The Fender Performer Jazzmaster Geeky Dive

[@PhillipMcKnight]

00:00 Intro 00:42 Geeky Stuff 01:17 Tech Tip 10:55 Sound Samples 15:29 Final Thoughts

[@undercrackers56]

Love this guy's presentation. No cartoon character nonsense. He can tech, he can play and has great camera work.

[@michaelrosa2589]

Yea Phil! I love Offset guitars. I am happy to see a review of one, thanks!

[@GavinEhringer]

Long ago, I built a custom JM with a Strat tremolo and simple wiring - volume, volume, treble, pickup selector. Always thought Fender should make one like that...and here it is! I never liked the Jazzmaster trem system nor the upper-bout switching. So, I think this is a great option in a Jazzmaster-style guitar.

[@marzarnold9039]

Always reminds of the surfer music. It has a beautiful clean tone. Very nice.

[@toddflowers8052]

I have a Squier Affinity JM with the same features that is really really good....I say yes it is a JM , I never used the other controls when I had a a Fender JM anyway...... Thanks for the review and demo Phil.

[@semifixtion]

Without the floating offset trem it's not gonna feel like a jazzmaster. The pickups are most likely strat style coils like the ones that come on other modern fender jazzmasters and won't sound like traditional jazzmaster pickups with wide flat coils, especially with 250k pots instead of the usual 1 meg. Also you don't have to take off the neck to remove the pick guard, you just need to unscrew the neck pickup cover first.

[@ChrisEck13]

Yes those are basically Strat pickups. The windings are not short and wide like a JM, they're tall and narrow like Strat. If you want the Jazzmaster sound or performance, this isn't it. If you want a Strat that looks like a JM, this is it.

[@jamesjordan4586]

It ain't a Jazzmaster without a floating trem.

[@barbmelle3136]

@@jamesjordan4586 I have a 1960's original Jazzmaster that came from the factory with NO trem at all, pretty rare. It was an option, but most chose the trem model. They also made Squire CV Jazzmasters with no trem available more recently, maybe 10 years ago.

[@mab2112]

I highly recommend the Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster. They are about the same price and comes with Pure Vintage '65 Single-Coils, Nickel-Plated Brass Mustang Saddles, Vintage Style "Floating" Tremolo Tailpiece, Matching Headstock Finish and Block Inlays on the fretboard. I think a Jazzmaster has to come with the traditional bridge and tremolo. I picked one up used from Sam Ash (RIP).

[@famachris]

Guess the string trees weren’t part of that 70 something inspection at Sweetwater…

[@PG-ex3kl]

They are offset to match the body😂

[@AutismRocksOfficial]

I have a J Mascis Squier Jazzmaster. It just might be my favorite guitar right now.

[@DVSPress]

This is the kind of Jazzmaster I would buy. I prefer the strat trem over the "classic" jazzmaster bridge100%. And I don't need all the extra switches and rolling knobs.

[@guitarhackr]

I did a build with that neck. Such a great feel! It won't sound like a Jazzmaster 100%, but it gets close (the term does change the tone a bit). Beautiful guitar!

[@papasteve7376]

As always Phil thanks for the information

[@dansawyers3802]

That sounds incredible.

[@essboo]

Wow, that sounds really good. I have to say, it has me considering that guitar, which is not something I would normally think about buying. I can see it has some versatility to it, which is always good. Good video!

[@brianrollins7275]

Great demo, thanks. I like the Fender performer series guitars. I have a honey burst tele and the neck is excellent. I really like the Yosemite pickups and I prefer the top loaded tuners. That jazzmaster sounds good. Not sure I’d ever use the rhythm circuit so that’s not a big deal to me and neither is the vibrato arm as long as it works and stays in tune for the most part. I’ve never owned or even played a jazzmaster but I’m definitely interested in checking them out someday soon. Thanks for the video.

[@Furtheronmusic]

I've not played the jazzmaster but I own a performer strat which I compared side to side against a pro model when I bought it. The jumbo frets really were a huge plus point for me I loved the whole neck feel over the pro model. The satin blue was also stonking. I'm a bit of a performer fan myself

[@thr3ddy]

I've never played one, but those pickups sound so articulate. I own a P90 loaded LP and I kind of expected it to be more like that.

[@eertje01]

It's totally a jazzmaster. Offset purists will piss on it but I like it. I had a Squier affinity jazzmaster once that had this exact lay-out. Actually it had a 2 point tremolo! I currently own a CV jazzmaster that's vintage correct, but I gotta tell you I don't mind a strat trem on a jazzmaster at all.

[@mikepj1025]

Phil I just bought a Troy Van Leeuwen signature Jazzmaster a few months ago. Absolutely obsessed with it. First Jazzmaster I’ve ever loved.

[@RoyceTeal]

@9:18 saddle height screws. I changed the saddles on my 2015 MIM Strat to Highwood saddles, they have a unique design and the screws never come out the top. So far no problems. As for the string trees being angled I believe it is a tuning advantage. My reasoning is the D & G strings are a different diameter therefore the tension for the string angle is slightly different, the same for the B & e strings. Just my 2 cents.

[@MrTraewilliams]

The Jazzmaster is one of the coolest looking guitar but to me they look so strange with out the Jazzmaster's tremolo system. Love the way they sound 💯✌🤟🤘

[@PrantoKoX]

Those pickups REALLY sound fantastic! 💯👌🏼 Wish they did better (i.e. more modern/advanced) takes on the trem bridge, tuners and nut - other companies do that for under half that price, so "Made in USA" in the era of global parts sourcing is no excuse.

[@ToddHavel]

Love that thing! Hum canceling, offset( helps for long siting and playing sessions), more 16:39 stable trem, less knobs=less finicky. Wonder if it had humbuckers without trem would it still be a jazz master? Prefer the fender style for ergonomics and affordability.

[@davva360]

I have a 2019 performer Stratocaster and I love it. Great sounding and playing guitar. No fret spout on it. Just needed a minor tweak of the truss rod when I got it.

[@anthonypanneton923]

I have two offset JM type guitars, and both are HEAVY. But I love both. One is a 12-string - similar to the Fender XII. The other is a 6-string loaded with three P90 pickups and a 5-way switch. Love those guitars! Very different feel compared to a strat.

[@Juan-p2g5l]

Sounds great, love the sound ,greengrass and high tides forever like clean. I wish they made this guitar 30 years ago.

[@Yardbird68]

Since I've never have played a Jazzmaster, I cannot say what it feels like to play one. Though a Jazzmaster has been on my radar, I appreciate this review Phil. I have been looking at either a Fender American Vintage '65 or Fender Player Jazzmaster. Now I can add this to the mix. Have you done any reviews for either one of those types Phil? Once again, THANK YOU for your excellent reviews, always entertaining and educational too!

[@RobertDunnUK]

Nice one again Phil. Thanks for your detailed efforts to review this for us. You say right at the beginning you were looking for an Offset guitar, with Trem but modernised, so why do some of the commenters here say 'Its not a jazz master' You didn't say it is !! Some of us are just thick stuck in the mud dinosaurs I guess.

[@jonathancalhoun4853]

I really enjoyed this video. I admittedly had previously discounted this guitar somewhat since it had a Strat-style vibrato instead of a traditional Jazzmaster vibrato, but it sounds great, looks like it plays great, and I can see some advantages to having the Strat-style one instead.

[@Scaredycat-dad]

I love it, I think the bridge is an upgrade. Standard ones seem to have a fair amount of tuning instability. Great bang for your buck. IMO

[@ferngorbutt9698]

Looks like a Jazzmaster...sounds like a really great Strat. She is a beauty!

[@MikeHolliman]

Wow! Thanks Phillip, now I want one Offset bodies are super cool.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I love the whole thing. The Strat bridge is extra cool. If I wanted to upgrade there are endless choices. Lollar does drop in P90's for a Jazzmaster.

[@shanetx81]

A p90 still won’t sound like a jazz master sadly.

[@Aaron-zh4kj]

I still want them (or someone) to do a hyper modern jazzmaster but with all the aesthetics of an old jazzmaster (specifically, I love the 66, with the block inlays & matching headstock), but with modern features like a 2 point trem, stainless steel frets, maybe even noiseless pickups or humbuckers.

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, for pointing out that locking tuning keys don't help tuning stability but instead are used to make string changes faster.

[@sometimesdimneverthin]

It would be nice if he explained why saving two minutes was worth the expense. They might make sense for a performing guitarist but seem to be a nice to have thing for most players when no cost. I have one guitar with locking tuners and others without, the time saving is tiny.

[@drdoom8793]

Except they do help, just not in the way everyone seems to think they do. But they really only help when a trem is involved, not so much with a hardtail

[@I.M.Guitar-Nerd]

@@drdoom8793 No, they don't. The only way a locking key affects tuning stability is if you choose to use a better-quality tuning key than the one you are replacing. The intended effect of locking tuning keys is to reduce string change times. Nothing more.

[@PainterDans]

They will help tuning stability if you have a tremolo without a locking nut

[@TurbulentJuice]

You don't think that squashing down the string in the locking mechanism helps with tuning stability vs the string going through the open hole with the luthier knot on the other side? I would think in the latter scenario there is more possibility for movement of the string back through the tuner. I like clamping down and cutting the string off, it's much less annoying and you don't have to turn the peg a dozen plus times since you just pull the string tight, clamp, a few turns, cut and done.

[@oliverlangrall2014]

It's a strat with jm pickups imo. The tremolo, rocking bridge and rhythm circuit makes a Jazzmaster a Jazzmaster (and the pickups of course). Also, I went around to a few of my guitars playing with the string trees and the T can be swiveled on all of them with a little push, even my American Professional II strat and vintera JM as well as my squier mustang

[@bradforward850]

Dad left me a 1968 Jazzmaster in the will. One of the finest playing guitars I own.

[@TommySG1]

Sounded great and I do think the performer series is a decent bang for buck too, thanks for sharing your thoughts Phil 🤙

[@dennisrohm6372]

Get yur surf on! Cowabunga dude!

[@danthegeetarman]

Wow those pickups sound amazing

[@ryanevans8368]

I dig the og jazzmaster with the floating wiggle stick and rhythm circuit

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

The J Mascis Jazzmaster is another variation. It has the Jazzmaster trem but a tune-o-matic style bridge that doesn't pivot. I'm not keen on pivoting bridges, so I like that. I think it can be further improved by making it a roller bridge with a radius that suits the fingerboard. Halon guitar parts are a small volume manufacturer that make some good looking roller bridges for Jazzmasters and other replacement parts.

[@chava043]

I got a USA G&l Doheny used for $950. Definitely worth it.

[@alisterrae5822]

I've had one for years its a superb guitar! Running Thom' Inf' Flats on it. Why is it hated? Trem' works great!

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

Preference on offsets is the Jazzmaster style trem...and the extra switching. I have a Tagima TW-61 which is an nearly identical setup to the guitar in this video except it has a Varitone switch and P-90s. It has a Wilkinson 2pt. Strat-trem and vintage tuners. It is a fantastic guitar at around $400...and I would play it more if it had a JM trem.

[@antonyedwardson9900]

I recently got a Special Edition Player Jazzmaster (same specs as the CME exclusive), Pure Vintage 65 pickups, a ‘proper’ JM trem but it ditches the rhythm circuit and replaces it with a 4 way switch with the last position being both pickups wired in series (like a humbucker) and I love it. I’ve put a staytrem bridge and arm on it and Fender locking tuners (for quick string changes only I absolutely agree!) and it’s my number 1. Is the American Performer a Jazzmaster? Who cares, if it’s a good guitar that’s all that matters.

[@bltvd]

I like this guitar a lot but don’t understand why it is not standard for Fender to paint the headstocks to match the body. It always looks better!

[@SoundChase]

Appreciate the review, Phillip. This is the second time I've seen the string trees out of square, or off-center. Not a 100% sure if it's designed that way or if it's just an error. I don't know.

[@rcameron4091]

I own some high end vintage guitars . A friend brought over a Fender Squire Jagmaster that's 500 dollars . I haven't put it down . Never count out the lower price range guitars in some cases .

[@mikekozi-lester3887]

Hi Guitar 🎸 Guy nice video 📹 and workmanship

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Ordered that white winder last night for my San Dimas case. Got the Fender DR lunchbox and red pearloid Heavy mousepad lol

[@gtr1952]

I really liked this guitar the first time I saw it. I also like bigger/fatter necks. Phil mis-read the mic, it is 22.88 or .901 at the first fret, and 23.68 or .932 at the 12th fret. A typical 59 LPB is about .940 at the first and about 1.000 at the 12th. I would be happy with this one!! 8) Peace --gary

[@BD-zg7is]

just found your channel like 20 mins ago. awesome stuff. thanks.

[@Yardbird68]

Welcome aboard, to the BEST guitar channel on YT; at least I think so! Phil is AWESOME!

[@VintageRadius]

Love seeing offset guitars on the channel, Phil! I really like they put jumbo frets on this, just wish it had the traditional JM vibrato system

[@Mr.Potato1962]

Sound's Great !

[@JohnnyBeane]

Awesome guitar!

[@craiger2399]

I have never considered the Performer due to the "wrong" trem and no rhythm circuit. But tbh it sounds phenomenal here. I have had both the Performer Strat and Tele and they were GREAT guitars. I only moved them on to get Custom shop and Vintage models.

[@benallmark9671]

I agree , the performers are great.

[@nellayema2455]

Phil confirms that all Fenders are partscasters 😉 . Those string trees would bug me even though they're working fine. I don't think I've ever seen that kind of goof on a Fender branded product. I'd love to have a traditional style Jazzmaster. I'd probably go with a Squier and upgrade the trem system to a Fender trem to have the ability to lock it. The Squiers don't have the lock button. I'm more of a tinkerer than a player.

[@michaelbeaudo6761]

Just so you know if you are uninitiated in offset trems-the lock button doesnt actually “lock” the trem as if to make it a hardtail . It basically is just there to balance the tension so if you were to break a string while performing the other strings will not go out of tune due to the shift in tension. The trem is designed to be operable whatever position the switch is in so in all honestly up until you break a string it will basically function the same with or without the switch engaged. That being said it is worth it to upgrade to the American Vintage Reissue tremolo unit as it performs 100x better than a stock Squier unit. Dont waste your money on the Japanese or Mexican units there is really no real performance upgrade over the Squier trem other than the presence of the lock button and the Fender logo (and in the case of the Mexican unit usually a screw in arm vs push in)

[@timvanboening9432]

I think it’s a flavor of Jazzmaster, but one I’m not dying to partake in. I play a Jaguar and a Strat, and much prefer the vibrato of the Jag to the Strat’s. I played my Strat for years before I owned a Jaguar, so I should be more used to it but I’m not. The responsiveness of the Strat trem is good, but I like the wave trem to the sawtooth trem. The lack of rhythm circuit also chaps my biscuits. Sure, you can adjust the tone to mimic close the dark creaminess of the rhythm, but it isn’t that velvet goodness. Those pickups sound good and I approve. Not a jumbo fret guy, but that is okay. Overall, it’s the lack of vibrato and rhythm circuit that do it for me. My verdict: it is a Jazzmaster, but one that I’m not interested in.

[@scottakam]

Thanks Phil. Looks good. I don't understand why they still use those stamped saddles. Tradition I guess.

[@lunamatic9775]

This definitely seems to be a direct competitor to a G&L Doheny. I own an enjoy other G&L models, but the Doheny pickups were a bit too soft for me. These sound pretty nice, actually.

[@eddiejr540]

I would play The Smiths on that all day long👍

[@Quikshiver]

no Jazzmaster circuit = not a Jazzmaster. ;-)

[@MrStanleyMilton]

Or the ability to play behind the bridge...I've seen surf guitarists do this to great effect with real Jazzmasters. If you want a Strat or Tele get one.

[@ericbgordon1575]

If ever I was to get a Fender Offset, I am more likely to get a Jaguar. The Jazzmaster and those like it are cool enough, but the Jaguar takes it more easily.

[@danrunnoft6642]

It's a Squier Paranormal with $900 added to the price for the Fender decal.

[@flapjack413]

Would have liked to have seen the coil geometry of the pickups. Are they the proper big pancakes, or tall narrow strat style coils?

[@mikeenos4040]

Greasebucket tone circuit is the board

[@mawortman72]

Love your channel. Wondering if this guitar would take a synthetic neck. I am looking at the KLOS neck, but wondering if this Guitar would receive it. Please respond.

[@jw_au]

I could live with it without the rhythm circuit but for me a Jazzmaster needs a Jazzmaster trem on it

[@mvp019]

I just don't like that it doesn't have all the regular JM controls. I would call this a "sort of" Jazzmaster.

[@Tyrannocaster]

JMO - Jazzmaster-like-object

[@dangreving1094]

@@mvp019 A jazz apprentice. Ha.

[@rocknrollmouseuk]

I'd love to try a Jassmaster, but for me, I'd like it to have the second curcuit - not really interesed in a Jassmaster without the Jassmaster curcuit; tremolo type doesn't reallly bother me, especally as I've read so much about how the "correct" ones don't work very well and are best swapped out. So nice sounding guitar, good review, but doesn't tempt me to go shopping as it's missing the Jassmaster curcuit (I may not use it, but I'd want to know it's there 😂).

[@fuzzymuppet1990]

I consider 2.0 mm a bit too high for me. I prefer 1.5 mm . I just use my purple dunlop 1.5 mm derlin pick as a feeler guage.

[@rosswilkinson1022]

Great review and nice guitar Phil. However, without the proper trem, it is not a real jazzmaster as far as I am concerned.

[@crazyblade15]

Good too see the Gibson offset firebird in the background with duesenberg trem. How do you compare it with the Jazzmaster? Playability and sound wise? Thanks 🙏

[@jonathanstrand2474]

Hi Phil, Dunno if you have time to answer a couple of questions: When did Fender make either the Jaguar or the Jazzmaster 24” scale, my understanding is they still make a 24 scale model, the Musicmaster, but the Jazzmaster of the 60’s was 24 The 2nd is have you ever installed a roller nut in a strat or Strat copy. I wouldn’t imagine you do repair work except on the channel videos or for yourself. But if you do & have done a roller nut, I’d send you an Ibanez FZ copy I absurdly upgraded, Sophia trem 3 new Pu’s and CTS/Switchcraft parts, graphtech nut, it actually plays great, but the narrow frets are just not my thing. & the guy who cut the nut kinda botched it, he went a little too deep on the low E and even with Lube, I can’t use the trem as I’d like, that string doesn’t come back to pitch. It does have locking pegs Can you recommend a tech in Los Angeles? Thanks for your time, you have a great channel, I learn something every time you post 😀

[@pkweon]

Nice educational content as always, Phil! One quick question: how do I play my fret rocker to play sick jams like that?

[@denmut]

Phil, what do you think about the bi flex truss rod of Fenders? The plug gets easily damaged in my opinion. Thanks.

[@kevliao]

"I got it in my head that I want" is how every gear purchase decision starts:)

[@JuanJaim]

Great deep dive, as usual! I've toyed with the idea of getting a JM, I'm curious to play around with all the controls. What's the video about the action screws? I couldn't find it among the links in the description :) Thanks!

[@elizabethgarrison8928]

It has the shape of one and it is a Fender. As long as it plays and sounds great what is the big deal. I love the sound you got from it. I am more of a shedder Guitarist but, I would love to add one to my collection. I am not much of Fender guy but I have a few. I just hate pick guards on Guitars. I would to have one that didn't have a pick guard. Who cares what Fender purists think. Half of them probability can't play as good as you make it sound. You can not live forever and you can not take it with you when you die. So who give a F k. Keep on rocking and I love your content.

[@DavidHBurkart]

Fender says its a Jazzmaster, so its a Jazzmaster in name and in performance as well, albeit a bit junior to the senior version, which for me is juat fine.

[@roberttaylor1656]

I own a sweetwater exclusive US made Strat, roasted maple neck, rolled fretboard, custom shop '69 pups and a very crooked string tree. I removed it and plugged one hole with wood glue and a toothpick, redrilled and reinstalled it correctly. I thought the same thing, don't they use a template????

[@terryshrk]

DAMN! that guitar sounds so good

[@offbeatbassgear]

Hello my friends

[@donewithmodernlife]

I’ve been playing Jazzmasters for 30+ years. If you’re not a tinkerer traditional offsets are not for you. Jazzmasters & Jaguars take a fair amount of tweaking to get “right.” Fender could fix that but for whatever reason seems incapable of doing that right. This seems like an option for people that like the body shape but that’s about all it has in common with a traditional Jazzmaster. For me the bridge & trem system, when done in a quality way like Mastery, Staytrem or Halon do is the best ever created. I actually use the rhythm circuit so I would miss that. But if this is someone’s door into the world of offsets that’s great.

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

I have a 1200 dollar limit on guitars I refuse to buy anything that costs more than my first car I now own several fenders Gibson's charvels and never buy new

[@thesmellycatjazz]

You should try a Balaguer Espada one day.

[@edgoodwin1667]

Smoothmaster

[@eNosArmory]

When was the last time you reviewed a Jackson? Just curious...

[@joermnyc]

Sire's Larry Carlton lineup has JM style guitars with both the strat bridge and a more traditional bridge and tailpiece vibrato and those are under $1000, the strat model might even be under $500.

[@rcsutter]

Yep. The strat-style trem model is currently $400. The traditional JM trem model is $600. I own three Larry Carlton Sire 7 series (TL, LP, ST) and they are all excellent guitars right out of the box, play great, look great. Nice features like staggered locking tuners (no string trees), beautiful fretwork, decent quality hardware and electronics, nothing to replace or upgrade.

[@danhedonia]

Jazzmaster sound was always about the pickup voicing combined with the harmonics of the sympathetic string length behind the bridge. This is not a Jazzmaster, although it sure seems to be a very nice guitar.

[@robertandre778]

since Jazz players don't use a lot the Jazzmaster , should they call this Surfmaster ? 😀😀

[@jamesburge1983]

DUDE! Should have gotten the Doheny V12!

[@leondantas]

You should try the Tagima, really cheap and still good for this type of guitar

[@setheverhart]

I just returned a Player 2 Tele and one of the reasons was the rosewood - but in this instance it was too wet. It arrived with an indent on the board. It looked and felt spongy (for wood). I wonder if they are harvesting younger wood or not letting it dry long enough in an effort to get away from Pao Ferro.

[@BCarpenter2314]

Interesting. Did you replace it or return it? I'd be curious to hear if the second Player II has a similar issue.

[@setheverhart]

@@BCarpenter2314I did not replace it. The neck pickup in my example was just okay and the bridge pickup was not good. I didn’t want a project guitar. The rosewood thing was bizarre. For context, I have a wood shop in my basement. I’m a total amateur and do not make guitars, but I have handled a fair amount of hardwood and never encountered something in a finished product (or even for sale) that felt so green. I’m not trying to bash Fender, just sharing what I experienced.

[@victormarinelli5660]

I would like to hear your comments on the EVH, SA-126.

[@philzyqotsa]

I wish you would have done a TVL model!!

[@two50ne77]

14:30 sounds pretty good to me, Jason Mays from Working Class Music gets great tone too from JMs

[@pamelaarmstrong3612]

Hey I’ve got a beautiful Valiant Mercury if you ever want to do a deep dive on it. I live fairly close to you I bet :)