I bought a Jazzmaster. Again.

This was the only way to get a "full kit" Jazzmaster at the price I wanted (mostly).

As I just said recently, I wanted to go Jazzmaster again and I had entertained the idea of either buying a J Mascis model or building (as in parting together) one myself.

As luck would have it, there was something else available. A Squier Classic Vibe '60's model in Daphne Blue that was $80 off. I could not say no to that. It was at a local Guitar Center, brand new, in a color I liked, and there was absolutely no way I could build one that would beat that price.

I mostly got the price I wanted, meaning I think I spent 30 bucks too much. In fact, I know I did, because Guitar Center did in fact have another Squier CV '60s Jazzmaster model in Surf Green that was $30 less... but was out of stock. Oh, well.

Aside from price, there was another reason I passed on the J Mascis model. It has what I consider to be "wrong spot" placement for the vibrato system. Fender has this going on with a few models and the Mascis Squier has the same thing. The vibrato is physically placed closer to the bridge. I have no idea why. But what I do know is that when I used that differently spaced system, it doesn't feel right.

I've not even owned the guitar a day, but oh yeah, it feels very familiar, almost like it hasn't been years since I owned one. Some guitars are like that. You pick one up and it just feels like home.

I have a full video on the guitar below, but here's a quick rundown on what I mean by a "full kit" Jazzmaster: It means a Jazzmaster where there are two circuits with full controls, a 1meg linear taper volume control potentiometer, a 1meg audio taper tone potentiometer, Jazzmaster specific pickups (meaning not P90), and a properly spaced vibrato system.

Getting a full kit Jazzmaster from anybody other than Fender or Squier is a big ask. More often than not, what you'll find are half-Jazzmaster guitars. There will be a lead circuit but no rhythm circuit, or the pots will be wrong, or the vibrato system will be wrong, or the pick guard style will be wrong. And so on, and so on.

At the price I got mine for, it was an easy decision to commit and make the buy.

Published 2023 Nov 30

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