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Post subject: My new 2010 Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 7:10 am
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Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:28 pm
Posts: 1956
I have a good sized collection of Strats so I thought it was time to try something else. I saw a black 2010 Blacktop Jazzy on Reverb (the coolest musical instrument site on the planet!!) for $400. The guitar looked pristine with the exception of a problem with the "skunk" stripe coming loose and lifting for about 2" on the head stock end.

I offered $300, thinking the seller would never take my offer but he did. I was a tad reluctant but I promptly paid for the instrument.

When I arrived at my studio, I gave it a play and I liked it immediately... especially the comfy offset body and the attenuated upper bout that offered effortless access to the highest notes.

The next thing I do with a new guitar is break it down into it's component parts. Everything went well but I was rather shocked at the cheap electronics package it had been fitted with. I fixed that with a complete upgraded electronics package from Emerson Custom... if you get a chance, check them out as they have electronics upgrade kits for most all popular guitars at reasonable prices. The addition of this kit had a real positive impact on the sonics... less noise, better attack, better control with volume and tone pots, tighter bass and clearer sound overall. This $100 mod was well worth it.

As I was reassembling the Jazzmaster, I noticed that all the adjustment in the bridge were locked up and would not turn. I was surfing the net, doing research as I was waiting for the guitar to ship. I recalled reading that many players would use Locktite to keep the adjustments from moving. Well, there is the right Locktite and the wrong Locktite... someone had used regular Locktite and not red Locktite. I broke a hex wrench trying to adjust the bridge height screws so the bridge was shot. The seller did not want to stand behind his advert but Reverb was kind enough to spot me $30 Reverb bucks to purchase a new bridge.

I got the Fender OEM bridge for $30 and set everything up. It all worked fine except that I thought it sounded a bit too metallic. Also, as I was playing one day, I noticed that one of the saddle height screws was sticking way up... almost it's entire length! I bought the correct Locktite but ended up ordering a set of Graphtech saddles instead. They came complete with Tusq saddles (synthetic Ivory) saddle height screws, intonation screws and springs. The Graphtech kit did the trick... mellower sound and no movement of the adjustments. I checked out the Mastery bridge but did not feel that it would be necessary, nor did I have the dough! Then I found a great deal on an SKB Jazzy case and snagged that. Because the Jazzmaster is offset, it is a bit longer than a Strat and won't fit a Strat case.

So this is now my very favorite Fender. I am amazed at how well it stays in tune. I have not tuned it in about a week. I have had it near an open window on a sunny, hot day. Then the wife closed all the windows and fired up the A/C. I use TC Electronic Polytune and Peterson StroboSoft 2.1 and then tune in waves GTR for the final touch up on intonation. The tuning and intonation on this guitar is spot on.

I know that I would never recoup my investment in this guitar but I really don't care... I'll never sell it!!!

I am now a Fender Jazzmaster fan forever!

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Post subject: Re: My new 2010 Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2016 9:00 am
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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
Jazzmasters are great guitars. I had one of the MIJ ones from the late 80's and set it up for slide. It had an almost pedal steel kind of tone for slide on the rear pickup! I sold it to my nephew who sold it a few years back and I do miss that guitar...now if only my slide technique was worthy of the tone that guitar put out!

Enjoy the guitar and play it like you stole it!

T2

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