No such thing as a cheap Jazzmaster...

[Mike Eskimo]

I'm glad I've never played one (literally 150+ guitars have passed thru my hands and never have I so much as touched one) because a bit of digging around and curiosity shows NO affordable standard Jazzmasters and extremely rare on the used market.

By "standard" I mean something akin to a MIM standard Tele - no substitutions, altered scale length, humbuckers, etc. Just a JM that looks like one from the 60's.

No affordable ones at all.

Well, that solves that.

No regrets, move it on down the road...

[Blazer]

No cheap Jazzmasters?


Not even this one?

And Squier is about to release THESE...

...later this year.

No cheap Jazzmasters eh? Looks like the good folks at Fender were thinking the same thing and decided to do something about it.

[B.G.]

Yeah, that's kept me away from jazzmasters too. Seems like the fanciest of the standard fender designs as far as that goes.

[Mekhem]

Yeah, your going to have to pay full nut if you want original tremelo position and vintage spec pick ups.

If you can deal with being moved forward a bit (theoretically better break angle) there are a number of inexpensive options.

The Squire J Mascis is fantastic and easily modded, as I suspect the VM series will be. One of these and a set of boo-tique pickups and your still half price of a used AVRI.

[w3stie]

They're nice looking guitars, but I haven't mastered jazz yet, so I'll have to pass.

[scantron81]

That Squier J. Mascis is legit. I seriously considered selling my Jazzmaster and getting the Squier version.

[bigmuff113]

The J Mascis Squiers are probably the best sub-$400 guitars you can find new or used. The VMs are all vintage spec but the pups are Duncan Designed. That is easily taken care of. Cutis Novak makes mean JM pups and D Allen is coming out with a JM set that is really close to 58 JM pickups.

[Mike Eskimo]

What are the necks like on the Mascis JM's ?

How is the pickguard swap on these ? I hate doing it on a Strat.

The J Mascis one is now in my sights and my guitar builder buddy has been notified to start shaking a can of black in preparation...

[musicmatty]

Originally Posted by bigmuff113

The J Mascis Squiers are probably the best sub-$400 guitars you can find new or used. The VMs are all vintage spec but the pups are Duncan Designed. That is easily taken care of. Cutis Novak makes mean JM pups and D Allen is coming out with a JM set that is really close to 58 JM pickups.

Not sure what you mean Vintage Spec' My VM Jazzmaster has a modern 9.5 radius Also, the Duncan Designed pups are Excellent for my taste..they are full and sweet sounding. Also I might add, it's the only guitar that I have bought that I didn't feel the need to change or modify anything.Of course, taste is purely subjective and I'm sure you can find something you like better..but those stock pups are not to bad

Both pups first then switching to neck pup


With Blues Tweed Deluxe Reissue

[DrumBob]

That Squier J. Mascis is a killer guitar. I played one and fell in love with it. There might be one with my name on it soon.

[klasaine]

Look for 2nd hand and be patient - ?
I found one right here at the tdpri for $625 shipped.
A sunburst CIJ (all correct specs) with Seymour Duncan 'vintage JM' pkups.

[RubyRae]

Ya, the J Masics is the best thing they have come out with as far as affordable Jazzmaster.
The VM's are not really close to a traditional jazzmaster.

I'm with you on the pickguard change out Mike, it's tedious but worth it.
I like the white body, just not the gold guard.

[bugo]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

What are the necks like on the Mascis JM's ?

The frets are HUGE. They stick way up off the fretboard and make sliding a bit more of a challenge. Other than that I love the guitar and I hope to have one soon.

[62 Jazzmaster]

My '62 was $300, the most I'd ever paid for a guitar, but it's gone up in value somewhat since I bought it in '76.

[kupasa]

I love my Squier JMJM. And so does my friends. I own american, mexican, korean made guitars and this little gem was by far the best right out of the box.

[rhythmjones]

[QUOTE=musicmatty;4173892]Not sure what you mean Vintage Spec' My VM Jazzmaster has a modern 9.5 radius Also, the Duncan Designed pups are Excellent for my taste..they are full and sweet sounding. Also I might add, it's the only guitar that I have bought that I didn't feel the need to change or modify anything.Of course, taste is purely subjective and I'm sure you can find something you like better..but those stock pups are not to bad

I think he meant the new, upcoming VMs not the hardtail/maple neck one.