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
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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 💜
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.
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.
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 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?
Process of me watching this: 1. Ok, I'm not ever getting an American pro 1 anything. 2. Ok, I want this guitar. 3. Well, I guess I don't want this guitar
@@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!
Deco or black bro. That said, I got a vintera a couple years ago. Went in ready to go american but hated the ultra and Pro I. Got the neck re-radiused to close to 9.5-12. and its a dream to play. I'm gonna try some 11's on it tho! I have been happy with some 9.5's, but I'm interested in the difference of feel on the tension. Thanks for this video, it makes the pro II line up seem a whole lot better, but there's no way for $1800. American series/pro was just right at $1200-$1500 range. They've def made that guitar a whole other tier in price without really making the instrument a next tier instrument. Just my opinion, and glad for anyone who is totally happy with theirs at the price point. Thanks for the video! Keep em comin!
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
Mike I love you man, I don’t know if it’s because of your Caledonian roots (I’m Scottish) or because you shredded a Christmas jam on a mini ramp (I’m a skateboarder). In all seriousness your videos are a joy and Keystones spoke to me when I lost sense of who I was ❤️
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!
Excellent review, particularly liked the demonstration of how the vibrato unit worked - or didn't work, it really helped me to understand, thank you! It was also great to see you playing surfy & sweet sounds as so many people just seem to play heavy rock & that makes it difficult for me to work out if I like the sound of a guitar... Thanks 😊
What a delightful review. Thank you so much. Been waiting for your thoughts on the release. After toying a little bit with 9s, I put heavy bottom 10s and was going a little bit 'huh?' about the bridge, but just could not pinpoint what had changed. But assumed something about the spring, naturally I thought that it SHOULD compress more, as I've never played a JM before. So really good to know about the 11s, would have been panicking otherwise. I also like to add that your channel is one of the best things I've found last year! Really enjoy the in-depth, careful and detailed approach to these reviews. Also really good demos, clean and musically expressive, I like that you use a variety of styles to illustrate the instrument's range of capability. Thanks, cheers and happy birthday :)
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.
Really enjoyable video Mike! Have just bought one of those (in Miami Blue) and after taking some time to set up the tremolo and installing some 10-46s, it works brilliantly and I LOVE it!! Enjoy your Birthday! 🎂
Your playing at 34mins was reminiscent of Johnny Marr from the Smiths..... It was really catchy Mike. Great review, I’m digging the Miami blue Pro 2 Many Happy Returns for your birthday.....that velvet cake looked scrummy
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!
@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!
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.
Fantastic review, Mike! And that Dark Night color is fantastic! Definitely Deco Boom pickguard if you end up switching it. Going to have to keep my eye out for one of these in 2022 now for sure!
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.
never thought i'd watch an hour long review video and absolutely love it, but here we are. you're probably one of my favorite guitarists of all time. absolutely love the tones you are able to get its incredible. Also thank you for introducing me to Jimmy Eat World - No Sensitivity. kickass song.
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.
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
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.
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 ! :)
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. :)
Thanks guys I just subscribed and I ordered the Olympic white model oh God I melted when I heard you play cocteau twins on that! Please record a whole video on just that song thank you
You are such a great ambassador or the Jazzmaster and other offsets. Fender would be foolish not hire you as a consultant. Leo Fender himself while an undeniable genius in engineering, knew he needed people like you to tell him what was needed and surrounded himself with musicians like Dick Dale that helped push him to create the stuff we are still infatuated with. Should an American Professional III (third times the charm) come about, you'd be who'd I call. The other great thing about you is your creativity demonstrating this stuff and your knowledge of the instrument. In that respect, I think Fender marketing would love you. I wish that you could go to some of these guitar shops and show them through music this whole other paradigm that these guitars are so good at and explain what how and why these guitars are not just quirky Strat alternatives. (Side note: Even just some knowledge would help. I've seen Lee Anderton say multiple times in the recent past the Jazzmaster pickup is just a Strat pickup in a wider casing. Before that they were like P-90s. These guitars have been around 50 years! Some history and explanation of the design of the rhythm circuit, the use of different pots and the historical context of the bridge saddles and heavy gauge flatwound strings of the day seems reasonable) If used as originally designed, these guitars were just as brilliant as the Strat or Tele. And with modern approaches and simple modifications they can be much more.
Any chance of a 90’s Japanese jazzmaster review? Interested to see your thoughts on this period and whether it’s worth finding one and upgrading pickups in contrast to these American models you’ve reviewed :) amazing videos!
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 🎩
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.
Boggles the mind how such fundamental things fall through the cracks at Fender. Did nobody try the guitar with 11s? whether during the Panorama development process, or at any other time? maybe they thought of it, then just assumed it would be fine? I mean, I'm not any kind of expert or engineer, but I would at least try the guitar with common string gauges and take some notes. Maybe Fender should hire ME? lol
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 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!
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
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.
@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!
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
I remember when I was shopping for a jazzmaster I always saw so many cons as to why I shouldn’t get a professional 1. I just opted for a American performer which is ok only con is that it has a strat bridge lol it was so comfortable to play tho 👌 and I remember the professional 1 colors were meh. Also if I really wanted to upgrade from a performer it would have made just sense to save up a bit to get a professional 2.
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.
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 think it's one of Fender's best modern Jazzmasters to date"- i.e., "they screwed it up less than the other one but the original design is still the best".
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.
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.
Fender should have never changed the style of pickups after they made the classic player special. Those were the best Jazzmaster pickups I've ever heard. Fender keeps ruining their own designs that they mastered years ago. The changes they make don't ever seem to be for the better. Once the bridge radius angles stopped matching up with the neck radius I started losing all faith in Fender. I was a life long Fender fan until all this. Haven't bought a new Fender in about 8 or 9 years now. If they aren't careful they could lose it all. It happens. Not only that they keep getting more expensive. It's sad.
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 🎂🎉
It's funny that you hated the American Pro trem system. I loved being able to screw it in just far enough to have it stay in place unless I nudged it. I had the Jaguar in sonic gray with an all-maple neck, and if the neck profile had been a little thinner, it would probably have become my #1 guitar for life (maybe with a pickup swap, but I thought the stock ones were ok). I actually sold it and kind of made my own Jazzmaster version by getting a Mexican JM with a 4-way switch and Pure Vintage 65 pickups and adding the American Pro bridge and trem arm. The fret ends could use a touch-up, but it's most of the way there for a lot less money.
Mike, I asked you this before, and I apologize, I cannot for the life of me find or remember your answer. I don't remember which video it was in, and even though I looked for the last two days, I did not find it. Sorry! The question is: Can you recommend a Jazzmaster (or Jaguar perhaps?) that Fender has put out that you think was good without having to modify anything to make up for Fender's oversights? You recommended a guitar that if I remember correctly had specs from a well known guitar shop. I thought it was Dave's Guitars, but I'm obviously misremembering. Anyway, what do you say? Thanks! (I probably was asking about a Jazzmaster, but POSSIBLY I was asking about Jags. My brain ain't what it used to be!! Haha)
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.
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 👍🏻
Awesome! Fender should hire you!
They have
the demo with the guitar mill body was genuis to add
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.
I love the length of this video!
It was as long as it needed to be.
@@DougKingJax I mean, I agree lol
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.
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.
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
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
Has the issue been fixed?
So great to get a new video/ review!
I lived off your videos in the deep pandemic times.
Really enjoyed Thank you
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
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!
I’ve owned one of these a year now - most beautiful thing I’ve ever owned! Best guitar
I enjoyed this video a lot! W❤️
Happy birthday!!
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.
Glad someone else shares my weird obsession with offset guitars. I've never been able to place it but I've always gravitated towards them.
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.
That December 63 Jazzmaster is awesome
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☺️
GRRRRRREEEEAAAAATTTTTTT VIDEO Mike. I'm woawed by the work you've done on this review.
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.
Process of me watching this:
1. Ok, I'm not ever getting an American pro 1 anything.
2. Ok, I want this guitar.
3. Well, I guess I don't want this guitar
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!
I have a Japan Jazzmaster. Should have bought one 40 years ago. Great playing guitar.
Deco or black bro. That said, I got a vintera a couple years ago. Went in ready to go american but hated the ultra and Pro I. Got the neck re-radiused to close to 9.5-12. and its a dream to play. I'm gonna try some 11's on it tho! I have been happy with some 9.5's, but I'm interested in the difference of feel on the tension. Thanks for this video, it makes the pro II line up seem a whole lot better, but there's no way for $1800. American series/pro was just right at $1200-$1500 range. They've def made that guitar a whole other tier in price without really making the instrument a next tier instrument. Just my opinion, and glad for anyone who is totally happy with theirs at the price point. Thanks for the video! Keep em comin!
That dark night color is so cool
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
Mike I love you man, I don’t know if it’s because of your Caledonian roots (I’m Scottish) or because you shredded a Christmas jam on a mini ramp (I’m a skateboarder). In all seriousness your videos are a joy and Keystones spoke to me when I lost sense of who I was ❤️
This is all lovely of you to say, Andrew. Glad to have been of service!
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!
Excellent review, particularly liked the demonstration of how the vibrato unit worked - or didn't work, it really helped me to understand, thank you! It was also great to see you playing surfy & sweet sounds as so many people just seem to play heavy rock & that makes it difficult for me to work out if I like the sound of a guitar... Thanks 😊
What a delightful review. Thank you so much. Been waiting for your thoughts on the release. After toying a little bit with 9s, I put heavy bottom 10s and was going a little bit 'huh?' about the bridge, but just could not pinpoint what had changed. But assumed something about the spring, naturally I thought that it SHOULD compress more, as I've never played a JM before. So really good to know about the 11s, would have been panicking otherwise.
I also like to add that your channel is one of the best things I've found last year! Really enjoy the in-depth, careful and detailed approach to these reviews. Also really good demos, clean and musically expressive, I like that you use a variety of styles to illustrate the instrument's range of capability. Thanks, cheers and happy birthday :)
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.
Happy birthday Mike!
What an awesome and extensive review! We’re lucky to have you! Thanks so much, Mike!
Mike, I salute your expertise and offset nerdery. It’s glorious and helpful. I avoided this model because of the lack of rhythm circuit.
Really enjoyable video Mike! Have just bought one of those (in Miami Blue) and after taking some time to set up the tremolo and installing some 10-46s, it works brilliantly and I LOVE it!! Enjoy your Birthday! 🎂
Your playing at 34mins was reminiscent of Johnny Marr from the Smiths..... It was really catchy Mike.
Great review, I’m digging the Miami blue Pro 2
Many Happy Returns for your birthday.....that velvet cake looked scrummy
Love your passion, expertise and honesty. This has really helped me to decide what my next guitar will be. Thanks.
Thanks for your input! Very much needed!
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!
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.
great jazz reviews - very cool to visually
see the spring issue in the trem
yeah fender should be paying you for this
lol thank you
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.
Fantastic review, Mike! And that Dark Night color is fantastic! Definitely Deco Boom pickguard if you end up switching it. Going to have to keep my eye out for one of these in 2022 now for sure!
I love your videos, and i'm so happy that you're back on ytb :)
Watched the whole video and loved it! Happy belated birthday!! 🥳
Jackie thank you for watching and the birthday wishes!
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.
never thought i'd watch an hour long review video and absolutely love it, but here we are.
you're probably one of my favorite guitarists of all time. absolutely love the tones you are able to get its incredible. Also thank you for introducing me to Jimmy Eat World - No Sensitivity. kickass song.
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!
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
It's always awesome hearing you play!
Amazing review/demo! I'm always blown away at the level of detail and thought that you put into these videos!
incredible review! You're the Jazzmaster king on youtube imo!
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.
Great review, been waiting for this to show up. Thank you.
Thoroughly enjoyed your review and playing. Thanks for such a rad video.
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!
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!
That guitar sounds amazing in your hands 😮!
Thanks guys I just subscribed and I ordered the Olympic white model oh God I melted when I heard you play cocteau twins on that! Please record a whole video on just that song thank you
You are such a great ambassador or the Jazzmaster and other offsets. Fender would be foolish not hire you as a consultant. Leo Fender himself while an undeniable genius in engineering, knew he needed people like you to tell him what was needed and surrounded himself with musicians like Dick Dale that helped push him to create the stuff we are still infatuated with. Should an American Professional III (third times the charm) come about, you'd be who'd I call.
The other great thing about you is your creativity demonstrating this stuff and your knowledge of the instrument. In that respect, I think Fender marketing would love you. I wish that you could go to some of these guitar shops and show them through music this whole other paradigm that these guitars are so good at and explain what how and why these guitars are not just quirky Strat alternatives. (Side note: Even just some knowledge would help. I've seen Lee Anderton say multiple times in the recent past the Jazzmaster pickup is just a Strat pickup in a wider casing. Before that they were like P-90s. These guitars have been around 50 years! Some history and explanation of the design of the rhythm circuit, the use of different pots and the historical context of the bridge saddles and heavy gauge flatwound strings of the day seems reasonable) If used as originally designed, these guitars were just as brilliant as the Strat or Tele. And with modern approaches and simple modifications they can be much more.
Any chance of a 90’s Japanese jazzmaster review? Interested to see your thoughts on this period and whether it’s worth finding one and upgrading pickups in contrast to these American models you’ve reviewed :) amazing videos!
guys!! the jazzmaster king posted!!
Leo Fender is the true king, I am merely an Earl or Viscount as best
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
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 🎩
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.
Boggles the mind how such fundamental things fall through the cracks at Fender. Did nobody try the guitar with 11s? whether during the Panorama development process, or at any other time? maybe they thought of it, then just assumed it would be fine? I mean, I'm not any kind of expert or engineer, but I would at least try the guitar with common string gauges and take some notes. Maybe Fender should hire ME? lol
Most legit review/format I’ve ever seen on RUclips. The pace reminds me old school tech/science shows
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.
The only think I’m not in love with on mine is the tone knob. Thing is always turning down.
A masterpiece Mike - Thank you!
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!
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
You were not kidding when you said this was going to be an extensive review.
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
Fantastic job on this. Fender would be wise to add you to the team.
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.
Best Jazzmaster video ever!
@Puisheen Hey Mike! I loved the video, the guitar actually seems right for me. Just a question, how much does your Pro II weigh? Thanks!
I don’t have a scale but it is neither the lightest nor heaviest Jazzmaster I own. Right in the middle
@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!
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
I remember when I was shopping for a jazzmaster I always saw so many cons as to why I shouldn’t get a professional 1. I just opted for a American performer which is ok only con is that it has a strat bridge lol it was so comfortable to play tho 👌 and I remember the professional 1 colors were meh. Also if I really wanted to upgrade from a performer it would have made just sense to save up a bit to get a professional 2.
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.
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 think it's one of Fender's best modern Jazzmasters to date"- i.e., "they screwed it up less than the other one but the original design is still the best".
Slacktone! Love that opening tune.
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.
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.
Fender should have never changed the style of pickups after they made the classic player special. Those were the best Jazzmaster pickups I've ever heard. Fender keeps ruining their own designs that they mastered years ago. The changes they make don't ever seem to be for the better. Once the bridge radius angles stopped matching up with the neck radius I started losing all faith in Fender. I was a life long Fender fan until all this. Haven't bought a new Fender in about 8 or 9 years now. If they aren't careful they could lose it all. It happens. Not only that they keep getting more expensive. It's sad.
THE JAZZMASTER DADDY HAS STRUCK AGAIN
#JazzyDaddy
58:25 Lol. I had the same reaction when I turned 40! I feel your dismay! Great review!
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 🎂🎉
Would love to see the surf green mim 60s lacquer series jazzmaster on the show!
Amazing video my guy! question, what kind of guitar stand do you have? I must have one of those lol
Kauer DRS Racks!
It's funny that you hated the American Pro trem system. I loved being able to screw it in just far enough to have it stay in place unless I nudged it. I had the Jaguar in sonic gray with an all-maple neck, and if the neck profile had been a little thinner, it would probably have become my #1 guitar for life (maybe with a pickup swap, but I thought the stock ones were ok).
I actually sold it and kind of made my own Jazzmaster version by getting a Mexican JM with a 4-way switch and Pure Vintage 65 pickups and adding the American Pro bridge and trem arm. The fret ends could use a touch-up, but it's most of the way there for a lot less money.
I didn't hate the original Pro vibrato, I hated the arm. It's otherwise identical to an AVRI
Mike, I asked you this before, and I apologize, I cannot for the life of me find or remember your answer. I don't remember which video it was in, and even though I looked for the last two days, I did not find it. Sorry! The question is: Can you recommend a Jazzmaster (or Jaguar perhaps?) that Fender has put out that you think was good without having to modify anything to make up for Fender's oversights? You recommended a guitar that if I remember correctly had specs from a well known guitar shop. I thought it was Dave's Guitars, but I'm obviously misremembering. Anyway, what do you say? Thanks! (I probably was asking about a Jazzmaster, but POSSIBLY I was asking about Jags. My brain ain't what it used to be!! Haha)