I've had a USA Doheny for about a year now. It's an amazing guitar. I also own 2 USA ASATs. I sat down and jammed with it earlier this week and was able to discover the tone shaping possibilities with the tone knobs. It just takes a few seconds to really dial in a perfect tone. Great video
Thanks for the great feedback. I caught some grief for now delving into the vibrato, but I suppose the main news is that the G&L vibrato works well. As you said the tone controls work really well, and having a bass tone control opens up a lot of options at the neck.
UpFront Guitars and Music LLC absolutely. When I first got it I thought “wow that’s too much bass”. The figures how to roll it off for an awesome blend.
The Doheny is now one of my favorite gig guitars. Great neck pickup and neck+middle. The bridge could be a little heavier, but works great for country.
Hi Gordon, I purchased my Doheny from your store. This video helped me make my decision. I don’t regret it one bit. The Doheny is a great guitar. Definitely a permanent addition to my collection.
Thanks so much for the kind words Marc, we really appreciate it and we're glad you love you Doheny! Let us know if there's anything we can do for you in the future.
Bought a guitar from you in the past and have bugged you with questions many times. You are by far one of the most honest and knowledgeable dealers for what you sell that I've seen and dealt with. Hope you can do more Videos. It helps when you can't see or play the instrument.
Thank you very much for the kind words. We do our best to provide that type of service as we too feel it's lacking today. We have a whole list of videos in the queue and try to shoot them every chance we get. Scott Tarulli just did a demo of his new mahogany ASAT Semi-Hollow and it's being processed as we speak. Stay tuned!
Good video. Doheny has a nice sound. I have the Squier Vintage Mod Jazzmaster with Duncan Design pups and they are high output with a great sound. I do use the rhythm circuit now that I've had the guitar for a while especially on gain settings for a full sound that has some girth for leads. But I heard the Doheny in a store recently and it had a beautiful tone. Both guitars are great choices.
For myself i love the richness of the neck pickup i however have the V12 Doheny that's a different animal the MFD pickups are in there own class I've had several G&L guitars the two i have now are the F100 series 2 which there again in its own for cool unique sound control and versatility and the V12 there is just something to be said for the pickups in the doheny they are just good versatile and smooth G& L did their homework well. As for my F100 Leo Fender left a lasting legacy with his pickup design to say the least
If you dig the F-100 then certainly the V12 is appealing. The pickups are not the same as the F-100 but they share a certain DNA. Thanks for the feedback.
G&L for the win for sure. For me. Had the USA Legacy and it livened up every amp I plugged it into. The G&L are definitely superior instruments imo all around. Even the tributes are better than some higher end axes.
Great video. Videos like this really pushed me towards getting my Doheny. I have 0 regrets, and surprisingly I think I am no longer a strat guy. I can't believe I'm saying that but it might be true.
Thank you for the feedback. Funny thing, I have a Doheny too, and while I'm not a strat player the Doheny became my main guitar and I don't play my ASAT nearly as much.
G&L thought some folks might feel that way, and that's where the Doheny V12 and HH really nail it. Let us know if you have any questions about either of those models!
To my ears the G&L was slightly out of tune, which is kind of ironic, given the Jazz Master’s tuning problem explanation. Although, I could hear the wider freq response from the pickups on the Doheny.
What's the deal with remembering what the switches do? It's not that complicated. Bottom switch functions as normal pickup selector. Top switch turns on the neck pickup only and engages top volume and tone controls and shuts off bottom controls.
Thanks for the feedback. Not being a JM owner myself, it's not something I've committed to memory. I'm sure if I owned one or regularly sold them I'd have it down.
@@jamesgretsch4894 theres no bass cut on the jazzmaster, thats the jag with the strangle switch cant speak for that intention on the doheny's ptb though
Is it louder than a Standard Strat? Will it stand up to a humbucking pickup guitar? I want one but I don’t want it to feel anemic compared to my Gibson Nighthawk when switching guitars
The MFD's absolutely have more output than a standard Strat. Any G&L MFD holds up fairly well to a humbucker, but humbuckers vary widely in output. But I frequently bring a G&L Doheny or ASAT and a humbucker guitar to gigs. The bridge pickup on the Doheny is true to form and does not have a lot of bottom, but still way less anemic than a Strat.
Sorry Fender, G&L makes better guitars. Legacy/S-500 > Strat, ASAT > Tele, Fallout > Mustang (huge difference here) and so on. (and yes I own Tele and Strat too)
The Fender Jazzmaster neck pickup sounded much better to me than the G&L. The bridge pickups sounded different, but I didn't particularly like one much more than the other. On the other hand, the bridge/trem on the G&L is going to be much more reliable and stable.
Thank you for your input. A good Jazzmaster pickup is very nice in its own right. My feeling is that the G&L pickup has more overall flexibility and responds better to tone control adjustments. The G&L MFD's are not for everyone, but they offer a lot of tonal flexibility and range.
Been looking for a good recording of a Doheny. To my ears, they sound an awful lot like an SC-2. I guess that shouldn't be too surprising, since the main differences are the shape of the body, the shape (but not construction) of the pickups, the placement of the pickups and the tone circuit (which I usually have all the way up anyway).
There are certain similarities due the nature of the pickup construction. The Doheny is a little deeper and warmer all around, especially at the neck. The bridge is still pretty bright but has a little more guts than the ASAT Special or SC-2. The Doheny does not always sound it's best full up, and the controls are certainly worth using. Thank you for your input.
@upfront guitars is right. the sc-2 doesn't have the ptb system and has a regular tone pot instead. on my sc-2 i still roll back the tone at times but nothing like using a ptb. the ptb is nothing like fenders where 99.9% of users leave it wide open. in regards to the asat special/sc-2 mfd's and these i'd think the wide bobbins would bring something somewhat distinct to the table - just as an actual jazzmaster pickup doesn't sound identical to a strat.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 You're very welcome, thank you. Tagima TW 61 is the jazzmaster style model from China. About 250 dollar price range, with P90 style pickups, and a real varitone switch. Not a lot of English reviews. They are made in Brazil, and China. Be safe.
Imo the Doheny fixes all of the issues that I had with the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. It gets rid of the two-way switches and the lead/rhythm circuit; which weren't bad, but could hinder playing because they didn't feel intuitive or fully realized. Instead it replaces those with a standard three-way switch and G&L's PTB system which seems like a more fleshed out and intuitive version of the Jazzmaster/Jaguar's lead/rhythm circuit; since it is now all built in to two standard tone knobs and gives you more sound options than before. The Doheny also fixes that awful bridge which I think everyone can agree is something that should have been done a long time ago. I could go on for much longer, but I don't think anyone really cares that much. Btw, the Jazzmaster and Jaguar are great guitars, but really flawed guitars as well.
Hi there. G&L has 8 different neck profiles to choose from with nut width's ranging from 1-5/8", to 1-11/16" and even 1-3/4". If you have any questions about ordering a custom G&L built to your specs send us an e-mail or give us a call! studio@upfrontguitars.com
I was not a fan of the Doheny pickups, they really lacked that sparkle associated with Jazzmasters. I don't understand why people want to thicken up single coil sounds. Play humbuckers if you want a thicker sound.
Thank you for your input. The G&L MFD pickups are somewhat a middle ground between a traditional single coil and a humbucker. I find them particularly good in live situations where the additional beef holds up well with the band. I don't see the Doheny as a replacement for the Jazzmaster; instead I see it as G&L's Offset Guitar.
you fail to realize what g&l's ptb system can do. i have no doubt that the doheny can get jangly by rolling off some of the bass (a versatility you will not find on a jazzmaster). after moving from strats to legacies, if nothing else, the ptb system is something i can't live without anymore.
Yes, and for people who like indie - a large part of the Jazzmaster market, I imagine - the jangle/sparkle is what you want it for. I prefer the sound of the MIJ JMs, personally.
It's not the pickups, the pickups are similar enough. Its the lack of floating trem and rocking bridge. It has less string tension than the Jazzmaster and lacks the break angles. It also lacks the 1M volume pot. I would try DR Tite Fit strings and rolling back the bass a little. You can always replace the pot with a 1M pot for cheap, I would try that before changing the pickups. It's all preference in the end but an argument could be made that G&L pickups are superior to Fender. G&L did a great job on improving the pickup designs of Fender while maintaining the core tones.
While we don't have any lefty ASAT Classic S in stock at the moment, feel free to reach out about a build to order. You can spec out the whole guitar for the same price it would be on our shelf. If you have any questions about the process just give a call or e-mail! 508-686-6697 or studio@upfrontguitars.com. Thanks!
Anyone that has had a JM knows how awful is the bridge. Sold with no regrets. Have to be honest here tho. The Doheny is a far superior guitar but its not comparable to the JMs feel. A different world. This bridge twang is unique to the JM. So I think this comparison is unfair to both guitars. A great presentation still. And thank you. (folks before you buy a JM or a Doheny, try a G&L Fallout B-) )
We don't currently have any lefty Doheny's in stock (lots on order though) but G&L is a build-to-order manufacturer so if you're interested in getting one made to spec feel free to give us a call or send us an e-mail. I can send you our PDF booklet of all the G&L options and make as many formal quotes as you'd like. Let me know if you have any questions!
There isn't, because I bought the ridiculously beautiful USA Doheny lefty in orange that UpFront had! That said, I'd encourage you to snag one if you have yet to do so. Another plus of the Donehy beyond its looks and tone is that those curves also make it much lighter than an ASAT, for example. Happy playing to you.
The Imported G&L's are certainly a great value because they come with USA pickups and are all checked out at the factory in Fullerton CA. However, you cannot really compare the fit and finish to a USA G&L because they built to order by a small crew, use premium electronic components and every guitar and bass neck is PLEK'D to give you the best possible fretwork. At the end of the day, we feel that when you pay for a premium guitar, most of it is going toward the tender care of neck and fretwork which ultimately makes or breaks a good guitar. Pickups and electronics can be easily and inexpensively be changed but if it feel good in your hands, there's not much you can do about. Hope that helps and thanks for checking out our video!
The Tribute G&L uses the same pickups, but the other hardware like bridge, tuners, electronics etc. are sourced in Asia. The neck profile is not quite the same as the G&L dimensions, but then again they are not published. The guitar itself is built in Indonesia. They are good values but sometimes need a little work to get there.
I really don't feel this comparison is fair and my reasons are the G&L most closely resembles the Fender American Professional Jazzmaster. The Fender American Professional also has done away with the rhythm circuit the same as the G&L and it also has a redesigned bridge and tremolo that eliminates the issues associated with the original design. The Fender AP is around $150 dollars cheaper and in my opinion would have a much better resale value.
Thanks for watching and adding to the discussion Steve. Your points are certainly valid but I would argue that beyond the basic improvements the Doheny MFD pickup is the most important ingredient that separates it from it's Fender peers. G&L is also unique in the fact that you can custom order your Doheny with personal specs for the same cost as a built and ready model on the shelf. Lastly, in close to 10 years as a G&L dealer (with a steady flow of used Fender's coming in) we've seen the resale value of Fender and G&L slowly but surely enter the same range. Just our 2 cents, Cheers!
Thank your for the feedback. At the time of this video we did not have access to the AP Jazzmaster. But the MIM JM is a good representation of the original JM concept, and a nice guitar in its own right. The Fender vs. G&L resale comparison is a frequent discussion, and while the Fender headstock does have an impact on resale value, Fender makes so many different versions of the same guitar, it's sometimes difficult to determine market value. Our own experience is that USA G&L's have a very consistent market value, and the Doheny in particular is holding it's value on the used market.
Really great demo - thank you very much for it. I'm sure the build quality of the G&L puts that Fender to shame - BUT - if I'm being absolutely honest - the Fender sounds better. I've never been fond of MFDs - and this didn't change my mind.
+AlD72 - I agree with you about preferring the Jazzmaster . It's got a voice of its own - so why buy a pretend version when you can get the real deal? The Doheny for me needs to find its own niche rather than jump onto the surf music bandwagon more than 50 years after it finished. Hopefully someone buys a Doheny and takes it to new places musically - rather than retrace the steps of the Jazzmaster in music.
We appreciate your input, and you are spot on. Leo started G&L to improve on his Fender designs, so it has never been in the business of reproducing the past. The Doheny is here to give nostalgia a new sound and we leave that to the artist.
The tinny, metallic sounding neck pickup is what makes the jazzmaster. The doheny is more of a telecaster to my ears. Great guitar, just not exactly what one would look for in a JM style guitar.
Fair enough. The Doheny is definitely an offset for G&L fans. A diehard JM player would likely not be swayed, but we think the Doheny can cover a wider range of music. Thank you for the feedback.
Both pickups together are similar to the traditional ASAT Classic two pickup combination: Punchy with a slightly twangy country feel. I think the Doheny is a little smoother sounding, and with the passive bass and treble controls you can shape it a lot overall.
You are so right! I have a s500. You need to use the tone controls that's what makes this Guitar so versatile. My Fenders are always maxed out. g&Ls I put them on 666 or 777 volume/treble/bass depending on my mood.
I find the Jazzmaster/Jaguar to be a far more versatile instrument, having not only the lead and rhythm circuits to be set at whatever you want them to be but also the floating tremolo with the slide lock(the Jag is also a slightly shorter scale and has a bass strangle in it,) it's clearly a superior instrument in comparison. With that comes a need to understand that this is not like any other guitar on the market and requires some different setup steps... So people get annoyed and write it off. Better understanding is requirement for wielding one, and a qualified tech is even more important. These are the things that are important if you want to eliminate hum & buzz, keep tuning stability with the trem, or even use the knobs and switches to their full potential.
The Doheny sounds good! I love Jazzmasters too, BTW. The alternate neck-pickup-only option (which the upper bout switch lets you select) has a darker voice that works fantastic with brighter gain pedals and amps. It’s not hard to remember what it does once you’ve actually used it. ;)
Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I'm not a Jazzmaster owner, and my familiarity with the tone circuit is not that deep. The JM was actually lent to me by my brother. It's a MIM model, and overall it's a nice guitar although the bridge pickup does not have a whole lot going on. I'm actually partial to the hardtail Doheny, which is a little less bright with a fuller low end.
Oh yes! I'm so glad they weren't afraid to make some strong changes where this model drastically needed it...bridge , but especially the pickups! I could really use one of these now! See, I've always loved the body: it looks so cool, and it's the most ergonomic guitar ever! I'm mostly a home player, so I play mostly sitting - and jazzmasters are even more ergonomic than Start, for seated playing. But I could never justify buying one on looks (+ some ergonomics) alone. Plunky pickups, faulty bridge system, too many dials, you have to duct tape the rhythm circuit switch so you don't hit it on an upstrum in a big movement, and have your tone fall out from under you.. Just too many faulty issues you have to get around - who needs it?! I'd rather a simple Tele. But now g&l have dealt with all that , completely improving those sore points to make them actually strong points...and they've done it at a good price..AND with block inlays?? I'm in. 😀
Thank you for your feedback. While purists will side with the Jazzmaster. The Doheny in our mind does provide better controls, very flexible pickups and a more reliable vibrato at a great price for a USA guitar.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 Purists, Schp-purists!! They are the reasons pur favourite guitar companies can't make great guitars - they are second guessed by every Fender Fanboy & Gibson Geek whenever they try to make any improvement. " Ugh! In 1959, the rosewood felt more springy.. " Or, "In 1960 our Strat bridge pickup was like an ice-pick through your eyeball AND THAT'S THE WAY WE LIKE IT! " Your better not make a small adjustment to the pickup angle..your corrections are not vintage correct". That sort of thing.
@@lueysixty-six7300 I agree with your sentiment, and quite often tradition prevents improvements. I find that Fender fans tend to be more accepting of change, but there are some that only the original -- good or bad -- will do.
how NOISY are these pickups ??? .... they fall easy into feedback ?? ..... are they single coil or humbuckers ?? ...... we all know the HUM in the single jazzmasters pickups it's a serious crappy business , and that's why people move to Lollar or Kinman or whatever ..... Fender JM pickups are nice in tone and colour , but too noisy .......... is G&L really aware that most Jazzmaster sound lovers DON'T WANT that "P90 flavour" on the JM pickups ??? ... thanx !!
These pickups are true single coil, but they are constructed similar to a P-90 in that they have a single bar magnet underneath. But they don't sound like a P-90; they have a signature G&L MFD tone but with JM flavor. In terms of noise, I have not played one in the context of live band/club where house wiring and lights might cause an issue. But because they have a pretty healthy output, the signal to noise ratio is good. So in general, I would not describe these as noisy and they are certainly better in that regard than a P-90. Thanks, Gordon
Hi Josh. We use Vulfpeck music for our intro and outro for every demo we do. I have contacted them for permission and have never gotten a reply. Also if you watch the credits to our videos I credit the band and name each song that is used.
We certainly are mindful of copyright and intellectual property rights, and if we ever do hear from Vulfpeck about using their material we will respect their decision.
Thank you for your input. I don't hate the Jazzmaster. It has some quirks that for most people don't turn out to be totally useful, and I'm not alone in that opinion. The Doheny is a more straightforward rendition of the offset guitar, and for some that is appealing.
The Doheny may well be the better guitar, but it just doesn't give me the spark in the eyes a jazzmaster does. And its sound is just so ... nondescript.
The Doheny has nothing to do with the Jazzmaster? In a way I suppose. I guess you could say it's G&L's take on a Jazzmaster, which makes it not really a Jazzmaster. It's a nice guitar in it's own way. Thank you for the feedback.
The only part that has to do with the Jazzmaster is the SHAPE of the body... Right off the bat, it doesn't sound the same AT ALL. Two distinct tones. Why comparing the two ? I know that you might not sell the Fender brand but the G&L instead. G&L is a great brand but don't compare apples and oranges... Question : where is the "jazz tone" on the G&L ? Nowhere. Turn on the neck pickup on the Jazzmaster and you have a monster of a tone that can inspire something different... PS. You have a very negative approach concerning competition. You don't have to destroy the Jazzmaster in order to sell your stuff...........
Leo started G&L to improve on his original designs and the Doheny is the latest addition. We compared them to show the differences and highlight those changes, so the commentary delivered was our honest opinion. The tone of the Doheny or MFD pickups in general is not for everyone but we highly encourage you to try one if you get the chance.
It's a very relevant comparison. Jazz Masters ended up being HUGH in the 'surf' music scene due to their bright and twangy tone, and G&L is clearly offering an alternative, that not only has the eq capability on the guitar itself to adjust the tone to sound exactly like a Jazz Master, but it also covers a lot of additional territory making it an extremely well rounded, and versatile guitar as well - sort of a Jazz Master deluxe.
talked too much and too much time between the guitars.... no basis to compare. We can make our own minds up - no need to tell us what it is there - let us hear it side by side.
Thank you for your input. With many people phones and other lo-fi devices, real sonic comparisons are difficult. Sometimes descriptions are helpful too.
Wow, this dude really wants to tell us what to hear, problem is, I most definitely didn't hear what he tried to suggest into my ears so badly. Instead of the fuller, wider ranged, more complex etc sound I just heard a dull, muffled something coming out from the g&l. Pretty disappointing, especially after the really sweet sounding Fender. And tbh I wanted the g&l to be better, to be the winner. It just wasn't.
Thank you for your input. We like the guitar and sometimes videos don't always convey the total the total picture. If there is one available near you to try out, give it a spin.
No biggie. To each is own. Where G&L's tend to excel is live settings where the additional output and mids works well with a band. Thanks for the input.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 Maybe. I think the jazzmaster sounded more open and chimey, but the G&L just sounded like humbuckers to me. Thank you for comparison though. I does seem like the tremolo system on the G&L seems better
Thanks, Gordon, and hello from our new channel! 🙏 #glguitars
jazzmaster = 1:48 to 2:51
doheny = 4:45 to 6:07
I've had a USA Doheny for about a year now. It's an amazing guitar. I also own 2 USA ASATs. I sat down and jammed with it earlier this week and was able to discover the tone shaping possibilities with the tone knobs. It just takes a few seconds to really dial in a perfect tone. Great video
Thanks for the great feedback. I caught some grief for now delving into the vibrato, but I suppose the main news is that the G&L vibrato works well. As you said the tone controls work really well, and having a bass tone control opens up a lot of options at the neck.
UpFront Guitars and Music LLC absolutely. When I first got it I thought “wow that’s too much bass”. The figures how to roll it off for an awesome blend.
The Doheny is now one of my favorite gig guitars. Great neck pickup and neck+middle. The bridge could be a little heavier, but works great for country.
I love the character of the Jazzmaster, I guess I’m a sucker for that classic 60’s surf sound.
Hi Gordon, I purchased my Doheny from your store. This video helped me make my decision. I don’t regret it one bit. The Doheny is a great guitar. Definitely a permanent addition to my collection.
Thanks so much for the kind words Marc, we really appreciate it and we're glad you love you Doheny! Let us know if there's anything we can do for you in the future.
Actually I'm really surprised at how different they sound. As much as I like G&L guitars, I prefer the Jazzmaster.
G&L will have there "sound" by virtue of the pickups, and for some, only a true Jazzmaster will do. Thx.
Bought a guitar from you in the past and have bugged you with questions many times. You are by far one of the most honest and knowledgeable dealers for what you sell that I've seen and dealt with. Hope you can do more Videos. It helps when you can't see or play the instrument.
Thank you very much for the kind words. We do our best to provide that type of service as we too feel it's lacking today. We have a whole list of videos in the queue and try to shoot them every chance we get. Scott Tarulli just did a demo of his new mahogany ASAT Semi-Hollow and it's being processed as we speak. Stay tuned!
Awesome job!!
Thank you! We appreciate the feedback.
Luther perkins played late 50's and early 60's jazz masters on some of the Johnny Cash albums 👌
The Doheny almost sounds like a hollowbody!! I like it!!!
Hi Gordon,
Just got my sons Lake Placid Blue Doheny today. Stunning is the first word that comes to mind. Thanks so much for a seamless transaction.
Good video. Doheny has a nice sound. I have the Squier Vintage Mod Jazzmaster with Duncan Design pups and they are high output with a great sound. I do use the rhythm circuit now that I've had the guitar for a while especially on gain settings for a full sound that has some girth for leads. But I heard the Doheny in a store recently and it had a beautiful tone. Both guitars are great choices.
Just found this! Bought a Radium from this shop last year. Great service, setup and amazing guitar?! Wish this shop was closer to my home.
Thank you for the great feedback and glad you are enjoying the radium. Feel free to reach out anytime!
I have a blue g&l doheny it's my favorite out of my collection of guitars and bass guitars i have 😊
For myself i love the richness of the neck pickup i however have the V12 Doheny that's a different animal the MFD pickups are in there own class I've had several G&L guitars the two i have now are the F100 series 2 which there again in its own for cool unique sound control and versatility and the V12 there is just something to be said for the pickups in the doheny they are just good versatile and smooth G& L did their homework well. As for my F100 Leo Fender left a lasting legacy with his pickup design to say the least
If you dig the F-100 then certainly the V12 is appealing. The pickups are not the same as the F-100 but they share a certain DNA. Thanks for the feedback.
1:53 vs 4:46
2:14 vs 5:18
G&L is a bit warmer/rounder
Bobby Walker the difference is really just in the bridge pickup I think.
Fender vs G&L:
- Clean:
- neck - 1:53 vs 4:46
- bridge - 2:14 vs 5:18
- Dirty: 2:36 vs 5:50
G&L for the win for sure. For me. Had the USA Legacy and it livened up every amp I plugged it into. The G&L are definitely superior instruments imo all around. Even the tributes are better than some higher end axes.
Great video. Videos like this really pushed me towards getting my Doheny. I have 0 regrets, and surprisingly I think I am no longer a strat guy. I can't believe I'm saying that but it might be true.
Thank you for the feedback. Funny thing, I have a Doheny too, and while I'm not a strat player the Doheny became my main guitar and I don't play my ASAT nearly as much.
I like the vintage Jazzmaster tone. For fuller sound I would just go with a low output humbucker.
G&L thought some folks might feel that way, and that's where the Doheny V12 and HH really nail it. Let us know if you have any questions about either of those models!
Pronounced Do-heeny. Named after the beach in SoCal, which in turn was named after oil baron and philanthropist Edward Doheny.
Yes, agreed. I've got to work on saying it correctly.
Neither of which is the correct Irish pronunciation. :)
To my ears the G&L was slightly out of tune, which is kind of ironic, given the Jazz Master’s tuning problem explanation. Although, I could hear the wider freq response from the pickups on the Doheny.
We'll never know what both P'ups sound like in the middle position..... Best, Pete.
What's the deal with remembering what the switches do? It's not that complicated. Bottom switch functions as normal pickup selector. Top switch turns on the neck pickup only and engages top volume and tone controls and shuts off bottom controls.
i know right? all these pros and long time players are so mystified with the switch
Thanks for the feedback. Not being a JM owner myself, it's not something I've committed to memory. I'm sure if I owned one or regularly sold them I'd have it down.
Agreed it’s pretty simple. The bass cut was meant to put it more into a jazz territory and also used as a preset. That simple.
Not a very encouraging start to the video....
@@jamesgretsch4894 theres no bass cut on the jazzmaster, thats the jag with the strangle switch
cant speak for that intention on the doheny's ptb though
Is it louder than a Standard Strat? Will it stand up to a humbucking pickup guitar? I want one but I don’t want it to feel anemic compared to my Gibson Nighthawk when switching guitars
The MFD's absolutely have more output than a standard Strat. Any G&L MFD holds up fairly well to a humbucker, but humbuckers vary widely in output. But I frequently bring a G&L Doheny or ASAT and a humbucker guitar to gigs. The bridge pickup on the Doheny is true to form and does not have a lot of bottom, but still way less anemic than a Strat.
Sorry Fender, G&L makes better guitars. Legacy/S-500 > Strat, ASAT > Tele, Fallout > Mustang (huge difference here) and so on. (and yes I own Tele and Strat too)
The Fender Jazzmaster neck pickup sounded much better to me than the G&L. The bridge pickups sounded different, but I didn't particularly like one much more than the other. On the other hand, the bridge/trem on the G&L is going to be much more reliable and stable.
Thank you for your input. A good Jazzmaster pickup is very nice in its own right. My feeling is that the G&L pickup has more overall flexibility and responds better to tone control adjustments. The G&L MFD's are not for everyone, but they offer a lot of tonal flexibility and range.
impressed with the Doheny, love the sound
Thank you for the feedback. It's a neat guitar, not a Jazzmaster recreation, but G&L's own spin.
Been looking for a good recording of a Doheny. To my ears, they sound an awful lot like an SC-2. I guess that shouldn't be too surprising, since the main differences are the shape of the body, the shape (but not construction) of the pickups, the placement of the pickups and the tone circuit (which I usually have all the way up anyway).
There are certain similarities due the nature of the pickup construction. The Doheny is a little deeper and warmer all around, especially at the neck. The bridge is still pretty bright but has a little more guts than the ASAT Special or SC-2. The Doheny does not always sound it's best full up, and the controls are certainly worth using. Thank you for your input.
@upfront guitars is right. the sc-2 doesn't have the ptb system and has a regular tone pot instead. on my sc-2 i still roll back the tone at times but nothing like using a ptb. the ptb is nothing like fenders where 99.9% of users leave it wide open. in regards to the asat special/sc-2 mfd's and these i'd think the wide bobbins would bring something somewhat distinct to the table - just as an actual jazzmaster pickup doesn't sound identical to a strat.
Thank you for the demos.Tagima has a nice alternative jazzmaster style for those on a tighter budget. Great reviews and sound fantastic.
Thank you for the feedback. Have not heard of Tagima, we will check it out.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 You're very welcome, thank you.
Tagima TW 61 is the jazzmaster style model from China. About 250 dollar price range, with P90 style pickups, and a real varitone switch. Not a lot of English reviews. They are made in Brazil, and China. Be safe.
@@grinningintheirface2685
Yep !!
@@jorgesxbass1 Right on Jorgesxbass1! Be safe man.
Imo the Doheny fixes all of the issues that I had with the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. It gets rid of the two-way switches and the lead/rhythm circuit; which weren't bad, but could hinder playing because they didn't feel intuitive or fully realized. Instead it replaces those with a standard three-way switch and G&L's PTB system which seems like a more fleshed out and intuitive version of the Jazzmaster/Jaguar's lead/rhythm circuit; since it is now all built in to two standard tone knobs and gives you more sound options than before. The Doheny also fixes that awful bridge which I think everyone can agree is something that should have been done a long time ago. I could go on for much longer, but I don't think anyone really cares that much. Btw, the Jazzmaster and Jaguar are great guitars, but really flawed guitars as well.
Thank you for your feedback!
Hi Gordon nice video and playing demo
Thank you Alan. This has been our most popular video, despite my playing!
G&L wins every time.
bought my black on black LB100 from you,,, still luv that bass...
Neck PU
Fender: 1:49
G&L 4:46
Bridge PU
Fender: 2:13
G&L: 5:18
Thank you!
Hi, which one the largest neck nut ? I love G&L pickups but they have thin neck (41mm). Let me know , kindest regards from France
Hi there. G&L has 8 different neck profiles to choose from with nut width's ranging from 1-5/8", to 1-11/16" and even 1-3/4". If you have any questions about ordering a custom G&L built to your specs send us an e-mail or give us a call! studio@upfrontguitars.com
I was not a fan of the Doheny pickups, they really lacked that sparkle associated with Jazzmasters. I don't understand why people want to thicken up single coil sounds. Play humbuckers if you want a thicker sound.
Thank you for your input. The G&L MFD pickups are somewhat a middle ground between a traditional single coil and a humbucker. I find them particularly good in live situations where the additional beef holds up well with the band. I don't see the Doheny as a replacement for the Jazzmaster; instead I see it as G&L's Offset Guitar.
you fail to realize what g&l's ptb system can do. i have no doubt that the doheny can get jangly by rolling off some of the bass (a versatility you will not find on a jazzmaster). after moving from strats to legacies, if nothing else, the ptb system is something i can't live without anymore.
Yes, and for people who like indie - a large part of the Jazzmaster market, I imagine - the jangle/sparkle is what you want it for. I prefer the sound of the MIJ JMs, personally.
It's not the pickups, the pickups are similar enough. Its the lack of floating trem and rocking bridge. It has less string tension than the Jazzmaster and lacks the break angles. It also lacks the 1M volume pot. I would try DR Tite Fit strings and rolling back the bass a little. You can always replace the pot with a 1M pot for cheap, I would try that before changing the pickups. It's all preference in the end but an argument could be made that G&L pickups are superior to Fender.
G&L did a great job on improving the pickup designs of Fender while maintaining the core tones.
I wish you played both pu's with bass rolled off some.
Doheny amazing TOP!!
Thank you for the feedback. The Doheny is certainly something will add a twist to your collection.
What’s the grey guitar behind you on the right ?
The one on the wall on the right(his left shoulder) is a G&L Fallout of some sort
Excellent review. Well done.
Thank you. We always find parts we think we can do better, but we appreciate the nice feedback
What's Paul Reed Smith doing here with these Fender and G&L guitars?
I guess he got religion.
Yeah, I guess there is a similarity, but I don't have his money or business acumen.
Saw you drivin' down town with the girl I love and I'm like **** youuu!!!
Nice demo, but both of these guitars have trem bridges, which you only talked about but didn't even use or demonstrate.
Point taken. Not much of a vibrato user myself, but I totally get your point. Thanks for the feedback.
Btw; love to hear the Godin with the TV Jones pickups (I believe) on the right.
So noted, and Godin does need more video demo support. We'll put it on the list.
Rocking that vulfpeck into.
I'm so focused in on that lefty telie in the back with 3 pickups 👀
While we don't have any lefty ASAT Classic S in stock at the moment, feel free to reach out about a build to order. You can spec out the whole guitar for the same price it would be on our shelf. If you have any questions about the process just give a call or e-mail! 508-686-6697 or studio@upfrontguitars.com. Thanks!
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 good to know!!! I swear by G&L!!!
Mastertrem = Staytrem!
for a second i thought he was gonna play move on up
Anyone that has had a JM knows how awful is the bridge. Sold with no regrets. Have to be honest here tho. The Doheny is a far superior guitar but its not comparable to the JMs feel. A different world. This bridge twang is unique to the JM. So I think this comparison is unfair to both guitars. A great presentation still. And thank you. (folks before you buy a JM or a Doheny, try a G&L Fallout B-) )
Thank you for your input to the conversation
I'm thinking of buying a g&l tribute fallout. Should i go for it?
@@gsly6081 an easy one: YES. It's very versatile. P90+HB with coil split? I love my Fallout.
@@Kostas-Kantounis Thank you. Will be my next buy for sure.
Do you have any left handed?
We don't currently have any lefty Doheny's in stock (lots on order though) but G&L is a build-to-order manufacturer so if you're interested in getting one made to spec feel free to give us a call or send us an e-mail. I can send you our PDF booklet of all the G&L options and make as many formal quotes as you'd like. Let me know if you have any questions!
There isn't, because I bought the ridiculously beautiful USA Doheny lefty in orange that UpFront had! That said, I'd encourage you to snag one if you have yet to do so. Another plus of the Donehy beyond its looks and tone is that those curves also make it much lighter than an ASAT, for example. Happy playing to you.
Is there a difference between the US-made and Indonesian-made Doheny?
The Imported G&L's are certainly a great value because they come with USA pickups and are all checked out at the factory in Fullerton CA. However, you cannot really compare the fit and finish to a USA G&L because they built to order by a small crew, use premium electronic components and every guitar and bass neck is PLEK'D to give you the best possible fretwork. At the end of the day, we feel that when you pay for a premium guitar, most of it is going toward the tender care of neck and fretwork which ultimately makes or breaks a good guitar. Pickups and electronics can be easily and inexpensively be changed but if it feel good in your hands, there's not much you can do about. Hope that helps and thanks for checking out our video!
The Tribute G&L uses the same pickups, but the other hardware like bridge, tuners, electronics etc. are sourced in Asia. The neck profile is not quite the same as the G&L dimensions, but then again they are not published. The guitar itself is built in Indonesia. They are good values but sometimes need a little work to get there.
is that steve martin?
Yes, and you thought he just played banjo....
I love all G&L guitars! Nice beat in the end btw.
I really don't feel this comparison is fair and my reasons are the G&L most closely resembles the Fender American Professional Jazzmaster. The Fender American Professional also has done away with the rhythm circuit the same as the G&L and it also has a redesigned bridge and tremolo that eliminates the issues associated with the original design. The Fender AP is around $150 dollars cheaper and in my opinion would have a much better resale value.
Thanks for watching and adding to the discussion Steve. Your points are certainly valid but I would argue that beyond the basic improvements the Doheny MFD pickup is the most important ingredient that separates it from it's Fender peers. G&L is also unique in the fact that you can custom order your Doheny with personal specs for the same cost as a built and ready model on the shelf. Lastly, in close to 10 years as a G&L dealer (with a steady flow of used Fender's coming in) we've seen the resale value of Fender and G&L slowly but surely enter the same range. Just our 2 cents, Cheers!
Thank your for the feedback. At the time of this video we did not have access to the AP Jazzmaster. But the MIM JM is a good representation of the original JM concept, and a nice guitar in its own right. The Fender vs. G&L resale comparison is a frequent discussion, and while the Fender headstock does have an impact on resale value, Fender makes so many different versions of the same guitar, it's sometimes difficult to determine market value. Our own experience is that USA G&L's have a very consistent market value, and the Doheny in particular is holding it's value on the used market.
where's the surf..?
in santa monica
My 62 never goes out of tune , i mean for weeks
Good know, I'm sure it's a great guitar
Really great demo - thank you very much for it. I'm sure the build quality of the G&L puts that Fender to shame - BUT - if I'm being absolutely honest - the Fender sounds better. I've never been fond of MFDs - and this didn't change my mind.
No problem with that. Freedom of choice is a good thing. Thanks!
+AlD72 - I agree with you about preferring the Jazzmaster . It's got a voice of its own - so why buy a pretend version when you can get the real deal? The Doheny for me needs to find its own niche rather than jump onto the surf music bandwagon more than 50 years after it finished. Hopefully someone buys a Doheny and takes it to new places musically - rather than retrace the steps of the Jazzmaster in music.
We appreciate your input, and you are spot on. Leo started G&L to improve on his Fender designs, so it has never been in the business of reproducing the past. The Doheny is here to give nostalgia a new sound and we leave that to the artist.
The tinny, metallic sounding neck pickup is what makes the jazzmaster. The doheny is more of a telecaster to my ears. Great guitar, just not exactly what one would look for in a JM style guitar.
Fair enough. The Doheny is definitely an offset for G&L fans. A diehard JM player would likely not be swayed, but we think the Doheny can cover a wider range of music. Thank you for the feedback.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 thank you man, great content!
Apparently, no one plays surf on a Doheny.
Ahh, umm, ah, uh, umm, aah, uhm, ah, oh, umm....
How do both pickups sound together?
Both pickups together are Tele-like: Nice chime, percussive, bright, but not like bridge pickup bright
Both pickups together are similar to the traditional ASAT Classic two pickup combination: Punchy with a slightly twangy country feel. I think the Doheny is a little smoother sounding, and with the passive bass and treble controls you can shape it a lot overall.
That Doheny sounds *much* better IMHO!
You are so right! I have a s500. You need to use the tone controls that's what makes this Guitar so versatile. My Fenders are always maxed out. g&Ls I put them on 666 or 777 volume/treble/bass depending on my mood.
I like it better then Jazzmaster.
I find the Jazzmaster/Jaguar to be a far more versatile instrument, having not only the lead and rhythm circuits to be set at whatever you want them to be but also the floating tremolo with the slide lock(the Jag is also a slightly shorter scale and has a bass strangle in it,) it's clearly a superior instrument in comparison. With that comes a need to understand that this is not like any other guitar on the market and requires some different setup steps... So people get annoyed and write it off. Better understanding is requirement for wielding one, and a qualified tech is even more important. These are the things that are important if you want to eliminate hum & buzz, keep tuning stability with the trem, or even use the knobs and switches to their full potential.
The Doheny sounds good! I love Jazzmasters too, BTW. The alternate neck-pickup-only option (which the upper bout switch lets you select) has a darker voice that works fantastic with brighter gain pedals and amps. It’s not hard to remember what it does once you’ve actually used it. ;)
Thank you for your feedback. Yes, I'm not a Jazzmaster owner, and my familiarity with the tone circuit is not that deep. The JM was actually lent to me by my brother. It's a MIM model, and overall it's a nice guitar although the bridge pickup does not have a whole lot going on. I'm actually partial to the hardtail Doheny, which is a little less bright with a fuller low end.
No problem. I like the Doheny’s voice judging by the video. Thanks for replying.
The JM controls are not complicated. If you can use a cell phone it is not a problem!
Oh yes! I'm so glad they weren't afraid to make some strong changes where this model drastically needed it...bridge , but especially the pickups! I could really use one of these now!
See, I've always loved the body: it looks so cool, and it's the most ergonomic guitar ever! I'm mostly a home player, so I play mostly sitting - and jazzmasters are even more ergonomic than Start, for seated playing.
But I could never justify buying one on looks (+ some ergonomics) alone. Plunky pickups, faulty bridge system, too many dials, you have to duct tape the rhythm circuit switch so you don't hit it on an upstrum in a big movement, and have your tone fall out from under you.. Just too many faulty issues you have to get around - who needs it?! I'd rather a simple Tele.
But now g&l have dealt with all that , completely improving those sore points to make them actually strong points...and they've done it at a good price..AND with block inlays??
I'm in. 😀
Thank you for your feedback. While purists will side with the Jazzmaster. The Doheny in our mind does provide better controls, very flexible pickups and a more reliable vibrato at a great price for a USA guitar.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 Purists, Schp-purists!! They are the reasons pur favourite guitar companies can't make great guitars - they are second guessed by every Fender Fanboy & Gibson Geek whenever they try to make any improvement.
" Ugh! In 1959, the rosewood felt more springy.. "
Or, "In 1960 our Strat bridge pickup was like an ice-pick through your eyeball AND THAT'S THE WAY WE LIKE IT!
" Your better not make a small adjustment to the pickup angle..your corrections are not vintage correct".
That sort of thing.
@@lueysixty-six7300 I agree with your sentiment, and quite often tradition prevents improvements. I find that Fender fans tend to be more accepting of change, but there are some that only the original -- good or bad -- will do.
Fender !
how NOISY are these pickups ??? .... they fall easy into feedback ?? ..... are they single coil or humbuckers ?? ...... we all know the HUM in the single jazzmasters pickups it's a serious crappy business , and that's why people move to Lollar or Kinman or whatever ..... Fender JM pickups are nice in tone and colour , but too noisy .......... is G&L really aware that most Jazzmaster sound lovers DON'T WANT that "P90 flavour" on the JM pickups ??? ... thanx !!
These pickups are true single coil, but they are constructed similar to a P-90 in that they have a single bar magnet underneath. But they don't sound like a P-90; they have a signature G&L MFD tone but with JM flavor. In terms of noise, I have not played one in the context of live band/club where house wiring and lights might cause an issue. But because they have a pretty healthy output, the signal to noise ratio is good. So in general, I would not describe these as noisy and they are certainly better in that regard than a P-90. Thanks, Gordon
If you are going to use an Artist's music without permission, atleast credit them!
"Vulfpeck - Welcome to Vulf Records".
Hi Josh. We use Vulfpeck music for our intro and outro for every demo we do. I have contacted them for permission and have never gotten a reply. Also if you watch the credits to our videos I credit the band and name each song that is used.
Fair enough, but a line in the description couldn't hurt. Epic guitars and video nonetheless!
Thank you, it is much appreciated.
We certainly are mindful of copyright and intellectual property rights, and if we ever do hear from Vulfpeck about using their material we will respect their decision.
Sad how much this guy hates Jazzmasters
Thank you for your input. I don't hate the Jazzmaster. It has some quirks that for most people don't turn out to be totally useful, and I'm not alone in that opinion. The Doheny is a more straightforward rendition of the offset guitar, and for some that is appealing.
The Doheny may well be the better guitar, but it just doesn't give me the spark in the eyes a jazzmaster does. And its sound is just so ... nondescript.
Has nothing to do with the Jazzmaster.....
The Doheny has nothing to do with the Jazzmaster? In a way I suppose. I guess you could say it's G&L's take on a Jazzmaster, which makes it not really a Jazzmaster. It's a nice guitar in it's own way. Thank you for the feedback.
The only part that has to do with the Jazzmaster is the SHAPE of the body... Right off the bat, it doesn't sound the same AT ALL. Two distinct tones. Why comparing the two ? I know that you might not sell the Fender brand but the G&L instead. G&L is a great brand but don't compare apples and oranges... Question : where is the "jazz tone" on the G&L ? Nowhere. Turn on the neck pickup on the Jazzmaster and you have a monster of a tone that can inspire something different... PS. You have a very negative approach concerning competition. You don't have to destroy the Jazzmaster in order to sell your stuff...........
Leo started G&L to improve on his original designs and the Doheny is the latest addition. We compared them to show the differences and highlight those changes, so the commentary delivered was our honest opinion. The tone of the Doheny or MFD pickups in general is not for everyone but we highly encourage you to try one if you get the chance.
It's a very relevant comparison. Jazz Masters ended up being HUGH in the 'surf' music scene due to their bright and twangy tone, and G&L is clearly offering an alternative, that not only has the eq capability on the guitar itself to adjust the tone to sound exactly like a Jazz Master, but it also covers a lot of additional territory making it an extremely well rounded, and versatile guitar as well - sort of a Jazz Master deluxe.
talked too much and too much time between the guitars.... no basis to compare. We can make our own minds up - no need to tell us what it is there - let us hear it side by side.
Thank you for your input. With many people phones and other lo-fi devices, real sonic comparisons are difficult. Sometimes descriptions are helpful too.
I actually thought the demo was perfect less the example of the bridge. Keep it up!
Wow, this dude really wants to tell us what to hear, problem is, I most definitely didn't hear what he tried to suggest into my ears so badly. Instead of the fuller, wider ranged, more complex etc sound I just heard a dull, muffled something coming out from the g&l. Pretty disappointing, especially after the really sweet sounding Fender. And tbh I wanted the g&l to be better, to be the winner. It just wasn't.
Thank you for your input. We like the guitar and sometimes videos don't always convey the total the total picture. If there is one available near you to try out, give it a spin.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 Thanks for the advice! Indeed, that's the best one can do :)
Lol I think the jazzmaster sounded better
No biggie. To each is own. Where G&L's tend to excel is live settings where the additional output and mids works well with a band. Thanks for the input.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 Maybe. I think the jazzmaster sounded more open and chimey, but the G&L just sounded like humbuckers to me. Thank you for comparison though. I does seem like the tremolo system on the G&L seems better
g and L wishes it could be fender...they always sound lifeless thick and dull.....just doesnt have the magic! Fender rules
SUGAR LIFE Thank you for the feedback. That’s the beauty of choice.
@@upfrontguitarsandmusicllc436 nice vids!! happy new year from NYC CANNOT BEAT THE CLASSIC FENDER TONES...whoever makes Gand l should learn;)
I dunno. The Doheny sounded better.
Doheny just kinda sounds like a cheap strat.