Squire J Mascis Jazzmaster // Review for Praise & Worship

[@aschilds]

The Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster is one of the best values for your dollar currently available on the market. It comes stock out of the box with most modifications that many players would perform having already been done, if it said “Fender” on the headstock instead of “Squier” I doubt most people would even question it.
The amount of customization Mascis specified for this signature is staggering. The neck is fantastic with a matte finish on the back for smooth never sticky playing, the pickups have been designed to be voiced more like a P90 than a standard Jazzmaster pickup, the tune-o-matic bridge keeps everything nice and in tune and Mascis even had Fender move the entire tremolo assembly closer to the bridge to increase the break angle for better sustain. With the single exception of replacing the nut (I prefer bone) I personally haven’t found anything else that I’d want or need to upgrade on it. Fender has done an incredible job with this model and it's a great example of the focus on quality that Fender has been pushing for their Squier line of guitars.
It’s been such well received and sold that after it was discontinued it was put back into production just a few months later. Anyone interested in a Jazzmaster would be quite pleased with this model and I’d feel very comfortable recommending it.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Couldn’t have said it better myself! And I totally agree, after upgrading a number of things on it, the only thing it really really needed was the nut replaced. My TUSQ XL performs great in it now.

[@donaldengel4128]

I find it moderately humorous that the two J Mascis Signature series guitars (This and the sparkly blue Telecaster) are both apparently pretty popular in the "Praise and Worship" scene. Although I'm sure the guitars are great for it... and look the part. When I think J Mascis I think "Stacked Big Muffs and Overdrives screaming out of a wall of Marshalls"... not "Wow that would be great at church!"...lol

[@thetoneshepherd]

God can redeem anything! 😆 🙌🏻

[@dandoo5657]

I'm planning on pick one of these up. right now my main guitar for church is a Charvel DS-1 with Seymour--Duncan Blackouts. So yeah....

[@michaelc.1710]

There's a story about the mismatched radius. It's based on an actual guitar that J Mascis has. I think he puts Gibson bridges in all of his Jazzmasters and has played them like that all his career. When Fender made the first prototype, they assumed he wanted the radius to match but he sent it back saying it didn't feel right (to him) and asked them to put the 12" bridge in instead. He plays with ridiculously high action, so presuming it doesn't bother him. Anyway, great video. It's nice to see a guitar review that's not blues noodling or metal shredding. The playing is actually something that would actually play and the sort of sound I'm looking at the guitar for. I might refer to the praise and worship community a bit more for my gear reviews in future!

[@thetoneshepherd]

Yep yep, I've since learned the same thing and totally understand that it can be actually useful to have a little higher action, especially on the low strings. I'm happy with the action as it is and didn't end up changing the bridge. And I'm glad the video helped you! There are lots of great resources out there right now in the praise and worship community!

[@noahbrusseau898]

I have the 40th anniversary squire jazzmaster and absolutely love it! Such a great guitar for p&w

[@thetoneshepherd]

So rad!!! Yeah both those models rock

[@donthompson9752]

I have owned technically 3. Bought one at Guitar Center, got home noticed a rattle in the B string, took it back, and ordered a replacement, kept it 2 years. I sold it to finance something and missed it so much I bought one more before they discontinued. I love this guitar, if I could only keep one electric, it might be this one.
I’m interested in the bridge radius solution that you come up with, I’ve noticed same about the E strings. And my high E is slow to tune up to pitch as well. I use Nut grease one each string change.
Great tones by the way. I love the punch and articulate high end without being ice pick or clangy. Super nice clean tone. Will be following.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Upon further research, it seems that the mastery bridge I would like to put in requires some modification and drilling to the body. I don’t think I’m going to do that. So I may look into a cheaper bridge solution that is only for this guitar that doesn’t require any modification to the body.

[@donthompson9752]

Yeah, I’m seeing the same. I just put some neck shims in my Amazon basket. I’ll continue following.

[@Itisswell]

@@thetoneshepherd Did you ever find a good bridge?

[@benjaminkoskinen5835]

I have one from 2014 in sight I might need to get. That one hopefully is very similar to this one, but it is less beige and more cream white.

[@AutismRocksOfficial]

Just got this guitar and absolutely love it

[@thetoneshepherd]

Right??!! So good!

[@DigitalViperGaming]

I recently purchased a Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniversary Gold Edition. Having some Lambertones Ristrettos (P90's) installed this weekend. Can't wait!

[@thetoneshepherd]

Awesome!! Yeah, that was the other budget guitar I was considering. They’re both great for the price it seems. I’ve owned some Ristrettos in the past, you’ll love them 🤙🏼

[@CMHobbies]

You won’t regret the pickups. I put those in my JMJM and it’s my fav guitar now.

[@alexchapinmusic]

Loving the tone of this guitar, and thinking of picking up one for myself soon. I help lead worship on Sunday mornings and am learning to lead electric, and this looks like a great one to do that! Thanks so much for this review. 😊

[@thetoneshepherd]

So rad! Glad it may have inspired you to get one, I really do like mine a lot. And there are tons of mods you can do if you ever want to chip away slowly at making it a liiiitle bit better.

[@CMHobbies]

I have this guitar and it was too noisy for worship. I shielded it, replaced bridge with roller and the Trem with AVRI, bone nut, and Lambertones Ristrettos. It’s virtually noiseless now and sounds amazing.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Siiiick. Yep, I have many of those plans in action. Sounds like you got yourself one sweet guitar!

[@kevinp_25]

What roller bridge did you get?

[@patrickhernandez9529]

I did the exact same but found the ristrettos not full enough sounding. I ended up going for a set of Novak JM-90's and they're spectacular

[@jash500]

I’ve been eyeing this one for a few years now. Played one at guitar center shortly after they released and was amazed. I imagined swapping out the pickups for Ristrettos but the stock direct tone on the video is so good I might just install a Staytrem and call it a day (once I pull the trigger and get it lol)

[@thetoneshepherd]

Honestly, hearing these back…I, too, think as long as it gets shielded properly and doesn’t hum too bad on my stage, these pickups could stay. They do not suck!

[@MichaelRasco]

Squier JM's are honestly the best deal ever! All they need really are pickups and electronics upgrades and maybe a trem upgrade if you feel like it.

[@thetoneshepherd]

So true. I’ve been missing out!

[@sleepwalking117]

Just add the copper conductive foil on the inside. It clears up the buzzing easy.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Thanks! Yeah I actually did that this week. It helped a little, but not nearly what I was hoping it would do. ua-cam.com/users/shortsZF-MhjvwJPo?feature=share

[@christophertaylor1671]

Any copper tape shielding must be electrically connected to ground preferably at the volume pot case (single point ground) or it's useless.

[@nathanpickett202]

Ryan Newell with Sister Hazel tours with a Squier JM. Yes, a notable touring professional plays a Squier. His main guitar is an SG but brings out the JM for some songs. I’ve seen them twice and both times he was touring with it.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Rad 🔥

[@davideoverman]

Nothin wrong with that tone at all!

[@thetoneshepherd]

You’re speaking truth right now 🔥

[@steve8983]

Replace the bridge, replace the neck, replace the body. What's left? Maybe keep the strings and start from there? Good video and sounds great. I picked one up today and love the neck.

[@thetoneshepherd]

The neck is gold. No need to change that. And other than the nut, I really didn’t feel the “need” to change anything else. However, for someone who likes tinkering and learning how to work on guitars, this JMJM is the perfect platform to play with. Then one can slowly understand what each piece does and why it’s worth it (or not) to upgrade teaching you what really matters in a guitar.

[@erickt1974]

A tech can file the bridge saddle slots to fit a 9.5 radius. No need to change the bridge for all of you concerned

[@thetoneshepherd]

Good to know! I've actually just become ok with the 12" radius bridge. It ultimately didn't bother me once I became accustomed to the guitar after all.

[@thepostapocalyptictrio4762]

Changing the neck? Probably the best guitar neck Fender made in 20 years?

[@thetoneshepherd]

I never ended up changing the neck. In fact, I liked the specs so much I copied them for some other partscaster builds I’m doing 🤙🏼

[@2speedy4u22]

i swapped out my pickups for some pure vintage 65's. Not sure its better, but its definitely different. The JMJM pups are unique in theeir own way. I also put in some conversion thimbles and put in a staytrem bridge. it was nice to get the radius matched up with the fretboard.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Sweet! Yeah, at the end of the day, I'm not sure the mismatched radius bothers me. But Descendant just made a bridge called the "Adapt-O-Matic" that can drop on top of TOM bridges and fits the JMJM and has a 9.5" radius. I'm tempted to try that.

[@patrickhernandez9529]

Great playing. Good demo

[@thetoneshepherd]

Thanks!!

[@homeautismtreatment]

I also have a souped up J Mascis. Mine has a Mastery bridge and Lambertone Grinders among other upgrades.
I had Duncan Antiquity IIs in it and it always felt a little anemic and thin so the Grinders were perfect.
It is an inexpensive guitar and does have some of that feel though like you say, the neck feels nice and the fretwork is decent.
Another awesome less expensive guitar for this style I’m surprised I don’t hear more about is a Gretsch 5422. I also upgraded mine with TV Jones pickups but it sounds as good as their much more expensive models. Feel and vibe isn’t there but that is often the case with the less expensive models.

[@thetoneshepherd]

So awesome! Yeah I may end up putting a Crema/Grinder combo in mine too. And I snagged a Mastery bridge/trem as well. Need to install it all still. Love hearing about good cheap guitars. I’ll check out the Gretsch 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@torzsok949]

I'm about to buy one of these used for $240 and I can't wait. Btw, I use your drive section captures on my quad cortex into my Jackson Ampworks McFly and 73 Super Reverb captures and they make those captures SING.

[@thetoneshepherd]

That's a STEAAAALLL!! Congrats! And honestly I forgot I even have capture stuff for the QC! It's been about a year since I've had it. But at this point I kinda want one again haha.

[@torzsok949]

Dude, I've tried 100s of pedal captures and none of them sound right. Even from some big names. It's also mainly a gain capture issue. For some reason on the QC the captures don't sound right imo when you regain them digitally. Yours are right on man.@@thetoneshepherd

[@thetoneshepherd]

@@torzsok949 Siiiick! Stoked you like um!! Would love to hear your tones!

[@clanyongco2908]

That tone... nice!

[@thetoneshepherd]

Glad you like it!

[@jessesk8777]

I put brandonwound noiseless in mine. Rad guitar!! Jesus saves!!

[@thetoneshepherd]

I’ve been very tempted to try those! How are they for you?

[@jessesk8777]

​@@thetoneshepherdI have not had a ton of gear to compare. But these pick ups have been flawless and sound awesome to me. I feel no need to get something else and I have had them for a couple years.

[@redfive7597]

Maybe I missed it and if I did full apologies, But, in the future, could you do a full strum of just the pickups on each pickup switch before the full-effects demo.
Admittedly, im being selfish cause im trying to set-up my J. Mascis pickup heights and your
JMJM sounds fantastic. 😂

[@thetoneshepherd]

Hahaha! Duly noted!! I definitely need to get in the habit so showing off the dry sounds first. I'm a wet-o-holic

[@redfive7597]

@@thetoneshepherd I just realized you had the Kinman Fatmasters in there and not the stock JMJM pickups. Might look into them …

[@thetoneshepherd]

For this video the pickups were stock! I have the Fatmasters in now though. However, I actually do love the tone of the stock JMJM's, they were just uncontrollably noisy on my stage.

[@elisa.cappello]

I always see white J mascis Jazzmasters, and wonder why mine is almost yellow/cream :D

[@thetoneshepherd]

I think a lot of that has to do with the lighting. My guitar can appear yellow also in certain light. But it is technically a “cream“ color. When you stand this next to my other “Olympic White“ Jazzmaster body, it’s definitely more yellow.

[@wdbuchner]

Nice demo! Pretty sure just about any guitar can do the P&W thing with that rig/pedalboard. 😁

[@thetoneshepherd]

Ha! You're probably not wrong. BUT, I will say, a few months later and I still keep coming back to this guitar even over my others. The P90's just sound great!

[@CornerstoneWorshipTutorials]

Great review! I was considering this when buying my first guitar, but went with a Squier Bullet Strat 😂 Although I don't regret the choice (I still Love strats), I am disappointed that you can't really get it anywhere now...
Anyway, keep posting! You're doing great!!

[@thetoneshepherd]

You can! They just began making them again in June of this year!

[@CornerstoneWorshipTutorials]

@@thetoneshepherd Hey, would you consider making a video of the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster (Burgundy Mist or Lake Placid Blue Edition) vs your J Mascis? Just want to know how well it competes. Thanks in advance!!

[@thetoneshepherd]

@@CornerstoneWorshipTutorials If I had one I’d throw something together for ya. Unfortunately I do not. Sorry bro!

[@CornerstoneWorshipTutorials]

@@thetoneshepherd No problem! Just wondering ☺

[@rayfranchi1507]

I've been looking at this model myself. Just a couple of observations about your demo. What I am thinking is is it different enough from my strats and my teles spend five hundred bucks
You are using it here with a highly processed signal and it does sound very nice. I do think you are using it non traditional jazz master voicings. So yes, is it different enough.
I did enjoy the video very much. Just a question,not a criticism 😊😊

[@thetoneshepherd]

Of course all this is subjective and some may not find as much value in it as others. But for me, this guitar was quite a bit different than my others so it felt fresh and inspiring to me. Having spent several weeks with it now, I still feel the same! 🤙🏼

[@michaelpond6386]

Leave that bad boy as is. If you want one to mod get a Squire model or a Ventera series.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Well….this IS a Squire haha. But I’m with you, definitely doesn’t need new pickups. This thing slays.

[@m.ellingson1421]

Sounding great!! Check out the Kinman Fatmaster noiseless pickups. I put them in my Warmoth JM and they’re awesome.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Yes sir! They’ve been on my Reverb watchlist for a while now. Would love to try them eventually. But I’ve learned to manage the noise with these and quite like their tone after all!

[@Seventeen_Seconds]

How did you find the tuning stability? I'm contemplating getting wither one of these or a player series jazzmaster. Only ever had hard tail guitars before and worry about tuning. I wouldn't be using the w/bar anyway.

[@thetoneshepherd]

I ended up replacing the tuners and the vibrato which helped the tuning substantially. It did have some tuning issues out of the box. But if you're not planning on using the vibrato, you should be absolutely fine.

[@erellvillalba]

I just bought this. Yeah you don’t need any upgrade out of the box and action is nice. I never got a new guitar with this action low. The only thing I complained about is the cycle hum or it’s just too hot pickups? Other than that I love this guitar!

[@thetoneshepherd]

That's great!! But yes, the hum is normal. I end up just switching to the middle position when I'm in quiet moments or in between songs so the hum will be removed.

[@erellvillalba]

@@thetoneshepherdThanks for that tip. I’ll do that. Love your channel

[@williamdomansky]

I'm looking to buy my first jazzmaster, for worship and rock sounds. I'm between Classic Player Jazzmaster Special or Vintera 60s, or recommend something up to $1,000

[@thetoneshepherd]

I'll save you some money...buy THIS one for $500 new and just replace the nut, tuners, and vibrato (don't even need to replace the pickups).

[@Whitewolf76802]

Could turn out to be like Trigger's broom. 17 new heads, and 14 new handles.

[@thetoneshepherd]

Haha I’m so confused right now 😂

[@user-bb3ci3gn7s]

Awesome video!!! Incredibly helpful!! Thank you!!
I have a question for you though. If you could only keep one guitar, would you keep this Jazzmaster or a similar priced Squire Strat? (Both being new and stock config) (both around $500). Is one significantly less prone to buzzing?
Would appreciate your opinion!

[@thetoneshepherd]

Thanks so much! That’s a good question. Having not owned a Squire Strat, it’s hard to say. But speaking to the praise and worship genre specifically, I’d say a P90 equipped guitar like this one would be a touch more fitting than a standard strat with single coils (SSS). Now MAYBE I’d take an HSS configuration over the Jazzmaster if I could only have one guitar. Maybe.

[@jeffwatson7811]

I am wondering how the fender j Mascis aftermarket pickups you can buy for jazzmaster compare to the stock pickups in the squier? Anyone know?

[@thetoneshepherd]

I’ve tried three different sets (Kinman FatMaster, Lambertones Ristrettos, Watson Tone Supply Double Plays) and each have their strengths! I’m planning on making a comparison video at some point but honestly, the stock J Mascis pickups hold their own just fine with any of these. But if I had to choose, my fav is a tie between the Ristrettos and the FatMasters. Ristrettos have a very very good tone but the FatMasters are noiseless which helps me out on my stage a ton.

[@timelwell7002]

Do I like this guitar? Is the Pope a Catholic? I love the worship tones, which is precisely what I want to do if/as/when I get one.

[@thetoneshepherd]

I’m dead 😂😂😂😂 GET ONE!

[@paulfield6815]

Does it hold tune after playing with the tremelo?

[@thetoneshepherd]

I did replace the trem with a Fender American Vintage Trem and replaced the nut. Both things helped.

[@timhenry8109]

I think the pick- guard looks great. Why switch it?

[@thetoneshepherd]

I don't personally care for the gold that much. It's not bad but I like prefer the mint guard or the tortoise guard. But to each his own!

[@Letsallparty2]

how are these compared with the 40th anniversary ?

[@thetoneshepherd]

I'm not sure to be honest cause I haven't tried one. But I know the pickups are different for sure. These are P90's and the 40th anniversary have more traditional JM style pups. I think for worship (my opinion for sure) P90's fit it better. But one can always find a way to make it work either way.

[@joelburgosrobles]

What the secrete? Hi Mix and low repeat in all sub division .8th 8th and 1/4?

[@thetoneshepherd]

What secret? What part?

[@joelburgosrobles]

What is your recommendation when building the presets in .8th 8th and quarter? It is generally recommended to use Hi mix low repeat when building .8th. Fourth and eighth follow the same principle hence mix low repeat? Another question when adding reverb do I use a lot of mix or when using it together with a delay does it keep a reverb with a low mix?

[@thetoneshepherd]

@@joelburgosrobles I know this probably isn’t the answer you’re looking for, but all of that highly depends on the song so I can’t give you one answer for that. There’s no “formula”. But i’ve learned a lot over the years by listening to the solo guitar tracks on songs I like (with the help of MultiTracks) and try to copy what I hear.

[@clanyongco2908]

Why not the ristrettos? I have it in mine.

[@thetoneshepherd]

I’ve tried the Ristrettos (in a different guitar) and loved them but they were a little noisy…buuttt, I may try them again. I’ve kinda learned to live with the noise.

[@clanyongco2908]

You should get the loaded pickguard with restritto's in it and order the shielded onem

[@thetoneshepherd]

@@clanyongco2908 I'm looking into it ;) Thanks for the nudge!