I've never owned a Jazzmaster but my drummer owned one back in my metal days in L.A. in the 80s. I liked using it to record cleans. Sounded a lot richer than the super strat shred sticks I was playing which were often loaded with very high output pups like Duncan Distortions. These were just demos we recorded. But live I could not recreate the cleans on my strats. Jazzmasters, Jaguars and Mustangs made an incredible comeback in popularity with the rise of grunge and alternative which decimated the shreddy metal scene I was a part of in L.A. Interesting times they were! The aftermarket pickup industry is quite hot for offset pickups now like Jazzmasters and P90s. I've always loved P90s but they are so damned noisy, unless you get them stacked. But in the 80s that wasn't a thing, so I never thought of using them. Now it's an option and there are even active P90s. It's a different world. Viva le difference!
@@lastofthe4horsemen279 Yep. And I'm really disappointed that Fender is removing wood and contouring the neck heel on the American Professional Series--now they are really tampering with Leo's design. It is not necessary and looks awful.
A tip for all JM/Jag players - Low Bridge, High Saddles. One of the mistakes many new to the floating bridge players make is to set the saddles so that the height adjustment screws are either slightly protruding from the saddle, or only just below the surface. This is wrong, and can lead to the adjustment screws "backing out" while playing, causing the string height to drop - buzzing, fretting out, etc... What you should do is get those height adjustment screws DEEP in the saddle - almost coming out the bottom. This decreases the angle between the height screws and the bridge baseplate, which allows the tension of the spring to lock the screws into position. You then lower the whole bridge assembly to set the action using the two screws into the mounting pins... Other'n that, if you have problems with the floating bridge, shim the neck. Stewart-Macdonald sells them for less than $8 a pop. Half a degree is usually all that is needed, and it's a heckuvalot cheaper than buying a replacement bridge... Hope that Helps... G
Don't make the saddles too high though. There's a chance the strings can touch the intonation screws causing tons of buzz, making it unplayable. Find a balance. I like the saddles at a moderate height, so the saddle screws aren't sticking out, but the bridge SHOULD NOT be anywhere close to touching the pickguard.
I've got this exact guitar and cannot get the trem arm to stay in place. It's definitely pushed in all the way, but is still very loose and often falls straight out :( Love this guitar (it's my go-to) but that's my biggest gripe with it, especially for the price.
For those inquiring, this guy is 100% right. It's so funny how there are many reviews and tutorial videos on Jag/Jazz Fenders, and literally no one gets them right. Even when Fender has gone through the trouble of posting the info on their website. I wouldn't mind a set up/shim video from you. You're informative and entertaining.
This is a great video, and the most clear and definitive explanation of the Jazzmaster system that I’ve seen. Take heed Jazzers, the set up suggestions may keep you from spending a lot of time, energy and money on the typical roll-stop, mastery bridge exploration process. I wish I saw this years ago. After I spent a lot of bread and time I’ve ended up back with the stock set up done correctly. It works!
Yep- my first JM experience a couple years ago involved buying a Mastery style replacement bridge. Gotta MIJ Paisley on the way & hope the stock hardware is gonna work!
Looking to buy my first electric soon and I’ve been going into shops and playing these. As a new electric player I don’t really know what I’m looking for and this video is great.
Others: "you need to swap out the bridge because the bridge sucks, what was Fender thinking of?" VS: "here's what Leo was thinking of - use the correct gauge strings."
Excellent presentation. Jazz and Surf. Sounds like a menu. I rarely see the models with the mute out in the world. These tremolos are NOT Floyd Roses so you have to play gingerly. Beautiful guitars but at this point I'd have to get the Harley Benton Mustang knock-off to feel the love. (I'm a Strat-guy too.)
my 1st guitar at 12 yrs old in 1966.. 135 bucks. but I wish we had youtube back then. I needed this one to know WTF I was doing LOL. thx alot for this Im getting it out now and seeing how bad the setup is .. well sent it to Fender in 1970 for my birthday for a repaint to sunburst.. Beautiful was a Pea green.. then I put on SG frets.. lot of metal for that neck!.. then a humbucker on the neck.. well I was 17 and stupid.. but its going back to origional.. saved the pick up Thx God... sales guy said it was a 59.. I think its a 61-62 have to research that thx again!
Wow i cant believe ive just found your channel you have a new sub bud. I hope you do more on these offset body fenders esp, the jag which ive had since the nid 60s.
I've had my Jazz for a few months now and still tryin to understand it. It seems to have the ability to growl at certain volumes and frequencies of distortion. First time I encountered this I was blown away. It is my favorite instrument now. It's pretty tough too, lots of wood to thump it around and drop and its only got one major ding on the side of the body.
Mr Skow well Done! It's the first time after 21 years of owning a jazzmaster that I managed myself to setup the tremolo. All these years that I have given my guitar for setup to "guitar guys" pros or knowers no one managed (apparently no one knew) how to set it up. The last one had screwed in the screw so tight that I couldn't move the slider at all.. I thought it was just broken. Now I have managed in just 10 minutes to set it up correctly and guess what.. My tremolo works again after 5 years! And the slider works fine too! Isn't that great! So well done again! Unfortunately my low E string still slips away.. I will try to shim the neck but I'll check with a "guitar guy" for that matter. Thank you.
I have been a Jazzmaster player for 20+ years and have seem endless amount of videos regarding Jazzmasters (including high-profile-go-to experts). YOU, GOOD SIR, HAVE PUT OUT THE DEFINITIVE JAZZMASTER FUNCTIONS VIDEO! Take a bow! This is quite an accomplishment! One day, my son will play my Jazzmaster and I will point him to this video! A very sincere “Thank you”!
VERY useful video. I play a Japan re-issued Jag (i.e. 66 CIJ, S serial) and LOVE the guitar due to my small hands. The short scale neck is awesome !! Other than the Rickenbacker 325c64, this is the best neck for my short hand span. THANKS for the great work to help us all !
On point everywhere! Love this video. People should first learn to appreciate the guitar for what it is, rather than blindly mod it based on forum opinions.
I dismissed Jazzmasters and Jags for so many years as some weird fringe gimmick. Then I saw this video and the one by Dan and Mick (That Pedal Show). I tried a JM and what a revelation! Now I like them better than any Strat. Good info in here - well done!
Thank you so much! I just got a Jazzmaster and as I looked around for reviews, commentary, etc., I found a LOT of Jazz/Jag shade. "It's too complicated!", "OMG the bridge!", "Why doesn't it sound like other Fenders?!" You can do so much more with this in terms of tone than any other guitar I've played with. Long live the rhythm circuit!
Revisiting this clip. My luthier said Jeff go all stock no upgraded bridge or tailpiece needed. Just basically what you have said. Thanks Vaughn great video.
Best video I've seen explaining these guitars, great work :) I really love them both and you're just explaining and showing off exactly why, EVERYONE should get at least one Jazz or Jaguar in their life at some point ;)
Excellent demo - I have the 65 AVRI Jazzmaster - the predecessor to your model which is a spot-on clone of the mid-sixties transition model. I'm wondering if my pickup height is a bit off and was wondering if you could very quickly measure and post the heights your pickups are set to as they sound particularly excellent. I know these pickups are quite sensitive to height adjustment. I think Fender made a good decision keeping all the vintage specs/voicing but used bigger frets and a flatter board to improve playability. Also - probably not that important but unless Fender changed the Jazzmaster specs the value of the capacitor in the main circuit is 0.03 and not 0.01 as you mention in your video. It will should also be 0.02 in the upper rhythm circuit if it is following vintage specs.
It’s all about set up. When I started with Jm/jag, I bought staytrem bridges. They are great, but not needed. Once set up properly you’ll get no buzz on an either. I’d recommend a mustang bridge instead of the stock jm but that’s all I’d do The most versatile guitar out there
The simpler bridge just doesn't feature the lock-out button. As long as you don't break a string it should work the same. The lockout feature is there so if you break a string you can engage the lockout button so the guitar doesn't go flat and you can keep playing till the end of the song. Also see "The Frudua Way" RUclips video for pointers on how to get any vibrato system-- Strat, JM, Bigsby, to have really great tuning stability.
From Leo: Great demonstration. I have both of those guitars, and love the tones. I never thought they were hard to understand. I am a big guy and the Jazzmaster fits me. I just never feel comfortable with that short scale 24 inch neck on the Jaguar. I have been thinking about having a 25.5 inch conversion neck made for the little Jaguar, as I really like the sounds. It might be fun to put a baritone scale neck on it, but it would be pretty expensive if it did not work out.
To all jazz master/Jaguar fans: I’m intrigued by these guitars. Can you recommend any players to listen to, that FULLY UTILIZE all the features that the guitars offer, ie that switch between the different circuits and switches. Players that have tamed these instruments and maximize their musical expression by milking all guitar features in a creative way. I’m NOT INTERESTED in generic guitar players who just happen to play a JM or Jag.
Holy FUCKING SHIT!!! Had I watched this video, I would have been terrified to buy my Jazzmaster :-) This is a great video. Maybe one of the most perfectly informative, well-thought out I've ever seen. Not a lot (if any) wasting time babbling, and a whole lot of great information. I am so impressed (and depressed that there is so much more I need to do to take advantage/make useful the features on my guitar)!!!
NCE ONE! Just some FYI: When these guitars were originally released, they came standard from the factory with Fender's Spanish Guitar 50 Flatwound string set (.013 .017 .026w .034 .044 .054). Some time in the early '60s, the standard string set was changed to the Spanish Guitar 1500 Smooth Round set (.012 .016 .026w .034 .044 .052). My personal preference for various reasons is to use flatwounds with the wound G on both of these guitars. For the record, I happen to have the largest collection of vintage guitar strings in the world!
Holy hell dude I liked the mute but wasn't completely sold on it the whole vid until you kicked it on wet with the Pentatonic Scale an a whole world opened up to me! I've always loved the Jaguar/Jazzmaster body design but not I have functional reasons to love them too! Thanks so much for this demo vid
In my opinion this is the best educational video about guitars anywhere on RUclips! I'm not a kid, I'm 69 and have been playing guitar since age 20. Before that I played and still play violin and Sitar.
I'm experiencing tremendous fret buzz issues with my Squier 40th anniversary Jazzmaster on the low E and A strings. It doesn't come from the bridge like I know many people have experienced but just from the frets. It makes the guitar almost unplayable with a pick, unless I set the action to over 3.5mm which seems a bit absurd to me. Any tips?
The Jazzmaster uses the same exact neck as a Strat. And it’s 25.5 nut to bridge. It’s the string length behind the bridge, to the vibrato, that makes for the longest string length. The offset body makes it longer/taller than a Strat. The Squire J. Mascis Jazz is shortened to Strat/Tele size by moving the vibrato closer to the bridge and trimming the body. (I think they should tell consumers this fact) The MIJ J. Mascis Jazz is normal size but it has a TOM bridge and the pots are mini’s for some reason?
Thanks Vaughn Skow. My MIM Jazzmaster does not have the sliding button above that center screw. It's in a fixed position with no room to move. Also, my whammy bar flies all around and I can't get anything to catch when I push it in further. Am I SOL?
It may well be historical revisionism, but from what I've read, much of the Jazzmaster's design can be attributed to Freddy Tavares, Leo's assistant, who happened to be of Filipino extraction. I find it hard to believe that Leo was anyone's fool, so I'm inclined to think that he had the final say on anything that shipped, so it's altogether likely that the electronics were largely Leo's work, whereas the offset body shape may have been Freddy's input. It's a shame that the targeted market (i.e., jazz guitarists) did not take notice back in the day, especially after all the hard work which clearly went into this model. This demo was very cogent and hit all the bases, so to speak. It clearly demonstrated the model's functions and capacities in an easily understandable way; thank you for that. I think it's worth noting at this juncture that one of this model's greatest proponents (if you will), Tom Verlaine, passed away yesterday. He will be sorely missed.
These are fabulous guitars. I cut my teeth in 1961 on my brother's brand new 1960 Jazzmaster through his 1960 PRO. Great demo! The original series is about as close to the Custom Shop as you can get, IMHO.
Thank you for this my playing isn’t so great so it’s hard to evaluate guitars but hearing a talent like you play, shows me what the guitar is capable of. I think I will add a jazzmaster to my arsenal!
This would have been an interesting video, but I very early on in the video developed an aversion - morphing into extreme annoyance - for hearing you say "OK" so many times, and as a result had to stop watching. If that isn't bad enough the slight G pronunciation of the K made it so much worse. I will try and watch it again though because apart from the maddening OKs it probably has something.
As I set my Ocean Turquoise 2022 up the first time I was worried about break angle. However I have 8's on with no problem, and haven't taken any measures to make it work.
Had my Jazzmaster for two years and am recently falling back in love with it. My band member uses a jaguar, we swap on stage a lot this has been so helpful in understanding the potential of these beautifully versatile instruments. Thank you from Wales!
hey man, love your videos. ihave super-sonic22 aswell...looking at yous settings wonder, did you change the speaker in it. ??? i saw your nice video of swaping them and which one did you choose? thanks
Hey, I Really dig how you do your videos. Lotsa great info in a way that doesn't put a guy to sleep! Also enjoy yer picking and would like to hear more of your SRV. Too, have ya ever played or done a vid on Godin or Reverend guitars, my personal go to's these days. Thanks
allthingsclassicrock I turn my amp up and while strumming the guitar on its back, lower, or raise the pickups until you get the most volume. You’ll be able to tell. Don’t go with that 5/32 crap. Trust your ears.
The funny thing is the Leo Fender wasn't a guitar player, in contrast to Les Paul. Leo used to repair radio transmittors and had e.g. Dick Dale playing his guitars and amps!
hi i bought a pjk-725k guitar kit from pango music found out too late they dont provide a wiring diagram or set up how to book can anyone help me out thanks
Awesome well rounded video on 2 of the most interesting novelty Fenders out there. I own a Squire vintage modified JM and love it, I did get caught up in the misinformation out there on the bridge. I did put a Mustang bridge with adjustable saddles, I did use a little electrical tape on the post but let it stay slight loose and that works well with the tremolo. Next thing I enjoyed is your emphasis on the rhythm circuit, I use it all the time, and yes it get's a darker tone from different value pots that are in the lead circuits, but it's very cool for knocking out some jazz tones. Keep up the great work !!
Common issue. I've never messed with the mutes but this could have some answers mmguitarbar.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/demystifying-part-5-the-fender-mute/
Hey man, thank you for this very informative facts for Jazzmaster! A really great demo, I had a great time learning. By the way what gauge of string did you use on this video?
Perfect video that explains everything thank you now i know the Jazzmaster is the perfect guitar for me I love funky tones and also dark jazz type tones 👌🏻
11:08 - jazzmasters have the same scale length as telecasters and stratocasters, the unique sound/feel comes from the longer string length, not scale length. sorry for being pedantic
Thanks so much for your comment, I was trying to figure out if he meant it was different than 25.5" which had me worried as I await my JM parts to arrive. I was worried for a second there I got the body/neck scale length messed up!
@@AdamSJarrett No problem! I actually just recently finished building a JM too. Maybe you already know this, but I'd highly recommend looking up Mike Adams on premier guitar, mmguitarbar.wordpress.com/, and instagram. He's written a ton of articles about jazzmasters and how they're designed/set up properly and they were all extremely helpful when I did mine.
The Unique sound is a combination of things: The vibrato, floating bridge, and the pickups. Of course, the scale as well. (25.5 Jazzmaster vs 24 Jaguar)
@@Wolf_K Right, there are lots of things that contribute to the jazzmaster sounding unique. But in terms of scale length, technically 25.5 is standard since that's what most Fenders have, with 24 being considered short scale.
@@eldong5250 Yeah, it is standard for fender. However, we’re talking the unique sounds of each instrument. If you put JM pickups in a Jaguar it still sounds like a Jaguar but with different pickups. If you put strat pickups in a JM it sounds like a JM with strat pickups, not a standard strat nor a standard JM. why? The bridge and vibrato create different resonance, frequencies, and sustain qualities. Each instruments attributes, and thus the sum of its parts, are what makes each its own instrument. The jangle is entirely down to the Bridge and Vibrato, : the nuances of each instruments jangle is accounted for due to the rest of the parts such as pickups and scale. If we swap the bridge for anything other than the JM bridge on both the JM & Jag the attributes of the jangle change. It’s always there but it changes quite dramatically. On this last point, there’s a video on here somewhere that does exactly that. Lord Fuzzman is the channel IIRC. EDIT: ruclips.net/video/viES3qFHnIA/видео.html
I've never owned a Jazzmaster but my drummer owned one back in my metal days in L.A. in the 80s. I liked using it to record cleans. Sounded a lot richer than the super strat shred sticks I was playing which were often loaded with very high output pups like Duncan Distortions. These were just demos we recorded. But live I could not recreate the cleans on my strats. Jazzmasters, Jaguars and Mustangs made an incredible comeback in popularity with the rise of grunge and alternative which decimated the shreddy metal scene I was a part of in L.A. Interesting times they were! The aftermarket pickup industry is quite hot for offset pickups now like Jazzmasters and P90s. I've always loved P90s but they are so damned noisy, unless you get them stacked. But in the 80s that wasn't a thing, so I never thought of using them. Now it's an option and there are even active P90s. It's a different world. Viva le difference!
Leo was brilliant.
He had one/glass eye since childhood too.
He was beyond brilliant because he didn't play and he developed the most touch intuitive instruments and amps ever( my own opinion)
@@lastofthe4horsemen279 Yep. And I'm really disappointed that Fender is removing wood and contouring the neck heel on the American Professional Series--now they are really tampering with Leo's design. It is not necessary and looks awful.
@@squirelova1815 that's why he made all these offset guitars.. it was the glass eye
@@pgroove163 Good One! and Epstein did NOT...forget it. Everybody knows.
M'kay
There actually is a N'okay in there as well.. at 3:36
And BTW.. thanks for this great video Vaughn
take a shot each time he says M'kay
Yeah, nice to know Mr. Mackey has family somewhere.
South Park lol
Drugs are bad... M'kay
A tip for all JM/Jag players - Low Bridge, High Saddles. One of the mistakes many new to the floating bridge players make is to set the saddles so that the height adjustment screws are either slightly protruding from the saddle, or only just below the surface. This is wrong, and can lead to the adjustment screws "backing out" while playing, causing the string height to drop - buzzing, fretting out, etc...
What you should do is get those height adjustment screws DEEP in the saddle - almost coming out the bottom. This decreases the angle between the height screws and the bridge baseplate, which allows the tension of the spring to lock the screws into position. You then lower the whole bridge assembly to set the action using the two screws into the mounting pins...
Other'n that, if you have problems with the floating bridge, shim the neck. Stewart-Macdonald sells them for less than $8 a pop. Half a degree is usually all that is needed, and it's a heckuvalot cheaper than buying a replacement bridge...
Hope that Helps... G
Plus the screws gouge your palm that way ... ouch!
is there a video showing how to do this?
Don't make the saddles too high though. There's a chance the strings can touch the intonation screws causing tons of buzz, making it unplayable. Find a balance. I like the saddles at a moderate height, so the saddle screws aren't sticking out, but the bridge SHOULD NOT be anywhere close to touching the pickguard.
Yea ... that's true!
gchampi2 So true, lower that bridge, and bring those saddles up.
i just copped he fender jaguar in candy apple red so looking forward to play it. - pretty cool reviews!!!!
Amazing video. Well explained, and well shot. I'd been looking into getting a jazzmaster so this was perfect.
luv the Jazzmaster
Great Video!
I've got this exact guitar and cannot get the trem arm to stay in place. It's definitely pushed in all the way, but is still very loose and often falls straight out :( Love this guitar (it's my go-to) but that's my biggest gripe with it, especially for the price.
If its pushed all the way in it shouldnt be falling out. So it cant be. Its got to lock in when it is
The Jaguar is basically a Jazzmaster but with a Mustang neck..
This is easily the best video review of the Jazzmaster and Jaguar I have seen. Fully embraces what the guitar actually is and does as a design.
For those inquiring, this guy is 100% right. It's so funny how there are many reviews and tutorial videos on Jag/Jazz Fenders, and literally no one gets them right. Even when Fender has gone through the trouble of posting the info on their website.
I wouldn't mind a set up/shim video from you. You're informative and entertaining.
I don't even own a fender, I'm a les paul guy, and I watched this entire video because of how interesting you made it. Good stuff.
I couln't stop watching either. Great guitarist and captivating for some reason, m'kay.
This is a great video, and the most clear and definitive explanation of the Jazzmaster system that I’ve seen. Take heed Jazzers, the set up suggestions may keep you from spending a lot of time, energy and money on the typical roll-stop, mastery bridge exploration process. I wish I saw this years ago. After I spent a lot of bread and time I’ve ended up back with the stock set up done correctly. It works!
Yep- my first JM experience a couple years ago involved buying a Mastery style replacement bridge. Gotta MIJ Paisley on the way & hope the stock hardware is gonna work!
Looking to buy my first electric soon and I’ve been going into shops and playing these. As a new electric player I don’t really know what I’m looking for and this video is great.
Awesome! Yeah, that's really why I did this vid ... so much misunderstanding and dis-information out there on these guitars!!
Others: "you need to swap out the bridge because the bridge sucks, what was Fender thinking of?"
VS: "here's what Leo was thinking of - use the correct gauge strings."
Exactly. 12’s on my Jag feel like 10’s because of short scale. This type of trem needs the tension too.
What a great and endorsement and defense of a beautiful instrument! Thanks for all the info I didn't know!
The best demonstration of the Jazzmaster and Jaguar on RUclips by far!
Excellent presentation. Jazz and Surf. Sounds like a menu. I rarely see the models with the mute out in the world. These tremolos are NOT Floyd Roses so you have to play gingerly. Beautiful guitars but at this point I'd have to get the Harley Benton Mustang knock-off to feel the love. (I'm a Strat-guy too.)
Great guitar mkay?
my 1st guitar at 12 yrs old in 1966.. 135 bucks. but I wish we had youtube back then. I needed this one to know WTF I was doing LOL. thx alot for this Im getting it out now and seeing how bad the setup is .. well sent it to Fender in 1970 for my birthday for a repaint to sunburst.. Beautiful was a Pea green.. then I put on SG frets.. lot of metal for that neck!.. then a humbucker on the neck.. well I was 17 and stupid.. but its going back to origional.. saved the pick up Thx God... sales guy said it was a 59.. I think its a 61-62 have to research that thx again!
Love love love!!! Both on my "eventual" list. Those things sound so good
Wow i cant believe ive just found your channel you have a new sub bud. I hope you do more on these offset body fenders esp, the jag which ive had since the nid 60s.
As someone just now searching for my first Jazzmaster, I TRULY appreciate you taking the time to make this video.
Thank you Sir. Cheers!
I've had my Jazz for a few months now and still tryin to understand it. It seems to have the ability to growl at certain volumes and frequencies of distortion. First time I encountered this I was blown away. It is my favorite instrument now. It's pretty tough too, lots of wood to thump it around and drop and its only got one major ding on the side of the body.
I love the feeling of discovering the different things a guitar can do. So much fun!
Mr Skow well Done! It's the first time after 21 years of owning a jazzmaster that I managed myself to setup the tremolo. All these years that I have given my guitar for setup to "guitar guys" pros or knowers no one managed (apparently no one knew) how to set it up. The last one had screwed in the screw so tight that I couldn't move the slider at all.. I thought it was just broken. Now I have managed in just 10 minutes to set it up correctly and guess what.. My tremolo works again after 5 years! And the slider works fine too! Isn't that great! So well done again! Unfortunately my low E string still slips away.. I will try to shim the neck but I'll check with a "guitar guy" for that matter. Thank you.
So...how did the neck shim work out for you?
I have been a Jazzmaster player for 20+ years and have seem endless amount of videos regarding Jazzmasters (including high-profile-go-to experts).
YOU, GOOD SIR, HAVE PUT OUT THE DEFINITIVE JAZZMASTER FUNCTIONS VIDEO!
Take a bow!
This is quite an accomplishment!
One day, my son will play my Jazzmaster and I will point him to this video!
A very sincere “Thank you”!
Best Jaguar and Jazzmaster review ever!!!
VERY useful video. I play a Japan re-issued Jag (i.e. 66 CIJ, S serial) and LOVE the guitar due to my small hands. The short scale neck is awesome !! Other than the Rickenbacker 325c64, this is the best neck for my short hand span.
THANKS for the great work to help us all !
So what he's saying about very light strings is that it will make the guitar suffer from....a tension deficit disorder. Ha!
I don't even have any of these guitars. I just love the visuals of them
Buy one!
On point everywhere! Love this video. People should first learn to appreciate the guitar for what it is, rather than blindly mod it based on forum opinions.
What if you have a squier jazzmaster and the tremolo doesnt have the sliding spring adjuster?
Dude, I like how you say ‘ok’. Reminds me of my 8th grade home ec teacher.
and mr mackey from south park :-)
Mr Wigger readwood jr high
I dismissed Jazzmasters and Jags for so many years as some weird fringe gimmick. Then I saw this video and the one by Dan and Mick (That Pedal Show). I tried a JM and what a revelation! Now I like them better than any Strat. Good info in here - well done!
Bro. You have awesome taste in amps.
Thanks algorithm 3 years later.... this guys is hilarious and now I'm thoroughly informed on the JAZZMASTER.
5 years later
Finally a Jazzmaster demo from a guy who knows what he is talking about.
Vaughn, I suspect you would make a $100 chinese guitar sound great. I bought the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar, love it!
I've got a couple of the Squires too ... use them for pickup R&D ... love em, but they don't have the luxurious feel of these Am Original series!
Thank you so much! I just got a Jazzmaster and as I looked around for reviews, commentary, etc., I found a LOT of Jazz/Jag shade. "It's too complicated!", "OMG the bridge!", "Why doesn't it sound like other Fenders?!" You can do so much more with this in terms of tone than any other guitar I've played with. Long live the rhythm circuit!
Most people go for a Mastery bridge right away....that's a waste of 185 bucks. Set these up right, and they are the shizziola.
Most people believe the misinformed morons unable to setup a guitar as designed.
Revisiting this clip. My luthier said Jeff go all stock no upgraded bridge or tailpiece needed. Just basically what you have said. Thanks Vaughn great video.
Very helpful and enjoyable video, excellently explained. Will be enjoying my new Jaguar even more now.
Best video I've seen explaining these guitars, great work :)
I really love them both and you're just explaining and showing off exactly why, EVERYONE should get at least one Jazz or Jaguar in their life at some point ;)
Best review of Jazzmaster on the Net
Excellent demo - I have the 65 AVRI Jazzmaster - the predecessor to your model which is a spot-on clone of the mid-sixties transition model. I'm wondering if my pickup height is a bit off and was wondering if you could very quickly measure and post the heights your pickups are set to as they sound particularly excellent. I know these pickups are quite sensitive to height adjustment. I think Fender made a good decision keeping all the vintage specs/voicing but used bigger frets and a flatter board to improve playability.
Also - probably not that important but unless Fender changed the Jazzmaster specs the value of the capacitor in the main circuit is 0.03 and not 0.01 as you mention in your video. It will should also be 0.02 in the upper rhythm circuit if it is following vintage specs.
It’s all about set up. When I started with Jm/jag, I bought staytrem bridges. They are great, but not needed. Once set up properly you’ll get no buzz on an either. I’d recommend a mustang bridge instead of the stock jm but that’s all I’d do The most versatile guitar out there
Wonderful job with this video bro. One of the best guitar reviews I’ve seen. Which is cooler? American Original Jazzmaster or American Pro Jazzmaster?
I don t know why those guitars did not came in front of the scene in all this years of Rock and Pop music compare to the stratocaster ?
I'm really interested in keeping my MIM jazzmaster in tune. Do you have any videos regarding the simpler bridge on the MIM JM?
The simpler bridge just doesn't feature the lock-out button. As long as you don't break a string it should work the same. The lockout feature is there so if you break a string you can engage the lockout button so the guitar doesn't go flat and you can keep playing till the end of the song. Also see "The Frudua Way" RUclips video for pointers on how to get any vibrato system-- Strat, JM, Bigsby, to have really great tuning stability.
Best Jazzmaster and Jag video I have seen. The Squier JM is awesome, and under 400 bucks!
From Leo: Great demonstration. I have both of those guitars, and love the tones. I never thought they were hard to understand. I am a big guy and the Jazzmaster fits me. I just never feel comfortable with that short scale 24 inch neck on the Jaguar. I have been thinking about having a 25.5 inch conversion neck made for the little Jaguar, as I really like the sounds. It might be fun to put a baritone scale neck on it, but it would be pretty expensive if it did not work out.
Vaughn Skow ! In short ... You know your stuff!!! Great Video ... NO KIDDING!! Thanks for sharing!
I've had my Jag since about '01 and I just learned three things from you, thanks!
To all jazz master/Jaguar fans: I’m intrigued by these guitars. Can you recommend any players to listen to, that FULLY UTILIZE all the features that the guitars offer, ie that switch between the different circuits and switches. Players that have tamed these instruments and maximize their musical expression by milking all guitar features in a creative way. I’m NOT INTERESTED in generic guitar players who just happen to play a JM or Jag.
Holy FUCKING SHIT!!! Had I watched this video, I would have been terrified to buy my Jazzmaster :-) This is a great video. Maybe one of the most perfectly informative, well-thought out I've ever seen. Not a lot (if any) wasting time babbling, and a whole lot of great information. I am so impressed (and depressed that there is so much more I need to do to take advantage/make useful the features on my guitar)!!!
Great vid. Now I'm ready for my Am Orig 60's JM to arrive in a couple days! Thanks man!
NCE ONE!
Just some FYI:
When these guitars were originally released, they came standard from the factory with Fender's Spanish Guitar 50 Flatwound string set (.013 .017 .026w .034 .044 .054). Some time in the early '60s, the standard string set was changed to the Spanish Guitar 1500 Smooth Round set (.012 .016 .026w .034 .044 .052). My personal preference for various reasons is to use flatwounds with the wound G on both of these guitars.
For the record, I happen to have the largest collection of vintage guitar strings in the world!
Holy hell dude I liked the mute but wasn't completely sold on it the whole vid until you kicked it on wet with the Pentatonic Scale an a whole world opened up to me! I've always loved the Jaguar/Jazzmaster body design but not I have functional reasons to love them too! Thanks so much for this demo vid
First explanation I've found yet that is actually helpful. Thank you!
In my opinion this is the best educational video about guitars anywhere on RUclips! I'm not a kid, I'm 69 and have been playing guitar since age 20. Before that I played and still play violin and Sitar.
I'm experiencing tremendous fret buzz issues with my Squier 40th anniversary Jazzmaster on the low E and A strings. It doesn't come from the bridge like I know many people have experienced but just from the frets. It makes the guitar almost unplayable with a pick, unless I set the action to over 3.5mm which seems a bit absurd to me. Any tips?
My AM Original Jazzmaster is on the way, this was the PERFECT video to prepare for it. Thank you!
The Jazzmaster uses the same exact neck as a Strat.
And it’s 25.5 nut to bridge.
It’s the string length behind the bridge, to the vibrato, that makes for the longest string length.
The offset body makes it longer/taller than a Strat.
The Squire J. Mascis Jazz is shortened to Strat/Tele size by moving the vibrato closer to the bridge and trimming the body. (I think they should tell consumers this fact)
The MIJ J. Mascis Jazz is normal size but it has a TOM bridge and the pots are mini’s for some reason?
Thanks Vaughn Skow. My MIM Jazzmaster does not have the sliding button above that center screw. It's in a fixed position with no room to move. Also, my whammy bar flies all around and I can't get anything to catch when I push it in further. Am I SOL?
It may well be historical revisionism, but from what I've read, much of the Jazzmaster's design can be attributed to Freddy Tavares, Leo's assistant, who happened to be of Filipino extraction. I find it hard to believe that Leo was anyone's fool, so I'm inclined to think that he had the final say on anything that shipped, so it's altogether likely that the electronics were largely Leo's work, whereas the offset body shape may have been Freddy's input. It's a shame that the targeted market (i.e., jazz guitarists) did not take notice back in the day, especially after all the hard work which clearly went into this model.
This demo was very cogent and hit all the bases, so to speak. It clearly demonstrated the model's functions and capacities in an easily understandable way; thank you for that. I think it's worth noting at this juncture that one of this model's greatest proponents (if you will), Tom Verlaine, passed away yesterday. He will be sorely missed.
Best Jazz/Jag explanation video I’ve seen.
Skip his adverts guys
These are fabulous guitars. I cut my teeth in 1961 on my brother's brand new 1960 Jazzmaster through his 1960 PRO. Great demo! The original series is about as close to the Custom Shop as you can get, IMHO.
Thank you for this my playing isn’t so great so it’s hard to evaluate guitars but hearing a talent like you play, shows me what the guitar is capable of. I think I will add a jazzmaster to my arsenal!
Why they fender put the whammy bar in the middle of the strings
Because that’s the ideal location on these guitars.
This would have been an interesting video, but I very early on in the video developed an aversion - morphing into extreme annoyance - for hearing you say "OK" so many times, and as a result had to stop watching. If that isn't bad enough the slight G pronunciation of the K made it so much worse. I will try and watch it again though because apart from the maddening OKs it probably has something.
That mute thing on the Jaguar bridge is cool as hell.
As I set my Ocean Turquoise 2022 up the first time I was worried about break angle. However I have 8's on with no problem, and haven't taken any measures to make it work.
Would this setup be the same for the Vintera series?
ah the mysterious jazzmaster - could you tell a bit about the difference between American made pickups and Mexican pickups? (I might be missinformed)
Had my Jazzmaster for two years and am recently falling back in love with it. My band member uses a jaguar, we swap on stage a lot this has been so helpful in understanding the potential of these beautifully versatile instruments. Thank you from Wales!
why do you swap guitars on stage?
hey man, love your videos. ihave super-sonic22 aswell...looking at yous settings wonder, did you change the speaker in it. ??? i saw your nice video of swaping them and which one did you choose? thanks
Hey, I Really dig how you do your videos. Lotsa great info in a way that doesn't put a guy to sleep! Also enjoy yer picking and would like to hear more of your SRV. Too, have ya ever played or done a vid on Godin or Reverend guitars, my personal go to's these days. Thanks
How high do you guys set your JM pickups out of curiosity? I’ve been messing with mine and I haven’t found the sweet spot yet.
allthingsclassicrock I turn my amp up and while strumming the guitar on its back, lower, or raise the pickups until you get the most volume. You’ll be able to tell. Don’t go with that 5/32 crap. Trust your ears.
1sttvbn thanks for the tip this helped get me where I needed to go.
@@allthingsclassicrock
Try these for a starting point.
Bridge
8/64” B ( 4/32” )
7/64” T ( 3.5/32” )
Neck
12/64” B ( 6/32” )
9/64” T ( 4.5/32” )
Not to be a dick but ‘crusp’ ain’t a word...maybe you were going for ‘crux’? Anyway, great hands on and well done video!
The funny thing is the Leo Fender wasn't a guitar player, in contrast to Les Paul. Leo used to repair radio transmittors and had e.g. Dick Dale playing his guitars and amps!
You have done a commendable job on this video thank you very much.
Yep, What im getting when I sell my other Strat.
Any experience with a Nash JG63? Currently trying to decide between a Fender and a Nash jag. Thanks!
Haha 8:01 This middle screw! Right here... the screw that is OoooOOoOnNNNNN tHheeeE mIiiidddlleee of the bridge!
Please, Please, Please learn how to correctly play PIPELINE if you're gonna demo the guitars using that tune.
hi i bought a pjk-725k guitar kit from pango music found out too late they dont provide a wiring diagram or set up how to book can anyone help me out thanks
Very helpful for a newbie jazzmaster owner. I did everything you suggested, and my squier jassmaster is playing brilliantly now.
JMs don’t have any longer Scale than a Strat or Tele...Jags DO, however, have a shorter Scale👍
Awesome well rounded video on 2 of the most interesting novelty Fenders out there. I own a Squire vintage modified JM and love it, I did get caught up in the misinformation out there on the bridge. I did put a Mustang bridge with adjustable saddles, I did use a little electrical tape on the post but let it stay slight loose and that works well with the tremolo. Next thing I enjoyed is your emphasis on the rhythm circuit, I use it all the time, and yes it get's a darker tone from different value pots that are in the lead circuits, but it's very cool for knocking out some jazz tones. Keep up the great work !!
I love this demo, best one! Could you please do vids on strats, teles and the new squier toronado? Thank you
The Fender Supersonic amps are wonderful
good explanation.
Great video! Just wondering if you have any advice when it comes to the Jaguar mute as mine makes the strings go sharp when engaged 😐
Common issue. I've never messed with the mutes but this could have some answers mmguitarbar.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/demystifying-part-5-the-fender-mute/
Hey man, thank you for this very informative facts for Jazzmaster! A really great demo, I had a great time learning. By the way what gauge of string did you use on this video?
Perfect video that explains everything thank you now i know the Jazzmaster is the perfect guitar for me I love funky tones and also dark jazz type tones 👌🏻
Grazie fratello…sei molto chiaro e il tuo inglese è incredibilmente pulito e comprensibile! ❤️🙏❤️
What are the Emmy Awards for?
11:08 - jazzmasters have the same scale length as telecasters and stratocasters, the unique sound/feel comes from the longer string length, not scale length. sorry for being pedantic
Thanks so much for your comment, I was trying to figure out if he meant it was different than 25.5" which had me worried as I await my JM parts to arrive. I was worried for a second there I got the body/neck scale length messed up!
@@AdamSJarrett No problem! I actually just recently finished building a JM too. Maybe you already know this, but I'd highly recommend looking up Mike Adams on premier guitar, mmguitarbar.wordpress.com/, and instagram. He's written a ton of articles about jazzmasters and how they're designed/set up properly and they were all extremely helpful when I did mine.
The Unique sound is a combination of things: The vibrato, floating bridge, and the pickups. Of course, the scale as well. (25.5 Jazzmaster vs 24 Jaguar)
@@Wolf_K Right, there are lots of things that contribute to the jazzmaster sounding unique. But in terms of scale length, technically 25.5 is standard since that's what most Fenders have, with 24 being considered short scale.
@@eldong5250
Yeah, it is standard for fender. However, we’re talking the unique sounds of each instrument. If you put JM pickups in a Jaguar it still sounds like a Jaguar but with different pickups. If you put strat pickups in a JM it sounds like a JM with strat pickups, not a standard strat nor a standard JM. why? The bridge and vibrato create different resonance, frequencies, and sustain qualities.
Each instruments attributes, and thus the sum of its parts, are what makes each its own instrument.
The jangle is entirely down to the Bridge and Vibrato, : the nuances of each instruments jangle is accounted for due to the rest of the parts such as pickups and scale.
If we swap the bridge for anything other than the JM bridge on both the JM & Jag the attributes of the jangle change. It’s always there but it changes quite dramatically.
On this last point, there’s a video on here somewhere that does exactly that. Lord Fuzzman is the channel IIRC.
EDIT: ruclips.net/video/viES3qFHnIA/видео.html
Good to see you have the best amp in the world sat in the background. Poor little piggy was waiting to get played.