I am shocked that this ugly guitar actually sounds really good! The Jazz tones you got out of it, especially with that rhythm circuit were beautiful, and if I had your skills, I'd be tempted to bring a Jazzmaster to a recording session for fun. Having said all that, I just think it's a 50's era - Buck Rogers - inspired design that went too far. ** Really looking forward to that Telecaster comparison video. **
I have the exact same guitar (color, model, everything) and it is one of my favorites by far. It has so much character, and the depth and articulation of the tones is unmatched by my strats. It can go from biting edgy surfy snap to cool mellow jazzy tones and everything in between. Love it. Also, the neck on it is one of my favorites. I have big hands and the shape and size of it is incredibly comfortable for me. I find it much easier and more comfortable to play than my strats.
It's a guitar that has a greater range than any other I played. With the volume on 8.5-9, on the neck PUP, all the Jazz tones you could need on the two circuits, but then it also does the hollow, chiming sound in the middle position. The bridge PUP is spectacular, very different tone response to the neck - with the tone on 10 you can dig in and get that Tele bite and twang, roll it down to 6-7 and you get the classic surf sound, down again 3-4 and it sounds like a PAF and thickens dramatically, and you get the same thick tone as from the neck. It's the one guitar you can play anything on, which I actually think was Leo's intention as many Jazz musicians at the time would play other genres as sessions musicians in the studio.
Interesting idea re jazz musicians playing other genres on sessions. Makes perfect sense. I think you’re right, it’s the most versatile guitar in the Fender line up. I just wish I got one sooner!
I have a fun mod for the bridge that has a single coil you can have run at 4,8,12,or 16k out put, combine that with the rhythm circuit in the neck pick up, and learning with 1 meg pots your tone sits around 5 and you can dial it back or open it up when needed and the guitar can do anything, love it.
I’ve always thought the Jazzmaster did actually have a great sound for jazz. As for the bridge, having large strings( greater than.011 ) is what the bridge was designed for. The problems come with smaller strings.
I think you've given excellently presented reasons why this guitar didn't take off in the Jazz world, but seems so well suited for it. Especially if it had gone into that hybrid called Jazz Fusion. The way it kind of hovers over effects, giving very atmospheric tones, and that world of jazz I could see complimenting eachother very well. But alas, it just did not go jazz. 7:47 --- and it's a shame the Jazz world didn't accept it. Because that tone presented right there? That's so Jazz it's sick. That sounds as good as any Gibson I've heard from back in the day.
Fender switched from maple to rosewood fretboards because Leo saw somebody playing one of his guitars on TV. The player had worn the finish off the fretboard, which allowed it to get quite dirty. Leo didn't like how that looked, so he switched to a darker wood for the fretboard.
I’m thinking about buying a Jazzmaster and have watched loaaads of videos on RUclips. Hands down the best, most informative video I’ve seen. Brilliant. Liked and subscribed.
I think the players of the day missed out on the Jazzmaster. But they also missed out with the les Paul too. Both were intended for the jazz guys. I have several les Paul’s I use for jazz, strung with flats. I even have an explorer I play jazz on. Damnit now I need a Jazzmaster too!
Excellent video Andy. Most comprehensive jazz playing I've seen on a Jazzmaster and how its an excellent instrument for the genre. I hope to see more vids of this guitar. Thank u
I hope more Jazz musicians get to use this Guitar too because it's more ergonomic. There are Thin bodied versions of the Archtop Guitar w/ a Body that's the same depth as a Jazzmaster.
@@jazzguitarwithandy An Acoustasonic Jazzmaster strung w/ Rouxinol R-30 Strings (also w/ Power Pins) could compensate for that by having a Hollow Body & Humbucker Pickup. That Hollow Body Guitar that Fender makes is feedback resistant because it has Special Feedbackless Pickups which are Potted.
I got a Jazzmaster Vintera II as a gift this year and it's become my go to guitar for practicing. The 7,25-inch fretboard is an acquired taste, but I now feel very comfortable with it. A great sounding surprise. I still use my teles and archtops, but this definitely does the job in an outstanding way.
I got myself a Jazzmaster a few days ago thanks to your video. The tones on the rhythm circuit with a set of 11's are ideal and this has taken the place of my hollow body as my main jazz guitar.
After playing for 20 years as a self taught guitar player, I am enrolling in the jazz guitar program at the local music school. I am purchasing a beautiful Ibanez semi hollow body as my main jazz box and a Mexican sea foam green Jazz master as my very portable knock astound jazz guitar. I was surprised at the beautiful , very jazzy tones you got out of it. I'm really excited to try one now! Thank you for posting.
Nice one Benjamin! Good luck with the program. Is that the Mexican Jazzmaster with nitro finish that they stopped a making a few years ago? Heard great things about them. Make sure you have at least 11s on there.
Yes sir! You got the stats right. I think I a going to tty 0.012s first actally, to keep the strings from jumping the bridge. All of my previous guitars had a very thick polyurethane paint job, similar to the best cars. It is gorgeous, but will never wear to the desired reliced look of the Fenders of the 1950's-1970's. I am looking forward to my new Jazz master with Surf Green nitro cellulose wearing under my hands for the next few decades. On the other hand my American Fender HS in chrome red polyester finish was so gorgeous and I was afraid to leave it out of its case, or walk around with it hanging around my neck for fear of it getting dinged. I never enjoyed it as much as I should have because I treated it like a piece of artwork, not a tool. I am recovering now from a3 year illness. She I was first stricken, my brother-in-law told my sister that I was dying. So, she sold my house, my truck, my motorcycle and of course, my gorgeous made in U.S.A. chrome red telecaster H.S. The lesson I learned is we don't get to stay here forever. Every day is a gift from GOD. Use your money to make yourself and the people you love happy. If your buying a work of Art, place it under glass so it won't get touched. Buy a guitar that is your tool no more and no less than your screwdriver or wrench. Have a nice day Sir! Benjamin
Thanks for making this video. I was searching for jazz playing on jazzmasters and found this video, which introduced me to your channel. You have a lot of great content. You may be picking up a guitar student soon!
My Dad played great stuff on a 1966 Jazzmaster. Transition model; pearl dots with binding but the larger CBS headstock. For years he used Black Diamond strings with a wound 3rd!
Yeah. It's so good. Not everybody likes it, but those of us who like the sound of the other Fenders a la Ed Bickert and Ted Greene, this is a really cool addition. Nice with 11-56 / 12 - 60s.
I use my Jazzmaster (strung with Thomasik.11 flat wounds) and it works brilliantly in the two Big Bands I play with. I occasionally get out my ES175 but to be honest the JM does the job just as well and is easier to cart around and much less chance of a catastrophic accident!
Fabulous review well it sounds like a lovely warm jazz sound .great versatility in that beautiful looking guitar go5 the jazz sound and then the Rock nRoll Surf tone sound .love the switches .bought a lovely 2014 Squire Jazzmaster .learning about them and how to play them .great fun guitars
Sounds nice! Certainly these days, I think people are more open to playing different guitars for jazz, but it was certainly a different guitar when it was introduced. Nice playing as well!
It really does sound full on jazz. The neck access seems totally unfettered, which is not the case with hollows and semi-hollows. Love the color. Thx for the video👍🏼
Best video I've seen on what sounds to get on a Jazzmaster- usually i hear distortion pedals which dont say anything for the jazz genre followers. thanks Andy.
Thank you for such a great review. I would like to play the jazz sounds and thought this would be a great guitar. All the reviews did not address this and left me very concerned! Thanks again
Great video Andy. Thanks for putting this together; it's by far the best I've seen on a Jazzmaster. Your jazz style playing is exquisite and you explored and explained the instrument perfectly - and [thank goodness], without the gratuitous humour one gets in so many guitar reviews. I've only ever tried 'copy' versions of it and haven't liked them that much. I assume the USA originals are much better and present the unique features with authenticity. As a would-be jazzer who never really got it properly, but couldn't get on with archtops etc, I feel like these should be the thing for me. Maybe...
Thanks for the comment and feedback. I have to admit that I have only ever played this model, so can't vouch for how it compares to other models out there. It's faithful to Leo's original design in a lot of ways, which appealed to me. I find it to be a very comfortable guitar and with the rhythm switch you can get a really good jazz tone. I think my favourite non archtop choices would either be this, a thinline tele or a 330 style hollow body thinline.
Joe Pass used one for a while - there are photos of that if you search. I think it was probably just too radical a step from a 17" full body down to less than 2" and no hollow body. I remember first playing out with a band when I was 12 so that's 1958/59 and at the time I had this thin Futurama. So I was into a solid guitar - but everybody back then saw the step up was to something more like a Gretsch or a 335 / Casino. Telecasters were seen as crude and clunky. Stratocaster - Buddy Holly and The Shadows. So sophistication was a Casino and if you were heading for jazz an ES175 type guitar. The Jazzmaster just had no visibility - but as soon as I saw one in the shops - Jim Marshall's in West London it has always held my attention because it looks like a Swiss Army Knife of guitars with all the switches and knobs. Let's face it Fender have two blockbusters the T and the S - everything else just bumbles along in the wings. If Jazzmaster was the guitar of another company it would be right up there with the best.
Great comment Chris. I never realised Jim Marshall had a shop. I think you're right. The Jazzmaster didn't have enough room to breathe with the popularity of the Tele and Strat.
I recently put some Pyramid Gold Flatwound strings on my Jaguar and it sounds super jazzy on the rhythm circuit! Definitely gonna keep the flats on it and stick with rounds on my Jazzmaster for some of the more rocky tones I want
@@jazzguitarwithandy They're quite nice, very smooth, but a little higher tension, the 11-48 flats set def had a little higher tension than the Ernie Ball 10-52 rounds set I had on prior
Growing up in Toronto and being able to watch Ed Bickert playing a Tele since the mid 60’s, I have to say you sound a lot like him in terms of tone and articulation playing a Jazzmaster. I think it fell between the cracks of the musical explosion in the 60’s. You sound great!
For jazz guitar fans in those days, television was a great place to see guitarists. Herb Ellis played in Merv Griffin’s band five days a week, Bucky Pizzarelli did the same for Dick Cavett. Ed Bickert played with all sorts of in house bands on the CBC. Those were lean times for jazz. With the great British bands, Beatles, Cream, Yardbirds etc., jazz guitarists had to take a back seat in terms of fans and gigs. Keep up the great work. It’s a pleasure to hear what you have to say and to hear you play.
@@jazzguitarwithandy right now Ernie Ball Slinky’s 10s . I usually use String Joys 10s but sadly I forgot to give to the guy who was setting it up and he put those on it
I am glad to hear people playing these for Jazz. I was an rocker originally that was seduced by the chrome of a Jaguar for 30 years and then all of the sudden started playing Jazzmaster (Chicago Special, CS) and coincidentally paired it with a Fender 57 Pro... All I want to do now is play 7ths and learn jazz theory. I am a totally novice at jazz so can someone direct me to understanding how the Jazz Wheel works with learning the chords (I think I understand with respect to triads)?
Excellent presentation and demo. Unfortunately times were different when the JM was first released. Musicians followed the herd when it came to a guitar choice since the ES line was already established for early jazz players. I believe joe pass recorded with a JM back in the early day but that was short lived. I remember some of the surf bands adopting the JM in the addition to the tele’s and strat’s back in the day. Hopefully we’ll hear more from you playing your JM in upcoming presentations. I love your chord progressions and leading tones on any guitar you play. 👍🏼🎸
i've been seacrhing solid body guitar, that can play lot of music genre, especially jazz, and i think jazzmaster sounds good + I really really like the demo, great video !!!
Regarding the tremolo, the biggest reason for people having problems with it is due to improper setup. The neck angle needs to be pitched back a specific amount so that the break angle off the back of the bridge is steep enough to put good downward pressure on it. There's a fine balance here, because if you go too steep the strings will hit the saddle and the intonation screws. The American Original Jazzmasters (just like yours) have a 1 degree pitch milled into the neck pocket which takes care of this for you, so the odds of getting a good setup with less effort are much better on these guitars. I have the exact same guitar FWIW, and after setting it up to my liking I have had no problems with the stock bridge. It sounds amazing and the rocking design of the bridge gives it that beautiful sound we associate with offset-body tremolos. The Mastery trem, in all the examples I've heard, deadens the high-frequency shimmer/sparkle a bit. I understand why some people prefer them because they're less fussy, but you only have to set it up correctly once with the stock bridge and it'll work just as well. P.S. Yep, freshly-cured lacquer on new guitars does feel "grippy"/sticky for a while, but if you are patient with it and give it a good firm scrub with your hand every time you're done playing, eventually it hardens up and gets smooth and glides like glass. It takes a while, but lacquer feels great once the "grippiness" is played away.
Thanks for the comment and sharing your knowledge re that bridge. I haven't had a single issue with that bridge. What strings are you using with yours?
@@jazzguitarwithandy Glad to hear yours is working well too! For strings, I'm using 10s. Heavier strings might need a stiffer spring in the trem unit to retain the same range of pitch variation, but the stock spring works great with 10s. I love this guitar. The range of tones you can get out of it is unmatched by my other guitars, and the size and shape of the neck is perfect for my hands.
Great sounding guitar - especially for jazz. It's interesting that Joe Pass once used a Fender Jaguar. It's also notable that this particular guitar has P-90 pickups instead of single coils.
I tried out a jazzmaster roadworn some time ago. Very comfortable, light guitar with a wide sonic palette due to the circuitry. Great at clean bright sounds for surf rock and also jazz blues comping when you tweak the rhythm circuit. Thank you for the video Andy, the jazzzmaster deserves some love.
Late to the party but, yes, the main problem with the bridge is that people mount too light strings and in that case they do tend to pop off. Since I got mine I never got lower than 11 and never got any problems and, let me tell you, it does in fact play WAY better with flatwounds
The pickups in the Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster are not Jazzmaster pickups (they are pseudo P90s) and have more mids, which is better for that jazz sound. If you really want to play jazz on a Jazzmaster, get the Squier. It's neck is outstanding too. And since they've been discontinued, they are likely to increase in price more than this Fender you're playing. (No, really.)
Awhile back I was dead set on the 60s original telecaster but couldn't find one anywhere. Then I walked into my local shop one day and saw this thing called a Nash Telemaster and wound up playing it for about 2 hours. I walked out of the shop with a shell pink guitar and couldn't believe what just happened. I dont think I'll ever play anything other than some form of this style. Its so comfortable! Your guitar in this video is a 2018? And what color blue do they call that because I must have one. Thanks for the video👍
I think one of the last Fender Pro Series Stratocasters that had the HBs in them would work - but I'd swap the HBs for a pair of HB sized Lollar P90s. Just block the trem.
Have you found that using the rhythm circuit on a Jaguar produces similar jazz related tones - round/warm? I am deciding between JM and Jaguar and having that sound (and versatility in general) matters I have a tele now Played both JM and jaguars but not enough and was so long ago
@@jazzguitarwithandy that’s what I’m getting from videos and just from looking at them, yes. Brighter. Seems like a versatile guitar - the thin strangle extreme, bright tone, and (ideally) the rounded/warm tone with rhythm circuit applied
I come to watch this video again and again, you convinced me to swap out the VMod PUs in my Jazzmaster to Pure 65s. Very nice demonstration of what’s the rhythm circuit is capable of. How would you compare the JM rhythm circuit sound to your Telecaster with Charlie Christian PUs? I hear the JM still has a bit of zing even in rhythm circuit, and the CC Tele sounds more like archtop humbuckers, rounder and beefier. How do you think?
I agree 100% re the rhythm circuit still having some zing. My Tele with the CC has more of a typical jazz tone. I used my JM instead of my archtop at a gig a few weeks ago and it worked really well!
It has dynamics and real life to it. I prefer Strats, Teles and Jazz Masters for jazz whenever I hear them. I think hollowbody guitars with humbuckers are significantly overrated.
How do you find the neck Andy? I'm often wondering about the fret size, design ect on my guitars and how nice it might be to easily change the neck ..as you can do with Fenders... all my guitars have set necks... Can you tell us what these frets are and a little more about neck options please?
Sorry for the late reply. Well, I like 9.5 radius, feels comfortable to me. I did get the finish sanded off the back of the neck as it was a little bit sticky. The frets are vintage tall frets. For me they work just fine. Are most worried about the profile?
@@jazzguitarwithandy Thanks Andy..I've now bought a nice Fender Telecaster just to have the option to change necks...so I can experiment...It's not just the profile but the frets, shape and finish...I'm never content it seems..
Beautiful playing and a great review, end of the day I’m not sold that this is a good jazz guitar. I offer this most respectfully. It seems to me as if you are trying to talk yourself into loving this guitar. My guess is that we’ll find you back on the Tele once the novelty of this new instrument wears off. Thanks for another great video.
I know what you mean about the novelty period with a new instrument. I've definitely experienced that before. Not the case so far with this one though. The thing I like about this jazzmaster is that it's very different to the Tele. I've had it for 3 months now and have just done a few gigs with it. Still enjoying it so far. I really like Marc Ribot's playing and it fits the bill for that kind of sound.
Another reason for the rosewood was the lack of durability of nitro maple fretboard finishes. Apparently the necks were constantly getting sent back to Fender to be resprayed, but the huge push came when Leo saw someone playing a maple fretboard strat or tele on TV and was horrified by how beat up looking the neck was. So you had the push to appeal to other markets like you said, along with the aesthetic and financial choice to find something that looked nicer and lasted longer. This coincided with the release of the Jazzmaster in 1958, and then it was put on all of the guitars in the lineup. Page's dragon tele was a '58 with a rosewood fretboard, and Stevie Ray's strat was a '59 with one as well. Eventually the all maple returned, but someone will have to confirm this for me. It might have been as late as the early CBS era because I know maple was deemed acceptable again from the factory when they were starting to use polyurethane finishes (hence why there are so many CBS guitars with maple fretboards that look barely worn). The poly wouldn't wear-out like the nitro, but it's possible the all-maple was just less popular through the early '60s. Amazing guitar and playing as always Andy!
Thanks for the comment Jacob 🙏 That’s really interesting about the maple on TV. Never really thought about it, but now you say it how many maple fretboards do you see in the 60s?! Not so many.
You might actually get a more authentic jazz tone from a Jaguar with it’s short scale and warmer tone. The Strat and Tele were designed for country swing.
@@jazzguitarwithandy Some. These are not my opinions its the opinion of the time, also a Gibson L5 or ES 175 could be had for 300$ in 1959, the ES 335 had just come out, and cost 335$ thus the name, and was also not acceptable to jazz players at the time and the Jazzmaster was upwards of 450$ when it was released. I own several Jazzmasters btw my favorite solidbody.
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This is my first offset guitar! What do you think of the tones? I'm very impressed so far!
I am shocked that this ugly guitar actually sounds really good! The Jazz tones you got out of it, especially with that rhythm circuit were beautiful, and if I had your skills, I'd be tempted to bring a Jazzmaster to a recording session for fun. Having said all that, I just think it's a 50's era - Buck Rogers - inspired design that went too far. ** Really looking forward to that Telecaster comparison video. **
I have the exact same guitar (color, model, everything) and it is one of my favorites by far. It has so much character, and the depth and articulation of the tones is unmatched by my strats. It can go from biting edgy surfy snap to cool mellow jazzy tones and everything in between. Love it. Also, the neck on it is one of my favorites. I have big hands and the shape and size of it is incredibly comfortable for me. I find it much easier and more comfortable to play than my strats.
@@400_billion_suns What are the differences with a '65 AVRI?
@@walterrizotto8668 As far as I’m aware, the only difference is that the American Original has a 9.5” fretboard radius instead of 7.25”
@@400_billion_sunsyup, radius change and AO has vintage tall frets instead of vintage.
It's a guitar that has a greater range than any other I played. With the volume on 8.5-9, on the neck PUP, all the Jazz tones you could need on the two circuits, but then it also does the hollow, chiming sound in the middle position. The bridge PUP is spectacular, very different tone response to the neck - with the tone on 10 you can dig in and get that Tele bite and twang, roll it down to 6-7 and you get the classic surf sound, down again 3-4 and it sounds like a PAF and thickens dramatically, and you get the same thick tone as from the neck. It's the one guitar you can play anything on, which I actually think was Leo's intention as many Jazz musicians at the time would play other genres as sessions musicians in the studio.
Interesting idea re jazz musicians playing other genres on sessions. Makes perfect sense. I think you’re right, it’s the most versatile guitar in the Fender line up. I just wish I got one sooner!
I have a fun mod for the bridge that has a single coil you can have run at 4,8,12,or 16k out put, combine that with the rhythm circuit in the neck pick up, and learning with 1 meg pots your tone sits around 5 and you can dial it back or open it up when needed and the guitar can do anything, love it.
I’ve always thought the Jazzmaster did actually have a great sound for jazz. As for the bridge, having large strings( greater than.011 ) is what the bridge was designed for. The problems come with smaller strings.
I completely agree. All these people that change the bridge could just use higher gauge strings!
For Lighter gauge strings I'd have to fill all the notches & recut them.
I think you've given excellently presented reasons why this guitar didn't take off in the Jazz world, but seems so well suited for it. Especially if it had gone into that hybrid called Jazz Fusion. The way it kind of hovers over effects, giving very atmospheric tones, and that world of jazz I could see complimenting eachother very well. But alas, it just did not go jazz.
7:47 --- and it's a shame the Jazz world didn't accept it. Because that tone presented right there? That's so Jazz it's sick. That sounds as good as any Gibson I've heard from back in the day.
It is a shame it didn't take off. Glad it got appreciated for its merits in other genres though.
Fender switched from maple to rosewood fretboards because Leo saw somebody playing one of his guitars on TV. The player had worn the finish off the fretboard, which allowed it to get quite dirty. Leo didn't like how that looked, so he switched to a darker wood for the fretboard.
I’d heard that too. Little did he know in the future Fender guitars would come looking like that new 🤣
Awesome playing. Cool hearing the JM used for actual jazz. I play mine for surf and indy. Love JMs.
Cheers James.
I’m convinced this sounds great for jazz.
I've since sold this guitar and bought a MIJ Jazzmaster, that one sounds even better!
@ was it one of the Japanese Aerodyne models?
@ never mind I’ll think you just posted a video with the new one. That sounds nice too 👍
I’m thinking about buying a Jazzmaster and have watched loaaads of videos on RUclips. Hands down the best, most informative video I’ve seen. Brilliant. Liked and subscribed.
Thanks, welcome to my channel. Which models are you considering? It's so difficult with so many variations available when you include secondhand too.
I think the players of the day missed out on the Jazzmaster. But they also missed out with the les Paul too. Both were intended for the jazz guys. I have several les Paul’s I use for jazz, strung with flats. I even have an explorer I play jazz on. Damnit now I need a Jazzmaster too!
Very true re Les Pauls. Sorry for fuelling guitar gas lol
Excellent video Andy. Most comprehensive jazz playing I've seen on a Jazzmaster and how its an excellent instrument for the genre. I hope to see more vids of this guitar. Thank u
Thanks Allen. Yes, it’s definitely going to get used in future videos. Really enjoying the tones so far. Very versatile guitar.
I wondered if anyone used a Jazzmaster to play jazz. Thanks. I’m a Teley guy but have ordered a Classic Vibe J.
Good call. They are killer guitars.
I hope more Jazz musicians get to use this Guitar too because it's more ergonomic. There are Thin bodied versions of the Archtop Guitar w/ a Body that's the same depth as a Jazzmaster.
yes, I nearly looked at an Epiphone emperor from the 80s that was a thinking the other day.
@@jazzguitarwithandy An Acoustasonic Jazzmaster strung w/ Rouxinol R-30 Strings (also w/ Power Pins) could compensate for that by having a Hollow Body & Humbucker Pickup. That Hollow Body Guitar that Fender makes is feedback resistant because it has Special Feedbackless Pickups which are Potted.
@@jazzguitarwithandy Why not convert an Archtop Guitar to feel like a Jazzmaster by cutting down the height of the ribs to only 3 inches?
I got a Jazzmaster Vintera II as a gift this year and it's become my go to guitar for practicing. The 7,25-inch fretboard is an acquired taste, but I now feel very comfortable with it. A great sounding surprise. I still use my teles and archtops, but this definitely does the job in an outstanding way.
It's a nice guitar to have around for a change to the regulars. Not played one with a 7.25 fretboard.
Thank you for this video, you've converted me to the Jazzmaster camp.
I got myself a Jazzmaster a few days ago thanks to your video. The tones on the rhythm circuit with a set of 11's are ideal and this has taken the place of my hollow body as my main jazz guitar.
After playing for 20 years as a self taught guitar player, I am enrolling in the jazz guitar program at the local music school. I am purchasing a beautiful Ibanez semi hollow body as my main jazz box and a Mexican sea foam green Jazz master as my very portable knock astound jazz guitar. I was surprised at the beautiful , very jazzy tones you got out of it. I'm really excited to try one now! Thank you for posting.
Nice one Benjamin! Good luck with the program. Is that the Mexican Jazzmaster with nitro finish that they stopped a making a few years ago? Heard great things about them. Make sure you have at least 11s on there.
Yes sir! You got the stats right. I think I a going to tty 0.012s first actally, to keep the strings from jumping the bridge. All of my previous guitars had a very thick polyurethane paint job, similar to the best cars. It is gorgeous, but will never wear to the desired reliced look of the Fenders of the 1950's-1970's. I am looking forward to my new Jazz master with Surf Green nitro cellulose wearing under my hands for the next few decades. On the other hand my American Fender HS in chrome red polyester finish was so gorgeous and I was afraid to leave it out of its case, or walk around with it hanging around my neck for fear of it getting dinged. I never enjoyed it as much as I should have because I treated it like a piece of artwork, not a tool. I am recovering now from a3 year illness. She I was first stricken, my brother-in-law told my sister that I was dying. So, she sold my house, my truck, my motorcycle and of course, my gorgeous made in U.S.A. chrome red telecaster H.S. The lesson I learned is we don't get to stay here forever. Every day is a gift from GOD. Use your money to make yourself and the people you love happy. If your buying a work of Art, place it under glass so it won't get touched. Buy a guitar that is your tool no more and no less than your screwdriver or wrench.
Have a nice day Sir!
Benjamin
Thanks for making this video. I was searching for jazz playing on jazzmasters and found this video, which introduced me to your channel. You have a lot of great content. You may be picking up a guitar student soon!
Thanks for the comment. Glad you like the channel :)
My Dad played great stuff on a 1966 Jazzmaster. Transition model; pearl dots with binding but the larger CBS headstock. For years he used Black Diamond strings with a wound 3rd!
Yeah. It's so good. Not everybody likes it, but those of us who like the sound of the other Fenders a la Ed Bickert and Ted Greene, this is a really cool addition. Nice with 11-56 / 12 - 60s.
I agree Jade. I think this guitar is a great companion to a Telecaster :)
Lovely jazz tones! I have always heard JMs are suposed to sound fine in jazz, but had never actually heard one until I saw this video...
It works pretty well. The only thing I find is, I haven't quite got used to the neck on that guitar.
Jazz guitar with Andy
Magma makes great Flatwound Strings.
I've heard this. Not using flats on anything at the moment (apart from my bass)
honestly mate it sounds like the perfect lo-fi guitar
I use my Jazzmaster (strung with Thomasik.11 flat wounds) and it works brilliantly in the two Big Bands I play with. I occasionally get out my ES175 but to be honest the JM does the job just as well and is easier to cart around and much less chance of a catastrophic accident!
Nice to hear of one being used in a big band!
Fabulous review well it sounds like a lovely warm jazz sound .great versatility in that beautiful looking guitar go5 the jazz sound and then the Rock nRoll Surf tone sound .love the switches .bought a lovely 2014 Squire Jazzmaster .learning about them and how to play them .great fun guitars
Sounds nice! Certainly these days, I think people are more open to playing different guitars for jazz, but it was certainly a different guitar when it was introduced. Nice playing as well!
Thanks man.
It really does sound full on jazz. The neck access seems totally unfettered, which is not the case with hollows and semi-hollows. Love the color. Thx for the video👍🏼
Thanks for the comment Alex. It sure is a versatile guitar!
Best video I've seen on what sounds to get on a Jazzmaster- usually i hear distortion pedals which dont say anything for the jazz genre followers. thanks Andy.
Very true - I haven't even tried it with distortion and I've had it a year now!
Thank you for such a great review. I would like to play the jazz sounds and thought this would be a great guitar. All the reviews did not address this and left me very concerned!
Thanks again
Thanks! I've recently purchased a made in Japan Jazzmaster, you might want to check out that review too.
Appreciate your insights; I’ve been curious about these guitars. Thanks! 👍
Cheers Thomas. Me too, it was my curiosity that led to the purchase.
Jazzmasters make very good jazz guitars. They have a good warm sound for jazz playing.
The Guitar sounds excellent, thanks for a great demo Andy
Thanks for watching :)
I know Wes Montgomery played flat wounds, but when you played the octaves on the round wounds it still sounded just like him. Well done! 🎸☮️
Cheers!
Great video Andy. Thanks for putting this together; it's by far the best I've seen on a Jazzmaster.
Your jazz style playing is exquisite and you explored and explained the instrument perfectly - and [thank goodness], without the gratuitous humour one gets in so many guitar reviews.
I've only ever tried 'copy' versions of it and haven't liked them that much. I assume the USA originals are much better and present the unique features with authenticity.
As a would-be jazzer who never really got it properly, but couldn't get on with archtops etc, I feel like these should be the thing for me. Maybe...
Thanks for the comment and feedback. I have to admit that I have only ever played this model, so can't vouch for how it compares to other models out there. It's faithful to Leo's original design in a lot of ways, which appealed to me. I find it to be a very comfortable guitar and with the rhythm switch you can get a really good jazz tone. I think my favourite non archtop choices would either be this, a thinline tele or a 330 style hollow body thinline.
@@jazzguitarwithandy Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.
Joe Pass used one for a while - there are photos of that if you search. I think it was probably just too radical a step from a 17" full body down to less than 2" and no hollow body. I remember first playing out with a band when I was 12 so that's 1958/59 and at the time I had this thin Futurama. So I was into a solid guitar - but everybody back then saw the step up was to something more like a Gretsch or a 335 / Casino. Telecasters were seen as crude and clunky. Stratocaster - Buddy Holly and The Shadows. So sophistication was a Casino and if you were heading for jazz an ES175 type guitar. The Jazzmaster just had no visibility - but as soon as I saw one in the shops - Jim Marshall's in West London it has always held my attention because it looks like a Swiss Army Knife of guitars with all the switches and knobs. Let's face it Fender have two blockbusters the T and the S - everything else just bumbles along in the wings. If Jazzmaster was the guitar of another company it would be right up there with the best.
Great comment Chris. I never realised Jim Marshall had a shop. I think you're right. The Jazzmaster didn't have enough room to breathe with the popularity of the Tele and Strat.
Very interesting Video, good and friendly Player, great!
Thank you very much!
I recently put some Pyramid Gold Flatwound strings on my Jaguar and it sounds super jazzy on the rhythm circuit! Definitely gonna keep the flats on it and stick with rounds on my Jazzmaster for some of the more rocky tones I want
I'll have to give those pyramid strings a go one day.
@@jazzguitarwithandy They're quite nice, very smooth, but a little higher tension, the 11-48 flats set def had a little higher tension than the Ernie Ball 10-52 rounds set I had on prior
Thanks....Just got a mid 80's MIJ Jazzmaster and am considering 11's or 12's ...perhaps flatwounds.
I'd go for it!
Growing up in Toronto and being able to watch Ed Bickert playing a Tele since the mid 60’s, I have to say you sound a lot like him in terms of tone and articulation playing a Jazzmaster. I think it fell between the cracks of the musical explosion in the 60’s.
You sound great!
Thanks Timothy. How lucky you are to have watched Ed playing!
For jazz guitar fans in those days, television was a great place to see guitarists. Herb Ellis played in Merv Griffin’s band five days a week, Bucky Pizzarelli did the same for Dick Cavett. Ed Bickert played with all sorts of in house bands on the CBC. Those were lean times for jazz. With the great British bands, Beatles, Cream, Yardbirds etc., jazz guitarists had to take a back seat in terms of fans and gigs.
Keep up the great work. It’s a pleasure to hear what you have to say and to hear you play.
@@timothydaniels504 Sounds incredible!
I have this guitar ( Sunburst) it’s my main guitar and it’s incredible and sounds better with age
what strings are you using with it?
@@jazzguitarwithandy right now Ernie Ball Slinky’s 10s . I usually use String Joys 10s but sadly I forgot to give to the guy who was setting it up and he put those on it
I am glad to hear people playing these for Jazz. I was an rocker originally that was seduced by the chrome of a Jaguar for 30 years and then all of the sudden started playing Jazzmaster (Chicago Special, CS) and coincidentally paired it with a Fender 57 Pro... All I want to do now is play 7ths and learn jazz theory. I am a totally novice at jazz so can someone direct me to understanding how the Jazz Wheel works with learning the chords (I think I understand with respect to triads)?
Have you worked on the harmonised major scale?
Do you mean different variations of the major scale (like starting and finishing on other notes than the root)? If so, yes
@@PMPDISK1 No, I mean building triads and chords off each scale note
Excellent presentation and demo. Unfortunately times were different when the JM was first released. Musicians followed the herd when it came to a guitar choice since the ES line was already established for early jazz players.
I believe joe pass recorded with a JM back in the early day but that was short lived. I remember some of the surf bands adopting the JM in the addition to the tele’s and strat’s back in the day. Hopefully we’ll hear more from you playing your JM in upcoming presentations. I love your chord progressions and leading tones on any guitar you play. 👍🏼🎸
Thanks Steve 🙏
Yes, I’d heard that Joe Pass had used one. I really like Marc Ribot too often uses a Jaguar.
i've been seacrhing solid body guitar, that can play lot of music genre, especially jazz, and i think jazzmaster sounds good + I really really like the demo, great video !!!
I'd go with that or a Tele
Regarding the tremolo, the biggest reason for people having problems with it is due to improper setup. The neck angle needs to be pitched back a specific amount so that the break angle off the back of the bridge is steep enough to put good downward pressure on it. There's a fine balance here, because if you go too steep the strings will hit the saddle and the intonation screws. The American Original Jazzmasters (just like yours) have a 1 degree pitch milled into the neck pocket which takes care of this for you, so the odds of getting a good setup with less effort are much better on these guitars.
I have the exact same guitar FWIW, and after setting it up to my liking I have had no problems with the stock bridge. It sounds amazing and the rocking design of the bridge gives it that beautiful sound we associate with offset-body tremolos. The Mastery trem, in all the examples I've heard, deadens the high-frequency shimmer/sparkle a bit. I understand why some people prefer them because they're less fussy, but you only have to set it up correctly once with the stock bridge and it'll work just as well.
P.S. Yep, freshly-cured lacquer on new guitars does feel "grippy"/sticky for a while, but if you are patient with it and give it a good firm scrub with your hand every time you're done playing, eventually it hardens up and gets smooth and glides like glass. It takes a while, but lacquer feels great once the "grippiness" is played away.
Thanks for the comment and sharing your knowledge re that bridge. I haven't had a single issue with that bridge. What strings are you using with yours?
@@jazzguitarwithandy Glad to hear yours is working well too! For strings, I'm using 10s. Heavier strings might need a stiffer spring in the trem unit to retain the same range of pitch variation, but the stock spring works great with 10s.
I love this guitar. The range of tones you can get out of it is unmatched by my other guitars, and the size and shape of the neck is perfect for my hands.
Que bien tocas , felicitaciones
muchas gracias
Great sounding guitar - especially for jazz. It's interesting that Joe Pass once used a Fender Jaguar. It's also notable that this particular guitar has P-90 pickups instead of single coils.
Very useful!
Glad to hear that!
Really nice licks🙏👍💚
Thank you! 😃
Compelling video. Love those dark tones.
Thanks for watching Danny!
It sounds pretty good! Excellent demo. Thank you for your videos!
Thanks for watching Patrick 🙏
I tried out a jazzmaster roadworn some time ago. Very comfortable, light guitar with a wide sonic palette due to the circuitry. Great at clean bright sounds for surf rock and also jazz blues comping when you tweak the rhythm circuit. Thank you for the video Andy, the jazzzmaster deserves some love.
Didn't know they did a roadworn version. Bet that was nice.
Great video! Congratulations.
Thank you!
This is great, thank you. Did you ever do a tele/jazzmaster comparison vid?
Thanks for commenting! Sadly not :(
Late to the party but, yes, the main problem with the bridge is that people mount too light strings and in that case they do tend to pop off. Since I got mine I never got lower than 11 and never got any problems and, let me tell you, it does in fact play WAY better with flatwounds
I agree re the bridge. I've never had any trouble from it with 11s
The pickups in the Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster are not Jazzmaster pickups (they are pseudo P90s) and have more mids, which is better for that jazz sound. If you really want to play jazz on a Jazzmaster, get the Squier. It's neck is outstanding too. And since they've been discontinued, they are likely to increase in price more than this Fender you're playing. (No, really.)
Not had a chance to play one of those. I actually played a Squier and preferred it to my US one!
Awhile back I was dead set on the 60s original telecaster but couldn't find one anywhere.
Then I walked into my local shop one day and saw this thing called a Nash Telemaster and wound up playing it for about 2 hours.
I walked out of the shop with a shell pink guitar and couldn't believe what just happened.
I dont think I'll ever play anything other than some form of this style.
Its so comfortable!
Your guitar in this video is a 2018?
And what color blue do they call that because I must have one.
Thanks for the video👍
I think it was a 2019. I sold it earlier this year.
Never tried a Nash,would love to!
hey Andy, off topic, but are you from around the Gloucestershire area, your accent has a familiar twang? love that jazzmaster btw!
Joe Pass played one. There is a video somewhere on the internet.
Brother can play..... nice 👍
Cheers John
Very nice video. I like the pickups better than the humbucker. These are smoother and less tiney sounding. How about a 335 with Jazzmaster pickups?
A 335 with jazz master pickups? That would be interesting
Arch Hall Jr. plays a Jazz master in the underwhelming movie from the early 1960's "Wild Guitar!"
I think one of the last Fender Pro Series Stratocasters that had the HBs in them would work - but I'd swap the HBs for a pair of HB sized Lollar P90s. Just block the trem.
Bet those Lollar P90s are seriously good!
The reason it didn't work with jazz musicians has just because they were content with what they used. Difficult to penetrate a market like that
That's a good way of looking at it.
Have you found that using the rhythm circuit on a Jaguar produces similar jazz related tones - round/warm?
I am deciding between JM and Jaguar and having that sound (and versatility in general) matters
I have a tele now
Played both JM and jaguars but not enough and was so long ago
Hi, I've only ever played a Jaguar once and can't recall it well enough. Aren't the pickups in Jaguars voiced quite brightly?
@@jazzguitarwithandy that’s what I’m getting from videos and just from looking at them, yes. Brighter. Seems like a versatile guitar - the thin strangle extreme, bright tone, and (ideally) the rounded/warm tone with rhythm circuit applied
I come to watch this video again and again, you convinced me to swap out the VMod PUs in my Jazzmaster to Pure 65s. Very nice demonstration of what’s the rhythm circuit is capable of.
How would you compare the JM rhythm circuit sound to your Telecaster with Charlie Christian PUs? I hear the JM still has a bit of zing even in rhythm circuit, and the CC Tele sounds more like archtop humbuckers, rounder and beefier. How do you think?
I agree 100% re the rhythm circuit still having some zing. My Tele with the CC has more of a typical jazz tone. I used my JM instead of my archtop at a gig a few weeks ago and it worked really well!
It has dynamics and real life to it. I prefer Strats, Teles and Jazz Masters for jazz whenever I hear them. I think hollowbody guitars with humbuckers are significantly overrated.
I just think the notion that you need a hollow body is overstated. I love using solid bodies for jazz.
I saw a video with Joe Pass playing one of these.
Lets' see, Jazzmaster guitar - jazz. Just might go together.
How do you find the neck Andy? I'm often wondering about the fret size, design ect on my guitars and how nice it might be to easily change the neck ..as you can do with Fenders... all my guitars have set necks...
Can you tell us what these frets are and a little more about neck options please?
Sorry for the late reply. Well, I like 9.5 radius, feels comfortable to me. I did get the finish sanded off the back of the neck as it was a little bit sticky. The frets are vintage tall frets. For me they work just fine. Are most worried about the profile?
@@jazzguitarwithandy Thanks Andy..I've now bought a nice Fender Telecaster just to have the option to change necks...so I can experiment...It's not just the profile but the frets, shape and finish...I'm never content it seems..
Beautiful playing and a great review, end of the day I’m not sold that this is a good jazz guitar. I offer this most respectfully. It seems to me as if you are trying to talk yourself into loving this guitar. My guess is that we’ll find you back on the Tele once the novelty of this new instrument wears off. Thanks for another great video.
I know what you mean about the novelty period with a new instrument. I've definitely experienced that before. Not the case so far with this one though. The thing I like about this jazzmaster is that it's very different to the Tele. I've had it for 3 months now and have just done a few gigs with it. Still enjoying it so far. I really like Marc Ribot's playing and it fits the bill for that kind of sound.
Another reason for the rosewood was the lack of durability of nitro maple fretboard finishes. Apparently the necks were constantly getting sent back to Fender to be resprayed, but the huge push came when Leo saw someone playing a maple fretboard strat or tele on TV and was horrified by how beat up looking the neck was. So you had the push to appeal to other markets like you said, along with the aesthetic and financial choice to find something that looked nicer and lasted longer. This coincided with the release of the Jazzmaster in 1958, and then it was put on all of the guitars in the lineup. Page's dragon tele was a '58 with a rosewood fretboard, and Stevie Ray's strat was a '59 with one as well. Eventually the all maple returned, but someone will have to confirm this for me. It might have been as late as the early CBS era because I know maple was deemed acceptable again from the factory when they were starting to use polyurethane finishes (hence why there are so many CBS guitars with maple fretboards that look barely worn). The poly wouldn't wear-out like the nitro, but it's possible the all-maple was just less popular through the early '60s.
Amazing guitar and playing as always Andy!
Thanks for the comment Jacob 🙏
That’s really interesting about the maple on TV. Never really thought about it, but now you say it how many maple fretboards do you see in the 60s?! Not so many.
Please play jazz on a jazzmaster with a roland jazz chorus with chorus
I've never had the chance to try one those Roland amps. Would love to one day!
@@jazzguitarwithandy They're bright and hiss. I had one, sold it. Good for a video though.
That would be amazing!
Lovely playing and tone. You can fix that sloppy, clunky trem arm by puting a small curve in it. With a hammer. Yes really.
Thanks for the tip :)
I'm missing the last bit of sound compared to a decent hollowbody guitar.
That's a good way to express the difference between solid and hollow bodies.
I don't see why it's not used for jazz, the Les Paul with P90s is also amazing for jazz but people just use Teles instead which sound good but...
Yes, a Les Paul can definitely make a good jazz guitar too.
And there's me using one for death metal
Nice 🤘
are you usig flatwound strings in this video?
Hey Sergio, rounds. In this video I compare it with rounds to flats: ruclips.net/video/GMrTsPC9pag/видео.html
IMO any guitar can be used for jazz
Definitely! There's still a bit of snobbery about jazz having to be played on an archtop. Like you say, any guitar can be used.
You might actually get a more authentic jazz tone from a Jaguar with it’s short scale and warmer tone. The Strat and Tele were designed for country swing.
Interesting, I've only ever played the J.Marr signature a few years ago. What makes them achieve a warmer tone than the Jazzmaster?
A simple fix, give it a chambered body. Why fender just won't do it!
I bet they will one day!
@@jazzguitarwithandy I hope so!
Several choices made Jazz guitar players not like it. 1. Tremolo 2. Incredibly bright pickups 3. Weird noises and buzzes especially behind the bridge.
Archtops often have lots of weird rattles and rings from the tailpiece
@@jazzguitarwithandy Some. These are not my opinions its the opinion of the time, also a Gibson L5 or ES 175 could be had for 300$ in 1959, the ES 335 had just come out, and cost 335$ thus the name, and was also not acceptable to jazz players at the time and the Jazzmaster was upwards of 450$ when it was released. I own several Jazzmasters btw my favorite solidbody.
I'm yet to see a guitar that doesn't work for a genre of muic.
I know what you mean, but how about a Flying V for a classical guitar concert with no amplifier?
@@jazzguitarwithandy Well you just gotta spank those strings a bit harder, or use a paper makeshift cone lol
Jazz tone coming from your finger not your guitar
That’s very true 👍