Cheap vs Fleek - Stock condition Squier Jazzmaster compared to the Fender AmProII

[@tomasmoscoso3028]

Got to recognize the effort that this dude puts for us, thanks Ryan

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

I always know when you get to a tone you like...because you smile about it. Love the joy, brother. It’s infectious.

[@davids9192]

The Squier is far closer to the original JM although the Fender may be the “better” guitar although that’s not really the point to most JM lovers. I guess ideally you would have both for their own merits.

[@magykjames9534]

I've was already sold on the pro 2 jazzmaster as my next guitar and this really sealed it for me. It just looks and sounds so nice!

[@44scoots]

Did you get the pro 2 jazzmaster yet?

[@Stoffendous]

@@44scoots He went bankrupt

[@micsunday14]

I bought an am pro 1 and it's beautiful. . Wish the pickups were less straty though.

[@cleawox]

I started with a $130 SX Liquid (P90's - but it did have the tremolo) as my starter to Jazzmasters. Now I'm finally ready for the big step up to a used Squier Vintage Modified :)

[@Steven_SK]

I think you nailed the description of the sounds. Different doesn't mean better just different.

[@SonicRave1]

Nothing against Fender Jazzmaster, but I love the Squier Jazzmaster better. Plus I don’t feel as bad when I throw my guitar around or when I go to mod it. That’s just me.

[@zadtheinhaler]

Hellz yeah. I put a hardtail plate on my Squier JMJM, and it's better than ever!

[@benmcdowell1784]

@@zadtheinhaler I have a Squier Jaguar I put a hard tail on! and fender pure 65 pickups. Its such a guitar now.

[@areyoujelton]

Everyone says that until they buy their first American.

[@SonicRave1]

@@areyoujelton I won’t there too expensive. Even if I were a touring guitar player I don’t think I would buy a fender American made or not.

[@cleawox]

I think having guitars that can be damaged or stolen is a plus. I don't have to watch it like a hawk, or be super ultra careful.

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

Fender American Professional II has a lot of different tones and they sound good. I prefer it to the Squier.

[@mishakildager]

I play mostly squiers. I like to mod them out a bunch. They usually come in more fun and interesting colors than fenders these days. Plus, I don’t feel bad about doing weird things to them. Often times, all they need is a setup. Maybe tuner swaps. But they are solid. Context: I’m a professional musician and a music educator

[@stratkiller86]

I'm still in love with my Squier JM after 8 years. Went with medium strings and a buzz stop but otherwise kept how it came from the factory.

[@Jodyrides]

1966..I was 14. I went to the pawnshop area on the north side of Pittsburgh. They had 2 Fender guitars.. they had a sunburst Stratocaster with the worst 12 inch scar across the back of the guitar body. It also had no case. The price was $100.. they also had a 1959 fender jazz master Sunburst. It had cigarette burns on the headstock behind the nut, the body paint was very worn and chipped off like Stevie Ray Vaughan‘s guitar almost. The finish on the back of the neck was completely worn off from the neck joint all the way up to the headstock.. it also had the old chewed bubble gum color case with the orange lining. Price, $175.. I had been saving my money from cutting grass, shoveling snow, doing chores for my uncle, etc.. my older sister who was 18 gave me the additional money I needed to buy the jazz master. At that time a brand new jazz master was $479. That was also the price for the Jaguar.. I also remember the price of the Stratocaster new, $410, that was also the same price as a brand new fender super reverb, $410, the price of a twin reverb was $479.. I know this because they were unachievable amounts of money for me, but I spent every Saturday at the four music stores in downtown Pittsburgh and on the north side of Pittsburgh which is now the Andy Warhol Museum.. so I bought the jazz master and I felt like I had been a made man.. I had fender’s most expensive guitar.. that was my guitar in the high school garage band I was in, in the smoky bar bands I was in in the 70s and 80s. but in 1969, patina was not an in thing. It was embarrassing. So I spray painted the body with a spray can, white.. 1968.. I wanted my mother to buy me a car. Instead, she bought me a brand new Schwinn bicycle for $49.. One of my classmates liked my bicycle so much, that he offered to trade me his guitar for my new bicycle which I did.. my mother was so upset with me, that she told me to go get my bicycle back and give that guitar back.. Lucky for me, the bicycle had been stolen before i could get it back.. because the guitar I swapped for was a 1963 gibson ES 330 TDC, that my classmate got new for his birthday, and only played it a few times before he lost interest in it.. here in 2022, I still have that gibson 330 TDC.. The reason I bring up the gibson is, after getting that gibson. I kind of liked the Gibson much much more than the fender jazz master.. I ended up playing that gibson most of the time on most of my gigs.. I always took the jazz master on gigs just in case.. I actually had a beer bottle bounce off of my strap button on the bottom of the guitar while I was doing a gig in a bar. Somebody threw a beer bottle at a guy dancing with his girlfriend, and the beer bottle bounced off of the girl and ricocheted onto my guitar. No damage that I could find .. but if that had happened to my gibson at that time, I would have flown through the year after that guy, and I would’ve ended up in jail.. so, after I got tired of getting home at 4 AM a lot of times and then had to go to work at 7 AM the next morning after a smoky bar gig, I quit playing in the bands.. that jazz master which was not my favorite sat in its case for approximately 20 to 25 years without me ever opening the case.. I had it set up by two separate famous luthier‘s to try to get it to play as good as it should have. But it always felt exactly the same when I got it back, almost like they had done nothing. I just never bonded with that guitar after owning a gibson.. jump ahead 50 years I saw with these guitars were selling for on eBay around 2017 just for the hell of it, I put the jazz master on eBay for sale.. I mentioned that it is a 1959 I have owned forover50 years, nothing has been changed, not even one screw, but I did paint the body with a spray can when I was in hi school.. within an hour of me posting it on eBay, I got a message/question from a person asking me, what would you take for it right now.. I thought it was some kid kicking tires so I threw a ridiculous absurd high number at him.. two minutes later I got a return message-SOLD ! I couldn’t believe it. My guitar, I ended up shipping it to New York City, and then it was shipped to its final destination, Moscow Russia.. The new owner sent me a message when he received the guitar telling me he was more than happy with the guitar in its condition and he would not change a thing on it. He said he would not even repaint the body because that would be erasing the Guitars history.. he said he had to have the first year for the tortoiseshell Picard. He said that the jazz master was the guitar that the Venture’s did all of their studio recording with. He had tried the newer JazzMasters, and he said they just did not have the same sound as the ventures recordings. This was important to him because he was in a surf band, in Moscow.. I will tell you how much I got for the guitar but I will tell you this. I went out and bought my wife a brand new car with the money.. so. After a few months, I had sellers remorse. I felt like I just sold my dog. I went out and bought myself a Squier vintage replica or whatever it’s called jazz master.. having earned both guitars. My opinion is, the squire jazz master is easier to play, has a better neck, it sounds better, and I’m not nervous about playing it out somewhere because of the value.. The Squier jazz master I have in my opinion is a better guitar than my 1959 jazz master is.. better in what way? it doesn’t have the solid copper lining in the body cavity that my 59 has.. it doesn’t have the multi layer looking tortoiseshell pick guard. It doesn’t have that interference fit cover over that jazz master bridge which is different from the 59 bridge. Some people say the 59 bridge is a piece of junk. I never had any problem with the bridge, but I do miss that smooth chrome bridge cover.. if I were shopping for Guitars.. and if I were blindfolded and I was handed my 1959 jazz master, and then I was handed my Squier jazz master, other than the missing chrome cover on the bridge, I would choose the squire over the 1959 jazz master. The sound, the feel of the switches and the volume and tone control, I realize that tone is a personal thing, I think the tone of the squire is brighter than the 59 I had.. but my amplifiers could brighten or mute the tone on either guitar. The feel of the neck is better on the squire.. so now I have another problem. My gibson 330 TDC, 1963 in the original case, is becoming too valuable to hang onto, just like my 59 jazz master.. I don’t dare take it out of the case because I’m afraid I will bump it.. I have a bunch of other guitars I can play instead. What to do?

[@janet.osmonson7451]

What to do? Suggest playing that 330 to death and forgettabout it,ha...Useless in the case..I once sold a 58 Les and don't miss it as I gotta Chinese Les that sounds better than the 58 did, seriously and it stays in tune...or sell the 330 and get an Epiphone and be worry free...Jus never understood the instrument in case mentality...ya could be gone tomorrow!

[@McPherson123]

Honestly, the first Jazzmaster I ever played was just weeks ago and it was the American Pro II. After sampling videos of Jazzmasters from KZbin videos, playing the Pro II was a huge tonal disappointment. Now hearing this Squier demoed in direct comparison, it makes me want one of these Squier Jazzmasters. Seems to keep the traditional Jazzmaster tonal pallette in tact more faithfully than the wildly altered Pro II. I'm interested in a traditional Jazzmaster tone and playing that Pro II just turned me off totally. Wasn't necessarily a dream to my hands either. Gonna seek out a Squier JM to demo in person ASAP.

[@loofonme]

I had the Fender Classic 60s lacquer in Surf green. I loved that guitar but I never bonded with the neck as well as I would have liked so I sold it. I picked up the Squier J Mascis JM and swapped the anodized guard for a mint green one and it has been my main guitar for some time now. Absolutely love it.

[@ademayem6152]

Can you describe the fender's neck compared to squier J macis ??

[@areyoujelton]

I had the 60s lacquer as well and never quite bonded with it. Gave it to a friend who loved it for his bday. He plays the fuck out of it, so I’m happy I let it go. I have a 60th anniversary triple JM, a classic player in FSR shell pink, a heavily modified Squier VM, and an American Pro II JM that all feel just right!

[@avonzodiac]

Just got an ampro2 last week and I'm completely in love with it. I also have the TVL Jazzmaster which I would recommend to anyone wanting a more traditional sound. The '65 pickups are excellent. I think the two guitars really complement each other. It's all the Jazzmaster I could ever want(for now)! Would love to see you put them side by side here!

[@narta11]

My go-to-man who always seems to have a video for me to check out before I make a purchase. 👍

[@caro_lam]

it's so weird seeing that jazzmaster with the regular pickguard, i'd grown used to seeing the green one!

[@allrain]

That Squier JM is a lot of bang for the buck.

[@ectoplasm]

The color on that American Pro reminds me of Easter candy foil -- I love it.

[@ELECTRICMESSIAH420]

I could jam that intro all day, definitely didn’t want it to end. Sounds good man

[@raceface_m2579]

The Am definitely sounds fatter. The VM sounds thinner, but sounds very surf.

[@Xxmeca421xX]

That green pick guard looked so damn ugly lol love your channel 🤣

[@60CycleHumcast]

i know, lol. I kind of liked how ugly it was though.

[@benedekgabor.]

@@60CycleHumcast It's kinda made it look like a Teisco or smth. Honestly it's sounds better then the Fender to me.

[@flintdavis2]

Overlaying my pick guard with vinyl, hate tortoiseshell look.

[@Able-Fader]

smokin' solo in the beginning dude!

[@nosferatu2]

That’s intro jam was so tight

[@areyoujelton]

I agree with you on the stock Duncan Designed pups. They’re pretty good for the money, especially on my original run VM Jazzmaster that I got brand new for $300 hahahaha BUT... my American Pro II Jazzmaster has quickly become my favorite guitar.

[@bradsullivan3588]

That's what I did. Did Squier first, discovered I like Jaguars better than Jazzmasters, then upgraded to a Fender Jaguar, and love it. The Squiers were very good, but the Fender is outfuckingstanding.

[@harrywilliamson9825]

I feel like I know what you are saying about the PRO II, but at the same time it feels like the Squier has more of the diy, interchangeability ethos of Leo Fender compared to any other traditionally built guitar. At the end of the day if you find the sound you want from your parts caster then surely that's the holy grail. Then strip it back to sell as a used whatever...

[@Furrygumball71]

I like this guy. Well spoken, no “like, literally like ummm uh literally like like like…”🎉

[@60CycleHumcast]

this is the first time anyone has accused me of being well spoken, ill take the compliment though, thank you.

[@DrRetro11]

You should make a record, I really want to listen to some music that you create. Doing demo's really just makes you go into routines and making an ep or something alike would be interesting and breaking throught that!

[@barnshart9662]

He's got a band called Dinosaur Ghost. Check that out!

[@mattg082]

Nice, for me the Am Pro 2 has that extra attack and sharpness to it. Personally i like that as a Les Paul guy! It's a complete 180 and the reason I prefer the Fender. That extra crack to me is just so nice! The Squier reminds me more of my Les Paul with the warm some what muted more tone. But you still get a good Jazzmaster sound out the Squier. For the money, if one doesn't want that cracky thinner sound, the Squier for the price does not sound bad. Even could be a great back up/ gigging guitar and keep the Pro2 in the studio. I still want the Pro 2, but lately Fender in 2022 has had some weird QC issues. I've seen people get dry fret board, and recently someone had a PRO 2 Jazzmasster sent to them with a Strat headstock! Kind of wild that made it past Fenders American shop at those prices!

[@AB-lx8cf]

I want the Rhythm circuit. That’s actually what I use all the time

[@0000song0000]

9:18 they do put that fake tortoise shell on squiers (printed) where i would prefer the swirly melted plastic they have on the Fender tortoise picks

[@JohnMcKLV]

Great vid! That being said, I am *never* selling my Rick 360. Not your favorite style, I know, but it works for me :)

[@NeoRichardBlake]

RYAN! Firefly dropped some new guitars! They've got P90s now. One is their Thinline tele with LP style controls ($128 or $149), the other is like your red Grote Jazz guitar, but with two pickups ($169). I'd love to see you check one or both of these out.

[@buddhamus]

The Jazzmaster has made it to my want list. Probably going to get a Squire model for the reasons you stated. It will be my first offset and I'm not that familiar with the JM's control layout, pickups, or hardware. I only wish they had an all-maple neck option. That does look nice on the Fender.

[@_S._S._]

Squier FSR CV Jazzmaster 70s, Walnut.

[@TommySurfink]

The Am Pro II seems to have a beautiful little extra spank in its tone compared with the Squier. And you can never go wrong with a little extra spank 😉 😃. The colour is gorgeous too, personally I like it so much better than the burst

[@benallmark9671]

I was just about to start jamming with my CV JM and after watching this video from start to finish and what I found out is I’m better off selling this and getting a Fender JM.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

When you say that the Fender bridge is "rocksolid" are you saying that it doesn't rock in the usual jazzmaster/Jaguar way?

[@troyl200]

"Unless you die before getting around to selling it"; I'm pretty sure that counts as forever for some people...

[@backyardkombi5466]

Thanks for the video. What upgraded tremolo and bridge did you originally put on the Squire? Thanks!

[@christopherrusch]

this is the alpha gear channel imo

[@onkelpool]

Squier is warmer for me. And it looks much better like a real Jazzmaster for jazz master. But I understand that it is necessary to find reasons to abandon him!

[@al271987]

Both guitars sound good to me, they’re different but I wouldn’t say one is easily worse. Btw, you should give Bootstrap pickups a try. They’re just a small winder in Ohio (i think) doing their thing. I put a set of their Lakesurfers in my JM and they are truly excellent pickups. The fact that a set only cost like 60 bucks makes it all the better.

[@stephanematis]

I love Squiers, own a few, but the AM has a more rounded good tone. As for first offset, I might upset (snicker), but the non-tremolo HB JA-60 in Sunburst or OG White is a great choice, given the TOMS style setup.

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

I'm in love with my guitars. Could never sell. Totally get everyone else doing their thing. I just couldn't.

[@cornholearmsrace9276]

Just ordered my 14th guitar. Have yet to sell one.

[@JG-ux7of]

The way you know they feel much differently is Ryan's enthusiasm and emotion when he is playing them. The Squier he is smiling and noodling around and seems to be enjoying himself. The Fender he seems to be more enthusiastic, more inspired and taking it more seriously. Like he is honored to play it and feels like he must play it well because the guitar deserves to be played well. It's the difference between sleeping with a woman who is a friend with benefits to making love to a beautiful woman you are deeply in love with.

[@martyneff4008]

Good review, The AM Pro wasn't my thing, just sounded off, But I use a Classic Player and Classic Vibe and am happy with the tones of those

[@tirtirman]

Is there any wiring diagram of this beautiful silverine? 💓

[@denialisadish456]

Hello sorry to ask a unrelated question in your comment section..Have you done any videos on Dr.J pedals? Im looking to buy my first compressor and this one has got my eye. Thanks, love your channel

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

If the tremolo is stiffer, just change the spring!

[@29kan]

Hey Ryan, How and when are you going to sell the Squier? Are you selling on Reverb? Watching these vids makes me want so bad Love your work

[@fenderbass0]

I was interested in offsets and tried out both the Squier CV JM and Jag at GC, fell in love with the JM and took it home with me (didn't like the on/off switches of the Jag.) What's bugging me is there is something wrong with the grounding through the bridge and I get a lot of crackling through the amp especially when using the vibrato. I thought I fixed it but the issue has returned...

[@hiroprotagonitis]

watch puisheen's videos, he runs the ground wire into one of the screw-holes for the trem

[@brianfurry9542]

Love your channel. One question, did you have to shim the neck on the Squier? I have heard of several complaints stating they had to. Just curious about that as I am wanting to buy one myself and want to know what i'm in for. Thank you

[@60CycleHumcast]

I don’t remember honestly. the shim thing is if you encounter buzzing in the bridge so a sharper break angle across the saddles holding the whole thing more snug. It’s a mix of person taste and practical matters.

[@brianfurry9542]

@@60CycleHumcast Thank you for your help. I really enjoy your channel not to mention you have some pretty swanky guitars. You seemed to enjoy the guitar so I guess no need in sweating those small issues. Appreciate the advice and enjoy your weekend

[@robertcaple5165]

Was that a surf "Action woman?!"

[@gerrypair3856]

I have the stock Jazz Master and like it. I know its called a Jazz Master. But it plays country vert nice. Chris Stapelton plays one. I just wish I could play as good as Him. I never use the wammy bar. I bought mine for the sound.

[@sassycat]

Just for fun, I'd like to see what that green pickguard would look like on the AmPro2. Happy Thanksgiving! 🥧

[@60CycleHumcast]

Im thinking about sanding it down to raw metal and then giving it a try.

[@sassycat]

@@60CycleHumcast is the color on the surface or throughout the metal?

[@60CycleHumcast]

@@sassycat should just be on the surface. It’s anodized aluminum.

[@christopherluke5476]

Cool Song and playing!

[@garyp5522]

The Squire holds it's own. For way less money.

[@paulodobay]

Try the green anodized pickguard with white rollers on the Fender!

[@athathoth01]

The Squier sounds WAY better.

[@rajamcraja]

honestly I thought the Squire was the Fender and vice versa. The Fender sounds thin to my ears. I'd like to know how they compare in weight

[@60CycleHumcast]

In the previous shootout i weigh them and the fender is like half an ounce lighter.

[@rajamcraja]

@@60CycleHumcast Good to know! Thanx for answering brother

[@timothyharrison8953]

The Fender has just a little more richness in tone compared to the Squire.

[@davids9192]

It’s “Squier”

[@voiceofexperience]

So most people here prefer the Pro II because it sounds, looks & works LESS like an authentic Jazzmaster? K... Might I suggest tho, that being the case, they'd probably like the P2 STRAT even better.

[@hermar3656]

The am 2 sounds like a strat or tele.

[@themattprior]

I liked some of the tones from the squire better. Not all but some.

[@jacquesadda9370]

For me best fender jazzmaster are Avri 62/65 original and vintage 2 I like nitro skin

[@mbeliv3763]

thx men What amp do you use?

[@allyourbasearebelongtous2191]

Are those actual coil taps? I thought those were for humbuckers. What is it actually doing? I should totally already know this. Just super curious. Really want that blue one. Bad.

[@60CycleHumcast]

A coil tap is different from a coil split. A tap can be on a single coil, its when a portion of an individual coil is bypassed to give a lower output signal. A split is when one coil is isolated transforming a humbucker into a single.

[@scottstetzer]

Cool vid, thanx!

[@andrewjadczak]

Can you let me know where you are selling (or looking for any pedal trade package) for that squire. I’d like to refinish it in black

[@60CycleHumcast]

I’m trying to sell it local. If you want to pay shipping we could work something out.

[@andrewjadczak]

@@60CycleHumcast would DMing you on Twitter be the best way to share my email to continue this?

[@60CycleHumcast]

@@andrewjadczak email [e-mail]

[@roberthealy1814]

Where do you sell you're guitars?

[@Duncanlinc]

Drip drip drip reverb! Just using a reverb on the HX Stomp?

[@60CycleHumcast]

Nope, im using the surfy bear compact. I need to download the new HX stomp update tho.

[@Duncanlinc]

Its fine. Just fine tho. Princeton is pretty cool. 8 blocks are cool but good luck getting a decent chain with any of the poly stuff

[@ellishinton556]

Can you remove the tremolo arm from a Jazzmaster?

[@TheElrondo]

Sure you can.

[@Seanodemo]

What is the first piece of music you are playing?

[@60CycleHumcast]

Just some riff i pulled out of the void

[@introboyted2005]

14:06 lol

[@jaredcaldera]

Squier Jazzmaster to me-to me, has a better tone…👀

[@beausw]

The squire looks way better stock.

[@JG-ux7of]

You're comparing a Camaro to a Corvette; the Camaro is a fun fast car that seems really cool until you drive a Corvette. Then you just want a Corvette. The Camaro seems like a high performance, high powered badass car until you drive a Corvette. I can keep going but I think the point has been made. If you can only afford a Camaro, buy the Camaro. But do yourself a favor, dont test drive a Corvette. If you've never driven a Corvette you'll never know what you are missing and will sincerely believe that your Camaro is a damn fine machine and assume the difference between the two is marginal. If you can afford a Corvette, buy the Corvette. Its expensive and will piss off your wife but you wont get bored with it and the quality and attention to detail will continue to impress you for years to come.

[@areyoujelton]

I’d rather drive a Subaru than either of those boomer cars 😂

[@marcotaticchi5343]

God forgive me: I prefer the Squier pickups in this video.

[@garymcaleer6112]

My Chinese copy @ $200 with Fender 10's is true to the Jazzmaster. I don't follow the Beach Boys.

[@TheFrontyer]

Just get a squire and upgrade the pups and hardware. You get the same guitar for 50-70% less.

[@aggiejason4305]

I thought both pickups are single coil? How can you coil tap single coil?

[@60CycleHumcast]

tap is different than split.

[@wowiehowie3133]

You should check out the band Beach Skulls.

[@BassOutcast]

Interestingly enough, the AmPro sounds thinner and for some reason, cheaper to me. The CV just has a little more bite and presence IMO.

[@synthmalicious7541]

In all honesty, I never liked the green

[@motodevo]

First, yee haaaaawwwwww