JAZZMASTER REVIEW #7: Fender American Original Jazzmaster
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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Time for another Jazzmaster Review! This time we'll be having a look at the American Original '60s Jazzmaster in all its glory, discussing specs and some great things about the model, as well as a few minor complaints.
www.fender.com...
Big thanks to Carlos for allowing me to use his guitar for this review, and for trusting me to do the work. After posting, I had a loooong think about my recommendation here based on my discoveries after the vid had already been filmed. The issues I found were disappointing to say the least, but my conclusion is this:
I've worked on scores of AO '60s Jazzmasters and this is the very first one on which I have seen roached pickup terminals, a loose ground, and a broken tone cap. This particular guitar should have been given a lot more QC time at the factory--arguably, it should not have left in this condition--but overall my experience with the line has been positive. The rec stays, but as always the maxim "buyer beware" applies.
UPDATE: finally got the story on this. Carlos bought this direct from Fender with a coupon, so it came straight from the factory! No dealer involved. Yeesh!
I bought that exact Jazzmaster. Same color etc. had to send it back after my luthier looked at for setup. The neck was all jacked. Was super disappointed with the quality for a USA fender.
I own this same model and color. My ground wire was also not connected and there was chunk of finish missing on the treble side of the neck right by the nut. Still my favorite fender I have ever played but the QC bug might be an issue.
I should also add, I own a Jazzmaster exclusively from what I learned in this channel.
Gotta say, your review of this guitar felt obligatory more than anything, like you didn't really have much to say about it or get excited over. It's really turned me off getting an American Original and I'm now leaning towards a Pro II more than anything, am I wrong?
@Paul Will yeah I prefer a slimmer neck, and the neck shape seems to be what makes or breaks this guitar for a lot of people, thanks for the insight
Gotta say, you are one THOROUGH UA-camr! I don’t think I’ve seen such thoughtful, thorough, knowledgeable and concise reviews! (I’m currently obsessed by the thought of owning a Jazzmaster, hence why I’m here 😊). Thanks for your time 👍
Appreciate this a lot, Paul!
Paul! I love your channel! Welcome to the offset tribe! You may find you play your strat a lot less (and your new JM a lot more).
@@MatthewSpringer Well thank you Matthew, appreciated 👍
I hope I'm not calling myself out for not knowing some great song, but that kind of doomy finger pickin' jam around the 15 - 16 minute mark was one of the coolest riffs I've heard in a while.
It’s like folk mixed with Soundgarden! I don’t know if this is a song or not though. This is probably my favourite thing Mike has ever played on his channel.
I also wanted to know as well! It seems to be in drop tuning. I tried to replicate it in standard but it doesn’t sound correct
I say! What a spanking tune!
Dig the heavy vs clean riffs towards the end.
Really highlights the dynamics of your playing, but also the capes of the Jazzy.
I’m just here to advocate for a Mike Adams Signature JM and to say that mike is one of the best human beings in the world! ❤
I’ve been furiously refreshing the Fender site since you dropped hints a new one may be coming. We now absolutely require your thoughts on the Vintage II. That red one is screaming my name.
I tried so hard to get my hands on one before they dropped. No dice! Hopefully soon!
my dream guitar right down to the color as well. one day i’ll be able to afford this beauty.
Maaaaan I’m not even 2 minutes into it but I had to just say that intro playing bit sounded phenomenal tone-wise and playing-wise!
I'm VERY happy with that intro bit! I have about 35 minutes of footage of me just working out what I wanted to play. Came together nicely. You rule, Eric!
Great video, I wish I'd seen this back in 2019, when I autoshimmed my jazzie and spent months trying to set it up. 😂😂
Great Review Mike! I truly appreciate it and learn so much from them. Will I retain it all I hope so, but that's why we have this cool thing called channels and Video lists. I can always come back a watch again. Stay safe, healthy, and happy yourself.
All hail the riff king. Monster chords at 21:30 sound like Helms Alee covering The Space Between by Dave Matthews and I couldn't be more here for it.
mike never fails to make me want to pick up my guitar
The Lilac tail was so cute! Excellent video and riffs .
you know mike, I LOVE the way you play. I don't know how you approach your tone and technique and some people prefer not to talk about it (which is a-ok). But I'd love if you did a tone dialing video on your pedalboard and maybe another one to get into how you play (I noticed you use chords with lots of distortion in many cases). Maybe other people would like it as well. Stay safe bearded man
Dan, thank you so much! I'll give that some thought. Good ideas all around!
love the demos but I am here for the riffs! Love the tone, mood and overall vibes of the riff you choose to use 🍻
So this is my first jazzmaster! I’ve owned my copy for about 6 months now. I was worried that I wouldn’t like the pickups (seller even included a set of Novak’s stealth hc pickups if I wanted to swap them out.
I have to say I’ve been completely satisfied with the stock pickups, to the point where I want to check and see if they’re stock, lol. Loud, bold, articulate. I haven’t found them thin at all.
I own this one and yes, the neck is not thin, but not too big either. Not bigger than my baja telecaster and not so big that I can’t play it.
Everything else is pretty perfect as far as what I wanted from this high-end guitar: perfect clean sounds, quality everywhere and a lot of soul. I only swapped the bridge for a Mastery and the pickguard is now mint green. Plays and looks like a dream guitar, can’t recommend enough.
Mint would definitely look nicer on this guitar than modern tort, but I'm picky about tort!
I also have the American Original and the Baja Telecaster, but I have a guitar with the neck even thicker. An Eastwood Airline H44. I had to buy an special capo for extra wide necks hahaha
I hear you on the string tension. My Nash T63, for which I have a machined bridge for use with a Bigsby (which is not installed at the moment) also has holes for top loading and that's how I string it. Low tension, and SLINKY. My Novo has a Mastery and as buttery smooth as the neck is it does require more effort to bend (both strung with 10-46).
I had to come back and watch this episode again after being traumatized by the new American Vintage II review! Ah, a return to quality. I love your reviews and teachings.
Been waiting for this review, was wondering why there wasn't one on your channel a week ago
Would love to see a vintera Jazzmaster review!
Over the years I have had over a dozen Jazzmasters: American, Mexican, and Japanese-made, modern, as well as a couple of vintage ones. My American Original JM will forever be my desert island guitar. The chunkier neck feels very comfortable to me and overall the guitar is a true joy to play. I have installed a set of Lollar JM pickups and it blows my mind every day how good it sounds.
What do the lollars do for you that the pv65s might not? I love my AO, and considering upgrading the pups soon!
@@alexanderwall9265 the PV65 sound a little brittle and thin compared to other brands. Lollar pickups have higher output and sound fuller to me. They excel especially in the lower mids. I am mostly a neck pickup player, so this is a very important feature to me. They’re also A LOT more responsive to picking dynamics and work much better with the pedals I have in my current setup (it is astonishing how much better Lollars are than PV65 with a Bluesbreaker-style overdrive for example). I also have an AVRI65 with Novak pickups and that guitar is a close second. If you’re looking for vintage-correct tones, Novaks are probably a hair better than Lollar, but it ultimately boils down to personal preference: Lollar are a little overwound and that’s what ultimately made me like their sound more.
@@adearcang Thank you for taking the time for the thoughtful reply! Absolutely leaning towards the Lollars.
@@adearcang did u install the regular “lollar jazzmaster” pickups? I know they have a few jazzmaster type pickup sets (p-90’s, regal etc).
I’m debating installing the lollar jazzmaster pickups vs the black bobbin lollars
@@court2488 Yes, regular Lollar JM pickups
I have the ice blue metallic version and love it! You and I differ on our opinions of the neck, as I love a thicc neck and a fat nut! But we definitely agree on the pickups. I’m planning on swapping them for the Novak JM- fat and JM-V that you recommended in another video.
At long last I have been waiting ages for this
@Puisheen These guitars have seemingly been discontinued... Everywhere I check it says "No longer available" ... :(
Awesome video. I have one of these, but the journey to get it was interesting to say the least... One got sent back due to neck binding finish chips (tonnes of these seem to have that!) The replacement turned up with yet more finish chips, a soldering iron burned pickup, a hair in the clearcoat finish, extra pickguard holes where the drill "missed" and a neck pocket crack. The 3rd replacement had the same issues to a lesser extent. 4th one I bought online had more neck binding chipping and a bent tuner. 5th one that I kept was second hand, has some chips (nothing like the new ones), headstock paint overspray and a bit of a factory paint touch up by the pocket, which I accepted due to the big price difference new vs second hand, but I think the QC in Fender needs a tighten. Interestingly, the new line of AVii also seems to have the neck chips, which is sad.
That last piece was BEAUTIFUL
I bought this guitar from CME and I have to say the USA factory needs to take notes from the Mexico factory.
The vibrato arm was too fat to fit into the collet and the pickup covers were installed lopsided causing them to bulge beyond repair. The bridge was comically high off the body and the whole guitar just felt wrong. I ended up trading for a tele deluxe from the Mexican factory.
My MIM Jazzmaster Lacquer model came out of the box ready to play and I have since added the typical upgrades but it was always a great guitar.
IMO, If you’re gonna spend the $ on this guitar, save a little more and just order one from Shelby at Black Bobbin!
Oh wow, that's a lot of issues! I'm surprised about the arm too, that sucks!
i’ve had my eye on this exact guitar for a while, in this exact finish. my only hang up is the price. being a poor kid with little money to her name makes american fenders a pipe dream at best. maybe one day i’ll be able to afford one, but for now i’ll keep dreaming of this guitar while playing and loving my cheap squiers.
Yes! Been waiting for more installments in this series
Am I halucinating or is that a Squier J Macsis in your guitar rack? You mentioned you may do review on it when you get your hands on one some day. Is the day coming close? Have the gods finally spoken?
Also great review!
I don’t think so-the vibrato on the Squier jmjm is closer to the bridge and that guitar’s vibrato looks like it is in the regular position. I’d also love to see a jmjm video.
Great vid, cheers. On my AO jazz you can rotate the volume and tone silver labels to align with one’s fingertip. I also rotated knobs to align with 10 visible to the player as you talk of. My vibrato arm doesn’t bottom out which is a bonus. Love the neck, love the frets, love the weight. Set up well and stays in tune with original bridge. BUT, I agree with you re: pickups. Leaning towards Antiquity II’s from all the shootouts I’ve heard via some kind folk on OST forum. Will be adding additional shielding when changing pups.
I have this guitar. I got lucky on weight at just under 7.75 lbs. I upgraded mine with a full Mastery bridge and tremolo system. Also dumped the pick ups and went with aged Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Antiquity 2s. These are not cheap upgrades. Only defect on mine is a little decal lift/bubbling. Other than that, throw some strap locks and shielding on it and you have a beast.
Guitar looks awesome and you made it sound great. Not having played it, my only complaint is that it doesn’t have 22 frets. Thanks for the review!
You can also bend the vibrato arm so it's a little closer to the body, a gentle solution.
Loved the video, and LOVED the end jam!!! The sound of that fuzz is amazing. If you ever need a topic for a video: I would love to hear your philosophy on how to deal with fuzzes in band contexts. I always have trouble with placing it, and with how to make it audible.
That's a very interesting idea! Thanks!
Another great review! I have to say that bridge height, and how taut it would make the strings would be a problem for me too. I’ve seen reports that even the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster has that angled neck pocket. A guy on a popular offset forum had got one that caused the bridge to have to sit over an inch above the pickguard!
AN INCH! Holy crap, that's way, way too high! Ack!
I quite like the angled neck pocket and the high bridge. I saw that forum post too and thought it quite exaggerated.
@@Steven-kj7xq Yeah, I would agree that there was probably more the guy in the forum post could do to address it. He kinda gave up without following advice that was given.
I think the neck pocket angle is a good idea in theory but it looks like a few of them didn’t come out so good. But if you do like a high bridge in your setup, it’s not a bad thing.
For me, the fat neck is a huge selling point!
Love a bound neck with dot inlays, I always think block & bound necks on offsets is a bit too much for my taste 👌🏼👌🏼 Great review Mike & it’s a treat to see your lovely face looking so Happy healthy & safe 😁
Great review, Mike!! That's a beautiful guitar. I can wholeheartedly recommend EP customs Fat Jazzmaster pickups...they are the best I've ever played.
I have some EP Jazzmaster pickups but nothing to throw them in! (YET)
@@Puisheen I’m sure you’ll find something to put them in! I would love to hear your thoughts on them when you do!
Love it! Great to see another JM review from you Mike! I’m wondering how big a difference there is between the MX Vintera and this model, how many upgrades you’d need to do to bring it to the same level…
I agree with you 100% Mike. I had the same turquoise guitar for about a year and then sold it and moved on. I didn’t like the neck and I didn’t like the pickups.
Nice playing at the end of the video.
Those are some wonky issues you brought up at the end with the shielding and broken cap.
I do love the Ocean Turquoise! I have a Player Series P Bass in that color and I love looking at it.
Lots of great sounds in this video but the outro jam was incredible.
You see the rumors about the new American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster? Please review!!!
It took me a minute when I heard PV65, thinking you were saying Peavey 65.
Interestingly, I have an AO Jag and I absolutely do not have this problem with the tremelo arm. It bottoms out on the pickguard at the tip of the arm. After watching all of your vids I def expected to encounter this issue.
Have the identical guitar! No issues with the vibrato bottoming out on 11s
Oh, this has nothing to do with string gauge--totally different issue than the Pro II. This is about arm length, I believe, but I have to confirm rout depth on my other guitars to be sure
Great review!
Almost bought one of these a couple weeks ago but I heard the same rumours you did about what might be coming :)
;)
Awesome review!
Considering my first ever Jazzmaster at the moment and your channel is just invaluable - thanks for all your advice! Having watched both this review and the American Pro II video today (and all the trem saga!), would it still be fair to say that the Pro II, though flawed, ending up exciting you more than the Original? Your reaction here seemed like the Original was maybe a bit vanilla? I'm not sure what to take away from all this really - AVRI or bust?? Or would you say generally that it pays to explore non-Fender Jazzmasters/partscasters for example, if one can't quite stretch to Custom Shop or AVRI? Any tips appreciated!
Thank's for your beautiful way to explain and play! (And please come in Italy!! So I could take you my JM TVL oxblood...😉)
Amazing review as always.. If rumors are true, i’ll cross my fingers for a new review soon! I’m dying for an avri62 but i think i’ll wait a bit just in case…
Great video as always! Is it just me or do the pickups sound hotter than the usual Jazzmaster?
If you get a signature jazzmaster, count me in!
Hats off to a fellow FuckOverdrive user. That and the Interstellar Overdriver are my two favorites. Miles of gravelly goodness.
Love that jazzy intro!
Another great video, Mike! I know you put the EP pickups in the coke bottle jaguar but what do you like best for jazzies? I have the Wildwood 65 Jazzmaster in Aztec Gold. It has taken me a couple of years to reckon with neck but have grown to love it. Mine is a tad skinnier than the one in the demo though.
Haha...should have watched it all the way through for your recommendations.
Novak, Lollar, Antiquity, EP Custom, and At The Creamery are my usual go-tos. Big fan of each of these brands!
I have the same Wildwood Thinskin, my measures at .84-.94 and weighs in at 7.8 Lbs.
I wish you lived closer. I’d send you my 2016 FCS ‘58 jazzmaster for a setup and review.
Hey Mike great review as usual.
I have a Squier CV Jag and it great after a set up (I followed your formula). Looking at a Jazzmaster next.
Just a thought have you reviewed the Noventa Jazzmaster?
Not yet!
What are your thoughts on the “Junior Collection” Jazzmasters, and would you review one?
I'd love to check them out! No opinion as of yet
that bend in the intro duuude
Great review, can I ask where you stand on Nash JM63 guitars. They seem to have the lollars etc?
Great video! Can you please help me with what jazz master I should buy? A pro 2 or American original are out of my budget unfortunately. I'd love to get one with the rhythm circuit but it's not deal breaker. I'd like to buy a cheaper JM and get it set up well with aftermarket pickups etc. I basically just need a JM for professional use that's has the real jazz master sound - on a budget of €1000-€1500, hopefully a lot less though. any info would be greatly appreciated 👍
Jeeeeez, when that Loomer/Octave hits! Keeley Doomer?
haha they should totally make that
Why didn't they paint the headstock?
My experience is that a 0.75 degree neck angle does the job.
It would seem that if the neck angle is greater than ideal, you could but in a very thin neck shim the opposite direction to balance things out
Oh yeah reverse shimming is quite common for these
I got a used and slightly battered up white one about 2 years ago for a good price. Its a nice guitar but i think definitely lacks a bit of magic for me. Maybe its the neck but its might be something harder to pinpoint than that. I never sell guitara but have still been pondering whether to change that for this one... Also on the electrics i got a total failure on the electric, it was a fairly easy fix from my luthier but was still quite surprised that anything went comsidring it was only 2/3 years old or so. Its currently on loan with a mate...
Man I love this channel, I have a blacktop JM and a Classic player but was hardly using them because of various issues. Now I'm learning to fix them from you and they are both back in rotation. One question, the bridge humbucker in the Blacktop kinda sucked so I got a humbucker sized P90 in bridge (not authentic but at least closer), it sounds way harsher than sound clips would suggest. Should I switch to a 250K or 300K tone pot?
I think it's probably a 1K in there? Also the neck pickup sounds devine, if I change pots will it mess that up?
Hi Mike! Great channel & inspiring playing! I really appreciate your insight on Leo Fender's most fascinating creations. When adding a rhythm circuit to a CME Player Jazzmaster, is it possible to retain the series/parallel function of the four-way blade in the lead circuit? And if so, where would one find a proper wiring diagram to do so? Thank you!
Yep, it shouldn't be too tough to make them work together. I'm sure there's a good wiring diagram out there but I don't have one at the ready
I’ve got a Vintera 60s modified Jazzmaster and I love it. But I’m not so sure the Vibrato is set up how I would like it. Do you have a video on how to set up a JM vibrato? Every time I watch you play, I think “I want to do that!” It’s very inspiring to me!
No specific vids on that topic however I did write a Premier Guitar cover story on Jazzmaster and Jaguar setup in the May 2017 issue and vibrato setup is covered within. It's free to read online!
@@Puisheen excellent, thanks!
Great review! I had this one for a bit and decided to part with it (mostly the beefy bound neck) and grabbed a custom shop JM. Curious what your thoughts are on Chicago Special JM pickups?
I have a set! They're really nice-sounding pickups and if memory serves, Shelby had them modeled after his personal set of... was it '61? '63? I don't recall which year, but the pickups in his guitar--like this one--had the hotter pickup in the neck position. When I installed them I thought they sounded lovely, but I would probably switch the pickup positions the other way with the hot pickup in the bridge. Otherwise, if you can grab a set they'll have a really great, warm, classic sound. Thanks for reminding me what's lurking in my pickup drawer!
Great videos. I am tempted to order a Curtis novak tele pup for the bridge on my Troy Van Leewuen oxblood. Will it sound truly like a tele on the bride? And which tele sound would it sound like? Thanks for any info and or advice.
My identical Jazzmaster has same issue with knobs, I wondered if it was intentional or a factory error as my MIJ Jazzmaster does not have this issue.
I own a Vintera 60s Jazzmaster. When I bend my strings from the 12th fret and down its like something kills the string and does not come any sound. The previous owner installed a .25 neck shim and I equipped it with a mastery bridge. Any ideas? Please help 😢
Its the 7.25 radius on vintage models. They do that when bending around the 12th fret.
7.25" radius can indeed choke out on bends if not set up correctly, but the first thing I'd do here is check your neck relief. With an angled neck, too much relief in the neck can read like an upward slope toward the strings, resulting in dead spots as you bend. Failing that, you might want to raise your action just a little bit to clear the radius
With that color I’d like a gold pickguard
I purchased a Classic Vibe Jazzmaster just to see if I liked it! I did, so I sold it.
I was currently saving up for the American Pro 2!….now I’m confused as to whether to get this one.
Any help guys?
Is the neck thicker on this one over the Pro 2?
Mike, would you consider a Guild T-200 Thunderbird in the same class as a typical offset guitar? It has much of the same characteristics: idiosyncratic electronics, bridge and trem work together in the same manner, and they are offset. They are definitely not pretty. 60's-70's garish is how I describe the body. But I had a whirl with one recently, and it has a pleasant sonic place it lives in. Does it belong with Jaguars and Jazzmasters?
I like them a lot, and if you think about the switching, they're a lot like Guild's take on the Jaguar. Fine guitars. I even like the looks! As for belonging, I think that's up to the beholder and how you categorize guitars.
It’s definitely a great looking guitar, but it would look better WITHOUT binding as all Fenders do.
The question that needs answering is: Mike, are you happy, healthy and safe?
Patrick, thanks for asking. I really appreciate it! Doing well over here, just busy! You doing alright?
what are your thoughts on the vintera jazzmaster?
I have a question. I'm new to Jazzmasters. I bought the 2016 bigsby limited edition. It comes with 65' pickups. To me, the pickups are terrible, so high and tinny sounding. What pickups have a warmer sound? I appreciate your experience .
I always recommend Novak, Antiquity, EP Custom, Lollar, and The Creamery. Any of those will have options for darker, louder pickups
@@Puisheen Thank you! I will investigate them.
2.150 dollars ? I see no left handed model but that doesn't matter... That price it's just killer for me, I could only afford the Squier classic vibe and that model seems to have quite some problems and I'm not a guitar modder nor I have people to trust to do the recommended work ... Anyone recomends the Squier jazzmaster stock as it is ? Or I'll should definitely save like 10 year for a better model ?
lols, "bottom out on the rout" .. .
Fender guitars with LPB/turquoise finishes and a tort guard are (chef's kiss) perfection.
I wanted this jazzmaster but they don’t make it anymore
this thibg is way too hard to find now
this dude and the knobs 😂😂😂
What an intro! Talk about selling someone on a guitar right off the bat.
is the neck pickup hotter than bridge??
They have about the same output. But pickups in the bridge position are quiter because the strings vibrate less than in the neck position.
There must be some mismatched knock off trem arm I got with my used classic vibe 60s JM. it reached all the past the top of the neck pickup. I had to saw it way down
PAST the neck pickup?? Whoa
Yesssss
Damn man even my cheap Squier Jazzmaster has the knob orientation correct…
I really do hope the AVRI series, or something very similar to them returns to the Fender lineup. I avoided the AO’s because of all the “modern” specs. A flat neck pocket and 7 1/4” radius is just fine by me.
I thought you just had a couple of complaints😂
Wow! did that guitar really come from Fender Corona with those poor manufacturing and assembly quality? That's concerning.
Hey Mike, just curious since you don’t love the stock pickups. What would you recommend for this guitar? I’ve had one for a little over a year now and I haven’t been a big fan of the pickups.
I always recommend Novak, EP Custom, Lollar, Antiquity, and Creamery. No particular order--you can't go wrong!
The problems you describe are exactly what I like in a jazzmaster. Fat neck? Check. Low output pickups? Check. Bridge high off the body? Makes for the perfect jazzmaster for me. I went the squier classic vibe route and put in the 65 pure vintage pickups and musikraft neck. Couldn't be happier with my jazzmaster
That’s me too. I feel the lower output pickups gives you more range with gain stacking
@@dorianford6227 exactly. I like the pedals too add their flavor rather than the pickups dominating to get one sound. That's what humbuckers and p90s are for. Different for each player
@@larrykhulmann6262 spot on yeah. I am a classic fuzz user and with low output pickups you get a wider shade of tones on the volume knob
@@dorianford6227 me too. I love to control the fuzz into a glassy clean to mild glassy overdrive with the volume knob on my guitar
@@larrykhulmann6262 yeah man also if need to get louder that’s what a “BOOST” pedal is for lol.