Best Jazzmaster for the Money?

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:20 am

My Jaguar and Mustang aren't getting played. I am leaning more and more towards selling one or both of them on eBay and getting a Jazzmaster. I assume an AVRI is the best option... thoughts?

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:38 am

The best JM for the money is clearly the Squier J. Mascis !!

But seems like you're aiming to spend a bit more. The AVRI JM is an incredible instrument, but I couldn't live with the bridge pup. Sounds way too thin to me (albeit the neck pup is just perfect). I hate the idea of spending that much money on a guitar when I feel it needs an immediate mod. You might be better off getting a MIJ and customizing the electronics and pups.

Or you could go for a Fender signature JM. If you're really willing to hunt and spend some cash, the Elvis Costello JM is the best (non-vintage) JM I've ever played, hands down. The Thurston Moore is a good choice if you like the dark green (I do) and don't need a rhythm circuit (I don't) ... although the SD pups sound different, a little more high end clang than the AVRI I think. Definitely investigate that one on Youtube or try before you buy. Lastly, there is the original Fender Mascis, which is another excellent guitar if you can get over the purple sparkles and spend the time hunting. I think I'd prefer the original Mascis to the Thurston.

Sorry to go on ... I've actually never owned a JM but have always wanted one, so I try every model I see, hoping to convince myself.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:39 am

Also, based on your post in the other thread, I think you should definitely do this. Others will disagree, but I say no sense in letting your wonderful shortscales collect dust.

George · Post by **George** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:39 am

Has to be the Squier Mascis. Modern radius, TOM, nice pickups, and cheap.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:42 am

I can't complain about cij jm's. I've had 2 for about 5 years and wouldn't dream of getting rid of either.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:42 am

Changing pickups is a must though.

mastermorya · Post by **mastermorya** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:07 am

I have been in your position. I paid for a used Classic Payer JM that was on a 30-day hold. In the meantime, the same store got an AVRI in for me to try. I A/B'ed them and that was it. I liked the CP but it had a very "modern" sound because of the pickups I guess. Warm, but compared to the clarity and definition of the AVRI the CP was a joke. Because my only other guitars had humbuckers I was really blown away by the AVRI's pickups (and for my part I think the AVRI bridge pickup is just fine--though I usually use the neck pick up for nearly everything anyway on every guitar). But the AVRI is pretty damn expensive new. So I got my money back for the CP, and took a gamble and ordered the Squier JM JM from a local store based upon the stellar reviews. When the Squier JM JM came in, I liked it a ok but the thicker neck and the radius wasn't what I liked, and the pickups were ok, but didn't have the AVRI clarity and definition that I loved. I could have replaced the pickups but because couldn't live with the neck I had to return it. I also played a Blacktop but thought it was cheaply put together, and the bridge was wonky. And the Squier VM JM was ok, I actually liked the pickups pretty well but I didn't want a hardtail. And I actually like the rhythm circuit so neither of those was ideal. Then a used mint AVRI popped up on Craigslist and I snagged it. I didn't look back, and probably paid a bit more than I needed to because I played it and it was amazing and I was desperate at the time.

Recently the AVRI was giving me some trouble, but it turns out that the abrupt shift from wet winter to dry Spring/Summer in Sacramento bowed the neck. $20 for 20 minutes with a very very good tech fixed that up fine.

In the meantime, though, I have acquired a Classic Vibe 50's Tele used that I absolutely LOVE. And it was pretty cheap so I almost have second thoughts about dropping five times as much on the used AVRI. But that's ok for now. I recently got my beloved 1971 SG back from a friend who was borrowing it, so I've got an embarrassment of riches right now in the guitar department. So my GAS is partially checked. But I still kind of want a Strat. And a Jag. And a Mustang...

Anyway, the AVRI is a very solid guitar. Look out for one used. Try a Classic Player, if you like the radius and the bridge and non-vintage trem placement, it's just fine, especially used. You can upgrade the pickups anyway. And try the Squier JMJM if you can. If you like a slightly chunkier neck, it's great. A japanese JM is also an option but I've never played one so can't speak to it. Or you could part one out or find a partsmaster. I'd be on the Elvis Costello JM like a fly on shit if I could find one at all, much less for a reasonable price. The most important thing is to do the legwork and play stuff before your buy or buy from a seller with a generous return policy, or at least get a general sense from playing the equivalent of whatever you might buy from someone on the internet.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:28 am

^^ I agree with a lot of this. Also, was it Benny who fixed your bowed neck, moya? Love that guy.

mastermorya wrote:the Squier VM JM was ok, I actually liked the pickups pretty well but I didn't want a hardtail.

Yeah, those DD pups are severely underrated. When it's released, the new VM JM will be the best JM for the money.

Honestly Cobascis, I would wait a few months and check out one of those. Used AVRI's and MIJ's will still be around.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:42 am

Just for balance, I've always found the stock pickups in the AVRI Jazzmaster to be up to the job, although I'm not personally keen on 'hot' pickups.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:46 am

hrm, two votes in favor of AVRI pups. it has been a few years. i'm going to try one again and see if i still agree with my initial assessment.

Edit: three.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:47 am

Agreed, fantastic pickups. Love my AVRI.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:58 am

Squier J.Mascis is the way forward....

or used Japanese or Classic Player Jazzmaster.

brainfur · Post by **brainfur** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:27 am

a few months ago I ran across a used FENDER JM JM ( the purple one) for (I think) around 500 bucks in a guitarcenter. It sold within the week, but that would obviously be the best option of all

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:01 pm

I haven't played an AVRI but by all accounts it is the one to buy especially considering your budget. I can compare the Squier JM to CIJ models though.
Whilst the CIJ models have a bit more finesse with the finishing and hardware the pickups are much better on the Squier model. It is arguably more 'player friendly' too with the TOM and jumbo frets, but that is a matter of personal taste of course. There is the MIM CP models to consider as well.

The question is do CP or CIJ models justify being Â£700+ compared to the Squiers Â£300+? No, not at all. As introduction to Jazzmasters you cant go wrong with the Squier JM but if you are positive you want a Jazzmaster then the AVRI seems to be the one. Remember it is a Vintage Reissue though, they dont suit everyone.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:07 pm

Being used to playing CIJ JM's the tune-o-matic would put me off the JMJM. I once had a Classic Player and found that the tune-o-matic seemed to reduce the string spacing and I didn't like it. However if you're not used to playing a regular JM bridge this may not bother you, however if you're used to a Jaguar it may.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:16 pm

My worry with the AVRI would be bridge, we know most folk cant get on with it and its a lot of money to pay for a guitar to end up upgrading parts.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:24 pm

Getting a couple of sets of Graphtech TUSQ saddles for my JM's sorted my bridge problems forever. They're pretty cheap, but you're right that when you pay a decent amount for a guitar you don't want to be upgrading bits.

UlricvonCatalyst · Post by **UlricvonCatalyst** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:41 pm

I got a used CIJ JM, kept the body, neck and tuners and replaced everything else with fancy-schmancy shit like US trem, hand-wound pickups, black anodised scratchplate and the ever-popular Mastery bridge....and it still cost me less than a new AVRI. For my money it's a better guitar too, but maybe I'm just being a sentimental fool. There's a lot to be said for self-building, though, fer sure.

Concretebadger · Post by **Concretebadger** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:29 pm

UlricvonCatalyst wrote:I got a used CIJ JM, kept the body, neck and tuners and replaced everything else with fancy-schmancy shit like US trem, hand-wound pickups, black anodised scratchplate and the ever-popular Mastery bridge....and it still cost me less than a new AVRI. For my money it's a better guitar too, but maybe I'm just being a sentimental fool. There's a lot to be said for self-building, though, fer sure.

^Yes.

Numbers-wise, it's a sensible route to take if you want vintage specs like the original bridge. If you buy a CIJ, swap out the pickups, trem and possibly some of the wiring you've got yourself something that feels and sounds like an instrument that would've cost you twice as much. I paid less than Â£600 for mine if you include the train fare to collect it, plus the cost of the pickups on top of that. I'm still undecided about replacing the trem/tailpiece but it's my favourite guitar.

If you want a less 'traditional' axe with different pickup configurations or trem setups the question's a bit harder to answer. I tried a blacktop model (humbucker in the bridge, standard JM 'soapbar' in the neck) and it was a really nice guitar for the money. That was before the new crop of Squiers was announced though.

HNB · Post by **HNB** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:33 pm

The Squier Mustangs, Jags, and Jazzys are supposed to come out next month. I would hold off and give them a try as a more affordable option.