What You Need to Know About Jazzmasters: five watt live, 6/15, 4pm EST

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In contemplating my move to using a couple of Collings as my main electrics I was staring at a beautiful 360 LT M, sort of an homage to offset Fenders of yore...which got me thinking about having Mike Adams on to school me...and you...about all things offset. My general impression is that they are more comfortable, heavier and edgier than I used to think. This is when we need Mike.
So if you've always been "Jazzmaster curious" or just plain like to know stuff, come with your questions on Thursday, 6/15 at 4pm EST.

[@RS2KR]

Mike is a national treasure. The Jazzmaster/offset whisperer.

[@PG-ex3kl]

Nerds are the new superheroes! I love Mike!

[@sintalentoful]

*international treasure

[@blastofo]

Hes to offsets as Bonamassa is to Gibsons.

[@fixedgear37]

Someone says this about damn near every KZbin guitar guy. You guys get too emotionally attached to online personalities

[@sconni666]

@@fixedgear37well said

[@ashgonza92]

The intro riffs to this video sound like the build upto an amazingly memorable 90s emo album that I'll never get to hear.

[@andysfishingandflytyingcha2310]

Great interview. I bought the Squire 40th anniversary Jazzmaster on the back of Mike's great review. He was right. Best value for money guitar ever. It's actually just a great guitar no matter the price! Really happy with it, really glad Mike turned me onto Jazzmasters, it's a sound that was missing from my arsenal from my Gibsons and other Fenders.

[@Artefracture]

I think that Squire 40th smokes some of the newer Fenders.

[@mikkelclausen831]

I got one on the way. Found it half price new in a shop. Cant wait to try it. Its going to be my cheapest guitar, but im gonna mod it with lollar pickups, new trem and new harness. If it plays well I dont care for the price.

[@dsholt]

I just got my first Jazzmaster (a Vintera 60s, which Mike hasn't reviewed on his channel yet!) and I am an instant convert. It is so fun to play and a swiss army knife of tones.

[@Irkennalpha]

Mike has tons of charisma!!!! Thanks Kieth for making this happen

[@vincentbalmori6259]

I can attest to Jamie at Creamery Pickups! I recently asked for Jazzmaster-shaped versions of his Modern Wide Range Humbuckers for my Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster and they are FANTASTIC! If you're interested in his pickups, just be patient with the fairly slow communication response as he is a one-man show at his busy shop. But as Puisheen said he's a super nice guy and he will get you what you're looking for!

[@clicheguevara5282]

My main guitar is a modified Jazzmaster. I replaced the bridge pickup with a Novak PAF Humbucker housed in a JM pickup cover. I dropped the volume pot down to 500k and put in a Bourns left handed pot - which makes doing volume swells easier because it’s backwards. I also switched all the caps out with nice PIO caps. In the rhythm circuit, I changed out the cap and pot values so the tone shift isn’t so dark and drastic. That way I can use it more for a “preset” volume or tone option. I have a MASSIVE guitar collection including several vintage Fenders, but my $900 MIM Jazzmaster is easily my favorite - and most versatile. I can use it on any gig whether I’m playing reggae or hard rock.

[@PsionicAudio]

I’m so sorry I missed this live. Great one, guys. Big fan of your channel Mike.

[@GiantPinhead]

All my dreams are coming true with this segment. Really appreciate this, Keith.

[@marcohermans3207]

Mike has a lot of knowledge and tips & tricks for offset guitars I didn't knew about. I've really had benefits frim his setup tips. The orher thing I like about him is that he's not biased for USA guitars. He's telling you that an overseas Squier can play wonderful after a decent setup and he shows you in detail how to accomplish that with low cost solutions. For me as a luthier he's an inspiration for working on Jaguar/Jazzmasters. Very cool guitars indeed

[@reneaceves8820]

Mike and Mike's Guitar Bar her in Seattle set up my '65 Jazzmaster. Extremely satisfied with the results.

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

On the replay.. Thanks For Sharing 🧠🎸🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@charlie-obrien]

Great topic and discussion, Keith. I learned about Mike back in January while researching Jazzmasters and was considering getting one for my daughter. After learning quite a bit from his channel, I followed his recommendation and picked up the Squire 40th Anniversary model for her. I was pretty impressed with it when it came and started looking for one for myself and ended up getting a Custom JM from a boutique builder in Florida that had everything that Mike recommends and featured Buddha JM p/u's, along with other tasteful appointments. Both my daughter and I are very happy with our Jazzmasters and I consider Mike to be the godfather of her Grunge and Doom playing along with my Surf and New Wave playing.

[@jeremiahMc11]

@Puisheen has that Adam Savage energy that I love!

[@davidhamilton7780]

Very cool show as usual, many thanks. If I wasn't awake so early in the morning, I would try to stay up to watch you live :)

[@Artefracture]

When a Jazzmaster is setup, intonated and you know how to maintain it, it's the best guitar. It's the one I would keep if I could only have one. But when I first got mine and was getting impaled on constantly breaking strings, nothing staying in tune and the strings slipping off the saddles, I thought it was the worst.

[@elducko1951]

This was a most informative conversation I just purchased an AMPRO Jazzmaster and found all of Mike's videos concerning the "Care and feeding" of an offset axe VERY helpful. I found the advice concerning the spring update for the Panorama trem especially helpful! Once again a great video filled to the top with info! Thanks for your time

[@joeferris5086]

I have a cunife in the neck position in a tele and it sounds soo good. I was worried it'd be too bright with the 1meg but it isnt. Really nice pickups the cunifes.

[@Martini24x7]

Nice job and good overview. I have Duncan Antiquities in my blue JM. Thanks for sharing!

[@monmixer]

Series - When you wire (hook-up) speakers in Series, the speakers resistance (as measured in ohms) is additive - i.e. putting two 8 ohm speakers in Series results in a 16-ohm load. Parallel - When wiring in parallel, the resistance of the speakers decreases. when you add that third speaker and then you add a third speaker it changes the math again. yo can overload an amp easily simply by wiring speakers in a different manner. We as guitarist will do it just to achieve a sound we are looking for but sometimes that is a bad idea with out help from tech friends.

[@GByePorkPieHat]

Mike’s content helped me find LUUUUUVVV with my Mustang setup. Can’t wait to hear what you two get into!

[@darenanderson1960]

Great show! Love Vader-the baritone. I also love that song he played. I had to listen to it over and over-really enjoyed it.

[@SalmonFume]

Everyone knows that feeling when some dude is like: "yeah I have this super old guitar laying around but something is wrong with it. Wanna see it? I don't really care for it" -> pulls out this patina checked 60s beauty "It doesn't even have all strings on it" - pokerface "You can have it if you want" 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@EdKidgell]

Great livestream! Enjoy you both and seeing this was refreshing.

[@johnfeole1971]

These live interviews are really interesting Keith..

[@DJBuglip]

So, to your point about Marshalls, I was just looking at specs for 4x12 cabs, and noted that the Marshall was about 3" shorter than the Mesa. A smaller cab coupled with certain speakers would already tend to remove lows.

[@adamlowe3699]

That's always why I thought Mike's favorite Jazzmaster was called Pancake, because of the flattened Jazzmaster pickups! Interesting that's the first he's heard or thought of that. :)

[@jsalmons84]

This video inspired to put the Curtis Novak historic 58 and 61 in my Jazzmaster. My 65 Pure Vintage pickups from fender were nice, but too thin, bright and quiet. These Novak's sound amazing! Thank you Mike and Keith!!!

[@roblabak2360]

Wonder how they compare to the JM and JM Fat from Curtis. I have those. I dig them, but now 100% on the Fat. Thinking of trying this combo.

[@dongonzulman6478]

That was great. I love Mike's channel and have followed some of his recommendations, and couldn't be happier with the results. The man can play, too! But his technical knowledge is outstanding and inspiring. Mike, if you read this, I have an ultra jazzmaster with antiquitys and a mastery bridge because of you, lol! I built a baritone out of squier parts and am insanely jealous of Vader!!! And finally, because of your videos, I understand how to setup all of my JMs and Jags :D Thanks MikeAdamsOffical aka Puisheen

[@gayvalds]

This interview/chat is great! I very recently discovered Mike's channel in the midst of the quest for my first Jazzmaster (I'm still looking for the "perfect" one), and he is not only an incredibly valuable resource in the world of Fender-style offset guitars, but he's also an incredible player as well as a charming "personality". Seeing you and Mike together made my day, you two "offset" each other perfectly!

[@Artefracture]

'62 AVRI if you can find one. Or a CIJ with different pots and pickups since Japan has the best finishes. Honestly, the Squier 40th with the matte finish outclasses most of the new Fenders I've played.

[@chazbarrientos7691]

exactly same as mine. 25yrs ago I always pass by a small old local instrument store, terribly lit store. but have an old dusty, oxidised sunburst, rosewood fretboard jazzmaster.I always find it weird and mysterious. It is too expensive for a highschool kid and I am a bit intimidated with the settings (no internet articles for research that time). I ended uo with a MIK strat Squire by college the store was gone, been with a korean Tele for 15years. with a Riviera P90s (which I really love the tone) but the neck doesn't fit my style of playing and small hands. I finally decided to build a Jazzmaster to have more options to be my forever guitar. A journeyman relic style Shell Pink, vintage custom pickups JM.

[@carlomaletti4284]

Odd as it may sound, have you tried the Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster?

[@richfahey]

I picked up a Squier 40’th anniversary vintage in satin desert sand back in December from Sweetwater for $344 and it is now my number 1 guitar. I intended to replace the pickups, pots and wiring right away, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with it and I’m in no hurry to do any upgrades.

[@gayvalds]

When I say "perfect" i mean in terms of the finish. I am a big fan of sparkle/metallic finishes...my main guitar is a Reverend Warhawk 390 (also an offset) in Venetian Gold, and I want a Jazzmaster with a finish to complement. My main options right now are the Troy Van Leeuwen Oxblood model (would require some mods), or a CME Chicago Special.

[@GByePorkPieHat]

TOTALLY great primer for offset guitars. Thanks , Keith! Thanks Mike!

[@mikewolfe9458]

I’ve been digging into the Collings 360 for a few weeks. Such a cool guitar! I’d love to see you do a video on that one. Thanks to you and Mike for sharing this!

[@kane6529]

It’s a shame your inspiration video isn’t a big hit! Sometimes I seriously question the algorithms selection of what it decides to push 😅

[@Bruisewillies]

Offsetballs teabagging my open ears! That Kali Kazoo riff is gorgeous btw

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

I put Fender V-Mod pickups in my Baritone Jazzmaster, but I am heavily-considering Fender Wide-Range humbuckers. Basically, the idea was turn to turn a Squier INTO a Fender, and it absolutely worked. However, I need humbuckers.

[@gtr1952]

Excellent Kieth!! That was way more than I knew about Jazz/Jag's !! Hope your enjoying the new Collings!! 8) --gary

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

I didn't know that Keith was such a Collings fan. I also have three guitars from them; I currently have three of their Waterloo line acoustics, which I was recently informed are still being made, but only one single guitar per month! Apparently they lost a lot of luthiers over Covid, and haven't been able to keep up with demand for their main Collings brand, so Waterloo is kind of on the back burner... It's a shame, because they are outstanding acoustic guitars... One of these days I'll have to consider getting an electric from them..

[@thorn_ziegler]

Everything I needed to know about Jazzmasters I learned from my Telecaster

[@mikebolin4311]

Thanks for today's FWW. It was very interesting to learn about more electric guitar details. I will get to your "inspiration" soon. Work has been crazy busy learning new things. I do have a question: can you recommend a good book to learn more for someone looking to start out in the electric world? I picked out a les paul studio and a fender superchamp for my son about 10 years ago. Loved the sound but really did not know much. Thanks :)

[@joelshields8807]

I have a Mastery bridge and Novaks in my MIJ Jazzmaster - JM-V in the neck and a JM-90 in the bridge - installed by Fountain City (technically Seuf, but way to rep KC, Mike!). Best-sounding guitar I've ever owned.

[@jakestewartmusic]

Agree on the Park 75 being the best Marshall-esque amp in the Helix. Soldano SLO crunch channel model is also incredible for those types of sounds, it's become my favorite amp model by far.

[@edryba4867]

5:54 - UNDERGROUND RADIO LIVES! I only did radio for a living from ‘77 to ‘87, then for ten more years in another town AFTER directing Network TV News!

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Good stuff! Thanks Keith and Mike.

[@glenkepic3208]

Very nice. Not a fan of live streams, so... JazzMaster fan since '61 when i was 4 with The Colorful Ventures. Garage bands had either one of these or a Strat when i was growing up. Heck, my first electric guitar was an Audition 'jazz alike' with gold foils. Sold it back to my friend when i got another guitar,,,,same $12.00. I was 16 in '73 Now, Sq, JagMaster to fill the offset void. Gift from my Wife. I dig it, became my RF TTYD and BlueLine axe. Also bought an Epi FB about a year ago. Flip it on it's face next to the JM and Leo was right....too close for comfort ;) Non reverse FBs...

[@barberelectronics5672]

I was not expecting an onomatopoeia moment during this interview, but there it was, fun!

[@jeremyjameslu1875]

I love this episode. Thanks for putting this together!

[@zezuntxiduntxi]

Love the riff Mike played!

[@timoti2]

Damn i have to come up with a name for my new JM now. I skirted around the real thing with a heavily modified jagmaster. [which i still love] for years, but great to finally have the real deal as of last week (well… Squire VM). And so much of what i've learned about setting up has come from mike… so thanks!

[@murraythecamel]

I read the title as “Jazz Masters” and was expecting a discussion on Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel, …LOL. I stayed. And loved the Fender Jazzmaster discussion! Keep up the good work!

[@fivewattworld]

Just as Leo Fender hoped you would. 😄

[@chuffa1130]

I put a pair of those Curtis Novak pickups into a classic vibe telecaster The sound is remarkable in tone

[@cyberprimate]

'Pancake' is already used for a 50's Kay pickup designed by Dearmond. Curtis novak has reissued it.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

Interesting discussion about bright/dark sounding guitars and amps. My 2002 strat is pretty dark sounding, so tweed style amps always sound like they have a blanket over the top, and I was just thinking that my strat needs a bright switch! I always used pedals to brighten up a dark sounding amp, not needing the tone knobs much, but then my LP sounds a lot brighter and capable of sounding much darker too Another thought, if Leo had come around 10 or 20 years later, I wonder if he’d have invested time into effects pedals. Seems like he was focused on quick tone changes on the guitar controls, so wonder what he’d think of today’s effects pedals, within the context of changing settings quickly. Would Leo have redesigned everything, amps and guitars, to accommodate pedals?

[@JonathanMPriceMusic]

Totally agree about Jamie at The Creamery. They've put pickups in most of the guitars in my studio. They just sound rich and fat. And yes he can build you anything.

[@Anonymous-fh1zq]

mikes getting unique Star Wars finish on 3PO. Tatooine Gold finish 😂

[@drgarlandglenn]

Years ago (late '80's early 90's) long before they were cool, I had a '59 burst with an anodized guard AND a '64 salmon pink Jazzmaster with a perfect WHITE case!!! They are long gone but every now and then I think I never really appreciated them. Man do I wish I gad them back.

[@jonnyhafer7376]

i make darker sounding amps. i making a single ended type thing right now and its sounding awesome. i converted a silver vibro champ to a princeton style preamp into the single ended power section

[@MrLosfuegos]

Man... I love a good crossover episode

[@poesybeat]

For me, the biggest difference between JM and Jag is, like a Gibson SG the JM neck feels pushed out to your left, which can be awkward if you’re not used to it. The Jag neck feels like it sits in more the expected place compared to Strat, Tele, Les Paul, etc.

[@dt9r]

great episode, thank you

[@jschwam1307]

Excellent video! I just recently bought a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster and it’s my first soirée into that field and I love it. Please, please, please share what pickups were in the guitar that was played with the fuzz on the outro. Those are the type of jazzmaster pickups I’m really looking for, those that can handle the heavy tones (especially fuzz) as well as the light. Thanks!

[@fivewattworld]

That was a Jaguar actually, :/

[@jschwam1307]

@@fivewattworld interesting, thank you for the reply! Now I might have to look into one of those, lol.

[@MoncoField]

I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it. I have stock pickups in my Jazzmaster that's from the early 90s. So my picksups are 30 years old, and i use a ridiculous amount of fuzz and gain on them all the time lol, and they work totally fine and sound great. Just play around with your amps EQ settings

[@zezuntxiduntxi]

Great show!!

[@danbailey1229]

I missed the live stream again. Catching up now.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Mike. How do the Johnny Marr Bare Knuckles compare to other Jag pickups? They’re the only ones I have any experience with. Best thing I can say is that I see no need to change them and I change a lot of pickups

[@simonpark843]

Well, this video made me want a Jazzmaster.

[@maggieo]

Oh, as you know my ECJM is named "Nelvis." My '64 Jaguar? "Marribot," or, "Marie" for short. And my JM Jag is "Green Arrow." He's one of the Sherwood green ones. Got any name suggestions for my MIJ Paisley JM?

[@chrisjohnstone6164]

Have you tried Monty's pickups? .. love my P90's 💙🐦

[@roblabak2360]

What’s is the Curtis Novak Historic 58 Fat? Is that a thing? He has a Historic 58, as well as a JM Fat. But I’ve never heard of the two combined.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

50:44 - does the Johnny Marr bridge still "rock" OR does the nylon inserts stop it from doing that?

[@vw9659]

The nylon bushings on the Marr bridge (and also on the Staytrem) are on the bottom of the height posts and do not impede the rocking bridge from rocking as it should. They simply hold the height grub screws a little more firmly, stopping them from vibrating the bridge height downwards.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@vw9659 thank you for that I think stopping these bridges from rocking is no bad thing, myself...

[@vw9659]

@@BeesWaxMinder But why would you want to ? Leo Fender's intended physics are now much better understood than when techs threw up their hands and put tuneomatics and buzzstops on them. It's all in Leo's patent. You just need sufficient string-saddle friction (so the strings never lose their grip on the saddles). That friction comes particularly from a sufficient combination of string gauge (tension) and string break angle (so if one is high enough, the other doesn't have to be so high). The break angle comes from neck angle, which is why tapered neck shims are often used (vintage JMs usually left the factory with one). And never lubricate the string-saddle contacts.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@vw9659NEVER lube contact points..?😲okay

[@jonassink]

YES! Mike!

[@tejas.darwin]

ON TASK BUDDY!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

54:24 - I wish he'd have commented on the similarities between Jaguar pickups and other fender pickups beyond the obvious claw🤔

[@maggieo]

WHYYYYYY DID I HAVE TO HAVE A GIG THIS AFTERNOON?!?!?!?!?

[@jltrem]

Required reading for anyone considering a Jazz or Jag is Mike's Premier Guitar How To set up article from April 2017. I put a link up but the bastards at KZbin took it down. It's essential.

[@fivewattworld]

I’ll put it in the description John. Thanks!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a good weekend also what is your favorite hobby

[@fivewattworld]

At this time of year it’s the vegetable garden…

[@JasonMcFly]

Mike, Pusheen is Onomatopoeia!

[@davidwelsh829]

Hey Keith, I currently have a Squire Jazz that I want to install a Mastery bridge and new tuners and or pickups, do I need anything special? I like the 60s Surf twang and Secret agent type stuff.

[@fivewattworld]

That’s more of a question fir Mike than me. Reach out to him via his channel.

[@myyt4382]

+1 for jaguar show!

[@jeffcapobianco4674]

Good to know...I always thought he named the 61 jazzmaster pancake b/c the worn spot looks like a pancake.

[@tejas.darwin]

Stage Volume is never considered by bedroom complainers.... When it come to pickup sounds.

[@kaiserthegreat]

I like the idea of a Jazzmaster but never seem to find people playing what I want to hear on them, so that makes me wonder if they aren't good for playing things I want to hear or if, like many guitar models, they are being pigeon holed into specific genres because that's what people think of when they think of them.

[@dejadejayoutube]

i knew there must be some strange tale behind the puisheen name:)

[@tejas.darwin]

Jazz Master Pickups are Pancakes!

[@BeesWaxMinder]

55:25 - what's the scale length of Darth Vader!? Anyone know…

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

There for a second' I thought that was Anthony Oliver in the thumbnail and I thought to myself ' noway' 5 watt has more class than to do that. So I apologize for doubting you you there for a second. Please forgive me.

[@jeffdixon847]

7:14 uhhh… why did I ask this question?

[@darthslater6077]

MY MARSHALL 410 JS {NOT THE SAME AS A STANDARD} HAS SO MUCH LOW END...YOU MUST TRY ONE, IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.

[@mikkabrightheart2268]

I assumed the name came from the emoji 🧐

[@MildFantasyThreat]

I always assumed he was named after the cat

[@tejas.darwin]

They are made to be played LOUD!

[@robertiaccarino4363]

This is uncomfortable. 😶

[@fivewattworld]

Why’s that?