Everything you ever wanted to know about Fender Jazzmasters but were afraid to ask

[@Simbosan]

Just bought a Japanese JM and how cool is it to find a whole channel about JMs created by someone who loves them so deeply. I'm loving it myself

[@simoneboschin]

I've never been convinced about Jazzmaster .. I put my proud aside and I've got a Squier Jazzmaster Classic vibe FSR late 50's last week. I LOVE IT now. Have to say that most of the time I don't like bridge pick ups sounds but .. MAN ... this one is so good. Also the weirdness of distorted sounds you can get with this thing is mind blowing :) . Now I'm looking also to try a Jaguar :)

[@kimrosez]

Your love for these and how you understand them is so inspiring, great stuff !

[@maxpeck4154]

I must've lucked out with my road worn 60s (MIM). Vintage style bridge not decked but not too high, no shims, great action, strings have not popped out of their grooves once with 10-46. Did install a Mastery vibrato because the stock arm had no notch and rattled and did not stay put. Loctite on the bridge post screws and tuning stability is spot on. I refuse to touch it now as it is just perfect. My first offset, and this is one of my favorite channels. Nice work!

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

I set mine up from another video that you posted. I used 10's and it works extremely well, stays in tune when the vibrato is deployed and does not pop out of the bridge. Speaking of the bridge, that has not sunk yet, I was loathe to spend over £8 for 10ml of loctite 222 so instead I used a small amount of white tac(k) which spans both the thread and barrel. Not so much that it would interfere with the rocking motion! Thankyou very much for your post. Like deployed just as the vibrato 👍 😎🎙🎸✅

[@johnpeccarelli2389]

Mike- thanks for all you do to educate and inspire the guitar community. You are truly the “Alton Brown of Offsets”. (I remember when you worked on his guitar.) I’ve watched you for months “preaching and teaching” about offsets, and I finally broke down and got a Classic Vibe 60s JM. I’m having so much fun with it! You truly need to approach it differently from anTele or Strat. Also- I love that riff you’re playing at the beginning of the video- that would make a great theme song! Keep up the great work!

[@frizzotheclown]

I see Mike Adams in a video, I press play every time.

[@valuesrejected]

Check out the new video on his channel, he goes into an in-depth review of Jaguars!

[@frizzotheclown]

@@valuesrejected Trust, me, I already saw it. Jaguars are my jam!

[@davidgood6744]

Good plan.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

👍

[@tituschalk]

This is so accessible and well-written. Bravo Mike!

[@tomandbenny]

Great discussion! I have had three Jazzmasters - one MIJ, one MIM and my current love - an Am Pro II. The MIJ build quality was excellent, but the pickups were all wrong, being basically strat pickups under Jazzmaster covers. The MIM was very good overall, but the bridge was terrible - all the screws were sloppy and it buzzed like crazy until we hit everything with locktite. Poor manufacturing tolerances! The American Pro II is wonderful - superb build quality, pickups sound like they should, and Mustang saddles eliminate buzz. The improved vibrato is wonderful. My only small complaint is that I wish they had left the rhythm circuit like the original - I don't hear the new circuit sounding much different from the main. Still, a fabulous instrument and well worth the money.

[@WISTUPIKU]

This is an underrated video, It gave me all the answers I was looking for, before buying a Jazzmaster. Thanks !! Really appreciate it

[@eFeMGhosts]

Mike you are my Guru ❤thank you!!! I love your solo channel. I love my Jazzmaster and it sounds so much better because of you !!!!!!!!

[@ZeBubba]

Damn, this dude's got some great taste in tones and skills to make that JM sign, awesome!

[@gunkanjima3408]

I’m impressed you were the first one to try and name your channel “Guitar” and succeed

[@voiceofexperience]

That rhythm circuit sounds... ethereal.

[@sajones563]

I love Mike's channel and this video, but I think the section about behind the bridge is kind of misleading as he doesn't make it clear that the golden guitar he is playing is modified with a pick-up behind the bridge to amplify the behind the bridge sounds he is making.

[@mohamedparhamalawadhi9826]

You're the best. Thank you for these nuggets of gold

[@Wodawic]

Recently got a Mocha Burst Ultra JM. What they did with the rhythm switch, rollers and the S1 switch is a completely different beast than the originals. Try one, and you'll buy one. See Alamo for an in depth review along with tones.

[@paulherzmann6237]

What model is your gold jazz master? Looks and sounds fantastic.

[@ButWhatDoIKnow]

This is an excellent source of Jazzmaster/Jag information Thank you.

[@EMBERHONEY]

Great video Mike! Really informative and excellent demonstrations of the two guitars!

[@Luthiart]

I built an offset guitar with Fender JM pickups and vibrato with a Mustang bridge. At first I used 10s (my usual gauge), and it was ok, but after hearing that the vibrato was designed with heavier gauge strings in mind, I went up to 11s, and it feels and sounds better with greater tuning stability. I might go up to 12s, but I don't think I'd want to go any heavier than that. I think Mustang bridge does a good job. I feel no need to shell out for a Mastery bridge.

[@turkalicious9397]

1 meg pots for volume and tone on lead circuit? Thoughts? Also treble bleed on volume? and cap for tone pot with a 1 meg tone pot? Help please

[@strangemonkey]

It looks like new Classic Vibe Jazzmasters come with .009-.042 strings ... why would it come with strings not ideal for the intended archtop setup? If going to .011-.049/.050, is this likely to require filing the nut of a new CV Jazzmaster? Is there a better option for a new true to form Jazzmaster to the CV Jazzmaster for under 1k?

[@yungstaben7675]

I use 10s on my half J Mascis half CV Jazzmaster and they work wonderfully. I recently put a mastery bridge on it and it took it to a whole new level. I think I only have roughly 800$ invested in the guitar total. Highly recommend a classic vibe with upgraded hardware.

[@rogereich5444]

Your thoughts on any Jazzmaster to not buy??? Looking at a '62 reissue. Do not like pickup buzz.

[@shawnevans7389]

What is your favorite model of new Jazzmaster guitars?

[@pwhite102]

The J Mascis pickups sound great. My understanding is that I've never actually tried a real "Jazzmaster pickup"

[@ChadWork1]

OMG I had that Yosemite Sam glass as a kid in the 1970s!

[@capitaldharma]

So you suggested 11/50 gauge strings for your Jazzmaster. What about a Jaguar?

[@daydreamjohnny]

He said 12’s or 13’s.

[@capitaldharma]

@@daydreamjohnny Thanks!

[@StupidEarthlings]

Thanks man. Just got a sonic blue Jazzmaster. Awesome indeed.

[@thesurfjunkies]

We learned a few things we didn’t know, great video. Obviously we lean towards the surf tones but nice demo of the other genres.

[@roberteisele4015]

What do you mean by pitch back? Are you saying set a low string height at 12 and raise bridge slightly or the opposite?

[@Charlie_Davidson]

Typically the higher your bridge is raised, the more your neck will need to be tilted back. Some JazzMasters have the ability to tilt the neck back via a screw if it’s equipped with one or a luthier can shim the neck. There’s some videos on it you can watch to get you a better understanding of how that works. Just type “Jazzmaster tilt back settings”.

[@elbalidelacruz1136]

What kind a bridge replacement can I get for a squire classic vibe jazz master? Please 😬

[@joshuadevries3459]

great information! but I have to say I disagree with the whole string gauge debate. I don't believe you need heavy string gauges. I play 9-42 on all my offsets.

[@thesurfjunkies]

We do too Joshua but we play surf so aren’t beating the crap out of them. We can see that if playing metal it could be an issue perhaps. Glad we aren’t the only one doing 9’s on the Jazzmaster but can’t go below 10’s on the Jags or it feels like loose spaghetti :-)

[@joshuadevries3459]

@@thesurfjunkies I play my mustang with 9s and play mostly rock. To each their own as they say but I find it really nice for solo work, maybe I have a light touch? Haha

[@ryanmalcolm7237]

Awesome video. What pedal are you using in the playing intro?

[@karltomlin6319]

Any recommendations for Jazzmaster strings?

[@veerchasm1]

11:53 What guitar amp and effects are you using?

[@HappyChillmore]

Nice video thank you. And sick playing man

[@therockandrollcreeps9398]

id like my rythmn circuit to be tied to the bridge pickup. Do you know how? please help

[@hellasomber]

My mij jazzmaster traditional has no issue with 9s and I use the tremolo ALOT. I haven never had any issues with strings popping out or the tremolo acting weird. It stays in tune beautifully, it does have mustang style saddles that are pre radiused however! So I’m just like whaaaaaat lol

[@dsholt]

I'm having the same experience with the Vintera 60s Jazzmaster. So many videos tell me that it needs a neck shim and higher gauge strings but I'm having zero problems with the set up from the factory, with the bridge flush with the body and strung up with 9s. No strings popping out (I've wailed on it pretty good) and the trem works fine.

[@alisson1900]

what guitar is he playing at the beginning of the video?

[@pepuletrz]

11-50 at E flat...yes please.ever since 1995 baby..

[@pepuletrz]

ohhh people....just sit down with one ,put that upper horn against you chest and hit any open chord.you will FEEL it through out your whole body, when you put it down you will still be buzzing in such a sweet sweet gooey warm way..

[@theplourde]

Can I apply these tips to a Squier Jazzmaster?

[@PerpetuallyTiredMusician]

Yes, pretty much it's just a cheaper made one of the fenders. I have two as well as two vintage fenders and you set them up the same. Only thing that needed more work was the nut and the neck (the frets). But otherwise all he is saying about pitch on neck and raising the bridge, absolutely! Enjoy.

[@Mudhoney1991]

I'm seriously thinking about my getting my 1st Jazzmaster in January.i currently play a fender player series jaguar which I love.i started playing guitar last x-mas. I've been saving up since then now I'm thinking about getting a American pro series JM or a fender Ultra Jazzmaster. Maybe the new american pro 11 jazzmaster. Any thoughts or opinions on which I should consider?

[@joli0]

did you ever get it and if so how do you like it

[@Mudhoney1991]

I did buy the Fender American pro11 Jazzmaster dk knight RW I had to order it from guitarguitar because they sold out. Mine arrives next week or the 1st week in February.so I will let you know what I think once I get my hands on it! Cant wait!!🤘

[@thesurfjunkies]

We converted a player series Jazzmaster to good effect and cost savings. Warning: routing IS required since the cavities only fit humbuckers (thanks Fender) pictures over on our Instagram and it is a cream/yellowish color with a green pickguard if you care to check it out.

[@Mudhoney1991]

@@thesurfjunkies thankyou I will defo check it out. So my 60's vibe Mustang wouldn't have worked out if I wanted to fit humbuckers..🤔 Thanks guys you saved me a lot of frustration!!. Having said that I did love my 60's vibe Mustang. I love my Fender Jagstang. I'm hoping to get a Fender Competition stripe mustang somewhere along the way. Not the new squire competion stripe mustang though. I played it and it was horrible. Which is kinda sad. Thanks for the advise though.

[@DJ-pp9yg]

Ok, you got me. I am going to buy a Jazzmaster!

[@musicforyou2010]

Thank you, Mike. Simply great. Greetings from Germany:-)

[@matthewshelley1365]

Where can I get that shirt??

[@sixfeetdown86]

What was the recording setup?

[@jerwolf8961]

Where did you get that shirt?!?

[@コミ-e8z]

From what I understand the J Mascis pickups are not P90s, albeit they are similar.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Well, they're definitely not Jazzmaster p'ups.. That's for sure. Mike knows his shit, so I'm inclined to believe him. ;)

[@mmike65m]

Mike, if you could pick one Jazzmaster (Ultra, Am Pro II, or Original 60's) which one would you pick? Want one but sooo confused

[@joebeamish]

Same. There are a zillion options. I wish someone would post an overview.

[@ksgant]

"Not every guitar works every time for every genre". The Tele would like to have a word with you. 😃

[@Ray5600]

17:11 The main reason many people buy Jazzmasters nowadays. I would know, I'm one of those people.

[@Guitarmickey23]

Nice! I bet you'll get some more traffic from that 5 watt video. That's where I found out about you. All the best!

[@liorauf]

AMAZING video!!! Thanks!!!

[@caseyjones3842]

What is the Gold guitar? It's like C3PO.

[@rogerlandes6309]

Nice Shelton JM! :-)

[@markjohnson9485]

Dude! You are the master of these guitars!

[@tujungadave]

Great video. Thanks for posting it. I have questions though. You mentioned replacement bridges, but I didn't quite catch the names you said. Also, how do you get your vibrato arm to stay put like that? Thanks in advance.

[@vhszach]

The two main companies that make the replacement bridges for these offset guitars are Staytrem and Mastery. Mike has a video on his channel @puisheen where he discusses the vibrato arm, but the basic gist of it is that you hit the end the arm with a hammer to *slightly* bend it so that it contacts more of the collet in the tailpiece. His video goes into much more detail, please don't start whacking your vibrato arm with a hammer without consulting the full tutorial ;)

[@waynegram8907]

You didn't go over the Strangle switch Bass Cut switch on Jaguars what is it used for have any examples?

[@Orieus]

He has some awesome eg in previous videos, showing off the strangle switch etc, just search and watch and enjoy.

[@rainbowslushy223]

The strangle switch is good for intro riffs for a thinner sound then when the band comes in Switch back to normal

[@capitaldharma]

Tell us about that shirt!

[@Orieus]

You forgot to show an eg of a Jazzmaster Djent'ing!!! lolol......The funny thing is, ive seen someone using one for just that! hahaha. As a Jazzmaster and jag Player for 20 years, i have nothing but amazing things to say about these Axes. I have bought other guitars over the years, but man i keep coming back to my babies. I recently added Curtis Novaks to my Japanese Offsets, U were a great help to me, as i would msg u via IG As Oreius_the_Ram. I appreciate the fact u are showcasing these Awesome Offsets Mr Leo Fender Created for ppl that are curious about them, also to show them how badass they really are!......I have personally known a lot of players that would stay away from them. Many years ago, in Toronto, i went to a famous store called Steve's Music. I picked up a Jazzmaster, and one of the Owners came up to me and said, "Not bad playing kid, too bad ur playing on the worst guitars Leo Fender made".......I looked at him, no joke, i said......"Well since they are set up with 9s like u guys got em set up, then of course they will play like shit! "He looked at me, kid i think u may have a point. The next time i went there, all the Offsets were set up with 11s and they all played well lol.

[@dantheface2986]

That t shirt tho....

[@tobisteffen]

I don't want to play with a gauge heavier than 8, because I don't play exclusively "cool" or "hipster" sounds, but also pieces that require technical ability. Do you think it's possible to set up the Jazzmaster without buzzing with 8 gauge? Without shimming the neck?

[@snakey8095]

I thought only hipsters refuses to play heavy gauges

[@tobisteffen]

@@snakey8095 „You‘re probably using the wrong guitar strings.“ Rick Beato

[@planej6315]

You make it seem like it's impossible to play technically difficult songs with 10 gauge strings

[@tobisteffen]

@@planej6315 No, it‘s perfectly possible to daily practice Niccolò Paganini on the guitar with 10 gauge strings, for example if you are let‘s say a robot or if you would have bionic hands.

[@planej6315]

@@tobisteffen Have you ever thought about the fact that you maybe just have weak hands?

[@MuppetStyle]

Wait, is that Commando making out with Rambo?

[@helstab]

The Alton Baker of offsets. Minus any insensitive comments of course.

[@pepuletrz]

oh and i love the chan but at the same time we dont want every to be rocking these offsets do we??? stop making them so appealing..

[@PeterDad60]

HIS SHIRT! What a childish thing to do, wearing that shirt while being in a long video. - Peter age 73

[@sparxlabprojects9545]

...and so - I intro'd the video with some other manufacturer's copy.

[@alisson1900]

what guitar is he playing at the beginning of the video?