Jazzmaster questions

[bradley316]

Hi! I'm pretty new to the community. I just joined up. I love the Fender Jazzmaster and I've always wanted one and now I've really been contemplating plunking down the cash to get one. Which should I go for? Are the Fender Japan Jazzmasters worth getting? Or is the 62 Reissue Jazzmaster the one I should go for? Basically the sound I want to get is

Comments

[scantron81]

I've never played an american jazzmaster. My crafted in japan '62 limited reissue plays fine. Like a dream even...when I replaced the bridge. But the bridge is an issue that you will find with any jag or jazzm. Get a mustang bridge and then you are rolling.

The pups in the japanese jm's are not really p-90's, they just look like it. SO for the REAL shoegazer sound you would probably want the real deal. I'm a big starflyer 59 fan (if you like M.B.V. check them out) and my jazzmaster evokes Jason Martin's tones fine when hooked up to a fender amp. That's where fender guitars shine- through fender amps.

anyway, hope this helps.

p.s. I got my candy apple red jazzmaster on musicians friend for $399 clearance last year.

[bradley316]

Yes, this does indeed help me out. Thanks! I've been leaning towards the American reissue to get as close to a vintage JM as possible. I did wonder how the CIJ models sounded in comparison.

Does the Mustang bridge effect the "floating" bridge? Basically, can I still use the tremelo bar with the Mustang bridge attached?

Starflyer 59...I will check them out! Oh, I love MBV! Have you heard the recent album from a guy named Dykehouse? Check that out if you like the shoegaze sound. I guess he uses a Jazzmaster as well.

Don't worry, all of my amps are made by Fender, so I'm good!

[novamute]

the mustang bridge is essentially the same bridge with different style saddles, so swapping out a jm bridge for a mustang bridge wont affect the trem at all :)

-m

[scantron81]

the bridge does not affect the floating tailpiece at all. He problem with these guitars is that the strings slip out of the saddles on the original bridges, but the mustang bridge is less pron to giving you that problem. And if you want to hit the strings hard then this is a MUST.

[scopo]

I'd always recommend at least 11 gauge strings on a jazzmaster - I use (of all brands) Gibson Vintage Nickel 11-50s on mine

[bradley316]

Thank you scopo for the info and the links! It's so nice to find others to help me make my choice in what Jazzmaster to go for and what options to make to the JM. :)

Most likely I will plunk down for the American reissue...Still debating however!