Here's my philosophy: I've always found it easier to make a clean guitar sound muddy (through pedals, amp effects, etc) than it is to make a muddy guitar sound clean. It's for this reason that I bought a Jaguar and a couple of mid/bass-heavy overdrive and fuzz pedals. With the right setup, you can make a Jaguar sound about as dark as you'd want - giving you the best of both worlds.
The rhythm circuit on the Jazzmaster makes sense when you keep in mind it was originally targeting jazz players. It actually does do that 50s jazz sound pretty well.
@@lucasimmons075 funny 'cause i enjoy playin' steve howe riffs, solos and licks on a Tele....have you ever played i've seen all good people on a tele???'....or the intro riff to siberian khatru.......however, great guitar the jazzmaster....i haven't got one but i think i should....cheers mate.....
@@mytelecasterworld3336 Teles are great for a lot of his stuff too, especially his bright twangy stuff like you listed. I also couldn't imagine playing CttE, Awaken or especially South Side of the Sky without a Tele
FINALLYYY SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T PUT DISTORTION ON THE DEMO'S I really wish people stopped doing that... I swear every amp or pedal demo I see has distortion added, but I just wanna hear the clean sound so I know how it works. Not every guitarist uses distortion or uses distortion ALL the time. Am I the only one who feels like this?
You're not alone! One of the best things you can do with these old style guitars is put them through a compressor pedal (I use a Strymon OB1) and it really sqeezes more tone out fo the guitar.
@@DatBoi-mo9vc Overdrive or boost yeah, but not distortion. I play fingerstyle and clean electric stuff so I like it when reviews test out the clean/cleanish sound of a guitar, it helps me understand what the guitar will sound like for my style of playing and not just for AC/DC covers
Imagine if Fender made a Jazzuar, with a 'humbucker' like a Seymour P-Rail, but made from a jazzmaster and jaguar pup, with triple-shot style switches as well as 'standard jaguar switching. THAT would be versatile. Next parallel universe model, Fender, please!
That... is not possible, considering how jazzmaster pickup must be made. Sorry. But I tried to imagine it in my head and had a great laught at final monster my brain made. So thank you! Hah...
@@_-_Michael_-_ Maybe come at the problem from a different angle... If, between two jazzmaster pups was a 'humbucker' made from two jaguar pups, but all the coils in the circuit could be manipulated with phase reversal/series-parallel/stacked to act as any variation of the four coils. As long as you have signal you can manipulate it.
I have the Cobain Jaguar, which isn’t perfect (mainly the tunomatic bridge) but it’s got humbuckers and some unique switching. The way it’s wired up, the Rhythm circuit can be used as a kill switch, which I use A LOT for stutters. If they took that guitar, added the new Johnny Mar bridge style and a coil tap it’d be an incredibly versatile take on the classic offset
I bought a Jazzmaster last week, and I can scarcely believe how good the Squier Classic Vibe versions are. Already has a Mustang bridge on it from the factory!
Classic Vibe is such a quality range of instruments. Have the 50s P bass. Changed the pickup to my liking, replaced the output jack and I couldn't hope for a better bass.
Jaguars don’t get enough love. Something about the shorter scale length with heavier strings just gets a percussive attack I love and don’t get on other short scales. Like the Jazzmaster I think that bridge setup does something with the sound you get, all these sympathetic vibrations and harmonics coming through. Both are among my favorite guitars, even though they are temperamental to setup
def agree about the jazz bridge and harmonics or vibrations. ive been a tele girl for like 17 years and just got a jazzy recently and i feel like it just sounds more alive somehow and it's all coming from the bridge somehow IMO when i was investigating
I think the problems are too many switches which gives them a cluttered look (except for the Am Pros) and the super-short scale. I even called Fender, asking for a longer scale, like a 24 1/2" or 24 3/4" to be more compatible to a Gibson, but the kid said it would cost too much to re-tool. Funny though, how they have a zillion models including the Parallel Universe's and can only make a 24" or 25 1/2" scale guitar.
@@captainamerica9353 yeah, but a longer scale Jaguar is basically a Jazzmaster so it wouldn’t make much sense for Fender to make one. The whole appeal of Jags to me is the short scale, it’s responsible for the defining sonic characteristics of the guitar. It lets you put heavy strings on it and it’s still easily playable. I have 11s on mine, standard tuning, and it’s easier to play than one of my strats with 10s. The low notes on it are big, chunky but still with a percussive snap to them.
The Jazzmaster is way more underrated and most people I see online and have talked to irl most of them prefer the jag. Personally I'm more of a Jazzmaster nut
I've used my Jazzmaster with P90's for Post Black metal for years, it's doing a great job. I used it on our two first records, on the last record I switched to a Toronado. mainly because I wanted a shorter neck.
@@Tableworm I’m a kind of budget boi and a humbucker fan so I don’t have any fenders but I do have a Squier tele that I never use. And my other ones are 24 frets with humbuckers and middle single coil for 2 of em and the other is hh and my last one is a Gibson SG with emgs in it.
Thanks for the no B.S. analysis. You kept the focus on the guitars in question and successfully refrained from shifting the focus to your playing skills. Yes! More please.
I own both. I got a Jaguar in my early 20’s, and picked up a Jazzmaster in my late 20’s. Both are incredible in their own way, and I hope to keep them for as long as I live.
The American Professional II Jazzmaster used in the video does not really have a rhythm circuit. What the switch does is putting the two pickups in series to achieve a humbucker-like tone. The actual rhythm circuit (that you can get on other JM models) sounds quite different from what you hear in this video: it is much darker (and a bit muddier), but it is a very interesting and usable tone in its own right. Having said that, I do think the series mod is one of the most useful and best-sounding mods you could have on a Jazzmaster and Fender has absolutely hit the nail on the head with the AmPro II!
Also the CME Jag has 250k pots, so it's not really the classic lead circuit. Vinteras or Classic Vibes would have made for better examples of traditional jag/jazz.
@Jonathan M. Buy a Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster or a used Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster. Either can be had for less than $1000, and they are both quality guitars. Both of those have single-coil Jazzmaster pickups and rhythm circuits.
Probably one of the best videos I seen covering the two. I’ve recently started finding these guitars interesting but I’m a simple man and haven’t really gone nerd when it comes to a particular tone so it seems overwhelming. I’m a blessed man and own all kinds of guitars but never owned a jazz master or jaguar. Thanks for the info be blessed. 😎👍
I know I am late to the game here, but that first riff you played on the Jaguar demo was one of the best clean tones I have ever heard. I have a new appreciation for the Jag after this. Thanks for opening my ears.
For me, a Jaguar is almost like a rickenbacker with slightly scooped mids and an amazing top end jangle. PERFECT for early 60s surf, psych, western, you name it .The jazz is more upper mid-forward, dare I say a bit anemic or nasally sounding but cuts through the mix like a knife. The quintessential 90s/2000s alternative/indie rock guitar. Both are amazing but quite different and shouldn’t be lumped together IMO but for the looks and trem. By the way, the newer classic vibe Jaguar is fucking amazing. I have it and it rivals my more expensive guitars any day of the week. Block inlays even!!
My oldest friend is my '62 Jazzmaster, purchased as a 13 year old, about to turn 77, but me and that axe have certainly had a life together. Have owned more than a dozen other guitars, but I always wind up back on the Jazzmaster. Put in Humbuckers in '73, which changed the sound, but I loved it. Played through a Marshall, bi-amped through both channels, and totally kicked ass. Don't play much anymore, but it still sits on a stand, ready to be picked up anytime.
Did you prefer the humbuckers? I'm a big fan of Fender single-coil sound. I had a telecaster ages ago, and I miss it to this day. It was a copy, but had that baseball bat feel, and I LOVED the sound.
How did the Jag compare to the Jazzmaster in your hand, would you say? I can't stand up and play anymore, I'm near 60 myself. I have heard that the offset bodies are much better for playing sitting down.
Uh, P90s are also single coils... Jazzmaster coils are very similar to P90s, but they use polepiece magnets versus P90 using bar magnets on the bottom with metal polepieces.
I virtually lived in London's Denmark St. and I've never seen anyone explain what all the switches did. It was part of the mystique of the instrument LOL!
Great comparison and demo, loved it! Very informative and nice playing too! Both are classic looking beautiful guitars, loved your blue Jaguar! The Jazzmaster in the rhythm circuit (aroind 3:25 or so) sounded beautiful!
Remember the Jazzmaster/Jaguar did not sell at all in the 60's, excepting some surf bands. It wasn't until the 90's when bands like Sonic youth, Nirvana, My bloody Valentine, and Dinosaur Jr. made them hip. Tom Verlaine said the reason why he choose a jazzmaster is that they cost 75$$$ in 1975. Kurt played Mustangs and duo-sonics cause he could get them for 40-50 $$ at pawn shops. I think they are good guitars but not what collector scum are asking for them.
Back in the mid '70's I bought a 65 Jaguar for 20 bucks. They were everywhere for around that price. Nobody wanted them. I wish I had hung on to it. I can't find one at a reasonable price now, and all the reissue guitars I have tried kind of suck.
I LOVE Jazzmasters, Jaguars look great too, but i prefer the full lenght scale much more, and the middle position of a JM is heaven, love those pickups.
I’ve been wanting a Jazzmaster or Jaguar for a little while now. This is helping me chose which one I want. Thanks great video I’ve always wondered the differences.
From Leo: Thanks for the review. I have been playing a Jazzmaster for decades. I really appreciate the tones of a Jaguar but cannot get along with that short 24 inch scale length. The 25-1/2 on the Jazzmaster is more natural for me to play. I think I will build Jaguar electronics into a full scale guitar., maybe a Strat.
Really an excellent video! I have owned both models. Back in the 80s I had a ´65 Jaguar in Lake Placid Blue with a matching headstock. It was in mint condition, and was an absolute beauty! I also acquired another mid-60s Jaguar in 3-tone Sunburst. Fast forward 30 years and I now am the proud owner of a Fender 60th Anniversary '58 Jazzmaster Limited Edition 2-Tone Sunburst. After collecting well over 100 guitars, I can honestly say that my Jazzmaster is definitely one of the finest instruments I have ever held in my hands. I love all Fender guitars. But, if I could only have one, it would have to be a Jazzmaster!
Lovely attitude, well presented, with a perfect touch f enthusiasm. Getting into guitar playing again after having abandoned it for more than 5 years. New subscriber too, from Belgium. Cheers ;)
I have been checking out you're positive guitar knowledge for about two years, what great licks and wisdom you have shared with me. Thank you young man.
When talking about the Jazzmaster you said that it looks like a P90 but it's actually a single coil, but the P90 is a single coil pickup; both it and the Jazzmaster are single coil pickups configured in a "non standard" way, though non standard is a bit of a misnomer as the P90 came first, a decade before Leo Fender invented the Telecaster and it's pickups.
First guitar that knocked my eyes out was a Fender Jaguar. I saw it on a very old live Beach Boys concert LP, them playing in Santa Monica, I believe. Played by one of the Wilson brothers, I believe( not Dennis, of course. He was on the drums). It was a maple sunburst like the Jazzmaster being played here. I was only about 12 and could only dream of owning one myself. And I never did buy one. My go to electric is a VOS 1959 Memphis dot reissue in ebony now. Play acoustic mainly. Collings D2H for flatpicking and Martin 000 42 for finger style. But that Jaguar really turned my 12yo head around.
And if you want to know the ins and outs of these guitars and getting them to play their best, you need look no further than @Puisheen here on TH-cam - who arguably knows more about them than even Leo Fender did.
Both of them have a haunting tone that is absent in the Strat and tele. I think that is why they are faves for the misfits of music. Love em both. cheers!
I was back and forth on which go get a few years back. Ended coming across a good deal for a Jaguar. Have regretted it since. I feel there’s a severe lack of sustain. Also super mid range heavy and not in a way I personally like. Maybe due to scale length? Or if it is indeed just the bridge/break angle then I don’t think either models are for me. I love the way they look though.
They're both great. I've had an MIJ Jazzmaster in the past but currenty I have a Dano JM offset and a legit '66 Jaguar. If I spend a period playing one of them exclusively, I think about selling the other, until I switch guitars then I realize I'm probably never going to sell either. Different beasts but awesome, and I cannot recommend playing a heavier gauge string enough.
2:43 I love Jazzmasters but had to laugh when he says how stable the Trem system is just as the bar swings downwards forcing him to reach down and retrieve it 😁
So now I am Jaguar curious. I hear the treble sounds of a Tele, but also this smooth dark sound as well. I remember liking the Jag/Strat sounds too, so this bears further investigation.
I have US/JPN/MX jaguars, all slightly different but they are all superb at cutting through a live mix in a band that has lots of middle frequencies from other instruments to compete with.
Just in terms of aesthetics, the offset shape is beautiful. I know a strat is kind of the quintessential shape of an electric guitar, but these are my favourite I think. I've never owned one but recently ordered a classic vibe jazzmaster online. Can't wait to get it and maybe mod it a bit.. The jaguar switching system just seems a bit overly complicated to me.
I'd love to see a comparison adding in some of the more unorthodox versions of these guitars. One of Fender's new lines of higher end Squier's has some of their classic designs with active humbuckers, including a Jazzmaster which I bought. I love the sound of it, but with such different pickups it's very far from what people would expect from a Jazzmaster
I play a vista-series "Jagmaster", which is a Japanese made, blend of the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. I think it's VERY underrated. I even love the OEM pickups. Cheers!
In some ways it's more like a mix of a Jag and a Strat, unless it's the longer scale version. Strat trem, offset body. The mini Jazzmasters are more like a mini Jagmaster.
Great! I'm a Les Paul guy, but I always wondered what is the difference between these two models. Maybe I'll give Jazzmaster a try sometime. Great video! Best regards!
Also on the jag, because both pickups have an off switch, you can do some kill switch trickery, since it’s a slide switch though it’s not as fast as say a toggle (Tom morello), or an arcade button (Buckethead).
I think that bigger difference is in wound type. Jazzmaster single is very flat and wide and with less wire. P90 is much deeper and there's significantly more wire inside making it much hotter and giving it it signature sound.
@@WojciechHandke try p90s with slug magnets and you'll likely agree that dimensions are not the primary difference between traditional p90s and jazzmaster pickups.
on the drawing it shows the trustrod adjustment down the neck but it seems to have a hole were the headstock is so what gives? can you adjust it by the headstock or not? sorry if I spell anything wrong, I'm french. I like the softer sounds of the jazz. also killer for metal ;)
I like the mids tone cut of the Jag. Don’t have much use for the dark tone of the rhythm circuit on both. Ideal for me would either guitar, but with the mids cut switch and a reverse phase switch instead of the muddy rhythm circuit.
One of the only reasons why I liked the Jazzmaster is that one of the guys in the band Toe(which is legendary in the math rock scene) has one...and that is pretty, lol Oh and Ichika Nito has one.
What does that tell you ? You been a bad boy , So your mommy and daddy taught you a lesson to respect and appreciate things !! If you straighten up Maybe just maybe Santa will come through next year In the meantime be happy with what you got 🙏🙏🙏
Great explanation thank you very much. I was considering a jag but I think I will stay with my American Tele. Loaded with SD 1/4 pounders and simple controls, it works for me. I’m not intelligent enough to figure out the controls on a Jag . They are very cool guitars though
I love the way the Jazzmaster sounds (shout out to Chris Stapleton) and the way the Jaguar looks. I'll make my decision a few years down the line when I actually learn how to play lol
In the Rhythm mode which pickups are engaged? Essentially you just have a volume and tone. Are the traditional volume and tone knobs disabled in the rhythm mode?
I am sorry no one responded to you in an year, but when the Rhythm circuit is enabled both of the pickups are on, and the traditional volume and tone as well as the traditional 3 way switch do absolutely nothing at all. What he did forget to mention about the Jazzmaster is that particular model has a push on/off toggle on the tone knob that taps the bridge pickup and that works on both circuits.
I have both a Jaguar and a Jazzmaster. Both are Squiers and not Fenders. I bought the Jaguar because I wanted a shorter scale guitar. I enjoy them both. Know this! Leo Fender designed both to be played with heavier gauge strings. With a set of .011's and a good set up, you shouldn't have any problems with the vibrato (NOT tremelo!) system.
Back in the 70s a friend wanted me to set up his brother's Jaguar of which I fell in Love. But The Jazz Master seems less complicated and more realistic and doesn't require help from Indiana Jones to find the lost tones. My Impression of the Jaguar is that it was built for Jeff Beck. It's a great guitar when cranked up. I prefer the tremolo as once I got it set up, it's much better than the Strat trem.
I believe they are mounted to the body with a foam block underneath, and yes they are a bit different than other fender pickups. To my ears, they have tele twang with strat mids.
Here's my philosophy: I've always found it easier to make a clean guitar sound muddy (through pedals, amp effects, etc) than it is to make a muddy guitar sound clean. It's for this reason that I bought a Jaguar and a couple of mid/bass-heavy overdrive and fuzz pedals. With the right setup, you can make a Jaguar sound about as dark as you'd want - giving you the best of both worlds.
@@SuperMikeFender ayy lmao
Or you could, and hear me out now, get both. And then you have two guitars.
;(
i didn’t think about it like that
What are some good pedals that can help you achieve a muddier sound?
The rhythm circuit on the Jazzmaster makes sense when you keep in mind it was originally targeting jazz players. It actually does do that 50s jazz sound pretty well.
That's why I use a Jazzmaster for Steve Howe stuff. Sounds scarily close to an ES 175 jazz box
@@lucasimmons075 funny 'cause i enjoy playin' steve howe riffs, solos and licks on a Tele....have you ever played i've seen all good people on a tele???'....or the intro riff to siberian khatru.......however, great guitar the jazzmaster....i haven't got one but i think i should....cheers mate.....
@@mytelecasterworld3336 Teles are great for a lot of his stuff too, especially his bright twangy stuff like you listed. I also couldn't imagine playing CttE, Awaken or especially South Side of the Sky without a Tele
I use my JM rhythm circuit as a kill switch.
I heard Jazz players like many buttons and switches.
‘Until then I’ll keep playing my jazzmaster” proceeds to play Jaguar
Maybe thats a editing f up
@@stolnme1409 MORE than likely! Editors! WTF do they know?
Talks about p90s not being single coils when in fact, they are single coils.
@@jimthebossdubs2398 Some good players know fuck all about WHAT they play it on!
@@jimthebossdubs2398 he just said that they look like p90s but aren’t p90s
FINALLYYY SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T PUT DISTORTION ON THE DEMO'S
I really wish people stopped doing that... I swear every amp or pedal demo I see has distortion added, but I just wanna hear the clean sound so I know how it works. Not every guitarist uses distortion or uses distortion ALL the time. Am I the only one who feels like this?
You're not alone! One of the best things you can do with these old style guitars is put them through a compressor pedal (I use a Strymon OB1) and it really sqeezes more tone out fo the guitar.
amen to that im just tryna find clean tone for a good rhythm funk feel and all these dudes think i wanna sound like a metal band
Who the hells not using distortion at all?
@@DatBoi-mo9vc Overdrive or boost yeah, but not distortion. I play fingerstyle and clean electric stuff so I like it when reviews test out the clean/cleanish sound of a guitar, it helps me understand what the guitar will sound like for my style of playing and not just for AC/DC covers
@@PrinceWesterburg Thanks for that tip, will check it out :)
2:52 Jazzmaster rhythm circuit
3:02 Jazzmaster lead circuit (neck)
3:12 Jazzmaster lead circuit (both pickups)
3:16 Jazzmaster lead circuit (bridge)
6:33 Jaguar rhythm circuit
6:16 Jaguar lead circuit (neck)
6:10 Jaguar lead circuit (both pickups)
6:05 Jaguar lead circuit (both pickups + cut)
6:24 Jaguar lead circuit (bridge + cut)
Thank youuuuuu
What about mustang and duo sonic?
Ones shorter and shitter
@@basilnoble7111 both the same size...
@@dhiguera13 mustang is 24” duo sonic 22.5”
Aside from what others said, Mustang has a trem, duo sonic doesnt
@@pacoelizalde8491 plus the pickguard
Imagine if Fender made a Jazzuar, with a 'humbucker' like a Seymour P-Rail, but made from a jazzmaster and jaguar pup, with triple-shot style switches as well as 'standard jaguar switching.
THAT would be versatile.
Next parallel universe model, Fender, please!
That... is not possible, considering how jazzmaster pickup must be made. Sorry. But I tried to imagine it in my head and had a great laught at final monster my brain made. So thank you! Hah...
@@_-_Michael_-_ Maybe come at the problem from a different angle...
If, between two jazzmaster pups was a 'humbucker' made from two jaguar pups, but all the coils in the circuit could be manipulated with phase reversal/series-parallel/stacked to act as any variation of the four coils.
As long as you have signal you can manipulate it.
I have the Cobain Jaguar, which isn’t perfect (mainly the tunomatic bridge) but it’s got humbuckers and some unique switching. The way it’s wired up, the Rhythm circuit can be used as a kill switch, which I use A LOT for stutters. If they took that guitar, added the new Johnny Mar bridge style and a coil tap it’d be an incredibly versatile take on the classic offset
@@onbedoeldekut1515 so we talking about one jaguar coil over one jazzmaster coil sharing the same magnets? That may be most elegant solution...
@@mrnelsonius5631 would u recommend the cobain jag?
I bought a Jazzmaster last week, and I can scarcely believe how good the Squier Classic Vibe versions are. Already has a Mustang bridge on it from the factory!
Classic Vibe is such a quality range of instruments. Have the 50s P bass. Changed the pickup to my liking, replaced the output jack and I couldn't hope for a better bass.
My TVL Jazzmaster has the mustang bridge too. Its working beautifully too I might add!!
I also played Squier Jazzmaster, and it sound great. love it
I just ordered a CV Jazzmaster to go with my USA Tele and Strat ❤️✊
I could buy a usa jazzmaster, but the mascis jm is so good that I feel no need.
Jaguars don’t get enough love. Something about the shorter scale length with heavier strings just gets a percussive attack I love and don’t get on other short scales. Like the Jazzmaster I think that bridge setup does something with the sound you get, all these sympathetic vibrations and harmonics coming through. Both are among my favorite guitars, even though they are temperamental to setup
def agree about the jazz bridge and harmonics or vibrations. ive been a tele girl for like 17 years and just got a jazzy recently and i feel like it just sounds more alive somehow and it's all coming from the bridge somehow IMO when i was investigating
I think the problems are too many switches which gives them a cluttered look (except for the Am Pros) and the super-short scale. I even called Fender, asking for a longer scale, like a 24 1/2" or 24 3/4" to be more compatible to a Gibson, but the kid said it would cost too much to re-tool. Funny though, how they have a zillion models including the Parallel Universe's and can only make a 24" or 25 1/2" scale guitar.
@@captainamerica9353 yeah, but a longer scale Jaguar is basically a Jazzmaster so it wouldn’t make much sense for Fender to make one. The whole appeal of Jags to me is the short scale, it’s responsible for the defining sonic characteristics of the guitar. It lets you put heavy strings on it and it’s still easily playable. I have 11s on mine, standard tuning, and it’s easier to play than one of my strats with 10s. The low notes on it are big, chunky but still with a percussive snap to them.
@@mrnelsonius5631 , I still don't think you realize that a Fender is either really short (24"), or long 25.5", with no in-between.
The Jazzmaster is way more underrated and most people I see online and have talked to irl most of them prefer the jag. Personally I'm more of a Jazzmaster nut
The age old question:
Surf vs...... other..... surf?
Surf, Indie rock, lil' grunge,...
And rock, and jazz and...etc, just try a Jazzmaster 😉
@@mickaelcosta1724 jaguar gang
I've used my Jazzmaster with P90's for Post Black metal for years, it's doing a great job. I used it on our two first records, on the last record I switched to a Toronado. mainly because I wanted a shorter neck.
@@Tableworm I’m a kind of budget boi and a humbucker fan so I don’t have any fenders but I do have a Squier tele that I never use. And my other ones are 24 frets with humbuckers and middle single coil for 2 of em and the other is hh and my last one is a Gibson SG with emgs in it.
I've always loved that the short scale has an extra fret . . . it seems counterintuitive . . . but it's so useful.
100%, it means you can hit that high bend in the Soma solo which you can't do on the Jazzmaster :)
But... it doesn't? They both have 22, the Jaguar just doesn't have a marking for the 21st fret.
Thanks for the no B.S. analysis. You kept the focus on the guitars in question and successfully refrained from shifting the focus to your playing skills. Yes! More please.
BS though. The Jazzmaster he's using doesn't have the rhythm circuit he's describing and the Jaguar has a bass cut, not a mid cut.
I own both. I got a Jaguar in my early 20’s, and picked up a Jazzmaster in my late 20’s. Both are incredible in their own way, and I hope to keep them for as long as I live.
The American Professional II Jazzmaster used in the video does not really have a rhythm circuit. What the switch does is putting the two pickups in series to achieve a humbucker-like tone. The actual rhythm circuit (that you can get on other JM models) sounds quite different from what you hear in this video: it is much darker (and a bit muddier), but it is a very interesting and usable tone in its own right. Having said that, I do think the series mod is one of the most useful and best-sounding mods you could have on a Jazzmaster and Fender has absolutely hit the nail on the head with the AmPro II!
Yes, because on a classic JM, the rhythm circuit is only on the neck pickup. Still miss my '65 jazzmaster..
Also the CME Jag has 250k pots, so it's not really the classic lead circuit. Vinteras or Classic Vibes would have made for better examples of traditional jag/jazz.
I fuggin’ love the Am Pro II jm. I have the Miami blue w/ maple and it’s definitely my favorite guitfiddle.
This explains why I thought the "rhythm circuit" sounded so much better and so much more usable in this video than it usually does! :p
@Jonathan M. Buy a Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster or a used Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster. Either can be had for less than $1000, and they are both quality guitars. Both of those have single-coil Jazzmaster pickups and rhythm circuits.
Probably one of the best videos I seen covering the two. I’ve recently started finding these guitars interesting but I’m a simple man and haven’t really gone nerd when it comes to a particular tone so it seems overwhelming. I’m a blessed man and own all kinds of guitars but never owned a jazz master or jaguar. Thanks for the info be blessed. 😎👍
I know I am late to the game here, but that first riff you played on the Jaguar demo was one of the best clean tones I have ever heard. I have a new appreciation for the Jag after this. Thanks for opening my ears.
For me, a Jaguar is almost like a rickenbacker with slightly scooped mids and an amazing top end jangle. PERFECT for early 60s surf, psych, western, you name it .The jazz is more upper mid-forward, dare I say a bit anemic or nasally sounding but cuts through the mix like a knife. The quintessential 90s/2000s alternative/indie rock guitar. Both are amazing but quite different and shouldn’t be lumped together IMO but for the looks and trem. By the way, the newer classic vibe Jaguar is fucking amazing. I have it and it rivals my more expensive guitars any day of the week. Block inlays even!!
My oldest friend is my '62 Jazzmaster, purchased as a 13 year old, about to turn 77, but me and that axe have certainly had a life together. Have owned more than a dozen other guitars, but I always wind up back on the Jazzmaster. Put in Humbuckers in '73, which changed the sound, but I loved it. Played through a Marshall, bi-amped through both channels, and totally kicked ass. Don't play much anymore, but it still sits on a stand, ready to be picked up anytime.
Did you prefer the humbuckers? I'm a big fan of Fender single-coil sound. I had a telecaster ages ago, and I miss it to this day. It was a copy, but had that baseball bat feel, and I LOVED the sound.
How did the Jag compare to the Jazzmaster in your hand, would you say? I can't stand up and play anymore, I'm near 60 myself. I have heard that the offset bodies are much better for playing sitting down.
Uh, P90s are also single coils... Jazzmaster coils are very similar to P90s, but they use polepiece magnets versus P90 using bar magnets on the bottom with metal polepieces.
I virtually lived in London's Denmark St. and I've never seen anyone explain what all the switches did. It was part of the mystique of the instrument LOL!
Great comparison and demo, loved it! Very informative and nice playing too! Both are classic looking beautiful guitars, loved your blue Jaguar!
The Jazzmaster in the rhythm circuit (aroind 3:25 or so) sounded beautiful!
Very nice comparison. The Jaguar never gets much attention. AND, as Celina said: "FINALLYYY SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T PUT DISTORTION ON THE DEMO'S".
Thanks
THANK YOU for not playing stupid blues licks
ikrrr
yessir...so sick of hearing boomers licks n riffs
😹😹😹
I dunno man. I like those boomer blues riffs.
@@johnvicaireiii5537 wwwhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Remember the Jazzmaster/Jaguar did not sell at all in the 60's, excepting some surf bands. It wasn't until the 90's when bands like Sonic youth, Nirvana, My bloody Valentine, and Dinosaur Jr. made them hip. Tom Verlaine said the reason why he choose a jazzmaster is that they cost 75$$$ in 1975.
Kurt played Mustangs and duo-sonics cause he could get them for 40-50 $$ at pawn shops. I think they are good guitars but not what collector scum are asking for them.
This video is exactly what I was looking for! Literally answered all my questions and then some. Great job and awesome sounds! 🙌🏼❤️🙌🏼
Back in the mid '70's I bought a 65 Jaguar for 20 bucks. They were everywhere for around that price. Nobody wanted them. I wish I had hung on to it. I can't find one at a reasonable price now, and all the reissue guitars I have tried kind of suck.
I LOVE Jazzmasters, Jaguars look great too, but i prefer the full lenght scale much more, and the middle position of a JM is heaven, love those pickups.
Most noticeable thing, scale length. Jaguar feels “tighter” in the upper register, rhythm is pure bliss though
I have a Squier Jazzmaster and until watching this video, I was not aware of all the ways to mix up the sound. Thanks!
Dude great vid, thanks a lot. Will eventually own one of each but that Am Pro 2 Jazzmaster sounded absolutely gorgeous, I’m sold on it
I’ve been wanting a Jazzmaster or Jaguar for a little while now.
This is helping me chose which one I want.
Thanks great video I’ve always wondered the differences.
From Leo: Thanks for the review. I have been playing a Jazzmaster for decades. I really appreciate the tones of a Jaguar but cannot get along with that short 24 inch scale length. The 25-1/2 on the Jazzmaster is more natural for me to play. I think I will build Jaguar electronics into a full scale guitar., maybe a Strat.
Really an excellent video! I have owned both models. Back in the 80s I had a ´65 Jaguar in Lake Placid Blue with a matching headstock. It was in mint condition, and was an absolute beauty! I also acquired another mid-60s Jaguar in 3-tone Sunburst. Fast forward 30 years and I now am the proud owner of a
Fender 60th Anniversary '58 Jazzmaster Limited Edition 2-Tone Sunburst. After collecting well over 100 guitars, I can honestly say that my Jazzmaster is definitely one of the finest instruments I have ever held in my hands. I love all Fender guitars. But, if I could only have one, it would have to be a Jazzmaster!
Lovely attitude, well presented, with a perfect touch f enthusiasm.
Getting into guitar playing again after having abandoned it for more than 5 years.
New subscriber too, from Belgium.
Cheers ;)
I have been checking out you're positive guitar knowledge for about two years, what great licks and wisdom you have shared with me. Thank you young man.
When talking about the Jazzmaster you said that it looks like a P90 but it's actually a single coil, but the P90 is a single coil pickup; both it and the Jazzmaster are single coil pickups configured in a "non standard" way, though non standard is a bit of a misnomer as the P90 came first, a decade before Leo Fender invented the Telecaster and it's pickups.
I guess he wanted to say that these pickups are not p90 (since they look quite similar)
He got the tension thing backwards too but whatever I guess lol.
What was not mentioned, was that when you switch to the “rhythm circuit” you are using the neck pickup only...
I was wondering that, thanks
Thanks for clarifying. That was confusing.
"The floating tremolo on a Jag is iconic to its tone"
*Proceeds to ignore the floating tremolo*
First guitar that knocked my eyes out was a Fender Jaguar. I saw it on a very old live Beach Boys concert LP, them playing in Santa Monica, I believe. Played by one of the Wilson brothers, I believe( not Dennis, of course. He was on the drums).
It was a maple sunburst like the Jazzmaster being played here. I was only about 12 and could only dream of owning one myself.
And I never did buy one. My go to electric is a VOS 1959 Memphis dot reissue in ebony now.
Play acoustic mainly. Collings D2H for flatpicking and Martin 000 42 for finger style. But that Jaguar really turned my 12yo head around.
Got both love both. Cool video thanks!
And if you want to know the ins and outs of these guitars and getting them to play their best, you need look no further than @Puisheen here on TH-cam - who arguably knows more about them than even Leo Fender did.
Both of them have a haunting tone that is absent in the Strat and tele. I think that is why they are faves for the
misfits of music.
Love em both. cheers!
I was back and forth on which go get a few years back. Ended coming across a good deal for a Jaguar. Have regretted it since. I feel there’s a severe lack of sustain. Also super mid range heavy and not in a way I personally like. Maybe due to scale length? Or if it is indeed just the bridge/break angle then I don’t think either models are for me. I love the way they look though.
They're both great. I've had an MIJ Jazzmaster in the past but currenty I have a Dano JM offset and a legit '66 Jaguar. If I spend a period playing one of them exclusively, I think about selling the other, until I switch guitars then I realize I'm probably never going to sell either. Different beasts but awesome, and I cannot recommend playing a heavier gauge string enough.
2:43 I love Jazzmasters but had to laugh when he says how stable the Trem system is just as the bar swings downwards forcing him to reach down and retrieve it 😁
So now I am Jaguar curious. I hear the treble sounds of a Tele, but also this smooth dark sound as well. I remember liking the Jag/Strat sounds too, so this bears further investigation.
Jaguars are my favorite. I just finished modding mine. Try finding an old japanese one, the stock pickups are just okay but the necks are incredible.
The official Fender account has some demos explaining the different pickups/sounds you can get, worth checking out
I have US/JPN/MX jaguars, all slightly different but they are all superb at cutting through a live mix in a band that has lots of middle frequencies from other instruments to compete with.
Just in terms of aesthetics, the offset shape is beautiful. I know a strat is kind of the quintessential shape of an electric guitar, but these are my favourite I think. I've never owned one but recently ordered a classic vibe jazzmaster online. Can't wait to get it and maybe mod it a bit.. The jaguar switching system just seems a bit overly complicated to me.
Great demo........one point : P90s are single coils as well,same as the jazzmaster pickups,but with adjustable pole pieces.
I was wondering why no one else seemed to notice what he said.
I'd love to see a comparison adding in some of the more unorthodox versions of these guitars. One of Fender's new lines of higher end Squier's has some of their classic designs with active humbuckers, including a Jazzmaster which I bought. I love the sound of it, but with such different pickups it's very far from what people would expect from a Jazzmaster
Thanks for this demo, I finally got some of the differences between these two instruments.
Not an easy task..😉👍🏻
You were Awesome explaining the difference!
Thank you
I play a vista-series "Jagmaster", which is a Japanese made, blend of the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. I think it's VERY underrated. I even love the OEM pickups. Cheers!
In some ways it's more like a mix of a Jag and a Strat, unless it's the longer scale version. Strat trem, offset body. The mini Jazzmasters are more like a mini Jagmaster.
What effects were you running @ 1:14?? Sounds amazing. Makes me want a jaguar 🤙
Great video You always seem to tell me exactly what I want to know and how I want to hear it-
thanks, clear video. I'm looking for the best guitar for ambient/textural music (so a lot of pedals/reverbs). Which one would it be?
Cool video! I've concluded I need both...
Great explanations and playing! Thanks for the video!
Man, Joe rules! Seriously, I’m one cynical, jaded man. But this guy is so legit, whenever I see a video pop up with him I’m all in.
He has the right the mix of talking and playing, doesn't add useless crap to fill time. Rare thing on youtube nowadays.
Great! I'm a Les Paul guy, but I always wondered what is the difference between these two models. Maybe I'll give Jazzmaster a try sometime. Great video! Best regards!
Also on the jag, because both pickups have an off switch, you can do some kill switch trickery, since it’s a slide switch though it’s not as fast as say a toggle (Tom morello), or an arcade button (Buckethead).
J Mascis introduced me to the Jazzmaster and they are amazing guitars. His signature jazzmaster is iconic too some people
The primary difference between p90 and jazzmaster pickups is the use of bar vs slug (pole piece) magnets, respectively.
I think that bigger difference is in wound type. Jazzmaster single is very flat and wide and with less wire. P90 is much deeper and there's significantly more wire inside making it much hotter and giving it it signature sound.
Bar with adjustable screws on p90 and yes slugs on the former
@@WojciechHandke try p90s with slug magnets and you'll likely agree that dimensions are not the primary difference between traditional p90s and jazzmaster pickups.
on the drawing it shows the trustrod adjustment down the neck but it seems to have a hole were the headstock is so what gives? can you adjust it by the headstock or not? sorry if I spell anything wrong, I'm french. I like the softer sounds of the jazz. also killer for metal ;)
5:10 “when you need that extra bright push” over the edge - so it’s a “tone goes to eleven” switch. 😁
does anybody know what he played at 3:32 ?
about to buy a jag soon but it doesnt have the mute feature shown in the vid, anyone know how difficult it would be to add that thing onto it?
Such a clear and well demo-ed explanation. Thanks!
Does the Jaguar have a vibrato bar? It seemed like he said it did, but his did not have one.
He just didn’t put the vibrato arm. The trem system is there :)
The hole is there.
I like the mids tone cut of the Jag. Don’t have much use for the dark tone of the rhythm circuit on both. Ideal for me would either guitar, but with the mids cut switch and a reverse phase switch instead of the muddy rhythm circuit.
Nice playing Cavs
awesome, not enough vids comparing the jag and jazzmaster
I was waiting for you to do the sonic youth strum behind the bridge thing
:(
One of the only reasons why I liked the Jazzmaster is that one of the guys in the band Toe(which is legendary in the math rock scene) has one...and that is pretty, lol
Oh and Ichika Nito has one.
Man I wish I had this video before Christmastime
What does that tell you ? You been a bad boy , So your mommy and daddy taught you a lesson to respect and appreciate things !!
If you straighten up
Maybe just maybe Santa will come through next year
In the meantime be happy with what you got 🙏🙏🙏
@@keithclark486 Geez dude
@@AnUncreativePerson
🎅👁️👉2
@@keithclark486 Ok?
@@keithclark486 ur weird dude
I have both. Love them both.
Always wondered even though I’ve been told the difference many times.
Thanks for sharing this, you play wonderful. Do you personally have a preference for the jaguar or the jazzmaster?
My 1969 Candy Apple Red Jaguar is one of my favorite guitars. Love it straight into the amp with a single drive pedal
If not for JF playing it in the ‘under the bridge’ intro on the music video I would never have picked it up , still my favorite guitar today
Great explanation thank you very much. I was considering a jag but I think I will stay with my American Tele. Loaded with SD 1/4 pounders and simple controls, it works for me. I’m not intelligent enough to figure out the controls on a Jag . They are very cool guitars though
That is a very 'Love - Forever Changes' sound from the Jag.
Sold
I love the way the Jazzmaster sounds (shout out to Chris Stapleton) and the way the Jaguar looks. I'll make my decision a few years down the line when I actually learn how to play lol
Same struggle 😭
In the Rhythm mode which pickups are engaged? Essentially you just have a volume and tone. Are the traditional volume and tone knobs disabled in the rhythm mode?
I am sorry no one responded to you in an year, but when the Rhythm circuit is enabled both of the pickups are on, and the traditional volume and tone as well as the traditional 3 way switch do absolutely nothing at all. What he did forget to mention about the Jazzmaster is that particular model has a push on/off toggle on the tone knob that taps the bridge pickup and that works on both circuits.
I have both a Jaguar and a Jazzmaster. Both are Squiers and not Fenders. I bought the Jaguar because I wanted a shorter scale guitar. I enjoy them both. Know this! Leo Fender designed both to be played with heavier gauge strings. With a set of .011's and a good set up, you shouldn't have any problems with the vibrato (NOT tremelo!) system.
Great review!
I have a question, why did you make the difference between single coil and P90? Aren't P90s single coil pickups?
They're technically single coils, but tonally in-between normal single coils and humbuckers
You mean aside from the pickups, the bridge, the scale length and the switches?
What is that Jaguar model? It has a color headstock and block inlays?
Back in the 70s a friend wanted me to set up his brother's Jaguar of which I fell in Love.
But The Jazz Master seems less complicated and more realistic and doesn't require help from Indiana Jones to find the lost tones.
My Impression of the Jaguar is that it was built for Jeff Beck. It's a great guitar when cranked up. I prefer the tremolo as once I got it set up, it's much better than the Strat trem.
What are the jaguar pick ups mounted to? The body? The jag pick ups are unlike other fender pick ups?
I believe they are mounted to the body with a foam block underneath, and yes they are a bit different than other fender pickups. To my ears, they have tele twang with strat mids.
you missed out saying that the rhythm circut on both only uses the neck pick up and uses a 'preset' tone capacitor to give a warmer tone.
That Jazzmaster sounds beautiful.
i think he forgot the shoegaze demo
if you watched the video, he said it @7:02
It's worth pointing out that some people even play jazz on a jazzmaster. And one player - the late, great Joe Pass - played amazing jazz on a Jaguar.
Why didn’t you put the trem bar on the Jaguar?
is that ariel posen's jazzmaster in the back? looks the same as the one hes giving away
I love them both so much I have two of each, two Fenders and Two Squier's,
But wait? The rhythm circuit on that JM sounded like both pickups? Aren't they supposed to be just the neck pup?
Yes the “rhythm circuit” on the new am pro 2 are in fact a series wiring of both pickups creating a humbucker
I just want a blend of the two.. a Jaguar but with jazzmaster scale length and jazzmaster pickups
what model is that blue jaguar? couldn't find it on the website.