I have a 'significant' birthday coming up at the end of the year, and a persistent hankering for a Jazzmaster. Please note this is not a 'WTB' thread, December is a while away yet!
The range of current/recent JMs from Fender alone is extensive, but I hope to whittle down my choice with the following excessively picky requirements:
YES to -
Vintage look
Vintage-style pickups
Traditional JM-style tremolo
Mustang and Mastery bridges
Solid finishes such as Vintage White, Sonic Blue
NO to -
Humbuckers
Other pickups masquerading as JM pickups
Strat tremolo
Hardtail bridge
Bound neck
Block markers
Sunburst, Lake Placid Blue
Budget-wise I typically pay between £1000 and £2000 for an instrument, but this is flexible for the right one.
As far as I can tell, my Fender options include the Vinteras, American Originals, Japanese FSR, possibly American Pro, and used (or massively discounted) Custom Shop instruments. I'm also not averse to other brands within the above parameters.
Am I missing anything obvious?
Comments
Or if you're happy you can nail down a full spec sheet - how about a parts build from the likes of MJT or @SCRelics.
I said maybe.....
I’m really not fussy on neck radius is long as it’s not HM-shreddy-widdly flat.
Vintera is probably your best bet. Used custom shop may be possible, but even then you might struggle within budget.
If not, the Ultra range looks great.
Brilliant, versatile guitars. Mine is the one in my avatar...
You can't go much wrong though. I think the sound comes partly from the low break angle and sympathetic sounds from behind the bridge. Nice pickups etc are great, but I've played some cheaper ones and they were pretty great.
Budget for a good setup!
I once had a MIJ Jaguar with the traditional threaded saddles and that didn’t give me any playability problems - I just got the impression that Mustang and Mastery bridges made life easier in some way! They are on the YES list because I don’t object to them.
they're expensive but maybe they'll give you an idea of what may be an ideal spec or aesthetic for ya
MIJ - 9" radius with med jumbo frets, Colour Indigo, £999?
https://images.static-thomann.de/pics/bdb/463114/14193777_800.jpg
https://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_hybrid_jazzmaster_mn_indigo.htm
https://www.andertons.co.uk/fender-mij-inoran-jazzmaster-rosewood-fingerboard-in-black
https://www.bigtone.in.th/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/FD-INR-JM-01.jpg