Ever pick up a guitar in the shop and wish you hadn't? Yeah we've all done it. And you wish you hadn't because you find yourself juggling figures in your head to find a way to buy it.

Especially when it wasn't what you thought you'd like.

I gave a test drive to a nice surf green example in my LGS a few days ago, and its a genuinely nice piece of kit. The main reason I went in was to try out a Roadworn Jaguar. Quirky guitar yes, but I've had a soft spot for Jags for years and once you get your head around the switching (and the scale length of you don't like 24 3/4) they're really nice guitars. I always subconsciously saw the Jazzmaster as the uglier sister.

This isn't a full review of anything like that, but give one a bash for yourself. There's a lot of really decent sound to get out of it. I'd need more time playing around with the rhythm circuit (a little too woolly on short acquaintance for me) and the bridge alone was a little too bright (again, some tweaking would probably sort that) but what a nice guitar. The neck and mid positions could almost cover some Tele turf.

The only real gripe I had was the nitro finish on the neck. Fender claim a nitro finish for the guitar, but the Alder body is in poly and the neck in nitro - which is a bit of a cheeky claim. As new its a bit on the thick & sticky side, but nothing a little steel wool etc couldn't sort. They're made in Mexico, but incorporate a fair amount of American Vintage model parts. Price around the R17k mark.

'Scuse me while I go and think about what I could trade or sell to fund one in the new year.

FTCL's Jazzmaster. It's a squire, but who cares. It's lovely. I now also want a JM. Damn you FTCL, damn you!

Pic:

yeah, that's hot! :-[

Smokin' hot.

Is the 17k before discount? It sounds damn high for an MIM Jazzmaster.

I'm guessing so. but it IS a $999 model. :'(
That is currently R16090.00. Thanks exchange rate. :'( :'( :'(

That's priced down here in East London. You guys in the bigger centers usually get better discounts thanks to competition between the big shops.

Keira WitherKay wrote: but yes the price is very high .... i seen some original USA ones doing the rounds for less than that of course 2nd hand so shop around.... rule of thumb in this economy is keep the cash on hand and soon as someone advertises one make an offer ... cash money talks ....

Yeah. This. Jazzmasters in great colours like this aren't every day. But that's a lot of coin to spend when it's going to drop 40% when you take it out the door. If you wait around for a good one 2nd hand, it'll maintain its value. It's a tough decision, because jazzmasters don't come up as much as a lot of other guitars. But I'd do what Keira suggests.

you guys are forgetting, the jazzmaster range is tiny.

Squire has the Vintage Modified and J Mascis Signature JM. ($299 - $399)

MIM models include the Special Edition Blacktop, Standard HH, Classic Player Special, Road worn '60s, and '60s Lacquer JM. ($499 - $999)

The only American model(s) now is the American Vintage '65 JM - $2299 (excluding the Jim Root and Troy Van Leeuwen Signatures.)

Only 10 models, of which, only 3 are MIA. There is no American Standard JM. And the Mexican JM's command high prices.

That $999 I quoted earlier for the 60's lacquer is STREET price, not US retail. As are the others.


Also, i trawl the FB music sale groups, and only the Squier one's ever come up, if at all.

i know Ronnie from Allbang and strummit (shop near northcliff jhb) had some refinished ones USA and original 60's or 70's going ...so maybe give him a call ......i almost pulled the trigger on one before i had my custom guitar built .... it was about same or less than what you would pay for the MIM at the price you quoting ...can't hurt to call him