Fender Jazzmaster which to choose?

[Dixie_Crap]

Hi,

I have recently fallen in love with the look of jazzmasters and am thinking of taking the plunge...
I have heard bad things about their bridges (buzz, etc).

So the new classic player with the tun-o-matic bridge seems like the ideal solution, plus it has hotter pickups.

But, it doesn't look as pretty as the 62' reissue and has a polyurethane finish that I imagine wont wear as nicely as the 62s nitro-cellulose finish.
Colour is also playing a role in it all, because I love the Jazzmaster in white and thats only available on the 62 resissue.

Would the bridge from the clasic player fit onto the 62 reissue without any modification?

So basically its a question of classic player or 62 reissue?

opinions needed!

cheers
dixie_cr@p

[gwEm]

i'm not a jazzmaster expert - but i love the guitar and have looked into the various options.

except for the colour, the classic player is the obvious choice. but colour is important, as we all know. that MIM poly finish is unfortunate. i'm pimping a MIM 70s classic strat at the moment - an excellently put together guitar - but the poly is a bit of a let down - but only because the rest is so good.

apparently there is stuff you can do to a jazzmaster with original bridge to fix it - basically you change the bridge, or do something to give it more tension:

* going for really heavy strings (ie - heavier than 11s) does help alot.

* you can also bodge a tune-a-matic or mustang bridge into the cups of the original intonation piece. it can be done without too much work using tape around the posts. if you want to fit it properly you have to remove the cups, fill the holes, and fit the bridge properly.

* fit a buzz stop to the tremolo: http://www.northcoastmusic.com/buzzstop/

i would try the buzz-stop first if it were me. personally though, this all sounded like a bit of an effort, so i decided to put together my own jazzmaster from parts - work in progress at the moment - hopefully should have it ready around christmas time.

[badgermark]

The CP also has the trem closer to the bridge, increasing the break angle. It should remove a lot of the sympathetic noise you get from the traditional bridge placement.

I know what you mean about the colour though, i love the white, but the black is also pretty cool looking. As for finishes, i don't really care nor would notice the difference. Not like i'm stroking the poly when playing.

[jpfamps]

I've played plenty of Jazzmasters. They do tend to vary a lot, so I would try a few before making a decision.

As stated above the Achilles heel is the bridge, which doesn't have much break angle, and hence not much sustain. Not sure how you could get around this.

Jazzmasters do benefit from heavy strings. 11s are a good option. The guitar was designed for jazz players and who would be using heavy flat-wound strings. Again sustain is not an issue here!

Apart from looking very cool, it's likely Jazzmasters became popular with bands as old Strats and Teles became unaffordable.

[Infliktor]

Go with the AVRI  nitro finish does make a difference unless you get a really thin coat of poly which aint happening with the classics.

Dont worry about the bridge, a good setup will take care of any issues and youl  have a whammy when you occasionally need it

DONT do the buzzstop thing.  it sucks tone.

Olympic white is awesome color. My first tele was and I miss it

Me I am into sparkles now LOL

[Philly Q]

Me I am into sparkles now LOL

Aaarghhh!  My eyes!  I'M BLIND!!! 

Seriously though, that looks awesome.  Are they actually Fenders, or custom builds?

[Infliktor]

Fender Masterbuilt to my specs.  They are New Orleans/Katrina themed guitars

[WezV]

i like the spanglyness!!

but then if i was going to get a jazz it would have to be one of the signitures

i am torn between the purple spanglyness of the j mascis:


and the rawness of the Elvis Costello:

[gwEm]

Dont worry about the bridge, a good setup will take care of any issues and youl  have a whammy when you occasionally need it

DONT do the buzzstop thing.  it sucks tone.

good jazzmaster knowledge to know

[Ratrod]

I like the new upgraded players Jazzmaster but if you prefer the vibe of the '62, go for it.

The weak spot IS the bridge. But it can be upgraded. You can put Mustang saddles in it or swap it for a complete Mustang bridge. The loose saddles should pop right in, a complete bridge requires some adjustments.

See here for everything there is to know about jags, stangs and jazzmmasters: http://www.jag-stang.com/

[FernandoDuarte]

Warmoth does a better quality bridge, for what a know...
Never played even with a Fender, so this is a "is what I've heard" thing...

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/vintage.cfm?fuseaction=bridgeinfo