I Played (almost) Every Jazzmaster to Find The Best One

Check out the exact guitars that were used in today's vid HERE (affiliate)

Squier '60s Classic Vibe Jazzmaster

Fender Vintera II '50s Jazzmaster

Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster

Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster

Fender Custom Shop '59 Jazzmaster

The Jazzmaster is one of the most often overlooked and underrated Fender guitars, initially being somewhat of a failure before eventually taking root in the indie and underground music scene and becoming an icon in its own right. But what's the best one in the modern day line up? We're taking 5 Jazzmasters from cheapest to most expensive and putting them head to head. Thanks to Sweetwater for sponsoring this video.

Go check out Keith's @fivewattworld video on the history of the Jazzmaster:

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0:00 Intro Track
2:22 Intro to Jazzmaster
3:31 5 Jazzmasters, 1 Riff (bodysnatchers)
4:10 A Brief History
5:18 It's Built Different
6:04 Trem Example
6:27 Pickups and Settings
7:21 Main Circuit Demo
7:56 Rhythm Circuit
8:39 Rhythm Circuit Demo
9:20 Squier '60s Classic Vibe
11:53 Fender Vintera II
13:57 Fender American Pro II
16:21 Fender American Ultra
17:42 S1 Out of Phase
18:18 Fender Custom Shop
20:10 Ranking
26:44 Outro

[al]

My wife wanted to play guitar so we got her a CV Jag, and the tremolo on hers is rock solid *after* we set it up. I shimmed the neck, put 11s on the guitar, used loctite on the bridge height screws, and used a sanding sponge to even out the connection point on the tremolo plate. The whole deal took maybe an hour and all the materials cost about $25, but now the guitar stays beautifully in tune, has zero buzz behind the bridge, and plays beautifully with super low action. What I’m saying is, if you’re willing to do the work, there’s nothing wrong with the Squier offsets, cheap tremolo included.

[jamespieres]

Half hour Rhett Shull video about jazzmasters? Heck yeah

[CakeorDeath]

Thank you so much for that intro. When you see Jazzmaster demos on YouTube, they play bluesy licks on it, and it just isn't playing to the guitar's strengths. It's an alt-rock/indie BEAST, and IMO, it's more of a rhythm guitarist's guitar. It *wants* to play big, chunky chords.

Mine's a 2016 MIM Classic Player, modded with Curtis Novak JM-V and JM-FAT pickups. Basic signal chain is that, through an EarthQuaker Devices Westwood, into an AC30. It's fucking amazing.

[WRCzATL]

I'm betting if you shim the neck and raise the bridge – for more downpressure – on any JM, you'll eliminate that little bazz/rattle you kept finding. It's basic part of a good JM setup. They were designed for big heavy jazz strings (flatwound even) and that works better with the lower bridge setting.

[nedim_guitar]

Rhett going shoegazey. I like the noise.

[andreweaton]

Man I really wish you could have put the J Mascis in to this. Truly the best guitar for the price of any guitar period.

[Joe-vccc]

Please do another video on the Squire J Mascis Jazzmaster. It has a cult following and I’d love to hear your input on it.

[philliplaclede]

The classic vibe stuff really is impressive

[plattklum]

My desert island guitar! The first trick to jazzmasters is to put the volume on 9 if it's always ice-picky. I setup my amp and guitar like a gibson: neck pickup volume and tone on 10, middle maybe 9 and tone on 6/7, bridge volume on 9/10 and tone on 6/7. If you've got issues with the setup, shim the neck. The squier classic vibe series is very great value (you probably have to shim the neck), but I've got a expensive 59-like version on the way because these guitars are my absolute favorite!

[fritz]

Love your videos. You come from an approach that many of us forget when looking at gear. The key point you always make is that this is what you hear and feel when playing the guitar. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, it is hard to find a store close by that has the selection of guitars you might want to try in the right colors, pickups, etc. A video on buying a guitar online and the process you would go through might be great. Also, ordering a custom guitar might be cool. I ordered a custom mandolin and its not always a guarantee you will get the sound and feel you wanted. Thanks!

[gabe_cesar]

GREAT mixing of the audio rhett! I noticed the dynamics of the mix and space IMMEDITLY. Simply outstanding

[suadiggitti]

I got myself a MIM JM with the 3 P90's (Jazz Master P90) When I brought it home, I felt like I made a mistake buying it. I just couldn't make a connection with the guitar. I thought I had while playing it in the store but things changed when I came home and plugged it in. My ignorance led me to think this. Watching your channel has opened my eyes to understanding how to hone in my sound with the amps that I have, and that I have done. I now really enjoy my JM.

[wesley]

Just saw your vid pop up after buying a the Vintera II literally this afternoon. I was blown away by the sound and quality of the guitar, especially at its price point

[Ponchy]

Great vid! I have the American Pro II and I love it. It was kind of a childhood guitar for me so I was super happy to cross that one off the list. Also I just noticed you have a Big Six! I loooove my Big Six and it's the main console/mixer for my studio.

[monmixer]

The J Mascis CV Jazzmaster has the tremolo plate mounted closer to the bridge creating a sharper break angle which many think helps with 2 of the main problems with the Jazzmaster tremolo. The break angle being sharper also puts more pressure on the bridge due to that break angle, also eliminated the strings popping off the bridge saddle / roller and eliminates the rattle.

[reecemcguinness]

I got a 40th anniversary JM on Black Friday for a steal and have spent the last year + gigging and touring with it, it is solid! Shimmed the neck and put a gotoh TOM in it, it’s my no.1 now!

[nedim_guitar]

Squier CV and Fender American Pro II sounded the best for me with distortion. Clean, I liked Squier the most, the American pro was too dark for me, and the others aren't dark enough. That's good, because the Squier CV has been on my list these last couple of years.

[justinshiro]

dude i have ALWAYS wanted you to make one of these videos on the jazzmaster. i got the 40th anniversary squier one and i love it. bodysnatchers sounded sick too

[thenoyrd]

Hi Rhett! Loved the video as always, awesome to hear you talk about Jazzmasters! Just one note: When you explain about the rhythm circuit at 8:00, it's correct that the vintage rhythm circuit isolates the neck pickup, BUT, when you showcase it at 8:40, you are using an AmPro II, whose rhythm circuit's is set with both pickups in series. Just wanted to add the note :)

[MusicAndreevDenis]

Great overview man! Would love to see J Mascis JM in it as well.
Regarding the "buzz" from tremolo I experienced the same with my J Mascis and I've found what it is:
it's the tremolo arm sitting in the holder
you have to push it really hard until you hear the click and then it sits tigth and solid with no buzz
otherwise it's a little bit loose and will resonate with the strings
hope that helps!