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Squier VM Jazzmaster - tempted!

Beer of the Bass

By Beer of the Bass,
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Beer of the Bass Mentor

Beer of the Bass

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I don't [i]need[/i] to change my guitar - it's a cheap AXL which with some setup tweaks does a decent job and has a bit of character about it. (It's this one here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207429-cheap-looking-things-which-actually-turned-out-to-be-alright/page__view__findpost__p__2075359"]http://basschat.co.u...ost__p__2075359[/url])
But every now and again I fancy something a bit more classic looking, and I'm never sure how much I like the neck finish on the AXL. I was passing by my local music shop this morning and checked out a Squier VM Jazzmaster - I like the looks and it meets my requirements of having a long scale length, single coils and a vibrato tailpiece. I tried the Jaguar too, but didn't get on with the short scale. The quality and finish seem great for the money, it sounds sparkly, spanky and lively and the vibrato works well. The shop setup wasn't perfect, but they never are. The bridge seems like the only obvious shortcoming, as it has a tendency for the saddle springs to rattle and the saddles can move when played hard. As I say, I could carry on playing the AXL, but I think the Jazzmaster would make me smile. Does anyone have any thoughts to persuade or dissuade me?

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Ruiner Rising Star

Ruiner

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*ahem* I have a practicaly brand new one up in the for sale section *ahem*

General consensus is that Jag and jazzmaster bridges were really designed for gauge 11's upwards. A well set up bridge with a decent string gauge on and some kind of lubricant on the nut and you shouldn't have any tuning/rattling problems.

I love my offset guitars.

:)

Edited by Ruiner
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Beer of the Bass Mentor

Beer of the Bass

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Right, I've made some progress in my Jazzmaster aquisition plan. Rather than springing for the Squier, I've bought a decent looking unfinished alder body from an eBay seller (it's one of these; [url="http://www.guitarbuild.co.uk/product.php?product=91"]http://www.guitarbui....php?product=91[/url]). I'll finish this and add other bits as and when I have spare cash. I haven't decided on pickups yet, as there aren't many affordable aftermarket Jazzmaster pickups out there, though there's nothing to stop me using some other type of pickup with a custom pickguard. Almost anything that gets that bright, clear single coil sound could work for me. I'm going to use the original style tremolo tailpiece, as that was one of the things I liked about the Squier.

Edited by Beer of the Bass
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GarethFlatlands Rising Star

GarethFlatlands

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[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1373723449' post='2140990']
Right, I've made some progress in my Jazzmaster aquisition plan. Rather than springing for the Squier, I've bought a decent looking unfinished alder body from an eBay seller (it's one of these; [url="http://www.guitarbuild.co.uk/product.php?product=91"]http://www.guitarbui....php?product=91[/url]). I'll finish this and add other bits as and when I have spare cash.
[/quote]

I considered that approach to building an Elvis Costello looking natural woodstained Jazzer but my DIY skills aren't gooe enough. let us know how you get on with it.

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GarethFlatlands Rising Star

GarethFlatlands

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[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1373816547' post='2141884']
I'm thinking of doing this one in a solid colour, using Molotow spray paints, as they're cheap and LukeFRC on here has had good results with them. I still need to find a neck...
[/quote]

Sounds good but look at this. I mean, it's beyond porn.



Edit:- I can recommend UK based Mojo pickups but they're not especially cheap. I got mine for a bargain price before he got up and running and was trying to get his name out there. If you want my old MIJ pickups to get them rewound (they're not great stock to be honest) I'd be happy to let them go. Get a Mustang bridge as the JM screw style is terrible. I considered some metal grommets around the bridge arms to keep the whole thing steady but have no accurate measuring tools to order some so again, never got round to it.

Edited by GarethFlatlands
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Stu-khag Community Regular

Stu-khag

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[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1373904518' post='2142940']
Sounds good but look at this. I mean, it's beyond porn.



Edit:- I can recommend UK based Mojo pickups but they're not especially cheap. I got mine for a bargain price before he got up and running and was trying to get his name out there. If you want my old MIJ pickups to get them rewound (they're not great stock to be honest) I'd be happy to let them go. Get a Mustang bridge as the JM screw style is terrible. I considered some metal grommets around the bridge arms to keep the whole thing steady but have no accurate measuring tools to order some so again, never got round to it.
[/quote]

I'd reccomend the bridge on that one!
tis a mastery (as reccomended by many pros- check their website) but alas a bit pricey. Mustang one is fine but I find it a little awkward to adjust and get it right.
I've had an AVRI 62 jazzmaster for over 10 years now. I've always been scared to gig it due to the nitro finish so a squier would be ideal to knock around with.
Nice to see offset bodies readily in the uk these days that are affordable.
I'm sure you might have seen other people are members of the offsetguitars forum. brilliant resource for pup choices etc. if you havent been there!

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GarethFlatlands Rising Star

GarethFlatlands

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[quote name='Stu-khag' timestamp='1373921695' post='2143295']
I'd reccomend the bridge on that one!
tis a mastery (as reccomended by many pros- check their website) but alas a bit pricey. Mustang one is fine but I find it a little awkward to adjust and get it right.
I've had an AVRI 62 jazzmaster for over 10 years now. I've always been scared to gig it due to the nitro finish so a squier would be ideal to knock around with.
Nice to see offset bodies readily in the uk these days that are affordable.
I'm sure you might have seen other people are members of the offsetguitars forum. brilliant resource for pup choices etc. if you havent been there!
[/quote]

The Mustang bridge isn't perfect but it's not as downright daft as the JM one, nor is it over a ton. In an ideal world I'd have the Mastery bridge, and I'm pleased they do the bridge grommets (they call them thimbles) that I mentioned so I clearly wasn't looking very hard! I might have to order some. I'll have a look over at the Offset forum, I've been considering getting a custom pickguard made without the top set of controls (never use them) but I might get some other ideas if I have a browse. Thanks.

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Beer of the Bass Mentor

Beer of the Bass

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Yeah, I've looked at the Mastery bridge, and while it looks good, it would absolutely blow my budget for this project! I'm a bit concerned that the Mustang bridge only comes in 7.5" radius though. I haven't got my neck yet, but it will likely be flatter than that. Some folk use tune-o-matics, but the spacing is wrong for a Fender. The Warmoth modified mustang bridge looks good;
[url="http://www.warmoth.com/Modified-Mustang-Bridge-Chrome-P616C700.aspx"]http://www.warmoth.com/Modified-Mustang-Bridge-Chrome-P616C700.aspx[/url]
I'm planning on leaving off the rhythm circuit controls on mine, and I'm trying to decide if I'm brave/foolhardy enough to order up the pickup flatwork and magnets and wind my own! I have a roll of 42 gauge wire stashed away, so it would be an option.

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Low End Bee Proficient

Low End Bee

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My guitarist uses this with an approximation of that bridge. It has no 'lock' and roller saddles. We were all expecting him to have to avoid using it but no matter how much he abused it last week in 30 degree heat it refused to go out of tune.



My mate Sam from the Transmitters also uses an old early 60s Jazzmaster that puts up with all sorts of nonsense and stays stable.

I'm thinking it may be set up issues with others or just a myth?

Edited by Low End Bee
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Beer of the Bass Mentor

Beer of the Bass

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I wonder if I should start a thread in Build Diaries? I've got my body and an inexpensive but quite decent Dr Parts neck. The neck has a 12" radius and the combination of neck/body geometry will put the strings quite high above the body (15mm at the bridge with the action at zero, several mm higher in practice). I could deepen the neck pocket to use the standard jazzmaster/mustang bridge, but the combination of flatter radius and high elevation are making me lean towards a tune-o-matic, maybe one of the Wilkinson roller versions.

EDIT: I've started a Build Diaries thread, so any further comments are best directed there; [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/212634-jazzmaster-guitar-build/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/212634-jazzmaster-guitar-build/[/url]

Edited by Beer of the Bass
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