JAZZMASTER REVIEW #5: Fender Japan Hybrid '60s in Charcoal Frost Metallic

[@HungryAvocados]

That keeley loomer sounds wicked

[@Cheesedick5000]

It better for $400

[@yungstaben7675]

@@Cheesedick5000 *$300

[@SD_Marc]

The world of Jazzmasters is so varied and convoluted, and every model has its weird bridge or pickups or trem. When I was shopping for one, I actually had a note on my phone of the models' setups that were, at least to me, more traditional. It's a minefield of AOM bridges and "new takes" on Jazzmaster pickups. That's not even mentioning HHs, Strat trems, and missing circuitry. These videos are super informative. Thanks, Mike.

[@royalblue2229]

You should make a brief video about pickup foam. It’s one of the most confusing things about offsets haha

[@Puisheen]

That I can do!

[@conorfowler]

Awesome breakdown, thanks for sharing. I absolutely adore the musical demo sections of these reviews. You may not like the pickups, but you certainly made them sound great!

[@jralanmorgan]

He really is a great player. A lot of his playing has me scratching my head how he gets those tones and sound.

[@Puisheen]

You're both lovely and thank you for the kind words!

[@douglaschilders915]

Chaneling j mascis with that solo at the end!

[@korassi1425]

Hello Mike, did you have a chance to check out MIJ Traditional 60s Jazzmaster in comparison to the Hybrid one? There is a lot of these 2021 model on Japanese market and I think many of us might consider buying it. Much love for your work

[@zackhillman5431]

Shade of J. Mascis in that outro jam!

[@Brannington]

Demo 3 gets riff of the year in my book, That Loomer just sounds so fucking phenomenal

[@joerivard6278]

I've probably listened to his demo 3 clip like 30 times. Such a great riff

[@TrevorStark]

Congrats for 10k subs Mike. Love your videos.

[@imnotfishing]

This cat is teeming with intelligence and talent. I just scored a Pink Paisley Japanese Jazzmaster. Thanks Mike !

[@24avenged24]

I also just picked up a Pink Paisley Jazzmaster last week. Very impressed with the MIJ fretwork.

[@niccals917]

Seeing this pop up on my phone today really put me in a good mood. Today had been antisocial and something about these videos with Mike just feels like chatting with a mate, my day has ended far nicer than it began. Thanks Mike! :)

[@harrygoodchild4563]

What fenders doing with jazzmaster pickups reminds me of what they did to the wide range humbuckers they took the name and changed what they were same with these jazzmaster pickups that just arent jazzmaster pickups

[@DrCrane1000]

God, that ‘Demo 2’ riff is stunning! Cool review as always. (And man, for real, what an amazing color for an offset! Love it!) Cheers from Hungary!

[@Puisheen]

I love Hungary, it's been like 15 years since I visited!

[@DrejcD]

Maaaan, your playing style - I really dig! 🥰 🤘🥰 Could listen for hours.

[@mrjdsummers]

Man you are awesome. Your channel needs to blow up it’s unlike anything else out there.

[@jamesf2918]

These last couple of videos have really inspired me to open up and investigate what’s going on inside my 95 MIJ JM. It’s the most acoustically resonant and “song filled“ guitar I’ve ever had. I’ve had a Mastery bridge on it for about 15 months and the Mastery vibrato arrives today. Even have a couple of Stew Mac tools on the way because of you! 🤣 I’m nervous to change the pickups even though I know I should. But they sound so good to me that I at least want to investigate if they are stock MIJ or if the previous owner replace them. Anyway, thanks again for making cool stuff to watch. You should really consider making at least one video about how you play. That’s the part I love the most. You play guitar like a beast.

[@leo._.vincent]

I have a 2017 mij 60's reissue in pink paisley, and honestly I don't hate the pickups, their good. Also extremely bright. I haven't opened up to see what pickups are in it but I think theyre what you find in most mij jazzmasters.

[@steven_uk]

I really like your review videos. They are informative and interesting. Your honesty about the instruments is appreciated. Keep up the good work.

[@djdusk5050]

Mike, great review. I really loved the looping outro song!

[@Wolf_K]

Demo 3 with gain sounds cool, Mike. Very nice sounds indeed. The pickups do sound good with dirt but I wouldn’t want them in my JM either. lol

[@RabidWookies]

Wow! I really dig that Charcoal Frost Metallic! I don't think I've ever seen a Jazzmaster in that color.

[@thecaveofthedead]

I guess the one Japanese guitar nerd thing I always want to know is who made the guitar. Fender Japan has been made by Fujigen, Tokai, and Dyna-gakki. So I'm always interested to know which factory is making them. Congrats on the new subscribers!

[@mcfontaine]

Snap and fullness ... thank you Mike. I often wonder how to describe to people why I play a Jazzmaster ... now I have a better answer than “because they sound bloody amazing”.

[@changestrangers]

Right about the neck. I'm a Modern C fan, but the U shape on these MIJ Hybrid guitars is so snug and comfortable - like a Deep C, only slimmer.

[@leroybrady4288]

Gorgeous color, beautiful guitar. Thanks for the review!

[@dezb1]

The sound at 18:18 with the capo made me think of Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

[@waltimedes]

I love that Meteora shirt! I managed to scam one for a great price and it's my #1. Still waiting for the right jazzmaster to show up.

[@orangeonoverdrive]

I really don't understand Fender Japan's obsession with putting strat-like pickups in Jazzmasters, I got my first Jazzmaster (a JM-66 MIJ to be exact) and immediately felt like something was wrong. I had no clue why my guitar sounded so disappointing. After hearing the bad news of why MIJ Jazzmaster pickups are so infamous I got the Fralin stock set Jazzmaster pickups, and I'll personally say if you've got an MIJ Jazzmaster I HIGHLY recommend upgrading. You can imagine my disappointment to hear that they're still doing the strat-like pickups to this day, really hope they come around one of these days when it comes to real Jazzmaster pickups.

[@romichjordan]

I understand u, but for me Strat sound is perfect, and with time u want something another(I mean shape of guitar) so I think those hybrids are for someone like me

[@KevinBlank]

Props for the Fuzz Factory! Love that charcoal color. I would think about the Fender Mod Shop just to get an American made guitar with some proper pickups in that color.

[@aaronwilson8966]

Would you recommend the MIJ Traditional '60's Jazzmaster over the MIM Vintera '60's? with the conversion, they seem to be about the same price. I definitely would prefer the rosewood fretboard over the Pau Farro. Not sure how to go about getting a MIJ fender here in the USA though. Any ideas on how to go about this and customs shipping?

[@DoubleCrossSword]

Got this bad boy recently for a good $. Love it!

[@jasongormley5174]

Love MIJ Hybrid Fender Strats, thanks for this, great playing

[@frizzotheclown]

Yay! A new video by Mike. Its a good day!

[@隠れた]

You may think it was one of the most difficult guitars to come up with a demo clip with, it happens to be one of the more awesome sounding jams

[@marcusfiero3724]

Thanks Mike. You have sold me on this guitar, and your channel.👍🏻

[@_-_Michael_-_]

I found all japan made fenders lack something in terms of pickups. I just swap them always with some American made 60s spec Fender pickups and that sounds so better to me. Then sell old pickups so its always not so heavy on wallett.

[@koenhrms]

Fender American Original 60s next please!

[@ZRobertson91]

Same color as my Strat. Fantastic color

[@nostro1001]

I always get pup envy when you bring out 'my' charcoal frost MIJ JM (which I love). However, that closing J Mascis style jam, made me feel a whole lot better once again. Very 😎. Gonna have to check out that pedal also. 👆 Cheers. 🎸🎸🎸

[@Chastity_glove]

Mike, I'm officially an offset convert thanks to this channel! Have you come across any of the Heritage 60s Jazzmasters out of Japan?

[@raynefaded]

I just think every offset should have matching headstocks as standard (except for bursts). Really agree on the pickups too. I want my Jazzmaster to sound like a Jazzmaster, not a Strat or anything else. Seems really weird to buy an offset if you REALLY just want a Strat.

[@sixbladeknife44]

I have a Pro I w/ the vmods and I like them a lot in that guitar...but I do have a Thinskin JM and a couple of others with “proper” JM pups, so I enjoy the variation that the Vmods give me. If it was my only JM, however, I’d put more traditional pups in it. I’m also a Strat guy, so I’m sure that influences my ears some. The pups I dislike the most are the stock P90-esque ones in the Mascis JM, very dark and dull. Those are great guitars, but the pups are a no go for me. Thanks for the demo/overview, great stuff as usual :)

[@ericjohn1908]

I have a few strats and I feel the same.....sounded amazing to me!! Haha But I get it, not a true Jazzmaster tone. But does that mean I just like the strat tones better? Old school JM pickups do seem more full though.

[@sixbladeknife44]

@@ericjohn1908 Yeah, it always comes down to individual tastes…there is no right or wrong despite what some people would like to believe. For me it’s about variety, variety is the spice :)

[@conblurgh]

You're getting a surprising amount of beefiness out of those single coils. Nice!

[@Jayrawk]

I ❤️ Japanese Offsets.

[@guitarz]

congrats on 10k man!

[@Puisheen]

Thank you, James!

[@Lauke101]

Mike I really love your channel, it truly is an offset guitar heaven! I've learned so much already. I just wanted to ask: what is your take on the American Pro II Jazzmaster? Already taking a pickup swap into account as they also have the V-mod pickups. I got a Squier VM a few years back, recently sold it but I've been missing it ever since. Jazzmasters are THE guitar for me. So, I'm looking to get one for the long haul and the Dark Night colour and rolled fingerboard edges have me tempted ;-)

[@Puisheen]

I've only had a few experiences with them and one of them had a defective vibrato, so I'm waiting to have a more well-rounded opinion before I comment. Do love the Dark Night finish tho, and I'd still be swapping pickups I think

[@Lauke101]

@@Puisheen Thanks for answering! Hope I can try one out in the near future. And already looking forward to your video of course!

[@jodyrodgers2734]

It would be interesting to see what your opinion of the American original jazzmaster is??

[@HoiPolloi]

I'm putting a Jazzmaster together and been doing a deep dive into all of your videos on the subject. Definitely not getting the v-mod pickups! Thanks for making them! Also, your guitar playing/compositions are awesome!

[@alden2205]

If you like the sound of Mike's sonic blue Jazzmaster, he uses lollars in that guitar. That's what I have in my jazzmaster and I absolutely love them. Mike also always praises Novak pickups and Seymour Duncan antiquity I, which I use in my vintage jazzmaster for a darker sound.

[@jonbeatlesfan]

As a contented owner of a 2017 Am Pro Jag, I’m sincerely interested in your take on the pickups. I will totally admit that there really isn’t much ‘vintage’ or much ‘tradition’ to them -they definitely fall more on the ‘modified’ end of things. I’ll even grant you that they might even be a little dull, although I see that more as them being tamed by design as there isn’t as much excessive brightness. But it is curious to me that you started to find a usable tone when you cleaned up the sound and started playing finger style up the neck. I typically play clean through a Deluxe Reverb, with maybe 1/3 of the bass that you use and I find them to be articulate, round, and all the other subjective terms :D This is all to say that I think these pickups sit better with a little less bass then you might typically apply. Let me know what you think! Great playing in this video, btw. Sincerely, A friend from Seattle

[@daanprins6730]

Beautiful guitar. BTW you make really nice videos !

[@Spaceman-jo5mz]

Great breakdown! What proper Jazz Master pickups do you recommend for the full Jazz Master sound?

[@Alex-jq5ft]

Mike, I don't believe the Hybrid name comes from the mix of US and MIJ components. It's actually due to the combination of vintage and contemporary spec., like the locking tuners, satin neck, V mod pups and board radius. These guitars had a 'Traditional' counterpart in the range that were more faithful to vintage spec.

[@andrewhuffman7129]

Thank you so much on your video on this series very helpful!

[@GabrielRice]

Are the V-Mod II pickups in the am pro ii jazzmasters also narrow and tall like these? could be a dealbreaker for me otherwise

[@Puisheen]

The neck pickup is, the bridge pickup is just as tall but tapped, essentially a finished coil with more added for a selectable "modern" or boosted sound

[@YouriBotterman]

I got to find one of these !!! Sounds so good.

[@JoelGilardini]

I have a 2019 Lefthanded MIJ Jazzmaster (60s traditional): and yes pickup upgrade changed the guitar sound for the better! Stock PUs were ok, but very weak and super bright. Otherwise I was amazed by its built quality.

[@chicotilo]

Today I acquired a Fender Traditional II 60s Jazzmaster MIJ 2020. Am I correct in understanding that it has the same pickups? Can you tell me, what pickups did you replace them with?

[@rayclenshaw9997]

Informative and entertaining as ever Mike. I really enjoyed your playing this week too, especially the capo section. Great work 👌

[@wildsyd357]

Is there a follow-up with new pick-ups?

[@greenvelvet]

Thank you for the time stamps!♥️♥️♥️

[@teknomanning]

I love my am pro git.I had a 62 back in the day…Besides misty seafoam,maple neck.my buddies call it the hetic

[@burado1974]

Are you doing a video showing the pickup replacement? I'm considering getting one in Sherwood Green. I'll see how they sound but might change them out as I'm really after the traditional sound. Would love to see/hear a before and after. Great channel BTW, learned heaps from you!

[@greymurdock2]

Dude you rock my socks

[@nachorompantodo8650]

Hey mate! Have you tried the Fender 90 Jazzmaster MN FRD? i am curious about this new Jazz. I love your channel!

[@隠れた]

I think this will be my next purchase, it hard finding specs on a lot of the Japanese jazzmaster/jaguars, I really want a Jaguar jg66 but the 7.25 radius is a deal breaker for me, I really want to find a MIJ/CIJ Jaguar with matching headstock and 9.5 radius 🥹

[@marcusfiero3724]

8:30 I hear some early Smashing Pumpkins style stuff in there!!

[@ronway6222]

Another insightful review, Mike. I learn a ton from these and love your playing. Do you think this would be a good platform if I replaced the pickups, dropped in a Descendant vibrato and got a first class setup? I don't have a ton to spend, but am looking for a great, gig-able JM.

[@Puisheen]

We replaced the pickups with Antiquity Is, threw in an AVRI vibrato, and changed the tuners for Gotoh and it was divine, truly. I think you'd be happy with the same mods or others along those lines!

[@Yoyoda_del_umbra]

@@Puisheen have you done the same for the Jaguar ?

[@Puisheen]

@@Yoyoda_del_umbra Yep, same mods and wow did it open up a rather dull guitar

[@rolyat]

17:20 almost sounded like Youth by Daughter, beautiful cleans but for sure strat-esque

[@PerpetuallyTiredMusician]

This is still my fav part of the yt week. I do love these vids. Have you tried the g&l MFD pickups? I have a g&l s500 and I really like the MFD pickups there. So I might experiment a little and see if I can retrofit a pair of MFDs into my old jazzmaster. There seem to be JM sized ones but I am not sure if they will fit and/or if they are just oversized strat MFD single coils. If anyone has tried them please leave me a comment. Anyways Much love and have a great weekend everyone

[@void0094]

That solo in the end reminds me of J Mascis

[@wildsyd357]

I have this exact guitar, with some needed mods, but doesn’t anyone know where I can get a replacement pickguard? I ordered one from Decoboom but wrong fit, need help

[@emmihenni6747]

The song you start playing in 2:36, Demo 2, sounds really good!!! So addicted to listing to it. Which song is that?

[@kittysox8463]

I wanna see a video with the satellite amp!

[@xhefriguitars7946]

Nice review.... I have been thinking about purchasing one and was wondering what the diff is between this and a vintage (reissue) and the price is so reasonable I thought it maybe was on the level of a Squire. If these pickups are not wound and designed like the real Jazzmaster pickups I will get the Vintage Reissue USA made... Thanks!

[@monmixer]

I want one of those but I'm a bit on the fence about the set up process that so many people seem to have trouble with. I have always been a double humbucker guy but in my older years and semi retired to the point that actually have time to play again I want something with tremolo. Every one says just buy a strat and maybe they are right but my child hood dream guitar was always a jag. I bought what I needed to play what i was playing and learning on and moved away from that direction.

[@gustavoberocan]

Cool intro!

[@jimtippens]

New Sub from 5 Wat World. I've Owned All Types of Vintage Strat's & Tele's. One Day You'll Show Me Enough On Jazzmaster's, Jaguar's & Mustang's To "RULE OUR WORLD" 😆....🤗 Ps: Less Power More Tone Type Guy Here. Spy Surf🏄 RULES 😆+ Punk & Jazz...Anything As Long As It's PURE AWESOMENESS.

[@chrisst8922]

Lovely and clean inside. I bet they get through a lot of vinegar!

[@feloniousmonk321]

Did Fender Japan ever start having properly-wound Jazzmaster pickups in their Jazmasters rather than strat-like ones that were in them in? Even Squier Classic vibe gets it nearer than this one.

[@scottworsham]

That chord progression on the pup demo is one I've heard in a dream? Or from you before? Either way, I need to learn that.

[@cdddby2828]

Got a similar hybrid 2019 mij guitar but in indigo blue with all maple neck and fingerboard (uk version I believe). Not sure what American pickups mine has but my guess is v mods. Personally I like the sound, but then I don’t have a strat. Definitely has a different sound to my tele and epi Les Paul, and one I like. Whammy bar is now excellent after a few hits with the hammer to get rid of the rattle! Also needed some ptfe tape on a couple of the grub screws in the bridge.

[@Puisheen]

Yours is a different series, these are Hybrid '60s. I believe your Hybrid actually has more "correct" pickups

[@theoversouls]

Excellent review and I totally agree about the pickups. They sound quite dull and lifeless to me.

[@elnachovi_plantix]

nice one bro! can you demo, review or mod a Squier Contemporary Jazzmaster? :D

[@mastabad2]

So… what pickups did you ultimately install in this guitar?

[@lenbones7940]

The word hybrid is actually the only reason those pickups dont really bother me lol... but like u said at the end once u realize ur not holding a jazzmaster and ur eyes are lying then u understand it's kinda like how I feel about to humbucker on a tele and to be honest I like nirvana as much as anyone and even prefer a dan electric lipstick in the neck of jaguar and a jaguar bridge pick up and consider that my favorite guitar and humbuckers on a jaguar for no good reason upset me on a personal level lmfao

[@Luke-yv6uo]

Another great video! Not necessarily relevant to the video, but do you have any experience with or opinions of Kinman Jazzmaster pickups, particularly the Fatmasters?

[@Puisheen]

I've installed Fatmasters and liked them a lot. A little dark for me personally but they were perfect for the owner. Excellent pickups

[@JohnLee-mq4hk]

It seems like the neck pick up is a lot louder than the bridge pick up.

[@guitashamilele]

I'd be really interested in your view on the pickups in the American Performer Jazzmaster or the MIJ Hybrid II Jazzmaster. I live in Japan and there's only a couple of hundred bucks between them!

[@michaelblaney4461]

So if I have a Squier Bullet strat I'd like this Guitar??? Or maybe it's too good ( for a Bassist 😉)

[@JaquinoSwee]

Japan has a new Hybrid 2 line that comes with “Hybrid II Custom Voiced Single Coil” pickups. Wonder how those sound compared to the one in this video

[@Puisheen]

The old Hybrid had more "correct" pickups but I believe the Hybrid 2s they've been teasing are the same pickups

[@thomaskastelic2294]

How do I contact you for repairs and set up, assuming you do that? Thanks.

[@Anson120]

Everyone hates the new V pickups. I love them in my pro II tele though. Little shocking about the jazz v mods. Those arnt jazz Pups.

[@Puisheen]

To be honest I have no opinion on any of the others, just the Jazzmaster and Jaguars.

[@ClamsAnonymous]

That's so weird. I just got this same guitar from Mike and Mike's, delivered yesterday...

[@telecasterbear]

Caution. Hot Mike.

[@asuanlarm]

Maybe it's the amp and pedals you are using, but the pickups don't sound half bad. I had an older Japanese Jazzmaster and an American reissue, and what a difference they were at the time. The Japanese one sounded dull and lifeless compared to the American Jazzmaster. I have a Hybrid Indigo Jazzmaster, and the specs don't say V-mod like the other 60's Hybrid ones do. Specs just say US pickups. I wonder if they are the same.

[@Puisheen]

Nope, different, more traditional pickups in the model simply called "Hybrid"

[@pezmo6249]

Hey Mike, I just bought a MIJ traditional Jazzmaster. This is my first JM and I am keen to upgrade the pickups for genuine JM voice after watching your video (I probably go for the black bobbin lollar from your other video), thanks so much for all the informative videos. I am wondering what other electronics I should also upgrade in one go, such as pots and cap? And just on the lead circuit is good enough? I am not living in US so I wanted to get the idea and order electronic parts needed in one go, then get a luthier to install for me (it’s not easy to grab a luthier at where I live so I want to make it accurate with one shot). Thanks in advance, cheers!!

[@pezmo6249]

Hello Mike, can you please help me out? 🙏🏼

[@cominginsecond]

Are the Pure Vintage 65 pickups from Fender "real" Jazzmaster pickups?

[@Puisheen]

Yep. Not my favorite set out there, but still "proper" JM pickups

[@romichjordan]

thanks

[@ryanmckenna3088]

How do I fix that crackly 3 way pickup switch @11:10 ?

[@zzzz5223]

am pro ll vmod2 pickups like strat or normal singlecoil pickups？

[@asambatyon]

can you do a video about p-90 jazzmaster size?

[@Puisheen]

When I get to the Mascis or CP, I definitely will!

[@HappyChillmore]

Dude I have been watching your videos ALL DAY. I am looking at a MIJ Hybrid ii jazzmaster and it says the pickups are “Pickups: Hybrid II Custom Voiced Single Coil Jazzmaster” whereas the model in this video says v-mod. Does that mean the hybrid ii I am looking at has proper jazzmaster pickups ??

[@Puisheen]

There's a Hybrid II??? I can't keep up! I'm really not sure, but I'll see if I can find a good answer

[@HappyChillmore]

@@Puisheen Haha yea! It’s Japanese at least the one I know of. Man I watched probably 6 hours of your channel the past 48 hours. I very much appreciate your knowledge. I actually ended up just ordering a G&L doheny tribute (don’t hunt me down and kill me) lol. Brand new for 550. Just for now because I shouldn’t be buying any more expensive guitars and this is my first offset guitar (historically have been a strat guy). Hoping to one day potentially get a vintage or custom shop proper jazzmaster though! But until then I think this G&L should satisfy what I’m looking for. Anyway thanks again man