AVRI Jazzmaster

[jonhart]

I found a very nice AVRI Jazzmaster on CL for $1000 or trade for other Fenders, or Gibsons. I'm seriously considering trading my 89 American Standard Tele for the JM. I know it's a fair trade, but what can you guys tell me about the Jazzmaster ? I don't have a guitar with P90s so that would be cool. I'm not a fan of rosewood fretboards though, I prefer maple so that is realy the only thing that's making me say no. Is this just being stupid, should I get that out of my head and go try that guitar ? Keep in mind that my 89 Tele is the most expensive guitar I own. It's not my #1, but it seems special for some reason. Should I offer my Tele and atleast go check out the JM ?

[elsewhere]

You should play the JM before you decide on the trade. They're a very different beast to other Fender guitars and a somewhat acquired taste and they have their own quirks, such as the tremolo system and the rhythm circuit. They are also a bit tricky to set up right and unless you are a really light-handed player, require an aftermarket bridge (such as a Mastery Bridge or a Mustang one) or rather heavy strings. Otherwise there will be issues with the bridge.

That said, you really should go try it out, because the first time I laid my hands on a JM I realized what true love is when it comes to guitars. On paper, I would do the trade in a heartbeat. And by the way, the pickups in a Jazzmaster are not P90 pickups even if they do look like them. They're their own breed with wide coils and a bit darker tone than your standard single coil (and therefore quite close to a P90, but not quite).

[purpletele]

Just a few things.

-If you feel your AM STD is special, I wouldn't get rid of it. You will likely miss it.

-Used American Standards are in the $600-$700 range. You would be getting a heck of a deal.

-Jazzmaster pickups are not P90's. The J Mascis pupsn are close, but an AV RI is not. They're great pickups though.

If I wasn't attacheed to the tele, I'd do it. I love Jazzmasters. The AV RI's are super nice guitars.

[Green Lantern]

Hmm... I have both an American Vintage Reissue Jazzmaster and an American Series Telecaster. It would be very difficult for me to pick a favorite out of those two. Tough decision, indeed. You should go try the Jazzmaster and see how you like it for yourself.

[jonhart]

Originally Posted by purpletele

Just a few things.

-If you feel your AM STD is special, I wouldn't get rid of it. You will likely miss it.

-Used American Standards are in the $600-$700 range. You would be getting a heck of a deal.

-Jazzmaster pickups are not P90's. The J Mascis pupsn are close, but an AV RI is not. They're great pickups though.

If I wasn't attacheed to the tele, I'd do it. I love Jazzmasters. The AV RI's are super nice guitars.

I don't think it would be a heck of a deal. My Tele is an 89 Standard. I've seen an 89 sell for $1200, but it was in perfect condition. Mine is probably in the $800-$1000 range. It's a fair trade, but I realy like my Tele however it isn't my favorite. My favorite Tele is a partscaster.

[jonhart]

Originally Posted by elsewhere

You should play the JM before you decide on the trade. They're a very different beast to other Fender guitars and a somewhat acquired taste and they have their own quirks, such as the tremolo system and the rhythm circuit. They are also a bit tricky to set up right and unless you are a really light-handed player, require an aftermarket bridge (such as a Mastery Bridge or a Mustang one) or rather heavy strings. Otherwise there will be issues with the bridge.

That said, you really should go try it out, because the first time I laid my hands on a JM I realized what true love is when it comes to guitars. On paper, I would do the trade in a heartbeat. And by the way, the pickups in a Jazzmaster are not P90 pickups even if they do look like them. They're their own breed with wide coils and a bit darker tone than your standard single coil (and therefore quite close to a P90, but not quite).

Thanks for the info on the pickups, I never knew that. As for the bridge, the guy said he'll include a Mustang bridge in the trade/sale so that's taken care of. I definetly wouldn't be able to use the stock bridge if it prefers heavier strings. I use EB Super Slinkies wich are 9's so that wouldn't work. I could get it and put the Mustang bridge on it though.

[jonhart]

I finaly thought it through and I decided to contact the guy. I E-mailed him and told him what I have, and attached some pics of the Tele. It seemed like the best thing to do. Just contact him and see what he says, he might not even be interested in a Tele. If I end up not liking the JM, I can just say I don't want to trade. It's worth checking out atleast, I know they are very good guitars.

[Green Lantern]

I, personally, don't think that's entirely fair. An '89 Telecaster isn't vintage, and American Vintage Reissue guitars are close to the highest production guitars Fender makes. To top it off, Jazzmasters are very popular and have high resale-ability. This is not to say that Telecasters aren't popular. Clearly, they're more popular, but that leads to way more of them floating around out there. AVRI Jazzmasters are very easy to sell for pretty high prices. Personally, if I was the dude with the Jazzy, I wouldn't do the trade, but I clearly don't have his perspective, so...

Also, what finish is the Jazzmaster? If it's anything other than white, sunburst, or black, that gives the Jazzmaster even more value.

[Mad Kiwi]

I, personally, don't think that's entirely fair.

Why is that the op's issue, If the guy does the trade and our guy wins, what is wrong with that?

To the OP, I really really like my CP jazzmaster and Jaguar, so much so that I have a wildwood Jag AVRI coming.

My question is, do you really need two teles? ESPECIALLY if you like the Jazzmaster after playing it.

Problem is they took a while to grow on me...and I think they do in general so maybe you should go and play one in a guitar shop first and then play the one on offer. That way your mind will have had a chance to wrap itself around the feel, sound etc...

[Green Lantern]

Originally Posted by Mad Kiwi

Why is that the op's issue, If the guy does the trade and our guy wins, what is wrong with that?

Well, I don't care one way or the other about how his deal goes down, I was just giving my opinion on this particular statement...

Originally Posted by jonhart

I don't think it would be a heck of a deal. My Tele is an 89 Standard. I've seen an 89 sell for $1200, but it was in perfect condition. Mine is probably in the $800-$1000 range. It's a fair trade, but I realy like my Tele however it isn't my favorite. My favorite Tele is a partscaster.

Meaning that if he did pull off the deal, I think he'd be getting a good... deal, because I think the Jazzmaster is more valuable. Monetarily, that is.

[jonhart]

The JM is probably worth a little more, however it is just the standard Sunburst model. The point of trading is to get something that you like, not to get the better end of the deal. It is always better when you get the trade that's worth more, but it's still a good trade if you're happy with what you got. I did a realy good trade to get that black Tele. I traded my Gibson SG Special for it. I had the SG listed on CL for $750, that Tele is easily worth $800+. Getting back to the JM trade, the guy replied and it just so happens that the one Tele he owns is black. He doesn't want another Tele that looks exactly like the one he already has.

[Mad Kiwi]

Bugger!