Fender Changed the Headstock
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2023
- Hello once again to one and all. Got an exciting news update for you: Fender changed the headstock of the American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster! That's right, we've got the era-correct CBS headstock now instead of the small Jazzmaster headstock seen from 1958-1965. This brings the model's aesthetic in line with the very thing it's replicating. Well done, Fender!
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I couldn't care less about an era correct headstock. I wish they would focus on qc, especially with the crazy prices they are charging these days.
Exactly lmao
I care about both tbh, I’d be pissed having a mis-designed, mis-advertised vintage guitar
Mine came in prestine quality.
I don't even buy from fender anymore. It's cheaper to buy a Warmoth partscaster at this point and it's a better quality guitar imo.
@@AdaSoom Understandable. I‘m just saying I had no problem. I received a perfectly fine instrument with good quality and a relative light weight. Let‘s not talk about the prizes…
I also prefer the larger headstock with the big block inlays. That’s a stellar combo.
It’s really great that they listened to folks to go about making some changes. I hope it turns into better QC control
it’s fender, i wouldn’t get my hopes up about the qc thing
@@USSLIBERTYREMEMBERER I recently got an American Pro II Jazzmaster. It’s on par with custom shop models, in my opinion.
Quality control control?
@@aaron_newlin it’s a new subdivision
@@PedalPlayhouse 😂
Even if it’s incorrect, I prefer the Jazzmaster headstock.
Not earth shattering news for the vast majority, but for offset enthusiasts it’s a pretty big deal! Good sign that Fender has an ear open to their fans and critics, hopefully more good things in store :)
We had a factory 66' Jazzmaster with Matching headstock, Olympic white, and it was in fact an older neck with block markers and bound.
It is now mid Sept ‘23 and I just received my ‘66 Vintage II Jazzmaster , in blue for my preference, and have a bit of an update, the headstock is the correct size and shape as your video describes and I also ran through the list of other critiques you had on the first run(s) of this reissue. The finish work on the instrument is first class~body, paint, lacquer choice of woods as in the neck and weight, mine is spot on 8lbs. Now the fret board was 99% clear of excess glue and excess lacquer around frets and the bit there was cleaned up easily with a fine jewelers file, the binding and fret end dressing was as good as could be done and there were no unfinished file marks on the fretboard or edges leading into the binding. Now as you demonstrated there was some fret buzz through the frets in the relief area of the neck (this one had some relief when unboxed and granted made worse due to the dry conditions I live in) and factory setup was dismal if anyone actually tried, they failed. I removed the neck, adjusted the tension to have the neck more or less perfectly straight when strung and examined the level of the frets which was not bad, no frets seemed to off level and they were decently crowned and polished. Now the bridge was set way too high and the saddles were adjusted with the intonation screws angled upwards about twenty degrees upward, reset the saddles level with the bridge and reset their radius to the neck and set the bridge to a reasonable height then reset the neck, the fit and spacing to the body was spot on even a bit snug and dated July 07 ‘23. Once restrung and under tension the neck had a barely perceptible amount of relief, virtually straight and the action was set with the bridge low. Playing showed no signs of buzz amplified or not and intonation was as easy fine tune. I am not only happy that fret leveling was not necessary along with crowning and polish but with the instrument as well, expensive yes but now a custom shop level reproduction…..
Just got mine yesterday. How do you feel about the block inlays? In the original review video he mentions that the surface of the inlays puts a sort of dry or scratchy feel on finger/string. I’d love to somehow fix that. Besides that one issue: fantastic guitar!!!
Always good to see you on YT. Even when you're not laying some crazy details about offsets on us, you're a warm, friendly, entertaining presence. Hope to see more as your schedule allows.
Great to see you back Mike and great to see Fender rectify such a glaring error, love the CBS era headstock on the Jazzmaster!
A Jazzmaster with a fat cbs headstock is a perfect Jazzmaster in my mind
It makes sense to use the correct headstock for a specific year re-issue, but I seem to be in the minority that thinks the large headstock is just odd looking….on any guitar. The small headstock always looks better to me.
It’s odd how times change, back when I was working in the music store people wouldn’t touch the “crap era” stuff from Fender with a ten foot pole. Or even the Leo era offsets for that matter. Hell, even a lot of straight up coveted vintage guitars were easy to get cheap since everyone wanted Ibanez shred machines. Lol if only I had known.
I hate the huge headstocks with all my heart, but if you're going to claim to reissue a year, it dang well better be correct. That said, don't reissue a bad design.
I got one that was manufactured in December 23, it's qc was decent pretty nice to me
Fingers crossed that Fender send one, to the man who knows brother.
Welcome back Mike! Good to see you again
1:09 WHOA OOOHHH OOOHHHHHHHH
I was wondering about this after seeing your video. Certainly they listened to your criticism specifically. Now if they can just address the quality issues, I’d like to buy one…. after you give the seal of approval. Perhaps reconsider offering this company free consultation services. You are clearly a subject matter expert. They should be sending you an attractive offer for consultation, or perhaps even better, a competitive job offer. They don’t deserve your free advice. Thank you again for sharing your wisdom. I enjoy your channel!
Thanks for sharing the news Mike! We are looking forward to seeing one in the wild.
Great to see you back. :)
Awesome. SO much better, nice work!
I hope they really work on the hit-and-miss QC. I purchased an American Professional Telecaster Deluxe a couple of years ago...it suffered from BAD fret sprout, incorrect cut nut, and a terribly microphonic bridge pickup. The store fixed the nut and frets and I just replaced the pickup which I planned to do anyway, but it was pretty disappointing at first. Now it's my go-to guitar.
I'M FINALLY HERE EARLY!!!!! Loving the video.
Welcome back!!
So cool that they changed it and corrected it
Even tho I like the looks of the smaller one better, I think a reissue has to actually reissue lol
Wait for the smaller headstock ones to become super collectible.
Mike , great your back , man make more videos
Thanks For Sharing 🎸
Amazing
I remember that review. I’d like to think they’d send you an updated version for a review that didn’t trash their quality control issues. But I’ve always been a dreamer…
know what else they missed? All the 70s ones still have the pearl side marker inlayed halfway into the fretboard. Should be black dots inlaid below the fretboard(it was cheaper to do it that way of course because it was 70s cbs.)
Fender Japan's 70s stuff gets this right.
Glad they fixed it for sure.
awesome
Nice, I like a lot big headstock ❤️
Thanks again Mike, good to see Fender responding to customer feedback.
As an aside, I finally have a Jazzmaster style Guitar to go with my CV Jaguar.
It's not a traditional JM but a MIJ Hosco Kit JM with 9.5" Maple Fretboard with full JM Rhythm/Lead wiring.
I chose it as I really liked the current MIJ Hybrid II in Natural Alder with 9.5" Maple Fretboard Model (I just like Maple necks) but did not have the budget.
The Kit had the typical MIJ style Strat wound Pickups that I expected.
I never fitted them as the plan was to replace them with Pure Vintage '65 Jazzmaster Pickups, glad I did, they sound great.
Also I found another MIJ difference and that is the Trem/Bridge string spacing it is narrower than US models.
The problem was the Hosco Kit Bridge is the traditional groove style with wider spacing.
All good, I went with a American Pro Bridge as it has narrowing string spacing combined with a 9.5" radius.
I did a neck shim install as per your advice, a bit of a nut file/truss rod tweek and It feels great, and looks and sounds like a Jazzmaster.
Take care
Pete
Hey Mike I just ordered a AV ii recently and it just came, was surprised that I got the big headstock, was very pleased to see that the qc this time was not as shotty as the first production batch. Hope you get your hands on a newer batch soon would love you see you give this line a second chance! Cheers! -Kevin
I'm happy to see your video and more happy seeing you happy 😆 just curious, would you review Fender's new cunife pickup sets?
I’d open to it! And thanks so much!
Love you Mike;)
Let’s talk about that transition at 2.06. That’s some slick shit.
I've always like the bigger headstock and for a long time thought that was original because it looks more retro.
ha! That's awesome!
The original Jazzmaster headstock is the most attractive headstock in Fender’s history. It is not identical to a Stratocaster headstock like many people assume. The larger one is fine on a Stratocaster. I would rather have the better looking one than the period correct one on a Jazzmaster.
that hand rub was so diabolical
Mike, Always enjoy your video's. Was wondering what you feel is the best Fender reissue Jazzmaster?
Hope they bring back the frets nibs too! 🙏
First of, way cool haircut!!
I have the small headstock, luckily with great fretwork. (I had a AVII Tele that had unfinished fretwork and unfinished nut).
I don't mind the small headstock. Never seen a big headstock in person.
Did you ever get your hands on the newer model? Wonder if the qc is better.
i just got my AVII Jazz in sunburst and has the correct headstock! this thing rips!
I love those headstocks even on unbound dot inlay necks. I have a mahogany jaguar with p90s that I refinished in natural nitro and it has that headstock. I turned a 200 dollar poor condition guitar, that had dumb stickers all over it, into one of the most killer I own. I swapped out all electronics and replaced the pickups with a handwound set that a friend made for me which are are delicious! fixed some fretwork and even sanded down the poly finish neck and aged it. the final piece to the puzzle was adding a duesenberg Les trem because it had a stop tail setup. Behind the jazz/jag trem system, the Les trem is probably my favorite out there and more people should try it out. It was a lot of work, but it's beautiful and there's none out there just like it.
Totally off topic, but was just watching the Five Watt World history of the Mustang that you were featured on, where you mention your guitar Wicket, that's my cat's name, also based on the Star Wars character! Hahaha! Really digging your videos, thanks!
I've gotta say I dig the big Fender headstocks. 70s bullet Strats and classic Jags.
I used to love the big headstocks, but now I can't imagine ever owning one. It's weird how taste changes for no discernible reason.
Greetings, ol pal Mike. I'm currently working on my new 1975 precision bass. Giving it some love and attention.
I prefer the smaller headstock. But, it's nice to have options!
Good attitude. Unlike some here. 😁✌🖖
woo! go fender!
It makes no sense that a company of Fender's size just doesn't have a pleck machine take care of the frets of all the US guitars that go out the door. That can't be a huge expense for them and actually makes good business sense to avoid all the negative press a bad fret job can produce.
All my guitars are Fender. I hope they improve their QC because I really want an avii jazzy
Fender needs to hire you - at least as a consultant.
Reminds me of how wrong Fender got the Strat headstock after they decided to nix the large headstock in the early 80s. Those Dan Smith Strats have their own extra smooth and skinny shape to them, like you can see on David Gilmour's black Strat. Then they had the pregnant headstocks... It took them nearly 20 years to get the "right" shape headstock back on the Strat. So a year for the Jazzmaster to change? Not too shabby.
Fender got the bridge saddles wrong on the AV II '54 P bass too; wrong material. To be correct for '54 the saddles should be made of metal, not phenolic resin.
I really dig that red jazzmaster with the matching headstock.
I'm not really concerned with the size of the headstock or whether it's Period Correct or not.
I would love to have one of those guitars and put a gold pickguard on it.
I don’t care about the headstock, I just want @fender to do a limited run of lefties on this Jazzmaster!
If it is a limited run, you may Still miss out. 😁✌🖖
@@zapa1pnt I would purchase immediately
If you got one pre-refresh you might just have a future collectors item now.
me looking at those Antiquity pups on the table 👀👀
So Mike whats goin on with that pile of pickups sitting next to you? Planning a batch of reviews? "specifically Dakota Red" Hint Hint Fender. Glad to see your face!
I can’t watch I HAD a ‘62 Jazzmaster let it go long ago 😱
Wow
Hey, have you ever tried new jazzmaster cunife p/u from fender? I would like to see a review if you ever tried it!
Hopefully this is a sign that Fender is going to improve on their noticeably bad QC as of the past few years.
Always thought the big headstock looked crap ass on all models. I also don’t mind a Tele headstock on a Strat but a Tele with a Strat headstock is really lopsided.
@Puisheen I've seen some moments throught the video where frames sort of freeze, maybe it's something you'd want to know. One of them is around 3:54
Sooo...does this mean my version is now gonna be worth a shit ton of money? lol.
Yeah, I like bell bottoms too
Can't wait when in a few years we'll be seeing "SHORT RUN INCORRECT LOGO" for 3x the price
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOO!
I have a tele deluxe and my favorite part is the big ass headstock. I’ve been working on modifying my squier strat into a partscaster of sorts and I want to get a maple neck with the big headstock so badly.
It's hard to care about a company that only cares about the pennies it can save rather than put out a quality product.
If they don't send you an Apache Red, just let me know I'll call a guy
Consider it a small moral victory, don't be a stranger!
How interesting, I never knew that the headstock had such a profound effect on the sound.😮
To be fair, he never said, or even inferred that the headstock size has any effect on the sound whatsoever.
When and where can I buy this changed headstock version of the american vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster??
I really hate that shape I find it so ugly haha but glad they listened to people who rightfully requested it
And yet Fender couldn't be bothered to get the 70's _body shape_ right on the Tele's.
Lmao I forgot about that.
you are like the paralell universe riffs beards and gear guy you are actually likably
Hey, found the feed on my quest for an offset body. Question? So... looking at the TLV signature cause painted headstock oxblood. So does this model have the big head? If so from when did these changes take hold? But wait first is the big head better? People say it affords more logo space and that's nice but tone wise that's not adding anything other than period correct gurth?! Right? Pros and cons headly? Also inlays they look so sweet but do they feel as sweet? Also the tvl swaps a stang bridge and different pots? What do you think of it? Thanks feed is phenom. Real good stuff. Keep it up and thanks for any advice.
USA fret work is trash. I sent back two jazz pro ii, and ended up just doing the finishing myself on the third. Also just so odd that the company can't correctly reissue their own models.
It's the little things, amirite? :)
I'm thinking about buying an American Vintage II. Are the pickups constructed like real Jazzmaster pickups or are they Strat pickups in disguise? Also, thanks for the AVII review. I'll definitely be checking for those QC issues you pointed out.
I think it could go either way with the used market on those small headstock guitars now they've corrected to the classic CBS style.
Perhaps in many years to come could become a rare oddity in Fender's history that commands a higher price, but considering the poor reception by Jazzmaster fans, I'm thinking at least in the short term it might actually lower used market value, similar to how the ugly "Les Paul 100" scrawl on 2015 LP headstocks effects their prices negatively to this day.
Off the subject: can you review a Guild P-200 Thunderbird? This strikes me as an offset design that is sorely overlooked.
Hey been really liking all of your videos could you do a video on a mustang? I’ve been looking around and I feel like they don’t get enough attention and would love to see your take on it!
Hi is it possible a vintage 1966 Jazzmaster would have an L plate serial number checks out as a 65 .The block inlay necks stamped 13 sept 66 B.Thanks. Grant
I gotta say I really love Mt Fender American pro11 Jazzmaster dk Knight.
The guirar is perfect except maybe the tremelo spring is weak and the yup it would be been cool to see a painted dk Knight headstock.
I'm saving up next for the American vintage JM in dakota red.
I also got myself the Fende Uktea Tele texas tea.
Love that guitar but there are runs in the finish and hairline scratches under tge lacquer, which I didn't see when I brought it..
But unde certain lights and angles you see it.
Kinda spoils Mt gun ya know?..
Ocd.😅
Does anyone know what Jaguars have the thinnest necks? Or any like the jazzmaster ultra with a compound radius or even a D shape? Looking for a Jag that isnt all chunky.
An SG.
The Japanese Jaguars tend to have thinner necks. Mostly the later 90s / early 2000s “CIJ” guitars.
Otherwise, look for a genuine mid-60s guitar? The 64-66 Jags have especially thin necks with minimal taper.
Echoing the MIJ/CIJ recs, and AVRI62 models had nice, thin necks too
@@Puisheen I have a '94 MIJ SRG jg-66 and feel like it's the fattest neck out of all of my fenders. Did the necks get skinnier after?
Regardless I adore your content my friend. That’s all
The Gibson Jimi Hendrix 1967 Gibson sg custom, which costs $10,000, incorrectly has the pre 1965 style neck joint. That has to be an intentional deception but I can not understand why they would do that.
Could fender possibly if already planned this since a lot of the early ones had just reused american original necks? Or maybe a factory mishap?
I think so. Most likely using up leftover American Original necks. Highly doubt they'll listen to a small band of diehard offset fans. Either way, glad it's been changed, looks loads better to me.
American original had 9.5 radius necks I believe
@@MilkAndSpaghetti yes they did, I meant the model they did after that I can’t remember the name but they were using those necks on the initial run of these
Such a shame that was the first original redesign they had done in years. Leo would have let it ride till all the parts were used up.
Chunky headstocks all the way~~~! Give that decal some space.
Anyone else wonder if Mike has the power of Thanos or is merely an ewok celebrating taking down an AT-ST single handledly? 🤔
To clarify- he’s not taking credit here, I’m wondering if he’s Thanos 😂
I love the big shark fin headstocks of the 70s. They just look cooler.
I’m a big fan of the large CBS era headstocks. A Strat to me just doesn’t look right without one. It’s probably because I’m an old guy and that’s the era that I grew up playing.
Yeah I bought my first real Fender in 1975 I think it was and it has the large headstock. I also seem to remember that it had some sort of a tilt Ematic neck. I was only 16 maybe Seventeen at the time and I sold it before I went in the Marine Corps so I only had it for about a year-and-a-half or so nice. It was a beautiful Sunburst with a maple neck came with the hard shell case and all for $300 sales tax included. My point being that the large headstock was the image that was ingrained in my brain as to what a Stratocaster should look like. Although I have both. I did build a Stratocaster look alike with a mahogany body and neck and I did go with the smaller headstock on that. Can't remember exactly what pickups I put in it but I recalled they were in the medium price range. Definitely alnico and definitely not high output. Hardtail with all black chrome Hardware and natural finish. I sanded it down to 2000 Grit and finished it with Tru oil Gunstock finish. It's beautiful and very smooth. If I want to get Stratocaster crazy I'll use my other creation with a Robin Trower set up. Definitely high output in that one and the neck was actually one I bought on eBay it was a Starcaster Maple with the large headstock. Did a complete fret job on it and it came out beautiful. And that thing is a beast and I'd left the Starcaster logo on it nothing to be ashamed of if you were to play it. Thanks for putting up with my rambling God bless
The real question is what are you planning on doing to that dano body in the back?