NGD: Classic Vibe Jazzmaster...

[Coda]

A week ago, I got a Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster. I don’t think pictures are necessary...imagine a 3-tone sunburst Jazzmaster with a red tortoiseshell pickguard. Got the guitar from Sweetwater. It arrived a day late (due to FedEx), but did show up. It was expertly boxed; as expected from Sweetwater. Out of the box it was no where near playable. The guitar come with 9’s, which, for a Jazzmaster, is totally inadequate. Luckily, I ordered a set of proper Jazzmaster strings: LaBella Jazz Flats, 11-50 (using the included unwound G...a .020 gauge plain string).

I gave the guitar a proper set up: I “assisted” the bridge height (with a touch of Elmer’s) gave the neck some slight relief, and spent some time on the fretboard. My biggest and only complaint about this guitar is the fretboard. The Indian Laurel fretboard is horrible. It has open grain, and was as rough as sand paper. I applied fretboard oil (whatever comes in the Dunlop kit), and let it sit for 20 mins.

Once it was set up the guitar played great. The trem needed some adjustment (it squeaked), but it’s nice and smooth now. The tone is great too. I have no Jazzmaster “pre-sets”: nothing i have studied/listened to featured a Jazzmaster. Give me a Les Paul and I know what a Les Paul can do, same with a tele or Strat. The Jazzmaster is completely new to me, which is exactly why I got it. I especially enjoy the rhythm circuit. As a result of the Jazzmaster I have gotten back to jazzy chord melodies, as well as the Ventures, for some reason.

I wanted this thread to be informative. This is a great guitar. I have been playing guitar since 1999, and have owned several Squier’s. This guitar does not feel like a Squier, at least one I’ve played before. After a week of playing, I don’t even notice the rough fretboard...though I can still see the open grain.

I would recommend the Classic Vibe Jazzmaster. While there other Jazzmasters available, I have only ever played mine. So this may not be all that useful of a thread, but I am enjoying this guitar immensely. It has opened an entirely new world to me.

 

[knucklehead]

Squier upped their game. I came by a Bass VI as an alternative to the custom shop or vintage offerings when they were first floated. My first electric was a Mustang so I knew what to expect (and fix) from the trem and bridge. The only real disappointment I had was the crap plastic nut - I use huge gauges anyway so its replacement was a part of the up-front plan.

I helped a friend acquire a Jazzmaster - I understand the love for them. They never caught on the way Fender planned for them to. Sounds like you got a good one - congrats!

 

[Coda]

Squier upped their game. I came by a Bass VI as an alternative to the custom shop or vintage offerings when they were first floated. My first electric was a Mustang so I knew what to expect (and fix) from the trem and bridge. The only real disappointment I had was the crap plastic nut - I use huge gauges anyway so its replacement was a part of the up-front plan.

I helped a friend acquire a Jazzmaster - I understand the love for them. They never caught on the way Fender planned for them to. Sounds like you got a good one - congrats!

The Classic Vibe Jazzmaster comes with a bone nut. I did have to widen a few of the slots when switching to the 11’s. I went into it knowing it would be set up horribly. I have found that being prepared is the #1 rule of off-set guitars. That and being comfortable with the eccentricities off the guitar (things like the squeaky trem arm)...

 

[FrendanBraser]

Last year I took a plunge and purchased my first two squiers due to the rave reviews they were getting and the weird config (I found the idea of a Tele that's a Jazzmaster and a Jazzmaster that's a Tele too funny). Have to say I'm blown away. There as good as any fender I own (granted I don't have any MIA models) and only my reverend is noticeably leagues ahead. Set up was on point out of the box, although I've put the strings up to 10.5, not big on 9s. I am going to mod them. I've already put in a new bridge pickup offset tele that I hand wound, and think I'm going to put a 6 saddle gotoh bridge on it down the line. The pickups in the cabronita aren't actually Jazzmaster pups, they're sort of p90 style but they sound good and I'm going to use it as a platform to install my own Jazzmaster pups once I get round to making them. Both are also gonna get the gloss on the neck taken back a bit. Couldn't be happier, definitely think I'll grab another squier

 

[peccary]

Squier have stepped it up for sure. I really dig the Classic Vibe series of basses they are currently doing and have heard great reviews but haven't had the chance to play any myself with COVID life. Sounds like you've gotten yourself a pretty sweet guitar.

I have an automatic affection for Jazzmasters as an Elvis Costello nut, so I think it's a great choice

I would probably take a pass on the Affinity series line, but a CV P bass with some Fralins or Lollars would likely make me very happy and would be great for a gig at Bob's Country Bunker.

 

[Coda]

Squier have stepped it up for sure. I really dig the Classic Vibe series of basses they are currently doing and have heard great reviews but haven't had the chance to play any myself with COVID life. Sounds like you've gotten yourself a pretty sweet guitar.

I have an automatic affection for Jazzmasters as an Elvis Costello nut, so I think it's a great choice

I would probably take a pass on the Affinity series line, but a CV P bass with some Fralins or Lollars would likely make me very happy and would be great for a gig at Bob's Country Bunker.

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