It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:48 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 8:38 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:24 am
Posts: 7
Location: Bangor
So, I've been collecting random USA '62 reissue Jazzmaster parts off Ebay with the idea of rebuilding one. I've been hard pressed to find a body that I either trust is an original Fender made body or is USA made. My question is this...Does anyone know if the Japanese Bodys and neck are compatible/interchangeable with their USA counterparts. I'd really like to know before I buy a Japanese part or body for my project.

Thank you!!!!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 9:27 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:30 pm
Posts: 378
Location: melbourne 'rock city' australia
I don't think there's an easy answer to that one, but I suspect the major parts are NOT interchangeable. Typically Japanese Fenders have metric measurements, and USA Fender are in Imperial measurements. This difference even extends to things like bridge posts, how far back on the body the trem goes.... etc etc. Some parts are bound to be the same, but you'd need to know for sure. There are crucial differences. Somebody will know more than me, but it's unlikely you could Frankenstein together a Jazzmaster from USA and Japan parts without issues.

_________________
"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:24 am
Posts: 7
Location: Bangor
@ nickbeatnik

Thank you for the reply. I had never thought of the measurement values being different. Your response was extremly helpful.

Rock on!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Mexico (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 1:10 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:24 am
Posts: 7
Location: Bangor
@nickbeatnik

What about Mexican Jazzmaster parts and USA Jazzmaster parts...do you think I could put a USA neck on a Mexican model body?

Thanx


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:08 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:30 pm
Posts: 378
Location: melbourne 'rock city' australia
Good question - I really don't know, I haven't looked that closely at the Mexi ones :)

I tried to put a US bridge on a friend's Mexi Tele once and discovered they were different enough that I had to route the pickup recess a little to do it. So I suspect you'll find there are crucial differences in the Jazzmaster models too. I know they moved the trem location intentionally on one of the models, I think the classic player, to get more break angle at the bridge. There will be other changes too I guess.

We all do things to a budget but I'd suggest you go all US parts - then you just know it will work, and also you get the best quality. The wood in the Mexi models is definitely lower grade and the body is crucial to your tone...

_________________
"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:10 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:24 am
Posts: 7
Location: Bangor
@nickbeatnik

Thank you. Sound advice.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:28 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:56 am
Posts: 2766
Location: metro Chicago USA
Fender USA AVRI pickups went into an MIJ Jazzmaster perfectly, for this picker.

On the other hand, the current MIA Jazzmaster is a breathtakingly good guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:06 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:24 am
Posts: 7
Location: Bangor
I was able to put a USA neck on a Mexican classic player. The anodized gold pick-guard did not line-up "smoothly" to all the pre drilled holes on the classic. (The anodized Pick-guard is designed for the AVRI). All the electronics - no problems. The cavity shields fit perfectly. I did learn a valuable lesson...the classic players have the Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge bushings already installed! Which I love. The USA Jazzmasters still use the unthreaded bushings for the classic Jazzmaster bridge (which I hate!). I tried to install the Gotoh bushings on a '02 AVRI JM and it was a disaster. Not to mention that once it was installed, the action was way to high and I didn't have any more clearance due to the thickness of the pick-guard to lower it. So, I removed it and replaced the narrower gauge bushings for the original bridge....what a mess...never again. I'll stick to the classic player, Made in Mexico (which is allright with me, as you may know all the original guitars made by Fender used un-skilled Mexican labor to put the guitars together. And they were and are awsome!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:44 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:36 pm
Posts: 1
I have an all original Jazzmaster, made in 1962, serial # 595xx.

Our local Guitar Center "guitar expert," said it was in excellent condition, and beyond his expertise to set a value on.

I've owned it since 1975.

Interested?

Ken
rkmiller@wwestsky.net


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster USA vs. Japan (are parts interchangable???)
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:41 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:56 am
Posts: 2766
Location: metro Chicago USA
Well said.

[quote=Made in Mexico (which is allright with me, as you may know all the original guitars made by Fender used un-skilled Mexican labor to put the guitars together. And they were and are awsome![/quote]

Which is likely a perfect explanation of why so many modern MIM Fender instruments are so breathtakingly playable and reeking with vibe. Firm opinion; this picker's MIM '50s Stratocaster, Surf Green, single-layer pickguard is the closet "modern approximation" to the real thing, he has yet encountered.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


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: