It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:24 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:07 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Posts: 12
I'm looking for thoughts/opinions on the Jazzmaster Ultralight amp. Do you have one, or have played one? Tell me about it - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Not a lot on YouTube or elsewhere as far as demos go (I found one), and not a ton of other info out there either. I've read everything I could find and now I could use some hands on input from those of you who have first hand knowledge of this amp.

I'm seriously considering one of these due to needing an amp that can play at gig levels, stay clean at higher volume and still be lightweight and portable. The clean tones are all I'm interested in - no need for overdrive or distortion.

I'm currently gigging with a Hot Rod DeVille 4/10, and while it has the power with tons of clean headroom, it's breaking my back. I've got to come up with a solution to something lightweight and the JM Ultralight seems like it would be a perfect fit.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:57 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:48 am
Posts: 375
Location: Deep East Texas
I bought one a couple of years ago. I use it for rock, folk, ballads, and a friend uses it for his Fishman-equipped Martin flat top. It's versatile, plays loud and clean, and sounds like a Fender. With 250w into 2 ohms it'll have plenty of volume. If I had to limit myself to a single amp, the JM would be it. Besides being very light, it's small and unobtrusive, pluses whether I play on a theatre stage or at a small church.

I also have a DRRI, a Blues Jr NOS, a Band-Master VM with a Weber California Ceramic 15, and I've owned and performed with many other amps over the last 40 years. I believe the Jazzmaster Ultralight is the best of the bunch. You won't be disappointed.

_________________
"Digo: 'paciencia, y barajar.'" Don Quijote de la Mancha, Part II, Chapter 23


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:31 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Posts: 12
Thanks for the input, lp. I'm encouraged. I just wish I had a more clear cut idea of how to match up the right speaker cab to this amp. Since the matched cab that used to sell along with the Ultralight is no longer available, it means finding another solution. I'm not very knowledgable when it comes to speaker cabs, but I'm sure there is something that I could match this amp up to and end up with a killer set up.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:54 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:48 am
Posts: 375
Location: Deep East Texas
You might find a Jazzmaster cabinet on eBay or craigslist. The lightweight box is a really cool combination of simple features, from the 2 ohm load necessary to develop the 250w, to the cups that the head's feet nest in (I can use mine on an amp stand without problems). You might want to look for a used one, but the combination of its not being particularly popular and the fact that those of us who have one won't turn loose may make it more difficult to find. Sweetwater's web site says the head has been discontinued, but it's still on the Fender Products page here.

If you can't find one, a Genz-Benz could be an alternative. I have one of their very small and light bass amps -- 300w, 2x10, 29 lb -- and their guitar amps get good reviews also.

Good luck: I've been downsizing the last few years as better gear becomes available that sounds good without weighing a ton, and I love it.

Edit: for some reason the G-B guitar amps are heavy little puppies! -- 53 lb for 30w. That may NOT be the solution.

_________________
"Digo: 'paciencia, y barajar.'" Don Quijote de la Mancha, Part II, Chapter 23


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:49 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Posts: 12
What a bummer this has turned out to be. Just when I discover the Ultralight and decide that it is THE solution for me, I can't find one. The discontinued cab situation makes an Ultralight head and cab combination nearly impossible to locate. Believe me, I've been looking long and hard. I'm not even sure you can still order the head.

It's too bad this amp didn't seem to catch on and sell really well so that there would be more of them available out there.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:13 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 1:30 pm
Posts: 4
Hi, Just collected one last week from E bay from Italy,I live in Glasgow,Scotland.Complete set up arrived in virtually new condition only a small chip on the R.H side panel of the head a bargain at 600 Euros inc postage.I had been looking out for one for months,they seem to be rare.
I normally play through a 1975 Deluxe Reverb and was amazed at the sound from the JU , typical Fender sound although solid state reverb not just as good as the Deluxe.Plenty volume available,effects are great, no more pedals and 2nd input works great with Acoustic guitar,Headphone socket a real bonus for late night practice. Portability,light -weight and ease of storage absolutely brilliant and it looks great.I have only seen two for sale in the past year so people must be holding on to them as they are a great amp.I will be keeping this one.
:D :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:16 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:54 am
Posts: 1179
Location: Florida
Have you tried looking here? http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Jazzmaster-Ultralight-Amp-Head?sku=480877

Art


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:19 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Posts: 12
Art1 wrote:


Thanks, Art - Yes, I know a JM head can be ordered from Musician's Friend, Guitar Center and a number of other places. Ideally though, I'd like to find the full set up - head & matching cab. With the cab having been discontinued, the only way that's going to happen is to run across something used. With so little of these things out there, it's a bit like a needle in a haystack.

I might have to buy the head, and figure out a custom cab set up of some sort.
I REALLY want one of these amps!!!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 10:54 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:54 am
Posts: 1179
Location: Florida
I know the feeling. I latched on to a 69 Bassman and then looked for 4 ohm cabinets. There are some 4ohm bass cabs rated at 300watts and higher (a bit of overkill for a 50w amp) and very few (Fender) cabs at 4ohm for regular guitar (VK212 looks nice though). But I got lucky this week and found a 71 cab for decent price.
The right cab is out there for you. Keep checking the bay and craig. And pawn shops

Good luck,
Art


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 11:16 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
"Back in the day" nearly all of Fender's piggyback cabs were 4 ohms (excepting the Showman 12 and Showman 15). The trend to 8 ohm and even 16 ohm enclosures is a relatively recent development. Glad you found something suitable, Art.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:20 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:54 am
Posts: 1179
Location: Florida
It is a 40 x30 x 12 with stock speakers. I may contact you for a source on grill cloth and tolex in May when I finally get it here. 15 inch speakers (a real monster) but hey...

She has a name now "Large Marge"

Art


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:30 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
No problem -- PM me here and we'll hook up via e-mail.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:01 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Posts: 12
A question for those of you who have one of these amps. Would you please take a look at the cable that connects the head to the cab and tell me if it is a standard jack, or is the connection unique to this amp?

I have heard that it takes a special cable to connect to a cab, in which case matching any sort of non-Fender cab might be impossible? Or is there maybe an adapter that would work?

It may be useless to even ask, because finding even the head by itself may no longer be possible. I emailed Fender directly and was told that the amp has been discontinued and there is no back stock. :(


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:26 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:48 am
Posts: 375
Location: Deep East Texas
Rob J wrote:
A question for those of you who have one of these amps. Would you please take a look at the cable that connects the head to the cab and tell me if it is a standard jack, or is the connection unique to this amp?

I have heard that it takes a special cable to connect to a cab, in which case matching any sort of non-Fender cab might be impossible? Or is there maybe an adapter that would work?


The speaker connector is a Speak-on locking four pole type. Adapters for 1/4" are readily available. The Speak-on is becoming more and more popular since it prevents the accidental disconnection of the speaker from the amp when the cable is stepped on or whatever. My Genz-Benz uses a Speak-on for the extension cabinet, and I found a cable the proper length at Carvin.com (they also stock the adapters).

_________________
"Digo: 'paciencia, y barajar.'" Don Quijote de la Mancha, Part II, Chapter 23


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster Ultralight Amps
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:11 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:25 pm
Posts: 12
Thanks for that info. Nice to know that a cable connection to an alternate cab can work.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: