Lasermonkey Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 On the way to the dentist the other day, I popped into Cash Converters, just to seeif they had anything interesting. There was a red Jazzmaster in the shop window. It looked nice, but I thought it might have been a Blacktop, which wouldn't have been of real interest to me. Once I got home, I started having doubts that is was a Blacktop, and a bit of googling confirmed it must be a CIJ. I went back yesterday and after a bit if haggling, it was mine. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/lasermonkey/image_zpsb7a71f99.jpg[/IMG] I'm going to swap the black scratchplate for a tort one, the (very) white pup covers for aged ones and get some white witch hat knobs. Ultimately, I think I might get some Novak Gold Foils for it too. So, that's Jazzmaster no. three then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Well spotted and researched. Great job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe.staffs Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Congratulations. Is it a Q series by any chance? I ask because of the matching headstock. If so this series has a 'cult following!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasermonkey Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 The serial no. is T002848, which apparently dates it from '94/95 and was made in the Fuji factory. My other MIJ Jazzmaster is from 1986, the first year of production for Japanese Jazzmasters. What's different about the Q series? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe.staffs Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 The Q series ran around 2002 and basically introduced some really cool custom colours with matching headstocks. There is a myth (over at offset guitar forum) that these were higher quality than previous CIJ guitars. It isn't proven but is a good selling point. Also check out the limited edition blonde jm with red tort guard! Mmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 Very nice - congrats. I like the Jazzmaster shape, but not the trem system, but some day I should give one a serious try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 The Jazzmaster tone is fantastic, nice buy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasermonkey Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 The JM trem system is the only one I really get on with, although I do make my own trem arms. Mine are shorter and taller, puts my hand in my natural playing position. My other JMs are an Olympic White MIJ from "86 and an AVRI 'thin skin' in Daphne Blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe.staffs Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Thin Skins are so hard to find in the UK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted April 3, 2013 Share Posted April 3, 2013 Very nice, I've got a sunburst MIJ Jazzmaster from (I think) '98. The pickups were terrible so I replaced them with a pair of Mojo '58 JM pickups and it now sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasermonkey Posted April 3, 2013 Author Share Posted April 3, 2013 I was originally going to import the JM from Wildwood Guitars, but then the exchange rate went pear-shaped. A little while later one turned up in eBay UK at a price lower than the then current import price. I couldn't resist! [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/lasermonkey/image_zpsbb307aef.jpg[/IMG] It's a wonderful guitar. I only know one other thin skin JM in the UK, a Fiesta Red one in Glasgow (belonging to a fellow Teenage Fanclub fan :-) ) The '86 has 'proper' JM pups in it and from what I can tell, the first MIJ Jazzmasters used up Fender USA's left-overs. The red CIJ's pickups certainly don't sound as fat and sweet as the others, so they'll definitely be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasermonkey Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 Got the tort scratchplate today and fitted it immediately, along with some aged white pup covers. The covers that were on there are the brightest white I've seen! Before, along with siblings: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/lasermonkey/image_zpsb91337a4.jpg[/IMG] And after: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/lasermonkey/image_zpsd70e29a9.jpg[/IMG] That's more like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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