this might be the best guitar review on youtube. i wish more people would go into this kind of detail in reviews. not to mention so many reviews feel like glorified advertisements, whereas this video felt genuinely honest about everything.
That’s because the high majority of RUclips reviews are glorified ads It is the modern infomercial- these various music gear corporations use RUclipsrs as a free or extremely cheap third party marketing wing of the companies lol
im personally more of a mustang/jaguar guy but you're the one person i can watch talk about a jazzmaster without getting bored. love this kind of content keep it up
I just want to mention to anyone who watched this outstanding video that I have the Am Pro II, I play with 10's and love the trem, and I am a pickup snob who always changes out pickups and I love the pickups on the AM Pro II. I prefer the somewhat "warmer" JM sound that you hear in Mike's excellent demos, and that is a bit of a deviation from what many consider the "true" (i.e. vintage) JM sound! Mike is a Jazzmaster afficianado par excellence. I'm someone who has long loved the JM sound from so many of my favorite bands, but I've never actually owned a JM until now. So for those of you who have never owned a JM, and don't necessarily have the same expectations that an expert like Mike might have, I think this model might be the perfect gateway drug. To me the versatility and expressivity of this guitar makes it an incredible instrument that stands on its own!
I agree, the fact that I can get a strat middle/bridge sound on the middle setting is awesome. I put 10.5's on it and noticed a slightly tall fret, but thats the only complaint. I love this guitar.
Thanks for this comment. Just ordered one myself, and I kinda felt that Mike' critique of the pickups weren't really applicable to me nor the fact that you can't use 11s. This was just what I needed to hear. Also loved the JM for years and years and I'm finally getting one
@@nickfrijns8769 Having received mine back in Sept of 2022 after a 9 month wait, I play this beautiful guitar nearly every day and still love almost everything about it. The only thing I am thinking of changing is the vertical slide switch. I like to change lead tones in the middle of some instrumentals and the black slide switch is very easy to miss. I might replace it with a toggle, but boy, hate to do that especially if I would have to route out the cavity to accommodate the toggle. At this time I just practice switching a few times before a song that requires it, and that seems to work well. I have also found slide switches available that have higher (longer) and even different color levers. Lastly, after watching a video of Rick Beato and friends test out light gauge strings for tone and playability, I switched to 8's and man, do I love them! The Panorama still works very well. Tried 7's, but they were a little too slinky for me. Did I say I love this guitar?
@Neon Thunderbird now the boomers have left music and their influence is waning, the jazzmaster has a chance at becoming THE guitar. If only Fender would stop releasing models with terrible vibratos and bridges! 55mm string spacing… wtf‽ Whoever is calling the shots in the design team cannot play guitar!
Mike, you spoke to my soul with your comments on the American Pro I Jazzmaster. I fell in love with the shell pink/all rosewood neck model when I saw it, and went full send when I found a used one, with next to no knowledge of offset guitars. It’s a beautiful guitar, but immediately it felt like the bridge was too wide for the neck, and the pickups were not giving me that Jazzmaster sound. Popped in a master bridge and some Fender Pure Vintage ‘65 pickups and it plays like a dream. Your videos have taught me a lot about Jazzmasters, I greatly appreciate the level of detail you bring, no different in this excellent review. Thank you for the content, great playing, and happy belated birthday!
It’s testament to Mike’s quality content that I watched a 58 minute review of a guitar that I have no intention of buying. 👏 and the playing was 💯 as ever.
That's got to be the single best guitar review video I've ever seen in my life. You've got me rethinking my Mexi and wanting a pro II. I'd say job well done. Fender, hire this guy already.
at 6:34, I have never really put much thought into looking at the location of the numbers on the knobs, and this is helping me change that! I always just assumed that on 10 the number 10 should be closest to the floor. I do like when the pickguards have a little tick mark on them that lines up with the knob to be a larger visual indicator though. I will definitely do this to my jazzmaster build!
Beautiful jazzmaster and nice sound! Excellent review! This made me decide to order this JM today! This will be my first JM. This guitar has everything I am looking for in a JM. Even more. I am very curious! Nice that Fender also does something with your criticism. Keep up the good work! 👍🎸
Dude I am so proud of you for being able to influence Fender. I have been a 30 year offset player and love all your videos and love all the insight that you have that matches up a lot with my opinions. Thanks for being you
Knowing how long this has been in the works, I just wanna say thank you for how much time, effort, and consideration clearly went in to this. I appreciate how much detail you include in these reviews while still making it easy to understand. Happy birthday too!
If I was to drop almost 2k on a new Jazzmaster, I would definitely not get an American pro II, and would rather wait a little bit more and get myself an American Original instead. I got into offsets back in june 2021, and got myself a Vintera Jazzmaster. I love the hell out of that guitar because it has everything you'd expect from an ACTUAL Jazzmaster, nothing fancy. trem placement is correct, vintage bridge, pickups that are wound the way that jazzmaster pickups should be wound, a proper rhythm circuit and a 7.25" inch radius (I don't mind it, but I would rather have a flatter neck because I would like to be able to bend a full step without my notes dying mid way through hah) Speaking of that, I would really really be interested to see a review of the Vintera series jag/mustang/jazzmaster! Love your vids, Mike!
Yeah. I had a brand new pro ii and sold it to get a like new AO Jazzmaster for about same price I didnt care for the pickups and the neck on pro ii. I have a Am Pro I w maple neck and it just feels better to me than am pro ii rosewood The Pro I sounds more stratty and dare say tele'ish which a lot of people dont like, but I like it since I have other JMs that sound like Jazzmasters. Pro I trem is fine
I used to focus a lot on 7.25 radius as what made a neck good to me And it is in deed very nice for a good hand around and thumb on the root note.. But now I know for sure that the nut wide is in fact the most important to me, 42mn (small vintage) is perfect and the most important. I guess a somewhat fatter neck with 9'5 and 42mn would probably be the best neck shape to me!
Eh idk if a purity test is the way to go with offsets. Artists that made them "famous" used to mod the hell out of them, it tells you something. Maybe it's because for lefthanders like me their the only option but these Am Pros area godsend!
I don't even play a jazzmaster but, man, this is by far the most fascinating video I've ever seen. The whole spring thing just pulled me in and I couldn't turn away. Fender should definitely give you a job.
I've been lusting after one of these for the last year and can now proudly say own one of these beautiful guitars. It's a fantastic instrument! Love your content Mike!
Hey man squier have some amazing jazzmasters I have a vintage modified and I love it. The electronics are not the best my pots are super scratchy but hey I bought it for 400 euros.
What a fantastic video. I had the AmPro II Jazzmaster and a 60s Am Original Jazzmaster at the same time and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the panorama tremolo. Thank you for making me feel less incompetent. I kept the Am 60s Original as it was a better guitar all round for me.
The fact these are made in US lefty jazzmasters is what really convinced me i needed one in my life. Yes, it's a modern take, it has its pros and cons. Agreed Safetipost tuners are THE TUNERS and i would've loved to have seen 1 Meg in lead (reverse taper 1 Meg -for lefties-...: rare...push push 1 Meg, ditto...). I use 11-47s but they are Thomastik Jazz swing flatwounds and no issue with very limited downward travel on the panorama... ? Happy 40th ! :)
About the 22nd fret: It's not about getting the high D, its about bending up to the high E! Not really feasible on 21 frets :) Also you say about the pickups that they are muddy but maybe try changing the pots first if you're going for both - they might feel better with 1Meg and may change your opinion! You never know
Fantastic review! I'm actually working on a guitar design right now and this gave me so much to chew on. Damn, that's a great feeling! Thanks for all you do, man. Happy belated 40th.
and now it's $1899! I really want to get this guitar, but that is one spicy meatball. Thank you for your superb reviews, Mike. Your reviews are THE ones to watch to get an honest take on Jazzmasters.
Happy 40th, Mike! Ahh, to be 40 again… Your playing is awesome. And I don’t think the video was too long at all for a Jazzmaster enthusiast viewer. Loved it.
47:50 "The pups are little muddy" and 48:50 "the guitar boasts 500K pots instead of 1,000K" -there you have it, that's why the pups are muddy. The pots' resistance is *two times* lower! About 49:03 - you can buy 1Meg pot with preferred taper, disassemble it as well as the one from this Jazzmaster, take out the graphite strips out of both and install the 1Meg graphite strip into the guitar's push-push pot.🙂 I did so with many pots.
I was really looking forward to this video but man, I didn't expect it to be 1 hour long and I loved every minute of it! It's always a pleasure when you deep dive so much into a guitar's specs, pros and cons etc. And oh, I really missed hearing the "Mike Adams riff". I don't want to sound cocky but Fender acted a bit funky with you, do they actually know you're like the Offset Guru in the guitar community? Haha. Btw, I can't wait to see how you're going to mod that JM. And oh, I know I'm late but hey, happy 40th birthday Mike, cheers from Italy!
Eh, I'm sure nobody meant any harm. I can imagine it's weird having some guy tapping you on the shoulder like "Hey your spring has a problem" all the time. I do have good friends at that company. And thank you or the birthday wishes!
@@Puisheen oh yeah, I get what you mean, I just wish they were a little bit more concerned about us Offset people haha. Well, we can always count on you!
I honestly can’t believe you’re 40 you look great man! But oh yeah excellent review, I’ve been waiting for this one forever and I’m gonna buy one of these now.
I watched the whole thing. Bought one of these used in December 2020 and have been wondering when Mike’s opinion was going to be released into the world. Thank you for making me aware of the vibrato issue which I’ve noticed with 11’s but never addressed. I respect your jazzmaster opinion more than any other. You, sir, are appreciated. Question: have you had any issues with installing a Mastery M1? Mine rattled and I sold it.
That can happen on these and others with an angled pocket. The Mastery is specifically designed to sit lower on the body, so the additional height necessary with the Pro 2 coupled with the interior width tolerances on the Fender-made thimbles means that bridge may rattle around. I’ve yet to decide what I’ll do with the bridge here. I have a spare Mastery but I like the stock bridge as is.
You are my favorite guitar content creator on youtube and your tone demos never cease to absolutely rip. Thank you for the videos you make, you are great at it
Your special brand of benevolent criticism pleasures my heart in immeasurable ways… I take great pleasure in knowing you thought of multiple things/measurements/and tests that the dudes down at fender most certainly overlooked. Lololololol!!! “December 63..” “He doesn’t know that!!!” Hahahahha
Very cool deep dive into the dark night here. Side note, nearly every time I watch your reviews I end up pausing them to go pick up my Jazzmaster and play or adjust something. Happy birthday, thanks for the vids and being a good Jazzy representative.
Love your deep dives and tech tips. And when B7’s are actually back in stock anywhere, I will use your Bigsby setup tips when I install on my LP Special. But all that aside….you’re one of my favorite players on RUclips. Love your style and tone.
Mike, this video was amazing! I'm probably gonna rewatch every review you've made before I buy my first Jag or Jazz! You're the king of edutainment videos!
I loved this so much, thank you! It was really lovely to see you smiling when doing the demos. Loved how in depth you went, and it was great to see the guitar mill body show up. Fascinated to see what you do with it next. I hope you had a wonderful birthday 💜
That was a great watch . Being left handed and finding a mystic green one available last year I had to jump on it . Yip , same baffling string change trem arm fun within owning it for a day . Threw some 10’s on and away we went . Thinking of getting some Montys pickups installed but all in all I’m very very happy with my new Jazzmaster . Thanks for the review Mike J
Yes I'm a lefty too and had to jump on the only one I could find available. Mercury... Cream city has one more in Wisconsen for any other poor lefties in the dark midnight
When I started this video I owned 3 Strats, 1 Tele, 2 LPs and an SG. Before the video ended I have a AM Pro2 JM in Dark Knight arriving in a few days. Thanks for a comprehensive review! I’m excited about my first JM. Also… I have an AM Pro 2 Strat and love it.
Thank you so much for the time you took and the care in evaluating all the aspects of the Ampro2 here. As an owner of one I really appreciate how much I’ve learned of my model and also hearing you play it brought a smile to my face several times as I love the tones the guitar gets with and without pedals. It is the most versatile guitar I’ve owned and I’m by no means a traditional player so I definately love this modern tonal freedom. The ART DECO pickguard!!! Also I may ask you about my bar because like yours it is a bit looser then I wanted.
@puisheen Hey Mike, I am super new to the Offset world, and namely the Jazzmaster. I played and AMPRO II and I just loved the feel and some of the tones I was getting out of it, and I am stretching my musical pallet lately and went ahead pulled the trigger and bought one (its on order...tick tock tick tock). Anyway, because of that, I started watching videos on the guitar itself. I'm trying to get my head around the Rhythm Circuit and what it exactly is. I even watched the vid from 2019 of you playing on the Official Fender channel. So at about 49:19 in your video here, you say, sort of, that this AMPRO II doesn't have the normal Rhythm Circuit, that its in Parallel? As opposed to what. On the Fender page for the AMPRO II it says "SERIES MODE RHYTHM CIRCUIT" isn't that like all the rest? Sorry for my ignorance here.
I found someone say this. Does this sound right? “The Am Pro II JM doesn't have the traditional rhythm circuit. Instead of switching to just the neck pickup with a low pass filter like the traditional rhythm circuit does, the switch now changes to the two pickups in series, with the two roller pots being volume and tone for that mode.”
@@damianjoseph9222 thanks for the confirm! I finally get my JM AMPRO II this weekend, I’d ordered it from a local music store, been on back order. I’m dropping some Novak pickups in (JM 90 and JM 180) and a Mastery Bridge in it. I can’t wait to play this thing!
Just found your channel a few weeks ago and I'm learning a lot! You make learning fun and interesting! Also I love the Deep Sea Diver shirt. Jessica is one of the people who made me interested in guitar pedals.
I was wondering if it was her; actually, I paused a DSD KEXP session and framed Jessica in a similar position, then I've started Puisheen's video and I was like "I know you from somewhere"
Hey, before you buy a pick guard, go check uot Quick Guards very carefully. They transform a Fender solidbody non carved top into a real inviting and scrumptious looking icon, as opposed to the pedestrian cream, black, or parchment, or endless mother of toilet seat. You can really class up a JM, Tele, Strat, Stang, Jag you know what I mean. These guards are 3 mm thick, about 1/8” , and cost a hundie, and custom routs are available.
I like to tinker, that’s why I think always go back to Fender. Very well done video, thank you for the advice about the spring. Working for Fender seems like a good fit in your future.
With my Pro II that I waited over a year for sitting in the stand next to me, I watched transfixed at this review. I learned so much about my Jazzmaster I had no idea about, having never touched one until I picked mine up a few weeks ago. The only thing I needed to change was the string height. Once I got that sorted It's the only guitar I'm picking up lately. After watching this fascinating video I can see there are several things I can do to improve my Jazzmaster in the future. Had to subscribe.
Mike Fender need to up their Customer Service game bigtime and not only answer your helpful calls but give you a Signature Guitar. Love your content and I'm not even a big fan of Offsets but I just ordered the purple FSR Squier
This was the swiftest and most enjoyable hour I have ever spent learning about guitars on RUclips. I have always wanted a JM, and I'm willing to invest in the best model, but I also want the best model for me. Thank you for your amazing combination of luthier skills, playing skills, and your obvious love of music.
Thanks for all this Mike. I also just want to say thanks for multiple playing styles in your reviews. So many reviewers only do blues rock or P&W sounds. It’s nice to hear someone with a little post hardcore/shoe gaze playing since that’s more how I play usually.
Awesome video as always! Honestly, I don’t know why Fender doesn’t just consult you from the get-go DURING the development phase of these things. Happy 40th, by the way. :)
I watched the whole thing and only play bass. Really interesting! Always like to learn more about Fender guitars. Would love to see more bass content but that is maybe just me. Keep up the good work and happy belated birthday!
I think the gold guard, the deco boom one combined with the burst makes it look a bit too busy... Still, I just watched a 1 hr guitar review and at no point was I bored. So well done Mike!
16:03 LOVE IT! Classic Jimmy Eat World! Those pre-Bleed American split single and comp songs, like “No Sensitivity,” “Opener,” “Christmas Card” and “Softer” are bangers. Also, I have the same Deep Sea Diver shirt☺️
I have this same guitar, and I absolutely love it! You’re review was amazing and absolutely does this guitar justice in every way! I’m a big fan of your channel! Keep up the amazing work!
Worth the wait for your thoughts on the guitar. Lots of helpful information and options. Now I just need my order from August to get off back order. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and Happy Birthday 🎂🎉
Awesome review. Best one I have seen on you tube and the history of the different versions greatly helps in setting the context of the current model. At 29:01 in the video, notice how when you compress the spring, the screw that holds it rocks up on its edge where it contacts the vibrator plate. If you wanted to get a little more range on a dive-bomb.....maybe a full octave....you could bevel the bottom of that spring screws's head. That way when it rocks up on edge with the underside of the screw head relieved a bit, it would have bit more travel before the spring bottoms out. Just a thought that might give you a full octave dive bomb....or closer to it.
Wow! What a comprehensive review!! I bought the Pro I on sale as I fell in love with it in store and didn’t do any research. Would a new nut cut with narrower spacing and new pickups help some of its short comings?
If you can grab one of the newer bridges with 53mm spacing you'll be set. The nut can help, but it won't take care of string spacing farther up the neck
Gotcha - I’ve got a mastery bridge in there so I think the nut would fix it up. It was actually just yesterday I noticed how close the high was as it kept sliding off! Then I eye balled it, then I saw your video. You’ve helped me very much. My hat is off to you, Mike 🎩
I love your undying understanding of the Jazzmaster. Just bought a clean Squier sunburst Jazzmaster Vintage Modified Custom. It will get a Mustang bridge, black Bigsby, and black pick guard. A few Wilkerson Humbuckers ($36). Oh and the guitar was only $225!!
Wow, love your videos, man! Super insightful, per usual. Thanks for making these and thank you for the Star Trek references. You affirm both my guitar goals and my sci-fi childhood.
After drooling over this guitar for a year (wanted jazzmaster for like 5-6 yrs) .. stock shortage due to covid.. finally got it this week. so happy with the guitar. this video definitely helped while i was waiting. :)
What an incredibly well done video and happy birthday! (I turn 40 next week). I always find your videos so informative, and about two years ago after watching a couple videos, I was able to buy my first Jaguar. It’s a 2017 MIM 60’s Jaguar Lacquer in fiesta red, and I really love it. Shortly after, I bought a white Vintera Jazzmaster. It’s funny because when I first got into guitar as a teenager, I really didn’t get the appeal of these guitars… and now I really love them. I actually have that Texas Tea 60th anniversary Jag coming this week (I know people are unhappy with many aspects of it), but I’m excited to get it. Thanks for showing me the way.
THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD REVIEW! That seems like such a good guitar with so many cool features. I play heavier strings and man, $1,800 is a lot of money. But, dang does that thing make some good noises.
I am a huge Jazzmaster guy; once I played one, the rest of my guitars lost their sense of purpose. Count me as someone who watched the entire video. Spectacularly informative and entertaining - so many great points & observations and so much to learn here. LOL'd @ your indecision over whether you'd recommend it. Liked, subscribed, and on to your next Jazzmaster video. Want cake now.
@@Puisheen I put those tuners on all of my guitars and basses if possible, I have friends that think I'm nuts and will only use expensive fancy locking tuners, etc. Also happy belated!
Thanks to Ryan at 60 Cycle hum for introducing me to your channel. Happy Birthday! It is wonderful to see how deep your knowledge and appreciation is for this particular instrument.
GOLD, Mike. The gold against the blue looks fan-damn-tastic. Since I'm not made of money, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a Squire 40th anniversary Jazzmaster. I like the look.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Fender, if you're listening: Give this man a signature Jazzmaster please! What an ambassador, and as always, love your playing Mike.
GREAT test 😍
Pancake signature :o
I would buy this guitar so fast. Hey Fender...
Yo why hasn’t he gotten a signature yet…???
I second that 👍🏻
this might be the best guitar review on youtube. i wish more people would go into this kind of detail in reviews. not to mention so many reviews feel like glorified advertisements, whereas this video felt genuinely honest about everything.
That’s because the high majority of RUclips reviews are glorified ads
It is the modern infomercial- these various music gear corporations use RUclipsrs as a free or extremely cheap third party marketing wing of the companies lol
@@dreyn7780 ....right
You enjoy someone repeating themselves 8 times? You simple boy?
I watched the whole thing and I don't even own a Jazzmaster. This is a really good review that I actually learned stuff from. Also, happy birthday!
That means a lot! Thanks for spending time with me!
Yeah - imagine if you were about to buy a JM and played string gauges .11 and over? Thanks Mr P.
im personally more of a mustang/jaguar guy but you're the one person i can watch talk about a jazzmaster without getting bored. love this kind of content keep it up
I just want to mention to anyone who watched this outstanding video that I have the Am Pro II, I play with 10's and love the trem, and I am a pickup snob who always changes out pickups and I love the pickups on the AM Pro II. I prefer the somewhat "warmer" JM sound that you hear in Mike's excellent demos, and that is a bit of a deviation from what many consider the "true" (i.e. vintage) JM sound! Mike is a Jazzmaster afficianado par excellence. I'm someone who has long loved the JM sound from so many of my favorite bands, but I've never actually owned a JM until now. So for those of you who have never owned a JM, and don't necessarily have the same expectations that an expert like Mike might have, I think this model might be the perfect gateway drug. To me the versatility and expressivity of this guitar makes it an incredible instrument that stands on its own!
I agree, the fact that I can get a strat middle/bridge sound on the middle setting is awesome. I put 10.5's on it and noticed a slightly tall fret, but thats the only complaint. I love this guitar.
Thanks for this comment. Just ordered one myself, and I kinda felt that Mike' critique of the pickups weren't really applicable to me nor the fact that you can't use 11s. This was just what I needed to hear. Also loved the JM for years and years and I'm finally getting one
@@nickfrijns8769 Having received mine back in Sept of 2022 after a 9 month wait, I play this beautiful guitar nearly every day and still love almost everything about it. The only thing I am thinking of changing is the vertical slide switch. I like to change lead tones in the middle of some instrumentals and the black slide switch is very easy to miss. I might replace it with a toggle, but boy, hate to do that especially if I would have to route out the cavity to accommodate the toggle. At this time I just practice switching a few times before a song that requires it, and that seems to work well. I have also found slide switches available that have higher (longer) and even different color levers. Lastly, after watching a video of Rick Beato and friends test out light gauge strings for tone and playability, I switched to 8's and man, do I love them! The Panorama still works very well. Tried 7's, but they were a little too slinky for me. Did I say I love this guitar?
@@nickfrijns8769 I`ve been wanting to get this guitar for a while now. Why can't you use 11`s? I always play them normally and love them.
This is just about the best product review I’ve ever seen. On any platform. About any product. Makes me want one, and a bigger spring.
Jazzmaster: the most underrated guitar ever. To my ears the perfect tone
@Neon Thunderbird now the boomers have left music and their influence is waning, the jazzmaster has a chance at becoming THE guitar. If only Fender would stop releasing models with terrible vibratos and bridges! 55mm string spacing… wtf‽ Whoever is calling the shots in the design team cannot play guitar!
@@chrisparker5278 please define boomers, since the musicians that popularized Jazzmasters are 60 year old guys lol
@@allrain Born in the 50s
@@chrisparker5278 do we really need low end jazzmaster to be 2500$ though. The answers no. I hope the jazzmaster stays at the bottom until I'm dead.
Loved the video. Not enough people are commenting on how good of a player you are. You made me grab my guitar and start noodling around.
Mike, you spoke to my soul with your comments on the American Pro I Jazzmaster. I fell in love with the shell pink/all rosewood neck model when I saw it, and went full send when I found a used one, with next to no knowledge of offset guitars. It’s a beautiful guitar, but immediately it felt like the bridge was too wide for the neck, and the pickups were not giving me that Jazzmaster sound. Popped in a master bridge and some Fender Pure Vintage ‘65 pickups and it plays like a dream. Your videos have taught me a lot about Jazzmasters, I greatly appreciate the level of detail you bring, no different in this excellent review. Thank you for the content, great playing, and happy belated birthday!
It’s testament to Mike’s quality content that I watched a 58 minute review of a guitar that I have no intention of buying. 👏 and the playing was 💯 as ever.
Most legit review/format I’ve ever seen on RUclips. The pace reminds me old school tech/science shows
I love how thorough your reviews are, and you're easily one of the best players on RUclips! Thank you for putting so much effort into your content!
That's got to be the single best guitar review video I've ever seen in my life.
You've got me rethinking my Mexi and wanting a pro II. I'd say job well done.
Fender, hire this guy already.
Came for the opinions; stayed for the playing. Every time. Superb all around! 🙌
at 6:34, I have never really put much thought into looking at the location of the numbers on the knobs, and this is helping me change that! I always just assumed that on 10 the number 10 should be closest to the floor. I do like when the pickguards have a little tick mark on them that lines up with the knob to be a larger visual indicator though. I will definitely do this to my jazzmaster build!
Beautiful jazzmaster and nice sound! Excellent review! This made me decide to order this JM today! This will be my first JM. This guitar has everything I am looking for in a JM. Even more. I am very curious! Nice that Fender also does something with your criticism. Keep up the good work! 👍🎸
Has the issue been fixed?
BRILLIANT EXPLANATION! The "A-Ha" moment at 29:01 was explosive. That makes so much more sense. Watching to the end to see how this can be remedied...
Awesome! Fender should hire you!
Dude I am so proud of you for being able to influence Fender. I have been a 30 year offset player and love all your videos and love all the insight that you have that matches up a lot with my opinions. Thanks for being you
58:25 Lol. I had the same reaction when I turned 40! I feel your dismay! Great review!
This isn't about me but I'm the guy who tipped this from 999 likes to 1,000. Great video, love the review. Your playing is top notch.
Thank you for your service!
Mike rockin' some Slacktone! 🎸🎸👍👍 (we need a Jazzmaster emoji!)
Knowing how long this has been in the works, I just wanna say thank you for how much time, effort, and consideration clearly went in to this. I appreciate how much detail you include in these reviews while still making it easy to understand. Happy birthday too!
If I was to drop almost 2k on a new Jazzmaster, I would definitely not get an American pro II, and would rather wait a little bit more and get myself an American Original instead.
I got into offsets back in june 2021, and got myself a Vintera Jazzmaster. I love the hell out of that guitar because it has everything you'd expect from an ACTUAL Jazzmaster, nothing fancy. trem placement is correct, vintage bridge, pickups that are wound the way that jazzmaster pickups should be wound, a proper rhythm circuit and a 7.25" inch radius (I don't mind it, but I would rather have a flatter neck because I would like to be able to bend a full step without my notes dying mid way through hah)
Speaking of that, I would really really be interested to see a review of the Vintera series jag/mustang/jazzmaster!
Love your vids, Mike!
Yeah. I had a brand new pro ii and sold it to get a like new AO Jazzmaster for about same price
I didnt care for the pickups and the neck on pro ii. I have a Am Pro I w maple neck and it just feels better to me than am pro ii rosewood
The Pro I sounds more stratty and dare say tele'ish which a lot of people dont like, but I like it since I have other JMs that sound like Jazzmasters. Pro I trem is fine
I used to focus a lot on 7.25 radius as what made a neck good to me
And it is in deed very nice for a good hand around and thumb on the root note..
But now I know for sure that the nut wide is in fact the most important to me, 42mn (small vintage) is perfect and the most important.
I guess a somewhat fatter neck with 9'5 and 42mn would probably be the best neck shape to me!
@@Aniki82 Guess what? The American original has 42mm nut width and 9.5" radius!
Hell yeah, I second that thought... I'd love to see a Vintera Jaguar on the bench!
Eh idk if a purity test is the way to go with offsets. Artists that made them "famous" used to mod the hell out of them, it tells you something. Maybe it's because for lefthanders like me their the only option but these Am Pros area godsend!
Don’t even own a JM but was hooked on every word of this! Beautiful guitar and great vid. And….OMFG GOLD SCRATCHPLATE.
Amazing review/demo! I'm always blown away at the level of detail and thought that you put into these videos!
I don't even play a jazzmaster but, man, this is by far the most fascinating video I've ever seen. The whole spring thing just pulled me in and I couldn't turn away. Fender should definitely give you a job.
I've been lusting after one of these for the last year and can now proudly say own one of these beautiful guitars. It's a fantastic instrument! Love your content Mike!
I'm getting more and more excited about Jazzmasters. I guess it's just work, save money, buy. No matter how long it takes
Hey man squier have some amazing jazzmasters I have a vintage modified and I love it. The electronics are not the best my pots are super scratchy but hey I bought it for 400 euros.
You were not kidding when you said this was going to be an extensive review.
This was one of the best guitar reviews I've ever seen! You have a new subscriber too! Thank you so much! 🎸
I enjoyed this video a lot! W❤️
Happy birthday!!
That December 63 Jazzmaster is awesome
Ive watched many videos on these and I was always skeptical but you showed what this thing can do (what I want it to do). Totally changed my mind
What a fantastic video. I had the AmPro II Jazzmaster and a 60s Am Original Jazzmaster at the same time and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the panorama tremolo. Thank you for making me feel less incompetent. I kept the Am 60s Original as it was a better guitar all round for me.
Stefan I'm sorry you had to deal with that! Not your fault at all!
The fact these are made in US lefty jazzmasters is what really convinced me i needed one in my life. Yes, it's a modern take, it has its pros and cons.
Agreed Safetipost tuners are THE TUNERS and i would've loved to have seen 1 Meg in lead (reverse taper 1 Meg -for lefties-...: rare...push push 1 Meg, ditto...).
I use 11-47s but they are Thomastik Jazz swing flatwounds and no issue with very limited downward travel on the panorama... ?
Happy 40th ! :)
Kim you’re the best, thanks!
That cutaway shot of the vibrato in action was worth the price of admission! Nice work Mike
the demo with the guitar mill body was genuis to add
About the 22nd fret: It's not about getting the high D, its about bending up to the high E! Not really feasible on 21 frets :)
Also you say about the pickups that they are muddy but maybe try changing the pots first if you're going for both - they might feel better with 1Meg and may change your opinion! You never know
Fantastic review! I'm actually working on a guitar design right now and this gave me so much to chew on. Damn, that's a great feeling! Thanks for all you do, man. Happy belated 40th.
and now it's $1899! I really want to get this guitar, but that is one spicy meatball. Thank you for your superb reviews, Mike. Your reviews are THE ones to watch to get an honest take on Jazzmasters.
Happy 40th, Mike! Ahh, to be 40 again…
Your playing is awesome. And I don’t think the video was too long at all for a Jazzmaster enthusiast viewer. Loved it.
47:50 "The pups are little muddy" and 48:50 "the guitar boasts 500K pots instead of 1,000K" -there you have it, that's why the pups are muddy. The pots' resistance is *two times* lower!
About 49:03 - you can buy 1Meg pot with preferred taper, disassemble it as well as the one from this Jazzmaster, take out the graphite strips out of both and install the 1Meg graphite strip into the guitar's push-push pot.🙂
I did so with many pots.
I was really looking forward to this video but man, I didn't expect it to be 1 hour long and I loved every minute of it! It's always a pleasure when you deep dive so much into a guitar's specs, pros and cons etc. And oh, I really missed hearing the "Mike Adams riff".
I don't want to sound cocky but Fender acted a bit funky with you, do they actually know you're like the Offset Guru in the guitar community? Haha.
Btw, I can't wait to see how you're going to mod that JM.
And oh, I know I'm late but hey, happy 40th birthday Mike, cheers from Italy!
Eh, I'm sure nobody meant any harm. I can imagine it's weird having some guy tapping you on the shoulder like "Hey your spring has a problem" all the time. I do have good friends at that company. And thank you or the birthday wishes!
@@Puisheen oh yeah, I get what you mean, I just wish they were a little bit more concerned about us Offset people haha.
Well, we can always count on you!
Me too looking forward to see how you mod this one.
I honestly can’t believe you’re 40 you look great man!
But oh yeah excellent review, I’ve been waiting for this one forever and I’m gonna buy one of these now.
I watched the whole thing. Bought one of these used in December 2020 and have been wondering when Mike’s opinion was going to be released into the world. Thank you for making me aware of the vibrato issue which I’ve noticed with 11’s but never addressed. I respect your jazzmaster opinion more than any other. You, sir, are appreciated.
Question: have you had any issues with installing a Mastery M1? Mine rattled and I sold it.
That can happen on these and others with an angled pocket. The Mastery is specifically designed to sit lower on the body, so the additional height necessary with the Pro 2 coupled with the interior width tolerances on the Fender-made thimbles means that bridge may rattle around. I’ve yet to decide what I’ll do with the bridge here. I have a spare Mastery but I like the stock bridge as is.
You are my favorite guitar content creator on youtube and your tone demos never cease to absolutely rip. Thank you for the videos you make, you are great at it
I’m honored!
Your special brand of benevolent criticism pleasures my heart in immeasurable ways… I take great pleasure in knowing you thought of multiple things/measurements/and tests that the dudes down at fender most certainly overlooked. Lololololol!!!
“December 63..”
“He doesn’t know that!!!” Hahahahha
Very cool deep dive into the dark night here. Side note, nearly every time I watch your reviews I end up pausing them to go pick up my Jazzmaster and play or adjust something.
Happy birthday, thanks for the vids and being a good Jazzy representative.
I love hearing this
This is the exact type of offset nerdery I am here for. Demo six was awesome.
@Fender give this guy a job as an product manager!
I am from Germany and I work in engineering. This man is someone that develop new products!
Love your deep dives and tech tips. And when B7’s are actually back in stock anywhere, I will use your Bigsby setup tips when I install on my LP Special. But all that aside….you’re one of my favorite players on RUclips. Love your style and tone.
Mike, this video was amazing! I'm probably gonna rewatch every review you've made before I buy my first Jag or Jazz! You're the king of edutainment videos!
I loved this so much, thank you!
It was really lovely to see you smiling when doing the demos. Loved how in depth you went, and it was great to see the guitar mill body show up. Fascinated to see what you do with it next. I hope you had a wonderful birthday 💜
I appreciate the heck out of you, friend
Never clicked a RUclips notification faster!
That was a great watch . Being left handed and finding a mystic green one available last year I had to jump on it . Yip , same baffling string change trem arm fun within owning it for a day . Threw some 10’s on and away we went . Thinking of getting some Montys pickups installed but all in all I’m very very happy with my new Jazzmaster .
Thanks for the review Mike
J
Yes I'm a lefty too and had to jump on the only one I could find available. Mercury... Cream city has one more in Wisconsen for any other poor lefties in the dark midnight
When I started this video I owned 3 Strats, 1 Tele, 2 LPs and an SG. Before the video ended I have a AM Pro2 JM in Dark Knight arriving in a few days. Thanks for a comprehensive review! I’m excited about my first JM. Also… I have an AM Pro 2 Strat and love it.
M D congrats on grabbing a JM! I also have a Pro II Strat ( 3 single coils) and love it
Thank you so much for the time you took and the care in evaluating all the aspects of the Ampro2 here. As an owner of one I really appreciate how much I’ve learned of my model and also hearing you play it brought a smile to my face several times as I love the tones the guitar gets with and without pedals. It is the most versatile guitar I’ve owned and I’m by no means a traditional player so I definately love this modern tonal freedom. The ART DECO pickguard!!! Also I may ask you about my bar because like yours it is a bit looser then I wanted.
@puisheen Hey Mike, I am super new to the Offset world, and namely the Jazzmaster. I played and AMPRO II and I just loved the feel and some of the tones I was getting out of it, and I am stretching my musical pallet lately and went ahead pulled the trigger and bought one (its on order...tick tock tick tock). Anyway, because of that, I started watching videos on the guitar itself. I'm trying to get my head around the Rhythm Circuit and what it exactly is. I even watched the vid from 2019 of you playing on the Official Fender channel. So at about 49:19 in your video here, you say, sort of, that this AMPRO II doesn't have the normal Rhythm Circuit, that its in Parallel? As opposed to what. On the Fender page for the AMPRO II it says "SERIES MODE RHYTHM CIRCUIT" isn't that like all the rest? Sorry for my ignorance here.
I found someone say this. Does this sound right?
“The Am Pro II JM doesn't have the traditional rhythm circuit. Instead of switching to just the neck pickup with a low pass filter like the traditional rhythm circuit does, the switch now changes to the two pickups in series, with the two roller pots being volume and tone for that mode.”
@@burningjoe That's right. It's kind of like making them a big humbucker.
@@damianjoseph9222 thanks for the confirm! I finally get my JM AMPRO II this weekend, I’d ordered it from a local music store, been on back order. I’m dropping some Novak pickups in (JM 90 and JM 180) and a Mastery Bridge in it. I can’t wait to play this thing!
I've been waiting for this review, and I was not disappointed. Great work👍
So great to get a new video/ review!
I lived off your videos in the deep pandemic times.
Really enjoyed Thank you
Just found your channel a few weeks ago and I'm learning a lot! You make learning fun and interesting! Also I love the Deep Sea Diver shirt. Jessica is one of the people who made me interested in guitar pedals.
I was wondering if it was her; actually, I paused a DSD KEXP session and framed Jessica in a similar position, then I've started
Puisheen's video and I was like "I know you from somewhere"
Hey, before you buy a pick guard, go check uot Quick Guards very carefully. They transform a Fender solidbody non carved top into a real inviting and scrumptious looking icon, as opposed to the pedestrian cream, black, or parchment, or endless mother of toilet seat. You can really class up a JM, Tele, Strat, Stang, Jag you know what I mean. These guards are 3 mm thick, about 1/8” , and cost a hundie, and custom routs are available.
I like to tinker, that’s why I think always go back to Fender. Very well done video, thank you for the advice about the spring. Working for Fender seems like a good fit in your future.
Very thorough, been very interested in JM's so this was as comprehensive as possible, thanks
With my Pro II that I waited over a year for sitting in the stand next to me, I watched transfixed at this review. I learned so much about my Jazzmaster I had no idea about, having never touched one until I picked mine up a few weeks ago. The only thing I needed to change was the string height. Once I got that sorted It's the only guitar I'm picking up lately. After watching this fascinating video I can see there are several things I can do to improve my Jazzmaster in the future. Had to subscribe.
Ya my action was pretty high too from factory. Luckily very easy to fix.
Mike Fender need to up their Customer Service game bigtime and not only answer your helpful calls but give you a Signature Guitar. Love your content and I'm not even a big fan of Offsets but I just ordered the purple FSR Squier
I love the length of this video!
It was as long as it needed to be.
@@DougKingJax I mean, I agree lol
This was the swiftest and most enjoyable hour I have ever spent learning about guitars on RUclips. I have always wanted a JM, and I'm willing to invest in the best model, but I also want the best model for me. Thank you for your amazing combination of luthier skills, playing skills, and your obvious love of music.
Thanks for all this Mike.
I also just want to say thanks for multiple playing styles in your reviews. So many reviewers only do blues rock or P&W sounds. It’s nice to hear someone with a little post hardcore/shoe gaze playing since that’s more how I play usually.
I think we just witnessed the new standard for "in-depth" reviews! Also - GOLD pickguard. Great stuff
Oh god I hope not I never wanna make a video this in depth again lol
Awesome video as always! Honestly, I don’t know why Fender doesn’t just consult you from the get-go DURING the development phase of these things. Happy 40th, by the way. :)
EXACTLY!
I watched the whole thing and only play bass. Really interesting! Always like to learn more about Fender guitars. Would love to see more bass content but that is maybe just me. Keep up the good work and happy belated birthday!
Maybe I’ll try that! Not a bass player by trade and I shudder to think of the anti-pick comments I’ll get haha
I think the gold guard, the deco boom one combined with the burst makes it look a bit too busy...
Still, I just watched a 1 hr guitar review and at no point was I bored. So well done Mike!
Neither the gold or the busy deck boom imho
Try something else?
What gold guard are you even talking about bro?
@@ChaosHornetyea he’s tripping, tf is he saying
16:03 LOVE IT! Classic Jimmy Eat World! Those pre-Bleed American split single and comp songs, like “No Sensitivity,” “Opener,” “Christmas Card” and “Softer” are bangers.
Also, I have the same Deep Sea Diver shirt☺️
I have this same guitar, and I absolutely love it! You’re review was amazing and absolutely does this guitar justice in every way! I’m a big fan of your channel! Keep up the amazing work!
Mike, you might think this video is too long, but I can assure you that I loved every second of what’s in there. Bravo and Happy 40!
Worth the wait for your thoughts on the guitar. Lots of helpful information and options. Now I just need my order from August to get off back order. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and Happy Birthday 🎂🎉
Awesome review. Best one I have seen on you tube and the history of the different versions greatly helps in setting the context of the current model. At 29:01 in the video, notice how when you compress the spring, the screw that holds it rocks up on its edge where it contacts the vibrator plate. If you wanted to get a little more range on a dive-bomb.....maybe a full octave....you could bevel the bottom of that spring screws's head. That way when it rocks up on edge with the underside of the screw head relieved a bit, it would have bit more travel before the spring bottoms out. Just a thought that might give you a full octave dive bomb....or closer to it.
What a wonderful review. Thorough and entertaining. Thank you so much!
Great review. Now it makes sense when I threw some 11-52's on it it was pretty much bottomed out. Thanks for all your hard work.
Wow! What a comprehensive review!! I bought the Pro I on sale as I fell in love with it in store and didn’t do any research. Would a new nut cut with narrower spacing and new pickups help some of its short comings?
If you can grab one of the newer bridges with 53mm spacing you'll be set. The nut can help, but it won't take care of string spacing farther up the neck
Gotcha - I’ve got a mastery bridge in there so I think the nut would fix it up.
It was actually just yesterday I noticed how close the high was as it kept sliding off! Then I eye balled it, then I saw your video.
You’ve helped me very much. My hat is off to you, Mike 🎩
I love your undying understanding of the Jazzmaster. Just bought a clean Squier sunburst Jazzmaster Vintage Modified Custom. It will get a Mustang bridge, black Bigsby, and black pick guard. A few Wilkerson Humbuckers ($36). Oh and the guitar was only $225!!
Wow, love your videos, man! Super insightful, per usual. Thanks for making these and thank you for the Star Trek references. You affirm both my guitar goals and my sci-fi childhood.
After drooling over this guitar for a year (wanted jazzmaster for like 5-6 yrs) .. stock shortage due to covid.. finally got it this week. so happy with the guitar.
this video definitely helped while i was waiting. :)
A masterpiece Mike - Thank you!
What an incredibly well done video and happy birthday! (I turn 40 next week). I always find your videos so informative, and about two years ago after watching a couple videos, I was able to buy my first Jaguar. It’s a 2017 MIM 60’s Jaguar Lacquer in fiesta red, and I really love it. Shortly after, I bought a white Vintera Jazzmaster. It’s funny because when I first got into guitar as a teenager, I really didn’t get the appeal of these guitars… and now I really love them. I actually have that Texas Tea 60th anniversary Jag coming this week (I know people are unhappy with many aspects of it), but I’m excited to get it. Thanks for showing me the way.
THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD REVIEW! That seems like such a good guitar with so many cool features. I play heavier strings and man, $1,800 is a lot of money. But, dang does that thing make some good noises.
As well as the wealth of information, one of the best things about Mike’s reviews is his effortless and interesting playing. Lovely stuff.
Fantastic review once again great video awesome riffs
Happy Birthday Mike! Your videos are getting better and better!
I am a huge Jazzmaster guy; once I played one, the rest of my guitars lost their sense of purpose. Count me as someone who watched the entire video. Spectacularly informative and entertaining - so many great points & observations and so much to learn here. LOL'd @ your indecision over whether you'd recommend it. Liked, subscribed, and on to your next Jazzmaster video. Want cake now.
Happy Birthday, Mike! Thanks for the review!
big ups for the split shaft tuners! only kind i like.
Same here!!!
@@Puisheen I put those tuners on all of my guitars and basses if possible, I have friends that think I'm nuts and will only use expensive fancy locking tuners, etc.
Also happy belated!
It's 2 years later. Did fender upgrade the springs in this Jazzmaster?
This is exactly my niche. Thank you.
Thanks to Ryan at 60 Cycle hum for introducing me to your channel. Happy Birthday! It is wonderful to see how deep your knowledge and appreciation is for this particular instrument.
I love Ryan, what a shout out. Thanks for checking out my work
GOLD, Mike. The gold against the blue looks fan-damn-tastic.
Since I'm not made of money, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a Squire 40th anniversary Jazzmaster. I like the look.
Very informative video. Love your playing and tone. Very inspiring