’!
great note. we'll definitely try to make that more clear in later videos!
Soundguy here lol. We're almost always using an Orange Rockerverb 50 or AD30R. Earlier episodes were mostly a Rocker 30.
I’ve never met a basswood guitar that I’ve liked. They all feel like dead fish to me. I think CV’s are across the board higher quality than VM.
Thanks for this,
What pickups are on your personal Jazzmaster?
if it's not mentioned in the video, we'll try to get back to you on a solid answer
I bought my classic vibe a few months ago and found that my bridge lowers as I play. Idk if anyone else has come across this, but it’s getting hard to defend the newer classic vibe guitars sadly. At least mine was that way
Blue thread lock fixes that. I think I got that tip from Puishin's channel. Emphasis on Blue. You can still make adjustments, other varieties will lock it up.
@@luckyboy13 yeah, I got it and it’s all good now. I bought it pretty cheap so I’m not too bummed out
👍
what amp are you playing through?
Rockerverb combo 50 MK1
thanks Jason
I bought my VM Jazz back in 2016 and I love it. I am yet to try a CV version but I recently got a CV Mustang and that thing rips too. I'd argue you can't go too wrong with either and they are great value for money so if you find one cheaper get that one. They're superb modding platforms too. I just can't recommend the Squier stuff enough.