A decade of ownership - My verdict on Jazzmasters. ( What you can expect )

Today I make the case for adding a Fender Jazzmaster to your collection of guitars, as well as go over what I believe are it's biggest strengths and weaknesses. I'm excited to make this new series about different models of guitars I've owned throughout the years, and this one seemed fitting to start with as I've just fixed it - again.
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[@MrRafaztar]

This man is wearing a tie, there fore he is an expert and knows what he is talking about. All jokes aside, this should be part of the school plan for all guitarists. Looking forward to the other videos.

[@AudiomoMusic]

The tie adds at least 50 credibility points imho 🤣 Appreciate the kind words rafa

[@cageliner]

Many years ago I had a '63 Jazz but it wasn't really me and I traded it away. A few years ago I decided to try again, and I bought a Candy Apple Red Squier VM Jazz. Other than a 9.5" radius and different metallurgy of the hardware LOL the bits are the same as a '63. It has the same saddles that the strings move around on if you play too hard. It doesn't have a locking trem, but I can do lots of shimmer without it going out of tune (unlike the Squier Mustang, which I traded away.) Of course, Fender is super cheap when it comes to bags or cases and it had neither. As luck would have it, I scored a used SKB molded JM case for cheap. Someday I might move up to an MIM, but I'm happy with the VM.

[@JBM_71]

As someone getting into offsets after years of the more conventional shape of guitar I must say that I agree with you that they should not be pigeon-holed into certain genres of music. For me personally, I get the best early rock n roll style sound from my (albeit copy) Jazzmaster . (but it does have proper Jazzmaster pickups.) 😊

[@staleyexplores]

Okie off to the Tacoma Guitar Festival! Great video today, I like the tie and the jazzmaster but like you I think I am in the tele jag camp. cheers bud! I like this format Jim.

[@staleyexplores]

and don't feel like you have to respond to my comments friend.

[@AudiomoMusic]

you're nuts staley, i enjoy the majority of comments its just a matter of not staring at my phone responding so much 🤣

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Love your JM Jim 👍 I was going to ask which model this was but saw your answer to another viewer, American Vintage 65' reissue. Nice! For me I used to think the only way to get one was in the traditional like vintage sunburst but seeing yours in gold has opened the door to other possibilities. Looks really sharp!

[@AudiomoMusic]

I almost didn't buy this because it was gold, but the price was so good at Dave's Guitar Shop I got over it real quick... I'd like to think I made a great decision looking back on it now

[@jonathanhudak2059]

@AudiomoMusic such a cool story! I know Jaguars are your true love in the Fender offset world but your gold Jazzmaster is the other main guitar I associate with you it's so cool! 👍

[@Frank-in-NY]

You made some great points on likes and dislikes. For me, both pickups active, or just the neck are my go to tones. Dislikes, well not so much when I was 15 was weight an issue, at 71, yeah it's a little heavy (Reason I bought a PRS Zach Myer SE). Location of the Trust Rod adjustment, not ideal. I will say, I've never had to adjust my 66, but have on other vintage Fenders. Your 65 reissue is a beauty.

[@AudiomoMusic]

Thanks Frank and I've also been lucky with the truss rod not needing much adjustment despite it being used for many, many outdoor gigs some of which were on the beach. I'd love to get my hands on one of those Zach Myers models, I had one of the original versions in a blue finish but haven't tried the updated model. Very light and a nice thick neck from what I remember

[@Frank-in-NY]

@@AudiomoMusic Exactly..The PRS is not like me, shorter scale, Les Paul shape, and color. I had a Squier VM 1970 Semi Hollow Tele, that I just didn't bond with. I was out looking for a lightweight semi hollow, tried Epiphones, Dangelico, Gretsch, nothing sent me. At Guitar Center, I saw this funky blue semi-hollow and for laughs tried it. It was love as soon as my hand grabbed the neck. Light gloss satin, binding and matching headstock, and it didn't sound too bad. Took me 5 months to get with supply chain issues. I play my Jazzmasters through a 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue. My wife gave me a Boss Katana 50 MKII for Christmas, I play the PRS through that, I'm having a ball!😁

[@richthetrashpicker-upper5244]

Nicely done my friend You’ve come a long ways,, That’s always been my favorite guitar I just don’t have one I’ve never found that soulmate yet

[@d.n.5259]

Appreciate this video... I can listen about the jazzmaster all day. I'm 42 but feel like a preschooler sitting at the carpet for story time. 😂 I saw you with the fender TM deluxe the other morning, live. What combo amps do you think pair best with a JM? I have an AM Pro ii and looking for something to jam in a townhouse (quietly) , but can hold up in jamming with friends or possible small venues. Types of music i like is surf, sonic youth, classic rock, blues.

[@gerrypair3856]

I like the neck pick up. But I also like the briedge pick up. I like the bite it has. Great for Country.

[@AudiomoMusic]

It's surprisingly good for country indeed, many players do like it for that

[@ftzwtr]

I've been thinking of going the Squier route for a Jazzmaster. I've been a Tele player for over ten years but I've been really interested in dipping my toes back into the offset world (used to have a MIJ '65 RI Mustang back in the day). I can't remember if you covered this in your previous video(s) featuring this one, but are the pickups in the 40th Anniversary Squier Jazzmaster true to form JM pickups like the Classic Vibe ones or are they reshaped P90s?

[@AudiomoMusic]

They are not true to the design, staggered pole pieces but they sound good in their own right. As far as tonally they sound a bit more modern, I made a video comparing it directly with a MIJ JM and this 65 reissue and the differences are definitely audible imo kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOsdomga5aGjbs

[@ftzwtr]

@@AudiomoMusic Ah yes! I had forgotten about that video. Yeah, listening again the 40th anniversary definitely seems to have more in the mids than what I'm used to hearing from JMs. I suppose I could go for a Classic Vibe but it's hard to resist the look of 40th anniversary. I'm curious to see if the "Vintage" version of these will have more of a traditional JM sound. Plus I'm very into the maple fretboard on those (which of course is not very traditional...).

[@HadrianRex]

My Jazzmaster is a Squier Vintage Modified. I switched the pickups for Fender Pure Vintage 65s and changed the pots to 250Ks on tone and volume. I did the same thing with my Vintage Modified Jag. The 250Ks get rid of the ice pick tones on the bridge and still provide plenty of jangle. I use flatwounds on both, and I shimmed the necks. Both are great guitars.

[@HC_GUITAR]

I love jazzmasters especially Japanese made ones. Slightly prefer a Jaguar though, easier to play and more tonal options.

[@AudiomoMusic]

The jaguar is the king of all offsets for me too, but you never start something with your favorite 😍

[@paressehylton]

Not easier to play, unless you have particularly small hands. Otherwise, smaller scale makes it more difficult to play intricate chords, and leadwork in the upper frets. Also the layout is more convenient on the JM with the toggle switch to go back and forth quickly between pickups, and the volume knob is better placed (no effort to reach it like on the jag where you have to go across the bridge) + strat style knob easier to grab and rotate with your pinky (jag and Mg knobs are slippery)

[@JBM_71]

Before I watch the video, let me just say, looking very smart! 😊

[@thesurfjunkies]

We love our Jazzmasters and for us that in between sound using both pickups is it!

[@AudiomoMusic]

I checked out your band reminds me of one I used to play with in Southern California! If you guys ever want to do a podcast and talk surf music shoot me an email

[@thesurfjunkies]

@@AudiomoMusic thanks for the kudos and yeah we would love that. We’re wrapping up recording the new record so will get in touch upon completion. Hope that works and keep up the fantastic work!

[@AudiomoMusic]

Thats perfect id love to help you guys get some more eyes and ears on it when it releases!

[@thesurfjunkies]

@@AudiomoMusic thank you! We’ll make sure you get one of the first copies off the press.

[@yjersey]

Lookin sharp

[@AudiomoMusic]

So are you my guy, suit and tie always classes things up a bit!

[@IanNorsworthy]

Fantastic video on an amazing type of guitar - so versatile, still so underrated

[@AudiomoMusic]

Yet people buy them these days just to use 5 different delays and 3 fuzzes at once! 🤣

[@518rhdavis]

i think y'all know my favorite but i also do own a few others. adding soon to my Tele collection. nice vid Jim.

[@AudiomoMusic]

Bob when I get to the telecaster it's just going to be me ranting at the camera about how it is the best guitar ever made and it isn't close. There is simply nothing that beats it.

[@cominginsecond]

I love your channel, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree about 250K pots on JM pickups. I have a Squier Cabronita Tele that I put the Pure Vintage '65 Fender pickups in. I kept the stock pots in. It is sweet. Still really bright and punchy but not as bright as most Jazzmasters, which is perfect for me. Lots of JM players do that as well and like the results, so I don't think I agree that those pots will "drain the life" out of a JM.

[@AudiomoMusic]

I don't hate it, but it absolutely takes the Jazzmaster sound that I've associated with the guitar for my life and years of playing them and changes it. The thing about the jag and jazzmaster, they have the 1meg pots and if it's too bright you can just adjust the tone controls on the guitar to get it where you want if it's too much. If you swap to 250k, that is not possible at all on the guitar - you can't add in the high end you've restricted by using a substantially different pot value. For guitars that are being used for more gain and not the traditional sound I totally understand why people do it - it's not a bad sound it's just fundamentally different. Funny enough, I've heard them in Telecaster styles and thought it worked well with those for the people that were using them.

[@cominginsecond]

@@AudiomoMusic That's a good point that with the 1 meg pots you can pull them down to what they'd be with 250K pots.

[@romichjordan]

what song on background? thx

[@richthetrashpicker-upper5244]

Well I always dress up to watch Your channel so thank you,,Nice Tie I have one just like that but it’s white

[@mccauley6027]

What’s your favorite Fender offset if not the Jazzmaster?

[@AudiomoMusic]

The jaguar by a country mile 😍

[@urielfranciscofloreslozano5149]

I think the JMascis jazzmasters have p90 pickups

[@AudiomoMusic]

It does indeed, and a tunomatic bridge, not a conventional jazzmaster at all but a damn good instrument

[@tendingtropic7778]

beautiful guitar! what model is it?

[@AudiomoMusic]

Thanks! That is an 2012 american vintage 65 jazzmaster

[@tendingtropic7778]

@@AudiomoMusic thanks, really want something like that but nearly impossible to get

[@bluwng]

That is a handsome guitar

[@AudiomoMusic]

It looks great far away, it has naturally relic'd a lot over the years but it still does have a wonderful aesthetic.

[@Great-Documentaries]

"So long as it's made out of a quality wood." Sorry sweetie. There's no such thing as tonewoods for solid body electrics with non-microphonic pickups. If you don't understand that, then you're being taken advantage of by Fender and others and wasting money on something that makes no difference whatsoever. #facts

[@AudiomoMusic]

You just instantly liked your own comment. That's hilarious.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

Quite obviously, the Jazzmaster 'suits' you! Clearly, for yourself, Fender has no 'tie'! Peace and------ Let's Go F---ing Mets!

[@AudiomoMusic]

I hadn’t heard edwin diaz intro song until this week, that has to be the best ive heard in years. That trumpet is amazing haha

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

@@AudiomoMusic Mets just took the first game of a doubleheader in Colorado!!! The trumpet is 'fan'tastic , so long as Diaz does his job! Thankfully that is just what he has been doing. And now that they dumped Cano, he is the only remnant of that twisted deal left, and the guy they sent to Seattle hasn't been all that great so maybe we will be celebrating in Sept.Have a great weekend-Peace.

[@rodolfopuentejrrodolfo2972]

Play the dam guitar

[@AudiomoMusic]

I said in the first 30 seconds of the video that I wasn’t going to and linked a video where I did exactly to avoid comments like this one. Yet here we are.