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Post subject: Buying a Jazzmaster
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:03 pm
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Well, I started playing guitar about a year ago and I have an epiphone les paul and I decided I'm going to buy a fender soon. I did some research and decided I want to get a jazzmaster, so I'm looking for a bit of help choosing a model.
I have one main question, what makes the Fender '62 Jazzmaster so much more expensive than the Classic Player? Would it be worth it to spend the extra money for the '62?
I mostly play alternative/indie rock, so if you guys have any other suggestions for guitars besides the Jazzmaster feel free to mention it, as you can see I don't know much about buying guitars :).


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Post subject: Re: Buying a Jazzmaster
Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:49 pm
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Hi otterpanda, and welcome to the forum!

I bought a Classic Player Jazzmaster Special in January of this year, and I've been very happy with it. Here are some of reasons I chose the cheaper, Mexican-made guitar over the more expensive, American-made instrument:

The first factor was the fretboard radius. The '62 American Vintage has a 7.25" radius, while the Classic Player has a 9.5" radius. I find this easier to play. However, this was not a major determining factor in my decision-making.

The major factor was the bridge design and tailpiece location. The '62 has a period-correct bridge, which is similar to the original Telecaster design. The tremolo tailpiece is also set nearly at the very bottom of the guitar. This creates a very shallow break angle on the strings, which makes it very easy for the strings to jump out of the saddles. Many people who own vintage instruments swap out the bridge in favor of one designed for a Mustang or Les Paul to compensate for this.

The Classic Player version corrects this (in my view) design flaw. First, the tremolo tailpiece is moved closer to the bridge, increasing the break angle of the strings and, thus, making it less likely that the strings will jump out of the saddles. The bridge is also different: It is a Fender Adjusto-Matic bridge, which is basically a clone of the Les Paul bridge.

I have heard that the pickups on the '62 are superior to those on the Classic Player, but I've been very happy with mine.

I hope this helps! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:29 am
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The AVRI will be truer to the original design and use higher quality components. I've owned one for about 6 months now and have not had any problems with strings jumping out of the saddles. I believe this is a myth propagated by people who use .008 gauge strings. I use .010'a on mine. Many recommend .011's but I haven't had any problems with the .010's. I also prefer the 7.25" radius fingerboard so that pretty much seals it for me.

For what it's worth, I've tried both the CP Jazzmaster and the CP Jaguar and they are both nice guitars.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:24 pm
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So there you have it, otterpanda. A couple of different perspectives. Time to march down to your local guitar shop, play them head-to-head, and reach your decision. And don't forget to post pictures! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:37 am
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ahhhh the jazzzy, I got a avri thinskin which comes w/ a 9.5, made a shim w/ a chunk of poplar and a belt sander, bought a mastery bridge. and am set for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! any body play a lee ranaldo model yet??? i need a good solid body humbucker w/ some chime?


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:02 pm
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Mmmm looks like I'll definitely be getting a Jazzmaster :D
One last question though, if I buy the classic player am I really only stuck with sunburst and black? I really want olympic white without having to dish out the extra money to by the AVRI : (


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:37 am
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If you really want Olympic White you do have another option - Japan. The Japanese Jazzmasters look superb, are a step up in quality from the Mexi Classic ones, and still much cheaper than the AVRI. The pickups are not really Jazzmaster pickups tho, they're more like strat pups, different - which you may or may not like. They have a trem very close in spec to the US ones, so the same issues arise. But as you can find elsewhere on this forum that's easily fixed with either a 'buzz stop', a mustang bridge, or heavier strings and action.

I have a 2002 AVRI in Olympic W and love it to bits, I have a band mate with a 1961 Oly White and a '67 sunburst, and the other guitarist has a CIJ jazzmaster. There really isn't much difference at all in sound from the genuine '61 to my '62 reissue, but the CIJ was always a thinner weaker cousin - until the owner put seymour duncan antiquity JM pups in it. Now it shares the depth and 'spank' attack of the USA ones. It's now a fine jazzmaster, no reservations.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:20 am
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Thanks! How would I go about finding a $@! Jazzmaster then?


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 1:34 pm
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I played a guy's Classic Player Jazzmaster® Special yesterday and was very impressed with the new pickups and tone!

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 2:24 pm
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Location: melbourne 'rock city' australia
I don't live in the US of A so don't know what you guys do when you want to buy a Japanese Fender... here in Australia we just rock on down to our local store, and they got MIM, CIJ and MIA all on the wall. Try the inner-net?


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:02 am
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Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas (San Antonio, y'all)
So, otterpanda, did you buy the Jazzy? Bring us up to speed! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:03 pm
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hi guys! i bought a j mascis jazzmaster and it`s awesome!! the custom pick up`s sound mega and the jumbo frets feel perfect. try one out before you choose a normal one dude!!


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:17 pm
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damochops wrote:
hi guys! i bought a j mascis jazzmaster and it`s awesome!! the custom pick up`s sound mega and the jumbo frets feel perfect. try one out before you choose a normal one dude!!

Hi damochops, and welcome to the forum. Rule #1: We want to see pictures! 8)

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm. :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:34 pm
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'Do not think MIJs are coming into USA any more. 'Bought one in '95 and put AVRI pups in a number of years ago. Turned an excellent guitar into a jewel.

And here, .011 flats never saddle-hop.

Best of fortune.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:20 pm
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Jazzmasters are so underrated. I'm glad they're returning to the forefront. Lots of new models. The AVRI is way expensive. I got a J Mascis Jazzmaster. It's pretty decent. It's got a deadly sound and plays like butter. I'll be upgrading the PUPs to some Novaks or Lollars soon. It's not shielded though, I don't know what's up with that, and it doesn't come with a case. For 1200 that's pretty f#$@ing lame. I am saving for an AVRI and hope to also pick up one of the Lee Ranaldo models as well.

here's a pic of me playing it live:

Image

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