Great review. Best one on this model I've come across. I've been gigging for almost 40 years. Nothing wrong with building your own. Have built a couple myself but in the end they're not Fenders. I own a 2011 American Deluxe Strat as well as a 2016 American Professional Tele. I was super curious about the Fender JV series so I bought one and basswood or not, it flat out sounds and feels like a proper Fender strat should. Keep the great reviews coming.
You deemphasize the soft V neck (Fat neck phobia--kinda like trans phobia but more in touch with reality.) but would you say it is comparable to an Eric Clapton from 20 years ago or so? There is a cadre of us that think fat necks are the thing. I love the sound of this guitar. I really like the presentation of this guitar in the demo. The chordal work is awesome and it makes me think I need one of these.
@Stelios Stylios I'm not transphobic or trans-phobic-phobic. I have no fear of trans people as they don't exist in reality. At least I've never seen a man become a woman.
Good review, and nice looking and o.k sounding strat with all the features a guy like me who has been on stage for thirty years needs. However, it's just like Fender to make this beauty and then use cheap Basswood for the body. Everything else (except maybe the tuners, bridge and block) is just right on with this strat except the afore mentioned, and of course "the price". With this CHEAP BASSWOOD body, the price should be half of what they are asking Japanese reissue or not. It's not like it's a road worn or custom shop piece. Honestly, I can make this exact guitar (no discounts mind you) using the same (or similar upgrades) parts, soft V neck and even upgrade the body to ALDER... and it would cost me around $600.00-$700.00 max and I don't have overseas contacts or near the buying power of Fender. It's a fact that this strat is made overseas and not in the U.S. So why the high price point? I mean if it was around $600.00-$700.00 I would buy it and live with the Basswood body and maybe the zinc block. It's sad to say, because I love Fender guitars (I have around twenty), but there are SO MANY cheaper and better alternatives in the knock off strat market today. But, to each his own I guess. These days, I just build my own with all the things I really want in professional guitar. Then paint it the color I like, and every time it's always under 1k (except once when I spent $700.00 on a set of hard to get pups). Yikes I'll never do that again. Thanks for letting me prattle on. PEACE.
Doing some homework; great demo buddy! Thanks!!!
Great review. Best one on this model I've come across. I've been gigging for almost 40 years. Nothing wrong with building your own. Have built a couple myself but in the end they're not Fenders. I own a 2011 American Deluxe Strat as well as a 2016 American Professional Tele. I was super curious about the Fender JV series so I bought one and basswood or not, it flat out sounds and feels like a proper Fender strat should. Keep the great reviews coming.
I have the 50’s jv tele and have felt no need to change anything but strings. Might pick this up. I cant tell its not Alder at all.
what are u using for distortion?
Are the tuners locking
?
Yeah they're the vintage style lockers, there's a cam in the slot on top that locks in the string.
You deemphasize the soft V neck (Fat neck phobia--kinda like trans phobia but more in touch with reality.) but would you say it is comparable to an Eric Clapton from 20 years ago or so? There is a cadre of us that think fat necks are the thing. I love the sound of this guitar. I really like the presentation of this guitar in the demo. The chordal work is awesome and it makes me think I need one of these.
@Stelios Stylios I'm not transphobic or trans-phobic-phobic. I have no fear of trans people as they don't exist in reality. At least I've never seen a man become a woman.
I have a 335 with a fat neck. And a American standard strat .but this soft v on this 57 jv is incredible ..man you'll love it..I did ...
It’s pretty thin. I have an American pro 2 strat and the neck on it is way more chunky than the jv.
Good review, and nice looking and o.k sounding strat with all the features a guy like me who has been on stage for thirty years needs.
However, it's just like Fender to make this beauty and then use cheap Basswood for the body. Everything else (except maybe the tuners, bridge and block) is just right on with this strat except the afore mentioned, and of course "the price". With this CHEAP BASSWOOD body, the price should be half of what they are asking Japanese reissue or not. It's not like it's a road worn or custom shop piece. Honestly, I can make this exact guitar (no discounts mind you) using the same (or similar upgrades) parts, soft V neck and even upgrade the body to ALDER... and it would cost me around $600.00-$700.00 max and I don't have overseas contacts or near the buying power of Fender.
It's a fact that this strat is made overseas and not in the U.S. So why the high price point? I mean if it was around $600.00-$700.00 I would buy it and live with the Basswood body and maybe the zinc block.
It's sad to say, because I love Fender guitars (I have around twenty), but there are SO MANY cheaper and better alternatives in the knock off strat market today. But, to each his own I guess. These days, I just build my own with all the things I really want in professional guitar. Then paint it the color I like, and every time it's always under 1k (except once when I spent $700.00 on a set of hard to get pups). Yikes I'll never do that again. Thanks for letting me prattle on. PEACE.
Sounds great to me. Basswood or not lol.
Ernie Ball makes lots their guitars with basswood, as long as it's a good piece it'll sound as good or better than anything.
Steve Morse doesn't mind playing his basswood signature guitars. If it's good for him it's good for me.
😂 that was a long and unintentionally funny post.
I didn't read all of that, but all I know is that I scored one for 750 out of 1350 USD it costs, so I'm glad and happy with my purchase