When Strat Players Finally Get A Jazzmaster

[@sherwintavarez8539]

Sonic Youth, Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Tame Impala, The Cure, J Mascis, Alvvays, Jonny Marr are all attached to it, I definitely recommend listening to Jazzmaster artists, ultimate Indie guitar

[@baabaabaa-El]

Johnny Marr had a Jag signature? I know he started out on a weird Gretsch, then his 'famous' 335...l don't doubt he's got a JM.. blokes got everything else!!

[@jasondorsey7110]

Tom Verlaine from the band Television used jazzmasters too...because they used to be cheap lol

[@DareBear2099]

J Mascis is from the 90’s Alt band Dinosaur Jr. some amazing tones out of all of those records

[@packotakko]

Tame Impala is not known for using Jazzmasters

[@robertbecker6903]

Johnny Marr did play a JM. Like in Modest Mouse I think. But just occasionally. Of course he is much more known for the Jag, that’s for sure.

[@andredew]

Congrats on your purchase. Just FYI jazzmaster pickups are not P90s as you mentioned, they are their own thing. Just like a strat single coil but instead of tall and skinny, they are wound flat and wide. The slugs are the magnets. In P90s the magnet is a bar on the underside of the pickup in which the 6 screws are mounted. The screws themselves are not magnetic. The sound is very different as well, usually the P90s are thick and throaty whereas jazzmaster pickups are usually bright and spanky.

[@mikhailk.9262]

Every jazzmaster owner be like: “Just FYI those pickups are not actually P90s”

[@kevinsmoon3257]

@@mikhailk.9262i can confirm as a jazzmaster owner this is true

[@valueofnothing2487]

Be nice to see a output graph or something but the video is pretty useless. I think they have a higher Q - a higher frequency peak at the high end somewhere. But I think that is also caused by the 1 meg pot.

[@johnconnor7249]

@@mikhailk.9262but they’re not though…

[@BigBurgerBoy557]

Bro what does that mean?

[@adamstrachn]

I'm a metal and hard rock guy who uses modern spec guitars and pickups. I really dig the Jazzmaster. People tend to severely underestimate the versatility of these instruments. They have the 'mojo' as well. Great video Mike 💯

[@Maxpankewycz]

yes, this exactly, there's a reason why the guys from Portugal. The Man use them, because It can go all the way to metal for when they want to go in that direction in their live shows

[@glennlavertu3644]

In terms of the "Indie-stuff": if you read up on what Thurston Moore has to say about Jazzmasters and Jaguars you'll understand that at one point they were cheaper to get than Strats and Teles... so a lot of the alternative/noise/grunge etc players used them. Aesthetically there is an anti-virtuoso vibe and sound to them (a reaction to all the hair bands). You've got some AMAZING sounds coming out of there that need to be recorded. Looking forward to that.

[@renmusical]

The whole “anti-virtuoso” thing is what made the Jazzmaster and Jaguar appeal to me. There are things I do on my Jazzmaster that I wouldn’t do on my Strat or Les Paul. I tend channel The Smiths and Fugazi with my Jazzmaster (tho neither bands use it).

[@baabaabaa-El]

Elvis Costello too, cdnt afford a Strat or Tele, so got a 60s JM... Excellent guitars .. l can't play Strats.. l keep hitting the middle pickup!!

[@rcieszkowski]

@@baabaabaa-ElI still have my 1983 Squier Bullet Strat my parents bought for me back in the day. Still play it 40 years later. And I STILL keep hitting the middle pickup. 😂

[@baabaabaa-El]

@@rcieszkowski Hahahaha! Glad it's not just me then!! I like the tones Stats make, but theyre not for me mate! 83!! They're well made, those first Squiers, mates got a Butterscotch Tele same year...well done!!

[@szczypi0rek]

Why do you hit middle pickup? I have one strat atm, had another one in the past and it was not the case

[@rickpardo960]

I'm 78, I got my JM at 15 in 1960. Triple burst w/Rosewood board. The pups on it are SPECTACULAR. Play it with flat wire rounds, perfect for the surf music my band played.

[@Tonetwisters]

GOOD on you, Mr. Rick! I'm nearing 77. My older brother got a new 1960 Jazzer and ran it through a new PRO. I pretty well attached my young self to that and learned a lot of Ventures on it. Today, I play Stratocasters, but have always loved the Jazzmaster ... I know I'm running out of "somedays," but maybe someday! BTW: There is only one way out of this world alive, and his name is Jesus. And time is running out!

[@brendank5413]

Man, you always go above and beyond by having a narrative in your videos. It feels like I'm settling in to be told a story. Really, really great stuff man.

[@racheltaylor6578]

Elvis Costello played a Jazzmaster and wrote a lot of his big hits with it.

[@stevethetruck1]

Yep, only Jazzmaster

[@ARWest-bp4yb]

Hey Mike, It's funny that the Jazzmaster was meant to be Fender's upscale model for actual Jazz players, but mostly ended up in teenage Surf & Garage bands back in the day. Along with the Tele and Strat it's a great and unique instrument, glad to see you're enjoying it!👍👍

[@DareBear2099]

The lead circuit (tone and volume, three way toggle switch, has two 1meg pots, lots of high/treble). The rhythm circuit has 50k pots which gives it a woody/almost muddy tone that was intended for jazz players. The pickups are different from p90’s, they have short poles with wider winds. Gets a distinct tone you can’t get from other single coils. It’s a GREAT studio guitar to have around due to its versatility and different distinct sound.

[@meroinheroin]

Great studio guitar depending on where you are geographically. Those wider range single coils can pick up aircraft radio apparently although it's never happened to me and I love my jazzmaster

[@snottyboy9983]

@@meroinheroin lol I can't play mine with my phone in my pocket

[@rickbailey-ty8bq]

The rhythm circuit volume is 1 meg, the tone is 50k.

[@Flipiris]

One of my favorite guitar content creators on the platform. Love the Jazzmaster, love the vods and love Mike.

[@thethesaxman23]

The Jazzmaster is such a massively underrated guitar!!!

[@adrikjohnson8326]

Almost every time I see a band one of them has a jazzmaster, they are pretty popular

[@rickbailey-ty8bq]

It's not so much as underrated, as they are very misunderstood, it all comes from people putting 9's on them, and guitar magazines from the 60's to today, making up all sorts of lies about them, and internet forums repeating those lies, because they don't know any better, and people aren't willing to do their homework. You'll see it over and over that the bridge and tremolo are the worst junk ever designed. You'll see all sorts of band aid fixes too, like mastery bridges, buzz stops, and stay trems,, and you'll see everyone thinks they need a neck shim. All you need is to put 11's on it, and set up the trem correctly. Basically, when it's in tune, you should be able to slide the lock button back without touching the bar, and the lock also shouldn't touch anything, but once it's locked, if you pull up on the trem bar, it shouldn't move at all. It's a bit tedious to get it right. But once it's all set right, it's a rock solid system, and it will stay in tune, and not buzz at all. One thing to note, older versions of jazzmasters like the Japanese ones from the 90's do not have real jazzmaster pickups, and they don't sound like the real deal.

[@blastofo]

Guitar work in most current music is sparse notes and clean tones with reverb. Jazzmasters are great for that. Players love the retro 60's tone. Good for dream pop. And layering over a synth.

[@solarismoon3046]

I've always loved the look of the Jazzmaster. The sound is so much warmer than a Strat but can be made to be bright. There's so much versatility to these that the only ones that can take true advantage are those who are willing to branch outside of their comfort zone. I did and I'm glad for it. This is truly one of the very best guitars for an all around tone for just about any style of music. I only wish that I had room for one but I need to let a few go. I have no room. Thank you for sharing this with us. It is so refreshing to see today's youth enjoying music with real instruments and not just computerized noise from a synthesizer.

[@wongnaichungrd]

My favourite Fender. Played one regularly for over a decade. It’s midrange clarity, articulation, beautiful vibrato is unmatched and no surprise it was used by lots of studio cats in the ‘60s. Then there’s the indie links. And I play jazz on it both in small ensembles and a couple of Big Bands. But please use at least .11 gauge strings on it.

[@DarClaude]

Hi, i've never played a Jazzmaster (strat player), I hope to own 1 one day as I think they are beautiful, I just wondered why you'd recommend using minimum 11's on one, is it for tuning stability or tone? Or something else?

[@wongnaichungrd]

The issues many JM players have with strings popping out from the bridge slots (particularly if you’re a heavy handed player) can be alleviated by using higher tension strings which provide more stability. I’ve never had this issue but some other players install Mastery bridges to help with the problem.

[@captainbob406]

@@DarClaude The higher gauge strings add a bit more warmth to the tone as well. personally, I have an American Professional II. This guitar comes from the factory with 9's on it. I played it for a bit with the 9's but then went back to my old stand by 10 gauge strings. I have heard others have upgraded to 11's and 12's. However, I am very happy with my NYXL 10 gauge strings, the bend quality, the tone, etc. I do not need 11's.

[@aathmpsn]

I got the 40th Squire jazzmaster in the sand color, maple neck. It was a monumental moment going from my SE Silver Sky and playing this and thinking... Holy shhh this is the most comfortable guitar I've ever played, I'm obsessed with how it looks (now), and I love messing with the 2 circuits.

[@poopsock2007]

how does the tremolo and tuners feel on it? I'm really considering getting a squier jazzmaster this christmas and maybe switching out the pickups but i have never used squiers before.

[@aathmpsn]

@@poopsock2007 the tremolo is fine, I've barely used it. But I would infinitely recommend the 40th anniversary, I got the vintage one not the gold one so it has rock blasted steel tuners and bridge, has a fantastic look to it. Satin paint and neck. The tuners have a really great feel to them, honestly one of my favorite parts of the guitar. I've seen Chris Buck touring with his you can look him up he really loves it

[@stefanoartuso001]

​@@aathmpsn I own a 40th anniversary too

[@jessethetodd]

Welcome to the offset pool - the tonal waters are deep and wide and layered and unique. I think the key is to spend time and really figure out what their abilities are - as you’ve done. I originally thought the Jazzmaster was just for shimmery chorus but I can get everything from hollow body to jazz box to bluesy to strat/ tele neck - and they handle fuzz and overdrive incredibly well. The Jaguar and Mustang are their own, well, animals and also benefit from time and testing to get a hang of what they can do.

[@dimitris70]

You are a poet man I'm learning guitar two years now (with an SG) I don't see a reason for me, to go for a second guitar But your comment inspired me If i achieve to be good enough.. the Jazzmaster will be my first try

[@jessethetodd]

@@dimitris70 I am also just 3 yrs into playing guitar and only about half of that time on electric. I've been spending alot of the last 12 months playing lots of different guitars and now am working on scaling back. I think there's a ton of wisdom in just using one instrument (and the SG is awesome) and spending your time honing your skills and maximizing what that can do before worrying about loading up on more gear.

[@dimitris70]

Agree with you!

[@gsuderman]

Great video. Love your Tele conversion. I was the same and now have 1 Strat and 3 Teles. The Jazzmaster for me is the clean open chirds and open string sound. Beautiful!

[@spaceman_jeff]

My JM is my #1. It's fantastic for layering tracks, it mixes so well, it handles all sorts of distortion but still lets the notes ring clear. I love using it to cover songs that are very NON jazzmaster sounding, bc it gives them a new flavor (i.e., Led Zep, acoustic blues, actual jazz like Grant Green, anything I can think of). It was built for sitting and playing, but made famous from thrashing. If I only had 1 electric, it would be the JM. #2 would be a 335. With those two you can cover almost any sonic ground.

[@tinwhistle0]

Thanks for this video. I appreciate your style of introducing new gear and ideas. I've been a worship guitarist for over 20 years and never considered a jazzmaster. Now it's on my very short list.

[@scottpulver]

I like Mike's videos. He's kinda got a poetic and introspective flair for the mastery of the art of guitar. After watching his videos, I feel like there are other people out there that have some of the same crazy thoughts and self-doubts.

[@eelih3324]

My inner metal guitarist wants him to slap a 30 inch neck on the guitar and play some Loathe songs

[@scottreynolds6317]

New subscriber, love this video. I picked up an Original '60's Jazzmaster a couple of years ago and I love it! It really has a wide range of tones, and I have really enjoyed exploring it! Thanks!!!!!

[@PuttinOnTheRiffs]

Now you need a jag! I’ve had one for 20 years and it’s been so inspiring to play and write on. I think it has a shorter scale from the jazz master too. Super fun guitar.

[@jackpender]

I play a jaguar because it meets certain preferences of mine over the jazzmaster, but people really put these guitars in a box, that typical surf rock or indie jangle. Yet they take dirt like champions, glad you highlighted that. The most versatile guitars out there in my opinion and no one knows about it.

[@hiroprotagonitis]

SlackerVK is the best indie jazzmaster cover artist on youtube, his tones and work are immaculate

[@vthings001]

I agree with stepping outside your comfort zone. I've been a Fender fan and really into Indie stuff, offsets are my jam. But then I got a Tele and learned to love it. Recently I've done something I never thought I'd do: get into Les Paul style guitars. Heck, I'm as anti-hair metal as you can get but I got a Kramer with a Floyd Rose on it and can't help but dive bomb on it. They all have their charms.

[@kevinh8465]

The timing for this video is funny cuz I just picked up my first jazzmaster and I had the same exact thoughts you had about writing it off and going straight to a strat, now I can’t put the jazzmaster down and think it looks awesome! Great video!

[@dieterhellstrom308]

There’s many artists playing JM, but mostly it’s related to post-punk, shoegaze, britpop, alternative and 2000s indie era. The Cure, The Horrors, Ride, The Charlatans, Radiohead, Dinosaur JR, My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Wilco, Portishead (yeah, even trip hop), The Walkmen, Noel Gallagher and that’s only what I remember

[@CaptureCat88]

What is the riff at 6:55 and who is the first female shown in cutaway clip?

[@FractalCatBand]

I love your playing and especially your non-pretentious, non-prescriptive, open-minded exploration of tones! I had a similar experience with Telecasters. Now I mostly play Teles.

[@tugg_onasegway]

That jazz master is my dream guitar! I love seeing you play it!

[@baabaabaa-El]

I'd luv one too... just finding an excuse to get one (to go with the other 12!?!).. The Japanese versions are really good... and Squier has em with anodised pickguards... decisions, decisions!!

[@tugg_onasegway]

@@baabaabaa-El Ive been looking at the cheap short scale versions and modifying them to fit my needs a bit better but thanks for the suggestions!

[@kevinonorato7223]

Troy Van Leeuwen. One of my fave "Weird Indie Kids" as you called them. Fun stuff.

[@LorSTApunk07]

J Mascis was my guitar hero as a teenager. He still slays with a JM. I bought my Squier J Mascis JM in 2021. Saw Dinosaur Jr. Live (finally) in ‘22. Loudest gig ever.

[@dinosaursr]

Saw them at Desert Stars in 2016, great show and as you said, loud.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

How comfortable is that neck? I got a 2015 one in a trade because of well it played.

[@LorSTApunk07]

@@jeffrey.a.hanson The neck is super comfortable. Apparently, it’s based off the Rory Gallagher Strat neck.

[@corbin.schlee21]

THE GUITAR BASED FOR SHOEGAZE yk this little crazy dude from a small band called my bloody valentine named Kevin shields is obsessed with the jazz master. And the whammy bar he came up with this thing called tremolo strumming, strumming with the whammy bar to go in and out of the tune it sounds sick

[@seancollins3106]

great vid! the JM handles fuzz REALLY well (at least mine does!). it's quickly becoming my favorite guitar.

[@DareBear2099]

The way the pickups are designed is the reason behind this. Something about those wide wound short slugs does something with distortion/fuzz and it’s magical

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Mike, I don’t have a single friend like you anymore. Nobody to free associate impressions about music, playing styles, artists, bands, etc. I am is a desert with no oasis.

[@dcthegreatest24]

My favorite thing about my Jazzmaster is the tremolo system, it's the smoothest one I've ever used, and I've used a bunch of different bigsby, Floyd, and strat tremolos. I almost always live with both pickups on in middle position. It's almost like a fuller version of the strat 2nd position (bridge and middle pickup) with not as much 'quack'.

[@sgd5k292]

Yes and the AMPro II JM is even better. Having owned both tremolo systems, the Panorama that comes with the AMPro II has way more tonal range, very smooth and is very easy to set up. Pretty much every issue with the older models has been solved including having a rounded heel, no e string jumping problems with the bridge, the neck angle is easily adjustable and has an incredibly silky smooth neck. The only problem with some players that like heavier gauge strings is that stock, it can only be used with 9s or lower (I love 8s!). If a player insists on heavier strings, there is a heavier spring available. I have owned my Dark Night for over a year, and my Strat VG (and other electrics) get very little playing time now.

[@NolalanD]

The message here is so true. There's a video up from the Pedal Show, a long interview with Johnny Marr and he basically goes through all his different guitars and explains how a lot of the guitars just wrote songs for him when he first picked them up. The palate and feel changes, I think that's what's inspiring. Good vid here, I subbed.

[@ectoplasm]

Mike Palm of Agent Orange (one of the progenitors of surf punk, as it were) switched from using an SG (I believe) to a Jazzmaster at some point. Jazzmasters are pretty versatile which is why a lot of people use them. The rhythm guitarist in the Ventures also seemed to prefer the Jazzmaster, evidenced by the fact that he continued to play the Jazzmaster after their Mosrite sponsorship was up. Jazzmasters are just kind of bad ass.

[@mpdjr77]

It was fun sharing this journey with you. Thank you for expanding my horizons with respect to the many guitar options available to us. Your jazzmaster produces some very beautiful tones. Your nerdiness is too appealing to me and I write that as a fellow nerd. 😝 I feel like sharing a bunch about my embryonic guitar playing journey, but I’ll spare you and my fellow viewers of your work. I will say that I this particular video has compelled me to subscribe to your channel. What is baffling to me is that I had subscribed before now! Blessings and Merry Christmas!!! 😊

[@ahoneyman]

The control layout is a neat idea that works better in theory than in practice. It's almost a two channel guitar. You can set the rhythm circuit for the neck pickup and set the lead circuit for either two pickup operation or bridge pickup only. In a studio that could be handy. In practice you kinda know the sweet spots for the pickups so you just roll the knobs to taste and dont use the rhythm/lead circuit switch. The pickups have their own lane that either speaks to you or doesnt. Its a nice guitar to have in a collection i guess.

[@bkmeahan]

Jazzmasters always looked clunky and weird to me. But I already had a strat, tele, les paul, SG, and ES 335 style guitars. I thought I needed another Fender style to balance things out and picked up a Squier CV jassmaster. It quickly became my favorite guitar. Not just the pickups but the body style is so comfortable to play. Now I've got the CV, a G & L, and a JM style with ToneBakery firebird pickups. They are all amazing.

[@dieterhellstrom308]

I’ve tried both G&L and CV and to be honest couldn’t choose just one. G&L feels well-built except the tremolo bar What are your thoughts between fender and G&L?

[@bkmeahan]

@@dieterhellstrom308 Tough comparison as my G & L is a Fullerton Deluxe model. I like the trem system better on the G & L although the luthier who did the setup on my CV made a mod to the trem system that took the buzz and instability out. The G & L plays better but it is easier to get the tone on the Squier. If cost wasn't a factor I'd say the G & L is much better, but at $1800 compared to $450, it's not $1400 better. I've never played a the G & L tribute jazzmaster which would be more apples to apples.

[@handel1111]

ES335 guitars are the most irrelevant guitar ever

[@Countachockula]

@@handel1111 what? How so?

[@dieterhellstrom308]

@@bkmeahan g&l JM feels very good but the trem bar is too short and i felt like squier’s feels better in use. Also I predict GnL are kind of a pain in the ass to sell since they’re not as popular and common as squier

[@MichaelBCoats]

Great video, Mike! I fell in love with the Jazzmaster, listening to Guitaracula with the Russian surf band, Messer Chups. He plays clean with a vintage Fender reverb unit. The tone is incredible. I just got a J. Mascis Squire Jazzmaster and I love it!!!

[@joerojas5448]

I have a 1961 Jazzmaster that was an heirloom from my uncle before he passed on. What I love about it is the 7 1/2 radius. for me, that's good for chop-building. As far as the pickups, they may look like P90's, but their different by definition. As Baxter from Casino Guitars put "The pickups are single coils with lots of winding". Also the P90's have more output than the Jazzmaster Pickups.

[@MajicFreeman]

the poles slugs are magnets too, that's a unique thing about jm pickups

[@joerojas5448]

@@MajicFreeman that's what I learned about it when I inherited mine.

[@zoomzoom3950]

Julian Lage uses a Tele for jazz. ...and if you search on 1964 Brother Jack McDuff quartet, you'll see a young George Benson playing a Les Paul. Several guitarists who played with Jimmy Smith in the '50s and '60s also used non-jazz guitars to play jazz. with the right amp, you can make nearly any guitar work for jazz IME, just that jazz purists will hate your guitar, and probably you and your band too if you don't use a big, traditional hollowbody! 😁

[@BenjaminHornbuckle]

The rhythm circuit has different Pot values that are really low. Jazzmasters have 1 meg pots on the lead circuit. Let's a lot of frequency through. Compared to normal strat or tele pots at 250k (les paul's and humbukers usually at 500k)

[@dieterhellstrom308]

Oh man I’m going to buy a guitar soon and can’t choose between jazzmaster and jaguar. Jaguar is kind of too bright for me and the switches are so extra, but the neck length is perfect… seems like I’ll end up with both hahaha

[@koolthing_xx]

Both are great depending what you’re looking for, as someone who has a jazzmaster, I think I will also get a jaguar haha

[@sevenchambers]

Go with the better neck.

[@ItsVictoriaG]

I feel you with preferring the Jaguar scale. Don’t hear people say that often, either.

[@dieterhellstrom308]

@@sevenchambers yeah still thinking about that but there’s a Warmoth neck that can be installed on JM, it’s shorter and doesn’t require any rework…

[@dieterhellstrom308]

I bought classic vibe jm and man oh man I’m falling in love with this guitar.

[@johnnybeverage]

Spot on. There is just something about the electric guitar. Different models always have the ability to surprise you and coax out something new. I think we will all have our core guitars that really fulfill what we really need, but it is always nice to find a new and unusual model that inspires us differently.

[@tekstephens]

really love the quality and format of your videos, mike. cheers!

[@BassRocket]

Mike I’m like you, I wanted to learn to play guitar as a young man so I looked at guitars. My father played a Fender Stratocaster and he taught me pretty much everything about guitars and music when I was younger and coming into my own. I knew the story of left handed Jimi Hendrix playing the Stratocaster upside down, reversing the headstock. I didn’t understand at the time how different the guitars Fender produced were or why they were different, I just knew there was something special about the look of the Stratocaster. As for the Telecaster, I realize it’s a great guitar now but back then it didn’t have the aura of the Stratocaster in my opinion so when I went to pick out a Stratocaster for Christmas my freshman year in high school I chose a 1995 MIM 3-color sunburst Fender Standard Stratocaster w/ the maple neck. It was a sight to see being at the guitar store all the amazing guitars but with such an innocent lack of information or knowledge to even know why I liked that particular guitar vs identical model w/rosewood neck for instance. As time went on I would see so many guitarists playing Fender guitars, including the Jaguar and the Jazzmaster. I’ve never owned one personally but lately I’ve really been wanting to play one and find out for myself what it’s all about. Maybe I’ll get that chance soon.

[@Duct_Tape.]

Fender offsets: They're worth the weight.

[@theemrsg]

So I haven't played a Jazzmaster, but I got the G&L (Leo Fender's company after he sold Fender) Doheny. The pickups are amazing (a little noisy) but most G&L's have treble and bass rolloff tone knobs. The amount of sounds at your fingertips is endless! Loved the video btw.

[@python_blox2335]

what made you go with the jazzmaster and not the jaguar?

[@bhuiafuibawerf]

I love your message towards the end. I've had the same experience with Telecasters, I always thought they looked like hideous cutting boards and were only for country players. One day I walked into a guitar shop, convinced that I would buy a Strat to add something with single coils to my collection. I tried half a dozen and was unsatisfied with all of them... then they handed me a Tele and said to have a go at it. And suddenly I got it. It just FELT right. Whichever setting I tried, despite all the switching being weird, all of the sounds were distinct and they all sounded amazing. I've played everything from Jazz to metal on that guitar since then, and it's with me at every rehearsal and every show.

[@TheDude4077]

The most useful thing I’ve found to do with the extra circuit is to roll the volume all the way off on the rhythm circuit, that way the lead/rhythm switch essentially becomes a kill switch.

[@johnnymo85]

That seems to be a popular use for it, great tip. I actually added an arcade style push button kill switch to my Jazzmaster, but I use the rhythm circuit for a quick tonal change on a couple songs I play with my band. I pretty much always use the neck pickup only in lead mode, and sometimes when playing tappy stuff, it's too bright. I switch it into rhythm mode for a darker tone and it makes tapping sound less noisy (for me). I also like rhythm mode when stacking multiple dirt pedals. Gets less feedback and sounds nice.

[@rickmyerscough7788]

Mike... I have only seen a couple of your videos... but I love your excitement... your willingness to explore and how you share your thoughts out loud. Most of us who love this box with strings can relate. Blessings to you and thanks for sharing...

[@gamby16a]

J Mascis is one of the kings of the Jazzmaster. His Dinosaur Jr stuff from the late 80s/early 90s might change your life. Swervedriver and My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and other early shoegaze bands played them as well.

[@joshw9736]

I play an American Jazzmaster 99% of the time. I also play shoegaze/grunge/indie stuff and it's perfect for that. I love it. Also, they look dope af to me, always have. Im glad it won you over.

[@kev818]

I love the jazzmaster

[@eggbass]

I've been a Strat guy for 30+ years but recently picked up a J Mascis Jazzmaster. It is now my favorite guitar. I can't put this thing down.

[@Pizzadoboz]

It's jazzmaster pickup, not P90. Look it up

[@IndieMerchantSam]

The Jazzmaster is my favorite guitar of all time. My main guitar is a shell pink Jazzmaster and it’s perfect for the music that I play. It’s the guitar that I play jazz on while I’m at school, and it’s my main instrument when recording my Midwest emo stuff

[@oriyashimonjosef4798]

Nope. Not P90s ‏ ‏‪5:45‬‏ ...

[@CalebAnderson-l1b]

New subscriber, love this video. I picked up an Original '60's Jazzmaster a couple of years ago and I love it! It really has a wide range of tones, and I have really enjoyed exploring it! Thanks!!!!!

[@LanceJordan]

Welcome to the wonderful world of offsets! I was a life-long Strat player and got my first offset about 3 years ago, was the Johnny Marr signature Fender Jaguar. I ended up selling it because it was a bit too thin sounding for me. But I now own 4 Jazzmaster style offsets, two of which have Jazzmaster pickups, and two that have actual P90s. Those pickup designs look similar but have a different sound. P90s have become my all time favorite pickups. Try turning your volume and tone controls DOWN to about 5 or 6 and dial in an "edge of breakup" clean and bright tone, then use your volume and tone controls to boost your gain into overdrive! You'll find you can get a massively wide range of tones with this approach! As for the Jazz circuit you'll probably want to only use it for clean jazz tones, or that fuzzy muddy drive. If you ever do play a Jaguar, you'll notice that it's a smaller scale closer to that of a Gibson type LP etc. And has quite a different tone than JM. Anyway keep up the cool videos and enjoy your guitar journey! PS if you want a great JM style with P90s sans jazz circuit, LMK!

[@JohnRussomJr]

Mike, that is the best thumbnail you will ever make.

[@mojogaucho]

Good grief! What's happening with the bridge saddles, in particular the one under the B string, 2.14 minutes in?

[@danieli.9252]

The use of black and white doesn't have to mean you're simply representing the past. It could be that you are representing the time before an awakening -- think of the beginning of "The Wizard of Oz," versus when she arrives in Munchkinland. I have a Jazzmaster, by the way, and even though I'm not a good guitar player, I do like it a lot. Happy holidays!

[@danexplodes]

Loved this video! I'm on a never ending hunt for tone. Fell in love with jazzys in 2019. Inspiring instrument for me 🙏🏻

[@S.W.Bestwriter]

I'm 45. Been playing Jazzmasters since I was 17. Got a bunch of them, some worth 3-4k. Played hundreds of gigs. Once you sort out the trem, you can even dive-bomb and it will remain in tune. Make sure the nut is right and what strings you use is upto you. I found that 11's was the sweet spot. :)

[@TheEvdog]

This is my first time watching your channel and I’m subscribed now! I’ve seen Mac DeMarco and Campbell Burns play jazzmasters and strats but I’ve been researching the Jazzmaster recently mainly because I didn’t know much at all about it. Sounds sick!

[@WarrenPostma]

To me part of the JazzMaster thing is that you're leaving behind the two most ubiquitous Fender guitars on earth without leaving the Fenderverse. An interesting experience. I am waiting to meet my first "gotta buy it today" Jaguar, it will happen, I know it.

[@mothroyale9076]

I find it a strange phenomena, discovering a guitar that's been around since 1966. New to you, great to try different things. When i look back to the first time I saw a telecaster, I wanted to know what it was immediately. Strange when I think about it now, "discovering" something that was already so ubiquitous. It's interesting to me that we can forget a time when we didn't know something.

[@danielpropper253]

Jazzmaster came out in ‘ 59

[@mwpv11]

There is nothing better than the rhythm tones on the Jazzmaster. Been using them for years in all styles of music. Extremely versatile guitars.

[@brucemcneill6224]

Luthier here. Love this video. I like how you kept your mind open and worked to understand it’s nuances. As a Fender fan, I’d love to see you do the same with the Mustang (if you haven’t already)

[@bruno_schumann]

Mustangs are definitely underappreciated if you don't count Cobain's fans lol. But seriously, they have a bite like no other guitar I've played ❤

[@therideneverends1697]

@@bruno_schumann Well thats the thing, people dont realize theres actually alot going for them besides 90s rock, they have alot of high end that plays very nice with effects

[@bruno_schumann]

@@therideneverends1697 well said.

[@HarryRemer]

Thanks for this. Thinking of purchasing a Squier CV JM tomorrow-shocking value for the money, most of what you get for over twice the price. You helped me out.

[@shanewalton8888]

I really enjoy the storytelling in your videos. That black and white past joke was great.

[@guyb7005]

7:72 the bite!! the crunch!! Now I'm curious about the diff btwn jazzmaster & jaguar. great vid!

[@humbucker08]

Something about your video setup really did the sunburst finish justice, I rarely ever see it look that good in a video. Also nice work with the video all around.

[@JakRabbitNick]

An Offset and Fuzz is all you need. Recently sold my Strat because it just didn't fit and replaced it with a JM. Loved it so much that 2 weeks late the second offet came home, a Mustang. Great video as always!

[@GS-uy4xo]

Now it’s time for me to go down the proverbial rabbit hole and find out about the tones, dimensions pros and cons - like you I’ve never explored one of these - great vid! ✊🏼

[@tedrobinson3802]

I don't have and have never had a strat. I've been looking but I picked up a jazz master with p90s a few weeks ago and loved it. Was belting out AC/DC and thought man, why you never see anyone rocking these.

[@gatorgrafix3969]

I've had 1963 original Jazzmaster since I was a teenager. I'm getting on up there in years now a days and that dang old Jazzmaster is still my awesome all time favorite. I have a hoard of vintage guitars that I have collected over the years and I always go back to the JM.

[@ChrisGibsonMeAsWe]

So, how long before you found the tremolo arm? My 1958 looks and sounds similar, and you can yank on the bar all day and not lose pitch. Those soapbar pickups take distortion in ways unlike other guitars. It’s like they resist getting dirty, yet give it they’re own raunch. Keep it.

[@matthewbyars7171]

It's one of the greatest "alt-rock" tools ever! Robert Smith, Thom Yorke, Lee Ranaldo & Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth, the great J Mascis, “Taka” Goto, Troy Van Leeuwen, Nels Cline... so many great and important players across all genres. Incredibly versatile instruments. You can customize them to your heart's content and it's still a Jazzmaster. Congrats, man. Enjoy it!

[@Hamsong]

Nice. The first time I saw a Jazzmaster, I thought it was the most beautiful guitar of all time. I still feel that way… It’s one of the few guitars that sounds great with both pickups at the same time, which also cancels the single coil noise…

[@atticusbryan]

I had the same experience with the telecaster, but now it’s my favorite guitar

[@djffe8597]

Man that bridge saddle on the B string at 2:14 looked really tilted badly.

[@djffe8597]

No one else noticed?

[@Rob15234]

Jazzmaster = no jazz Baritone horn = tenor range Instruments names can be be tricky. Good video and excellent guitar playing. It differently sounds different P90 pickups.

[@swissarmyknight4306]

I'm not sure any jazz players use a Roland Jazz Chorus, but tons of rock and metal guys use them.

[@Rob15234]

@@swissarmyknight4306 👍 Yeah it's funny, I think anything goes in music works as long as it sounds good.

[@KevinSmith-jp3vn]

Back in 1970 one of our finest guitarist in HS used a jazzmaster to play Dazed and Confused and nailed it note for note and sound. I was amazed and now respect tgat guitar so much.

[@CaptainQuoll]

THIS LITERALLY IS ME. A STRAT PLAYER GETS A JAZZMASTER

[@jason6374]

You speak incredibly well. I really appreciate your reviews. Thank you

[@echosonicmusic]

Oh man, you didn't even attached the whammy bar to it. Such a versatile guitar. I love mine, but I am a card-carrying indie kid. J Mascis, Elvis Costello and Kevin Shields got me hooked

[@perfectparadox7389]

Ive been playing a vintera jazzmaster for a couple years now, I was originally drawn in by the look (replaced the pickguard with an off white one) but stayed for the dark but clear tones you can get out of it

[@Koffieleuter]

Most important features of the Jazzmaster are the two circuits (that you can roll back seperately, for two sets of incredible tones) and... the unique tremolo system, that was not used once in this video! On Fenders, there is a button on the tremolo systeem to lock it (so it can't move anymore). Palm muting is also very comfortable on a Jazzmaster. The scala of tones is just awesome! Everyone should try it out.

[@Aporiaofficial]

We can trust Daniel, because Daniel has incredible taste. As demonstrated by the Alabama crimson tide tee I saw oh so briefly. Roll tide, Daniel.

[@JohnNoirSmith]

Had a Jazzmaster once myself, and I really miss it. Love my Strat, but still

[@craigshipley666]

i enjoy your videos, and this one was great. Growing up in the 70's and 80's I recall very few people using Jazzmasters and Jaguars. And the few who did almost unanimously said(in Guitar Player mag interviews) they either didn't ever use the upper tone circuit or actually disabled it. I never use mine either but left it intace.

[@101wut2]

Great video! I'm not so much a "Strat Player" as a guy who plays a Strat. In the hands of a virtuoso, the Strat is capable of some incredible tones. For the rest of us, it's a brutally unforgiving instrument that amplifies every mistake and inconsistency, and makes us spend 90% of our playing time twiddling knobs and switches trying to get close to "that sound". I find the Jazzmaster to be the polar opposite - you just pick it up and play and it sounds great. Even the mistakes sound great. I don't even know or care what those "USB ports" are for!

[@platypuspracticus2]

so i think something really nice about the jazzmaster is that it's a guitar that begs you to use the tone knob. it comes with super bright 1meg pots but that also gives you a lot of tonal range. normally single coils use 250k pots to dampen the brightness and humbuckers use 500k to let more highs through. jazzmasters use 1meg pots on that main circuit...and then use 50k pots for the rhythm circuit for that really dark mellow sound. such a great, dynamic instrument that's way underrated. also, check out mike ganon for the coolest custom jag/jazz build (and also because he's a great player, ofc).

[@grandplancher9927]

Sorry this is off topic but what make is that telecaster at 0:42?? Looks great!

[@indiecomicsjones]

Check out Tom Verlaine of Television who played the Jazzmaster. A couple of good tracks by Tom are Marque Moon and Song (from his solo album Flashlight).