Should I have bought it? 1963 Fender Jazzmaster vs my Custom Shop Jazzmaster

In this video I'm going to compare a REAL '63 Jazzmaster with my Fender Custom Shop JM!
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ABOUT STUART
Stuart Ryan began his career as a professional guitarist in 2003 when he won Guitarist Magazine's 'Acoustic Guitarist of The Year'. He has recorded 4 albums for BMG International and has recorded guitar sessions for Amazon Prime Movie Studios soundtracks, Fashion House Ballenciaga and many more. He has written 10 bestselling guitar method books (all available on Amazon) and spent 15 years as Head of Guitar at The British Institute of Modern Music (BIMM). Stuart has been the acoustic guitar columnist for Guitar Techniques magazine since 2004. Get in touch to discuss recording sessions or one to one lessons via Skype/Zoom.

[@Peterwrightguitar67]

To my ears the re-issue has the edge across the board - just a little fuller and warmer..

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I know what you mean Peter, I went back and forth between the two and it took a while before the differences really became apparent. In the hand the vintage feels spectacular and whilst not as fat sounding as the Custom Shop it has a gorgeous snap and clarity, I loved both!

[@gasparepellecchia]

You play very very well.

[@tigredejadeec]

This guy's playing and sound gives me peace

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks for watching Juan! Stay well, best wishes, Stuart

[@kcd2120]

Good Lord - the fretboard on that ‘63 is as epic as his playing. Both are just spectacular.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

It really was, felt as good to play as it looked. The fretboard on my JM was so washed out in comparison, I ended up changing it for a different JM recently! Thanks for watching and for the kind words

[@davehibbert3070]

Loving the content and awesome playing you are putting on this channel. Thanks for making these videos.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks Dave, more to come! All the best, Stuart

[@smoochie3331]

I bought an original 62 refin today. It feels quite amazing.

[@HelpingHandAlias]

After a few minutes i was not fascinated by the tone anymore, just watching your left hand. Unbelievable playing!

[@TheChadPad]

I can tell you've got your bridge pickup cranked way up high on the custom shop, so that accounts for most of the difference I hear between those, besides maybe a weaker pickup in the original. The neck pickup heights are about the same, and I think they sound damn near identical too

[@LittleHandsConcrete]

Stuart, this is a really good quality demonstration of the Jazzmaster in original and 'recreated' form....great playing and your focus on demonstrating the different playing styles really brings out the versatility of the Jazzmaster as originally conceived.. I only have one electric (a pine bodied Fender double esquire), but if I were ever to go for another a JM would be right up there ...good stuff. Hope the ankle is on the mend, Paul

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks Paul! At the end of the day with these two it came down to overall feel and vibe - the 7.25 radius on the original paired with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard really makes it feel quite different. I veered between preferring that one and mine though and never reached a conclusion - I was almost relieved when my friend collected it yesterday! Ankle on the mend thanks, still spraining it every time I walk through the woods though!

[@keiranbradley3238]

Both sounded great, maybe the CS is a touch brighter but just look at the board on the '63, man that's gorgeous.

[@chrisgates7756]

Neck pickups sound pretty darn close! Both stunning guitars in their own right. I love that custom shop.....very nice indeed!

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I thought so too Chris, really similar - both feel different to play though and the pickups are definitely livelier on the CS. I prefer the vibe of the 1963, in the hands it just feels amazing

[@areyoujelton]

I think of your custom shop guitar all the time. Truly a beautiful guitar.

[@keithclayton1271]

Great comparison, great playing.

[@tidepoolbay]

The 63' Sounds warmer & darker.

[@zacharyoliver1325]

Yes. It sounded great!

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice work!

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thank you!

[@seanschweska856]

Man I love your playing

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks Sean! Stay well, best wishes, Stuart

[@soofitnsexy]

mannnnnnn only halfway thru but Im shocked!!! your beautiful CS in Burgundy I much preferred !

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks for watching Chris! Yes, there are some differences here, I went back and forth between both guitars and loved them both but kept coming back to mine. I had an option to buy the vintage at a great price; I kind of wish I'd done it but it would have also meant selling the CS so it wasn't quite an easy choice in the end! Stay well, all the best, Stuart

[@coldacre]

any tone differences are purely down to the pickups. the interesting comparison would be if the same pickups were in both guitars. vintage is bass-arse; but Seymour Antiquities in any MIA or MIJ is going to sound amazing.

[@tidepoolbay]

I agree on the Custom Shop Guitars.

[@bjhale542]

Both guitars are beautiful in sound and appearance. I think the wearing of time in the wood and the magnetic properties of the pickups probably give the original a slight edge to my ears and I sense it could lean into possibly more of a "feel" thing from what I can discern. Excellent playing. I've never owned my own Jazzmaster, and I've played over 30 years. Thanks for the video. I think it's just a matter of time. I really enjoyed your work it is helpful in understanding the instrument in more clarity. Thanks. Subscribes!

[@StuartRyanMusic]

It was a feel thing with these two - right down to the Brazilian rosewood fretboard on the 1963, it felt amazing. In the room the sound of both was remarkably similar but I still wish I'd bought the vintage JM!

[@TedSarge]

There was something in the vintage pups that I preferred--maybe something to do with the height that you mentioned was different between the two? Love both, but I think the vintage just has something that puts it over the top.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks for watching Ted! Definite differences between them, some subtle some not so. I love my CS and it does seem to have more of a 'modern sound to it whereas the lower output of the vintage took things in another direction. I'll tell you what though, the Braz fingerboard on the vintage was KILLER, such an amazing playing experience and the Rosewood on mine doesn't come close. Thanks for watching, all the best, Stuart

[@onhallowedgrnd]

The middle setting on the custom shop is immense, it feels like the vintage cuts through a bit more tho, both are absolutely amazing, gotta have both lol Also that octave thing at the end of the clean neck demo is insane, genuinely fantastic playing throughout!

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thank you! Yes, they both have their own character, I think I prefer the vintage because of its vibe but both are great and my CS sits really well in the mix, it's like a fat Strat/Tele hybrid. Jaguar next hopefully! :)

[@onhallowedgrnd]

@@StuartRyanMusic that's what always drew me to jazzmasters! They're like the best Tele you've heard whilst still having their own character Jaguars are great fun, plenty of scope for wiring mods as well if that's your thing! Looking forward to hearing it if you get one!

[@johndaugherty4127]

​@@StuartRyanMusicwow! Who cpuld ask for more!?

[@marksproull5782]

Hello, I have owned probably 10 or so vintage Jazzmasters over the years and I love them but they can also be a pain in the ... I like the sound of the custom shop. I notice you have different saddles on the guitars. That makes a big difference in the sound.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

It really does Mark, that's a brass Fender RSD bridge. I've just changed this Jazzmaster for another CS model, the Burgundy Mist one was just a little 'hi-fi' sounding for me, I prefer JMs when they have that edgy sound. All the best, Stuart

[@ghoulcaster]

What is that poster with the abstract guitar on the right in the back, next to the blue and red drop one?

[@Bigsbeee]

Owned a pair of CS JM - One with Mastery other RSD. Personally not keen on the overly bright RSD. Much prefer Mastery on my 62 - CS Relic. Those CS pickups are super tasty though .

[@AlexG-ok1zc]

I've played quite a few jazzmasters and own a 2019 CS. The RSD bridge on the CS makes a massive difference. It's a shame Fender won't sell them individually.

[@Hehehehhehehehehehehehhe78]

They'll be like $400 each if they do sell them

[@StuartRyanMusic]

It does make a huge difference but yeah, Fender would charge a load for them - probably more than a Mastery etc. Don't know why they don't release them though, they'd sell loads

[@JazzCatzs]

I like the Customshop tone slightly more

[@xFrostyDZN]

What color finish is your custom shop?

[@joeschlicht]

No doubt the vintage has a touch more clarity. I preferred the vintage for clean tones and the CS for the overdriven tones. I wonder how much difference the bridge is making between these two guitars.

[@MrRyanS1983]

The CS sounds very bright/loud. The 63 had a nice mellow/smoother sound to it. It would be interesting to see how much output the pickups have on both as well. Both are beautiful guitars.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I agree! The CS is more 'powerful' but that is most likely pickup height and output. However, it is a very resonant guitar unplugged. I loved the vintage too!

[@Bigsbeee]

@@StuartRyanMusic Is the resonance from the RSD bridge ? I'm close to puling the trigger on a 59 - CS JM . You traded this CS as too HiFi. Does your replacement CS also have the RSD ? Thank You.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

@@Bigsbeee Hi, my new JM has the traditional bridge which I may change at some point but I do like the more raw sound you get from it. I changed the other one more for a feel thing, I just prefer the neck and overall feel of the new one. Not sure about pickups and wiring on the 59 spec. If you are in the UK there are some great used CS Jazzmasters for sale on thefretboard forum right now

[@popsfereal]

Damn, 5 comments? You got the fingers goin' on there brother.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@lassesuurmunne8340]

On their own I felt as if the vintage sings a little more if that makes sense. And the custom shop had a more dry sound but not in a bad way! Both sounded very very nice and I find that I personally prefer the sound of a Jazzmaster neck pickup to a strat, maybe just because it’s something a little bit different but similar enough where you could play some SRV licks and it would sound close enough. But then in the mix I couldn’t tell which I preferred. They both sounded magical in the mix and I loved your playing in that track! I have a rare namm 2013 custom shop Mustang and a vintage Dakota red 1964 Mustang all original. It’s a similar case there, that I love both equally. My Mustang obsession started from hearing Norah Jones play her 64 Mustang live and I fell in love with her sound. My 64 captures that sound but the custom shop still has the soul of a Mustang but is slightly more stratty. The fretboards feel similar but quite different at the same time, probably mostly due to the 64 having a very narrow A neck. The custom shop is based on a 66 and has a much wider nut. Still there’s something about a guitar as old as the 64, my one is pretty near mint but you can still feel the age. The neck is incredibly solid feeling, maybe also due to the older wood. I dunno maybe it’s also psychological, but it’s a magical experience for me to play that 64. Maybe it’s because it’s the same as what Norah plays and has the sound I wanted. But I couldn’t sell either. But I think my next guitar will be a Jazzmaster. Great video! Very informative and your playing inspired me a lot! And your custom shop jazzmaster is definitely nothing to sneeze at, and absolutely gorgeous in burgundy mist with the matching headstock!

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Thank you for watching! I would love to hear those two Mustangs and I never knew the Custom Shop had even built any. Certainly something I'd love to add to the collection at some point. These two Jazzmasters were great to have side by side. As you say both sound great and in the end it probably comes down to vibe with the Vintage having that genuine worn in feel along with a beautiful Braz Rosewood board. Totally agree about the neck pickups, they are a revelation on JMs. I wish I'd bought the vintage when I had the option but it would have meant having to find a buyer for the CS quickly which would never have happened. Overall I'm still pleased to own great JM. Stay well!

[@lassesuurmunne8340]

@@StuartRyanMusic Yeah I agree, the vintage ones have that played in feeling. I think custom shops still do a great job at giving you a nice played in feel. And at least it’s not quite as scary to gig with a custom shop as it is with a real vintage, you can use it as your workhorse without that extra bit of anxiety 😸✌️. And maybe one day you’ll come a across another vintage one that’s just as nice. Here in Finland I just saw a 63 jazzmaster for about 5k. So it seems to still be possible to get a player grade one without them being impossible for the wallet. And probably nice to hold onto both 🙏. I checked to see if you were also on Instagram and I found you! I sent a few photos of my Mustangs as a private message there if you wanna see them. Hopefully I could gain the courage to do some sort of comparison demo one day too! Although I’m not nearly as good of a player as you haha. I was lucky enough to get one of those Chris Stapleton reissue 62 brownface Princetons last year. The Stangs sound great through that. I’m glad I was able to acquire these when I could, now I’m pretty broke this year haha. Great channel you have! Very inspiring! 🙏

[@simonfowler81]

I prefer the look of the white one but the sound of the pink one

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Me too Frank!

[@yamilduck9486]

17:10 that could be easily a song from the 1979

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I love those guys! Thanks for watching!

[@iagobroxado]

I like the Custom Shop better. A little more midrange, a little more cutting... the vibrato bar action seems to be a little smoother too.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I think you're right - it could be pickup output or height but the CS does bite and cut through a bit more. I almost sold it to buy the old JM but am glad I stuck with it! Stay well, all the best, Stuart

[@jameshilton6744]

do both have the 1meg pots, or have there been modifications?

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Hi James, I think they are both probably 1 meg, neither have been modified. All the best, Stuart

[@chuckmatses6803]

I preferred the Custom Shop, deeper tone, wider landscape, and smoother.

[@adriana-wg9yt]

White - more bright and warm. Sometimes a bit "dry" and more dark Pink - bright and warm more balanced and more "soft"

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I do agree - my CS is more balanced, the neck pickup on the vintage was much lower output. Both great, I would love to own that old one though! Thanks for watching

[@Aethalops]

As individual as instruments tend to be, I'd be very interested to hear a treatment like this comparing 2 allegedly identical vintage (or new, but high end) guitars. I suspect that *that* particular '63 is still around and collected by someone with your friend's sensibilities might mean that it stood out from its cohort. Another facet of this is the effect of the guitar's special-ness on the player's handling of it. The vibe you describe must have some impact on how you handle it at an intricate level. That said, I'm a terrible player, so could never demonstrate or likely even detect the kind of distinctions I'm hypothesizing. :-)

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Yes, he knows what he's doing and all his guitars are great examples. I've played Strats and Teles from the same vintage years and they can be surprisingly hit and miss

[@Wolf_K]

If you had the original bridge and not the RSD one on the new one there’d be virtually no difference at all. Also, put a set of Antiquities in it and you’d fool everyone in double blind tests. Same with all Reissue Fenders with antiquities, they sound the same as the vintage examples. Edit: bridges play a huge role in sound on all guitars. The thickness, shape, and materials all change the sound. It can be subtle or extreme.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I agree, the RSD bridge really smooths the sound out (too much for me to be honest). I subsequently changed this Jazzmaster for another CS model with the original style bridge and it has a more vintage tone - it even intonates too!!

[@joebubbit]

Got a nice dent in the CS... (;(

[@soofitnsexy]

just curious Stuart. a jazzmaster cs like that one..around 3k? or more?

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Hi Chris, here in the UK they are up to about £3700 though I paid closer to £3000 with a discount. This one had been in the store for a while I think

[@soofitnsexy]

@@StuartRyanMusic worth every penny!!!

[@captainamerica9353]

Vintage or new? Yes, please. But seriously folks, almost all old Fenders have a 7.25" radius fretboard and a 1.65" nut, which to me is like a broomhandle. The modern necks, I think are better. Last year I found a '65 Strat Custom Shop with a Rosewood board, and 12" radius for under $3K and it was mint. A 9.5" would have been fine, but I love it. But the C.S. Jazzmasters and Jags are few and far between, and very expensive.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Totally agree, every time I regret not buying the vintage I think about how much I've hated every 7.5 radius guitar I've owned! Personal choice obviously but these days I even prefer a 10 over a 9.5. Funnily enough I've found a CS Jag and Jazz both with 10" radius and they are making me think about chopping this one in...!!

[@captainamerica9353]

@@StuartRyanMusic , yeah, I don't understand the mentality of ever having a 7.25", any more than Gibson using baseball bat necks. Another thing for me, anyway, is the "Narrow-Tall" frets on American Pro Fenders. They kill my fingers! Your 10's must be Wildwoods, which are very nice.

[@kcd2120]

@@captainamerica9353 I think that most PRS guitars have a 10 inch radius, too.

[@thesmellycatjazz]

They both sound really good, but the 63 strings sound like they’re ringing past the nut when you’re playing West Coast Blues, but that’s pretty much a nonissue.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Yes, there were a few points where the 63 rings, mostly on the D string. An easy job to sort out I'm sure, probably just a saddle or nut issue. Gorgeous guitar

[@themodularmodular]

My only complaint about the Fender CS is that I wish they could make a better looking tort guards. They look cheap and hideous compared to the real tort and Spitfire's.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I'm actually thinking of changing this to a white one, it's about the only thing I don't like on this guitar

[@steffenla4]

Lovely demo! The CS definitely has a broader frequency spectrum and a fuller sound. It's also a bit louder. A lot of that probably comes down to the pickup height you mentioned and the bridge, which transfers vibrations more efficiently. But the '63 has a magic that's hard to match. It's sounds "dryer", snappier and more rounded somehow. It also has more emphasis on the attack of the notes at the expense of sustain. Again, probably because of the vintage bridge, which is less "efficient" than the RSD one. To my surprise the CS worked better in a mix. Probably because the extra high end made it cut better. Except for the fast parts, where the '63s emphasis on attack worked very well.

[@StuartRyanMusic]

I agree, I'd love to have both, I nearly bought the vintage from its owner, in some ways I wish I had but then it was still expensive and I'd have had to sell the CS which is a great guitar in itself. Stay well, best wishes, Stuart

[@mohamedtlass3842]

Both good but the kemper made it a bit sterile

[@StuartRyanMusic]

Yeah, I ended up selling the Kemper for that reason - back to amps for me, Lazy J and Vox AC15 handwired now!

[@mohamedtlass3842]

@@StuartRyanMusic how did the ac15 hold up to a vintage one if you’ve experienced both? I was a bit disappointed with ac4hw and ended up with a vintage 1964 ac30 with some luck and persistence

[@aaronbrown0417]

I can tell the difference... the original sounds like a jazzmaster is supposed to sound...meaty clear but full... but custom shop sounds real good... it's just slightly brighter n snappier than the original... I'm sure the custom shop sounds like what the original sounded like when it was new. we talking about 50 plus year old electronics and pickups vs like...3 years old lol... it's unfair to compare but the original is only slightly better due to the overall articulation being better on the low and high strings while still retaining fatness and clear

[@Wolf_K]

It’s the CS RSD bridge that changes the sound slightly and so it’s not truly a fair comparison.

[@robertfair1770]

Wow!! if your friend wants to sell the original 63 hit me up!!! Im all about the original...

[@whwh7339]

18:32 is where the vintage tone starts separating itself in a major way