A lot of good comments here and some useful info. I just bought this guitar yesterday from a local shop. I listened to all the demos online, found a shop that had this model and went straight there to check it out. I researched every kind of Tele from the Player to the AP II, tried to hunt down some out of production models too.. and ultimately decided this was THE one. Straight from the factory mine was damn near perfect. I replaced the strings with .10s, did a minor tweak and this guitar is absolutely going to be my go-to. In fact, I wouldn't replace anything, including the pickups. Plugged it into my Custom Reverb and a Twin and it just slayed on both. Neck is perfect, locking tuners were weird and I'm not sold on them, BUT... I like that they don't look like bulky, ugly locking tuners so once I get used to them I'm guessing I'll be happy with them.
Appreciate the honest review. I just pulled the trigger on this guitar on reverb. Got it for 800 mint. Will arrive in a couple days. Will return to leave some feedback after I get my hands and ears on it. Rock on!
Wow, thank you so much for this honest review which is pretty rare nowadays. Almost every reviews you can find on youtube today are mostly like, unfortunately, big marketing stunt where everything seems to come from a magic world. Thanks again, was very informative.
Great nuanced review. I admire that you're not shying away from actually critiquing the guitar, as most reviews are just pouring nothing but praise into these. They're great guitars definitely, but they're not the absolute bargains like they were in the 80's. Like you said, these are basically the same price as the entry level American guitars and I believe they're of similar quality (JV mod having maybe slightly better specs). Japan has been making great stuff for decades and they're no longer a cheap labor country, which is fantastic for them! I'm happy to buy a Japanese made instrument even though I know it may not be the most bang for your buck like it was in the 80's. I bought this Tele for the history, the FujiGen factory, the amazing neck profile, and the breathtaking finish. Yes I wish it came with a hardshell case but the American Performers don't come with one either.
Hey Nick, so you have a JV Tele? How do you like it? Anything to ad to what I said? BTW Thank you for the endorsement, I appreciate it! Please subscribe to see my other reviews and it helps promote the channel.
@@airtimedesign I like the guitar a lot! The only thing I'd say about your review is that you're not using the tuners correctly haha. I don't blame you, they're weird and fender really doesn't give any instructions on how to use them. Look at Gotoh Locking Vintage Oval Knob 6-In-Line Tuners on Stew-Mac and read their instructions. The string fraying you're experiencing is most likely due to you overtightening them with a screwdriver. I wish they just shipped the guitars with normal locking tuners. I really don't think the vintage look adds a whole lot to the guitar and normal locking tuners are much more intuitive to use.
@@nickmanville900 Thanks for the help Nick but if there is a technique to use those vintage locking tuners I would love to know what it it. It didn't seem to make any difference how tight or loose it was, they just were impossible to remove string without shedding or breaking it. Yeah they could just use the normal vintage tuners and I'd be good with that! Thanks for the comment!
Excellent review. I tried this guitar in a music store side by side with American performer (satin finish) and mexican teles. Man, Japanese know how to make telecaster. You can immediately feel the quality of JV tele. Neck feels home. Not a single flaw in the finish. Double bound looks classy. Pickups are fine. I wish they were nitrocellulose lacquer finish though and the price should include a hardcase. Other than that the JV 60's teles are great guitars.
Hello gbsnfndr thank you I'm glad you enjoyed the review. It definitely felt like a Japanese guitar and I think the guitar looks stunning. I just didn't feel anyway about the pickups. They just didn't grab me as something special but there was nothing wrong with the sound. And yes if it included a hard case I'm sure Gibson would sell a lot more! Please subscribe to see my other reviews!
I tried both the 50s and 60s JV modified Teles and went with the 50s, despite preferring the look of the 60s. It just sounded more open and had more bite... much more what I want from a Tele. I'd still be tempted to buy the 60s as well, just because it looks so cool, though! There's just something about the Japanese guitars that I love, and you wouldn't go wrong with any of these. Awesome review, too. Many thanks for taking the time to make the video... as a professional editor I know how much time must have gone into making this.
Hello Tollan23, Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. You are right, it always takes me much longer to put these reviews together than I think. But it's really nice when I read the comments and see that people are enjoying them and it helps someone. Please subscribe to see more of my reviews!
The Fender vintage style locking tuners are brilliant. And no, you don't need to use a screwdriver with them. Just unscrew with your fingers around the post.
Part of the appeal of vintage guitars previously made in The USA, was the nitrocellulose paint that once upon a time was standard. So your guitar would age gracefully and get better with age. However now it seems that polyurethane is the favoured paint. Yes it is hard and almost scratch resistant therefore the guitar will look like it did the day you bought it even after many years of play. I noticed that Fender Custom Shop seems to prefer the nitrocellulose finish. The type of finish definitely influences my decision on buying particular instruments.
Agree 100%. I’m at the point where I simply will not purchase a poly finished guitar. It’s not a tone thing, it’s a feel thing. Nitro feels resonant and smooth against the skin. Poly fills like hard plastic. I get it’s an environmental thing, since nitro is a pollutant, but I’d rather pay a little more and not feel like my guitar is dipped in plastic.
Also you’re wrong- ppl like the nitro finish for tone reasons- they think it allows the guitar to ‘breathe’ more therefore affecting the sound quality - if someone is legit not gunna buy a top of the line instrument, because it doesn’t decay and wear down, like what are you even doing.
@@seano6859 nitro affects the tone of the guitar in a same way that red color makes Ferrari faster. Bullshit. Especially on electric guitars. People buy it for: feel, aging or trying to have an vintage accurate guitar since the real ones are way too expensive right now. To your other comment: Satin or gloss is how about how you polish the finish. You can have a satin nitro or satin poly. Satin is just not polished so it does not gloss.
I bought a 75th Anniversary Made In Japan 50's Hybrid Telecaster in Off White Blonde with an Ash body and American 59 Vintage pickups last year. Build quality, playability and sound are perfect but I am also not a fan of the vintage locking tuners. I've worked out a smoother way to remove the strings by winding and just turning the string post by hand but I would have the stock standard top loading vintage tuners any day - in fact they are my favourite tuners. I have them on my Crafted in Japan '57 Stratocaster from about 2007.
Thank you for this review. I am evaluating the possibility for buy it. The most important for me it`s that I dont feel fine with jumbo or tall frets that usually features Fender. However JV model has medium jumbo, that I use to play. So, I will try this one.
Well. I finally got a new one of them at a special price, in Spain, which is more expensive than in the USA. I can say that it has not disappointed me. It is comfortable and light, as well as pretty, although that may be more subjective. I don't understand why the locking tunners turns out to be negative. It may be less comfortable than other standards, because it requires a screwdriver, but it performs its function perfectly and the guitar does not go out of tune at all.@@airtimedesign
I agree with you about the pickups, but I don't think you're making a valid point by pointing out that the American Performer is only $50. Yeah, that may be true, but the JV is superior to the AP in every way *except* the pickups. A better comparison would be to the American Professional II, which is $350 more, isn't double bound, and doesn't have that amazing neck. I'm planning on getting a set of Yosemite pickups (the ones that come in the American Performer) to put in my JV. Then I'll get the best of both worlds, overcoming what is, IMO, the only serious flaw in the JV.
I bought the JV 60's Firemist gold because it had the specs I wanted. I would find a Fender that have most and then it would have 6 bridge saddles. That's a tele deal breaker for me. The tension of 2 strings on brass saddles is the tele sound. I've been lucky enough to play, record, and gig my friends original 51 nocaster. 6 saddle Fender is a good sound, but it's not that sound. I love the wiring configuration, which I'm going to keep when I drop in Danny Gatton Bardens. The color and double binding are another selling point. Maybe a custom shop tele, but then the neck would be 7.25 radius. Also, a deal breaker. I can put vintage tuners on, shield it...which i usually do anyhow. Down the road, it'll get a Callaham bridge. So the quality of the neck, body, big frets, and bone nut adds up to a winner. Don't forget that back then, the dollar was crushing the yen in exchange rates. I don't have 4gs for a Custom shop tele, but this is going to get me there with a few inexpensive upgrades. The core guitar is good enough stock, but with some vision, it will be my dream come true. Good video. I appreciate honest opinions.
Great review man! I’ve been looking at these for a bit. It’s a shame about those tuners as locking tuners make life so much easier. However, that Firemist Gold finish w/double binding looks sweet! Funny thing is that I’m a metal/hard rock guy yet Teles are kind of my favorite guitars. I bought a used/mint American Pro II Tele in black that the previous owner installed Duncan Hotrails, ditched the push-push function and replaced wiring with classic & orange drop capacitor (although that has never mattered to me), and I love the guitar. I installed Fender locking tuners w/the thumb wheel and a black pick guard and now it’s black on black monster. I sometimes just can’t put it down. I love it when you find a guitar that you know is right and is a keeper. Your reviews are meaningful and well thought out 👍🏻
Darth Durkel you are indeed wise! And you have such good taste! Now you've got me thinking about changing out the pickups on my Am Pro 2. I'm not really a fan of the highly touted Tim Shaw designed pickups and the push push button sticks up way to high when it's in the popped up position. The JV is a great looking guitar and quite frankly that is what drew me to the guitar initially. It would not be a big deal to replace the tuners and I might want to play with some other pickups options too. Glad you enjoyed the review and thank you for the compliment! Please subscribe if you haven't already!
I was excited when I saw these appear because they are made in the Fujigen factory. I got really disappointed though when I saw that they installed these wonky locking tuners instead of the simple vintage Kluson tuners with the split posts. Too bad because that's a deal-breaker for me.
YOU DONT NEED A SCREWDRIVER OR ANYTHING ELSE TO HOLD THE YOP OF THE TUNER, IN FACT YOU DO NOTHING WITH THAT BUT SLIDE THE STRING THREW, HOLD THE STRING WITH SLIGHT TENSION AND WIND THE TUNER UNTIL THE LOCK HAS THE STRING.... USE THE TUNER TO RELEASE TENSION FROM THE OLD STRING,SLIGHT TURN AND IT IS EASY TO REMOVE ! I LOVE THESE TUNERS, VERY FAST TO CHANGE STRINGS, ONCE NEW STRINGS HAVE BEEN STRETCHED PROPERLY WHEN TUNING, THESE TUNERS HOLD THEM PERFECT IN TUNE! I HAVE THE 50s TELE, YOU WILL NEED TO GET THE AMERICAN STANDARD TO COMPARE, ALL OTHER FENDERS NOT MADE IN US ARE WELL BENEATH MY JAPANESE JV. NO. COMPARISON! OH YEA , THAT PERFORMER TELE BY FENDER MADE IN US IS NOT MUCH BETTER IF ANY THAN THE MEXICAN PLAYERS.
I am considering the jv with rosewood.. but also considering the squier classic vibe 60s. I had a classic vibe 50s tele (China) years ago and sold it. I really regret letting that guitar go. A few months ago I repurchased the 50s cv tele made in Indonesia. Sadly, this one was not of the same quality.. the pickup cavities lacked shielding and the neck pocket was loose (gaps). I think I just got a bad one though. How do you feel the jv modified stacks up vs your classic vibe 50s you’ve made vids with? Btw… I enjoy your videos and you have a really good voice on your music videos (in addition to playing) Have you ever seen “on any given Sunday?” Your voice and delivery remind me of that movie (Bruce Brown). Thanks for the vid
Hi. Just for help....I've got the same guitar and the locking tuners are way more simple than that. Just unscrew till the point that you can retire the string easily......then, put the new string and screw to the point that the string os blocked. You'll hear it. It's really simple, but nobody explains it anywhere....
Thank you for this review. Pity you didn't include sound demos. But, from what I have seen, those vintage locking tuners are a real pain in the backside, and would be the first thing I would change out, if the holes in the back of the neck match the normal vintage style tuners. But I would hate to buy a guitar knowing that I would detest something about it. Maybe the Fender MIJ Traditional 60s is the better option for me, also doesn't have a belly cut.
But what is the cost of a double bound American Custom 60's Tele ? More then this Japanese made one. That's where this model is a good buy. I've had the Squire Classic Vibe 60's Custom tele and while that's a great bargain, I like this one better. I've always ended up switching out the pickups and switching in nearly all my teles, but for some reason I'm happy with the components in this Japanese one.
Thank you John! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Please subscribe to see my other reviews. I'm just getting started and It helps promote the channel. Thanks!
Could you possibly provide a link to the video showing how to install the strings because I'm having a hell of a job getting it right. Thank you so much.
Great review. The tuners and the pickups are kind of a deal breaker for me, I much prefer standard vintage tuners to any tuner and although this guitar seems like a fine guitar, the machine heads and the blah Fender pickups are not going to work for me.
But between 90s & early 2000s MIJ Fenders were made in the Tokai factory made to a very high standard are better than modern Fender custom shop and have ash bodies the ones I have come across I mainly buy Greco & Tokai strats. The rare N series Strats end of line Mij/cij when they were made in the Fujigen Factory. But the two factories merged into one called Fender MIJ.
I would assume post war propaganda had a hand in discrediting the credibility of Japan's production capability. Then William Deming came along, and the rest is history.
I don't consider myself an expert on electronics and pickups. I only know from my experience, the more resistance, the hotter the pickup. It is my understanding that that the ohm reading is measuring resistance which usually equates to the amount of wire the current has to run through. The more winds of wire on a magnet usually increases the magnetic output. Sounds like you know a lot more about this than I do so any explanation would be appreciated! Thanks
@@airtimedesign what you wrote is not wrong but it's true only to a degree. The amount of wire and the thickness or the wire affects dc resistance and also tone of the pickup since it's not easy to make a pickup with a lot of winds be clear and not compressed. The other variable in pickup output that is as important or even more important than dc resistance is inductance and it usually relects the output better than resistance. All the factors are important starting with pickup design, materials it's made of, dc resistance, inductance, age of the pickup magnet, cover shape and material, etc. Active pickups are a whole different world too :D
'The Rising Sun' flag that you using on your thumbnail image is a symbol of Imperial Japanese military - represents militarism, imperialism and the countless war crimes against humanity including Korean (just like myself) and other Asians and American, British, Australian and many other Allied nations military personnel and civilians. And it's never been admitted or apologized by Japanese Government Officials still these days. Unlike Germany. People especially from US or Europe have no idea that this Rising Sun flag is equal or even worse then NAZI flags. I assume they just think it's cool. I'm tired of explaining this every time when I see ppl use the symbol on internet. Please look up yourself what former Imperial Japanese did during early 20th century to WW2 era. Please be aware. I hope you remove it or just replace it to formal Japanese national flag like one single red dot on the center of the flag. I really wish ppl know this thing.
@@airtimedesign You don't get it at all. I told you because you use them both. You should not use them both. That's the point I told you. Are you really cool with using war criminals symbol still Japanese extremists use? You may not be interested but this is still a hottest issue from some Asian countries like Korea, even after more than half century passed. Not your concern? Come on. We living on the same planet like you review MIJ guitars, We eat some fine Chinese foods, Enjoying Pizza, Having luxury of drinking French wine and worry about Ukraine at war. You may be cool stay there as ignorant, indifferent one but come on, You're better than that, aren't you? I beg you, I am telling you about subjects you never cared before but things can be different from small pieces of changes. Please consider what I recommended. I hope you do.
@@user-ik7ul9ov3l we live in a free country bro, and yeah I do respect your past and the culture of everyone, but maybe we should all look together towards the future and not worry about the past…. If this man wants to use whatever he wants to use, than learn from the Japanese culture you speak of and allow him instead of trying to control whatever it is THAT YOU DONT LIKE OR OFFENDED BY….. like I said before we live in a FREE COUNTRY
This flag was also banned from the World Cup in Qatar. I understand it's a mistake. Please avoid using it from now on. I came here after watching the AVRI II deep dive video.
If you think this is a good guitar, check out what China has to offer these days. Shijie or Eastman are excellent examples of high quality precision instruments.
Hey Buffalo Lodge, no argument here! I think that was my main take away. There are a lot of good choices and we are lucky to have so many really good guitars at affordable prices to choose from. Please subscribe if you haven't already to see more of my reviews!
Funny I checked the pronuncation with Google which gives you an audio clip which clearly sounds as "Bass Wood". www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Basswood+pronounce
![[TH] 2024 PMSL SEA Finals D1 | Fall | ยิงต้องโหด ให้เหมือนโกรธกันมาก่อน](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OnTdfGySmds/mqdefault.jpg)
A lot of good comments here and some useful info. I just bought this guitar yesterday from a local shop. I listened to all the demos online, found a shop that had this model and went straight there to check it out. I researched every kind of Tele from the Player to the AP II, tried to hunt down some out of production models too.. and ultimately decided this was THE one. Straight from the factory mine was damn near perfect. I replaced the strings with .10s, did a minor tweak and this guitar is absolutely going to be my go-to. In fact, I wouldn't replace anything, including the pickups. Plugged it into my Custom Reverb and a Twin and it just slayed on both. Neck is perfect, locking tuners were weird and I'm not sold on them, BUT... I like that they don't look like bulky, ugly locking tuners so once I get used to them I'm guessing I'll be happy with them.
Appreciate the honest review. I just pulled the trigger on this guitar on reverb. Got it for 800 mint. Will arrive in a couple days. Will return to leave some feedback after I get my hands and ears on it. Rock on!
Glad you enjoyed the review. Please let me know how you like the guitar!
Wow, thank you so much for this honest review which is pretty rare nowadays. Almost every reviews you can find on youtube today are mostly like, unfortunately, big marketing stunt where everything seems to come from a magic world. Thanks again, was very informative.
You're welcome and thank you! Please subscribe and take a look at my other reviews!
Great nuanced review. I admire that you're not shying away from actually critiquing the guitar, as most reviews are just pouring nothing but praise into these. They're great guitars definitely, but they're not the absolute bargains like they were in the 80's. Like you said, these are basically the same price as the entry level American guitars and I believe they're of similar quality (JV mod having maybe slightly better specs). Japan has been making great stuff for decades and they're no longer a cheap labor country, which is fantastic for them! I'm happy to buy a Japanese made instrument even though I know it may not be the most bang for your buck like it was in the 80's. I bought this Tele for the history, the FujiGen factory, the amazing neck profile, and the breathtaking finish. Yes I wish it came with a hardshell case but the American Performers don't come with one either.
Hey Nick, so you have a JV Tele? How do you like it? Anything to ad to what I said? BTW Thank you for the endorsement, I appreciate it! Please subscribe to see my other reviews and it helps promote the channel.
@@airtimedesign I like the guitar a lot! The only thing I'd say about your review is that you're not using the tuners correctly haha. I don't blame you, they're weird and fender really doesn't give any instructions on how to use them. Look at Gotoh Locking Vintage Oval Knob 6-In-Line Tuners on Stew-Mac and read their instructions. The string fraying you're experiencing is most likely due to you overtightening them with a screwdriver.
I wish they just shipped the guitars with normal locking tuners. I really don't think the vintage look adds a whole lot to the guitar and normal locking tuners are much more intuitive to use.
@@nickmanville900 Thanks for the help Nick but if there is a technique to use those vintage locking tuners I would love to know what it it. It didn't seem to make any difference how tight or loose it was, they just were impossible to remove string without shedding or breaking it. Yeah they could just use the normal vintage tuners and I'd be good with that! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for your honest and thoughtful reviews. We, musicians likes this kind of honesty.
Thanks Dominic!
Excellent review. I tried this guitar in a music store side by side with American performer (satin finish) and mexican teles. Man, Japanese know how to make telecaster. You can immediately feel the quality of JV tele. Neck feels home. Not a single flaw in the finish. Double bound looks classy. Pickups are fine. I wish they were nitrocellulose lacquer finish though and the price should include a hardcase. Other than that the JV 60's teles are great guitars.
Hello gbsnfndr thank you I'm glad you enjoyed the review. It definitely felt like a Japanese guitar and I think the guitar looks stunning. I just didn't feel anyway about the pickups. They just didn't grab me as something special but there was nothing wrong with the sound. And yes if it included a hard case I'm sure Gibson would sell a lot more! Please subscribe to see my other reviews!
I'm with you on the finish. I won't buy any instrument with a poly finish, they're horrible. Nitro or nothing.
@@slimturnpike Thanks for the comment Slim and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Please subscribe!
@@slimturnpike Horrible? Give me a break. Today’s high quality thin poly finishes are incredible. The JM Strat is a perfect example.
@@maxhenry9724 that jm strat is a perfect example, can't stand it YMMV
I owned an American Strat in the 80ies and just bought a JV 60. the Japanese is a gem.
I tried both the 50s and 60s JV modified Teles and went with the 50s, despite preferring the look of the 60s. It just sounded more open and had more bite... much more what I want from a Tele. I'd still be tempted to buy the 60s as well, just because it looks so cool, though! There's just something about the Japanese guitars that I love, and you wouldn't go wrong with any of these.
Awesome review, too. Many thanks for taking the time to make the video... as a professional editor I know how much time must have gone into making this.
Hello Tollan23, Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. You are right, it always takes me much longer to put these reviews together than I think. But it's really nice when I read the comments and see that people are enjoying them and it helps someone. Please subscribe to see more of my reviews!
The Fender vintage style locking tuners are brilliant. And no, you don't need to use a screwdriver with them. Just unscrew with your fingers around the post.
Once I got used to them I liked them too.
Really dig your review and video! Please keep making such high quality video for us! ❤
Part of the appeal of vintage guitars previously made in The USA, was the nitrocellulose paint that once upon a time was standard. So your guitar would age gracefully and get better with age. However now it seems that polyurethane is the favoured paint. Yes it is hard and almost scratch resistant therefore the guitar will look like it did the day you bought it even after many years of play. I noticed that Fender Custom Shop seems to prefer the nitrocellulose finish. The type of finish definitely influences my decision on buying particular instruments.
Agree 100%. I’m at the point where I simply will not purchase a poly finished guitar. It’s not a tone thing, it’s a feel thing. Nitro feels resonant and smooth against the skin. Poly fills like hard plastic. I get it’s an environmental thing, since nitro is a pollutant, but I’d rather pay a little more and not feel like my guitar is dipped in plastic.
@@thesunabsolute I feel exactly the same. Nitro is the way
Isn’t this guitar a satin finish? Lol
Also you’re wrong- ppl like the nitro finish for tone reasons- they think it allows the guitar to ‘breathe’ more therefore affecting the sound quality - if someone is legit not gunna buy a top of the line instrument, because it doesn’t decay and wear down, like what are you even doing.
@@seano6859 nitro affects the tone of the guitar in a same way that red color makes Ferrari faster. Bullshit. Especially on electric guitars. People buy it for: feel, aging or trying to have an vintage accurate guitar since the real ones are way too expensive right now.
To your other comment:
Satin or gloss is how about how you polish the finish. You can have a satin nitro or satin poly. Satin is just not polished so it does not gloss.
I bought a 75th Anniversary Made In Japan 50's Hybrid Telecaster in Off White Blonde with an Ash body and American 59 Vintage pickups last year. Build quality, playability and sound are perfect but I am also not a fan of the vintage locking tuners. I've worked out a smoother way to remove the strings by winding and just turning the string post by hand but I would have the stock standard top loading vintage tuners any day - in fact they are my favourite tuners. I have them on my Crafted in Japan '57 Stratocaster from about 2007.
In the comparison It has to be a double bound guitar not just a pine American guitar huge price difference
Thank you for this review. I am evaluating the possibility for buy it. The most important for me it`s that I dont feel fine with jumbo or tall frets that usually features Fender. However JV model has medium jumbo, that I use to play. So, I will try this one.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed the review Pol
Well. I finally got a new one of them at a special price, in Spain, which is more expensive than in the USA.
I can say that it has not disappointed me. It is comfortable and light, as well as pretty, although that may be more subjective.
I don't understand why the locking tunners turns out to be negative. It may be less comfortable than other standards, because it requires a screwdriver, but it performs its function perfectly and the guitar does not go out of tune at all.@@airtimedesign
I agree with you about the pickups, but I don't think you're making a valid point by pointing out that the American Performer is only $50. Yeah, that may be true, but the JV is superior to the AP in every way *except* the pickups. A better comparison would be to the American Professional II, which is $350 more, isn't double bound, and doesn't have that amazing neck.
I'm planning on getting a set of Yosemite pickups (the ones that come in the American Performer) to put in my JV. Then I'll get the best of both worlds, overcoming what is, IMO, the only serious flaw in the JV.
This was an excellent video though even though I disagreed with some of it.
Thank you cominginsecond. I appreciate it.
Thank you so much for this review !
I bought the JV 60's Firemist gold because it had the specs I wanted. I would find a Fender that have most and then it would have 6 bridge saddles. That's a tele deal breaker for me. The tension of 2 strings on brass saddles is the tele sound. I've been lucky enough to play, record, and gig my friends original 51 nocaster. 6 saddle Fender is a good sound, but it's not that sound. I love the wiring configuration, which I'm going to keep when I drop in Danny Gatton Bardens. The color and double binding are another selling point. Maybe a custom shop tele, but then the neck would be 7.25 radius. Also, a deal breaker. I can put vintage tuners on, shield it...which i usually do anyhow. Down the road, it'll get a Callaham bridge. So the quality of the neck, body, big frets, and bone nut adds up to a winner. Don't forget that back then, the dollar was crushing the yen in exchange rates. I don't have 4gs for a Custom shop tele, but this is going to get me there with a few inexpensive upgrades. The core guitar is good enough stock, but with some vision, it will be my dream come true.
Good video. I appreciate honest opinions.
I bought one last night from fender. Last time they were sold out. Great review 👏 thanks 😊
Thanks Greg and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I'm sure you'll enjoy your the JV! Please subscribe, it really helps. Thanks
Great review man! I’ve been looking at these for a bit.
It’s a shame about those tuners as locking tuners make life so much easier.
However, that Firemist Gold finish w/double binding looks sweet!
Funny thing is that I’m a metal/hard rock guy yet Teles are kind of my favorite guitars.
I bought a used/mint American Pro II Tele in black that the previous owner installed Duncan Hotrails, ditched the push-push function and replaced wiring with classic & orange drop capacitor (although that has never mattered to me), and I love the guitar.
I installed Fender locking tuners w/the thumb wheel and a black pick guard and now it’s black on black monster.
I sometimes just can’t put it down. I love it when you find a guitar that you know is right and is a keeper.
Your reviews are meaningful and well thought out 👍🏻
Darth Durkel you are indeed wise! And you have such good taste! Now you've got me thinking about changing out the pickups on my Am Pro 2. I'm not really a fan of the highly touted Tim Shaw designed pickups and the push push button sticks up way to high when it's in the popped up position. The JV is a great looking guitar and quite frankly that is what drew me to the guitar initially. It would not be a big deal to replace the tuners and I might want to play with some other pickups options too. Glad you enjoyed the review and thank you for the compliment! Please subscribe if you haven't already!
Well made and executed video, the best thus far, thank you!!
Thank you TnS!
If you doubt about made-in-Japan guitars' quality, take a close look at ESP guitars. I'm talking about esp, not ltd.
I was excited when I saw these appear because they are made in the Fujigen factory. I got really disappointed though when I saw that they installed these wonky locking tuners instead of the simple vintage Kluson tuners with the split posts. Too bad because that's a deal-breaker for me.
YOU DONT NEED A SCREWDRIVER OR ANYTHING ELSE TO HOLD THE YOP OF THE TUNER, IN FACT YOU DO NOTHING WITH THAT BUT SLIDE THE STRING THREW, HOLD THE STRING WITH SLIGHT TENSION AND WIND THE TUNER UNTIL THE LOCK HAS THE STRING.... USE THE TUNER TO RELEASE TENSION FROM THE OLD STRING,SLIGHT TURN AND IT IS EASY TO REMOVE ! I LOVE THESE TUNERS, VERY FAST TO CHANGE STRINGS, ONCE NEW STRINGS HAVE BEEN STRETCHED PROPERLY WHEN TUNING, THESE TUNERS HOLD THEM PERFECT IN TUNE! I HAVE THE 50s TELE, YOU WILL NEED TO GET THE AMERICAN STANDARD TO COMPARE, ALL OTHER FENDERS NOT MADE IN US ARE WELL BENEATH MY JAPANESE JV. NO. COMPARISON! OH YEA , THAT PERFORMER TELE BY FENDER MADE IN US IS NOT MUCH BETTER IF ANY THAN THE MEXICAN PLAYERS.
Another great video Brooks! I want one now.
Thank you Chip! Glad you enjoyed it.
Fantastic review. Thank you 🙏
You are so welcome! Thank you for commenting and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. Please subscribe!
I have one of these, first thing I did was change the tuners. I just couldn’t work the locking ones out. Other than that, it’s a fantastic guitar!
Yep, I agree!
I am considering the jv with rosewood.. but also considering the squier classic vibe 60s. I had a classic vibe 50s tele (China) years ago and sold it. I really regret letting that guitar go. A few months ago I repurchased the 50s cv tele made in Indonesia. Sadly, this one was not of the same quality.. the pickup cavities lacked shielding and the neck pocket was loose (gaps). I think I just got a bad one though.
How do you feel the jv modified stacks up vs your classic vibe 50s you’ve made vids with?
Btw… I enjoy your videos and you have a really good voice on your music videos (in addition to playing) Have you ever seen “on any given Sunday?” Your voice and delivery remind me of that movie (Bruce Brown).
Thanks for the vid
Excellent review!
Thanks Wayne!
Hi. Just for help....I've got the same guitar and the locking tuners are way more simple than that.
Just unscrew till the point that you can retire the string easily......then, put the new string and screw to the point that the string os blocked. You'll hear it.
It's really simple, but nobody explains it anywhere....
Thank you for this review. Pity you didn't include sound demos. But, from what I have seen, those vintage locking tuners are a real pain in the backside, and would be the first thing I would change out, if the holes in the back of the neck match the normal vintage style tuners. But I would hate to buy a guitar knowing that I would detest something about it. Maybe the Fender MIJ Traditional 60s is the better option for me, also doesn't have a belly cut.
Thank you TFD and I'm glad you liked the review. I actually have some audio samples. Maybe if I get inspired I'll upload them for you.
Nice review!
Excellent Brooks!!..very interesting!!..ty vm!!
Thank you Tom!
Nice and honest review but some tone and playing examples would have been nice too.
Yep you're right.
But what is the cost of a double bound American Custom 60's Tele ? More then this Japanese made one. That's where this model is a good buy. I've had the Squire Classic Vibe 60's Custom tele and while that's a great bargain, I like this one better. I've always ended up switching out the pickups and switching in nearly all my teles, but for some reason I'm happy with the components in this Japanese one.
Really well made video.
Thank you Carlos!
Great review.
Thank you John! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Please subscribe to see my other reviews. I'm just getting started and It helps promote the channel. Thanks!
Could you possibly provide a link to the video showing how to install the strings because I'm having a hell of a job getting it right. Thank you so much.
Are the locking tuners the problem. They were for me. I don't have a good solution except replacing them.
You don’t need to use a screwdriver. Just loosen the string until the lock loosens itself.
Great review. The tuners and the pickups are kind of a deal breaker for me, I much prefer standard vintage tuners to any tuner and although this guitar seems like a fine guitar, the machine heads and the blah Fender pickups are not going to work for me.
Thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I guess I'm not much of a salesman for Fender! Please subscribe.
But between 90s & early 2000s MIJ Fenders were made in the Tokai factory made to a very high standard are better than modern Fender custom shop and have ash bodies the ones I have come across I mainly buy Greco & Tokai strats. The rare N series Strats end of line Mij/cij when they were made in the Fujigen Factory. But the two factories merged into one called Fender MIJ.
Thanks for the info and the comment.
Beautiful looking guitar but the locking tuners and poly finish are a deal breaker.
Now make one with a maple fretboard.
Anyone know if this is going to be a limited run (like a few months), or should we have it for at least a year?
Do you have any experience with the Baja/Vintera Modified Telecaster? I wonder if the necks feel about the same?
I never played a Baja/Vintera so I don't know. I seriously doubt it would be like the JV. IMHO It has one of the nicest necks I've ever played.
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you know vintage Japanese Fender (anything) is still underpriced when they are getting reissued already
I would assume post war propaganda had a hand in discrediting the credibility of Japan's production capability.
Then William Deming came along, and the rest is history.
Why do you think DC resistance of the pickups equals output? It really doesn't, not even close.
I don't consider myself an expert on electronics and pickups. I only know from my experience, the more resistance, the hotter the pickup. It is my understanding that that the ohm reading is measuring resistance which usually equates to the amount of wire the current has to run through. The more winds of wire on a magnet usually increases the magnetic output. Sounds like you know a lot more about this than I do so any explanation would be appreciated! Thanks
@@airtimedesign what you wrote is not wrong but it's true only to a degree. The amount of wire and the thickness or the wire affects dc resistance and also tone of the pickup since it's not easy to make a pickup with a lot of winds be clear and not compressed. The other variable in pickup output that is as important or even more important than dc resistance is inductance and it usually relects the output better than resistance. All the factors are important starting with pickup design, materials it's made of, dc resistance, inductance, age of the pickup magnet, cover shape and material, etc. Active pickups are a whole different world too :D
@@ilmisxx2 Thanks for the explanation IImiras. That's good information for everyone.
Price? C’mon dude, double bound firemist gold, DUH!
The performer USA has alder body and MIJ has basswood.
So what? Mij much lighter. Alder is heavy.
So, are those pickups Alnico?
from the video, neck pickup is Alnico.
@@gbsnfndr8090 Sounds like it, but the Fender Japan spec sheet doesn't say Alnico, and they always do if that's the case. So I'm wondering.
@@Kenzabukuro From the baseplate of the neck pickup at 7:48, it looks like an Alnico pickup to me.
Find a used one…always.
2
21 frets? It's completely asinine to not use 22 to finish the B scale. And those locking style tuners are a joke.
Man the tuners are a deal breaker for me. That’s really weird.
A new set of tuners goes for $35. Kinda silly thing to be a deal breaker.
Lot's of nice info, but would have been nice to play the guitar...
you're right.
'The Rising Sun' flag that you using on your thumbnail image is a symbol of Imperial Japanese military - represents militarism, imperialism and the countless war crimes against humanity including Korean (just like myself) and other Asians and American, British, Australian and many other Allied nations military personnel and civilians. And it's never been admitted or apologized by Japanese Government Officials still these days. Unlike Germany. People especially from US or Europe have no idea that this Rising Sun flag is equal or even worse then NAZI flags. I assume they just think it's cool. I'm tired of explaining this every time when I see ppl use the symbol on internet. Please look up yourself what former Imperial Japanese did during early 20th century to WW2 era. Please be aware. I hope you remove it or just replace it to formal Japanese national flag like one single red dot on the center of the flag. I really wish ppl know this thing.
I used both flags. Thanks.
@@airtimedesign You don't get it at all. I told you because you use them both.
You should not use them both. That's the point I told you.
Are you really cool with using war criminals symbol still Japanese extremists use?
You may not be interested but this is still a hottest issue from some Asian countries like Korea, even after more than half century passed.
Not your concern? Come on. We living on the same planet like you review MIJ guitars,
We eat some fine Chinese foods, Enjoying Pizza, Having luxury of drinking French wine and worry about Ukraine at war.
You may be cool stay there as ignorant, indifferent one but come on, You're better than that, aren't you?
I beg you, I am telling you about subjects you never cared before but things can be different from small pieces of changes.
Please consider what I recommended. I hope you do.
@@user-ik7ul9ov3l we live in a free country bro, and yeah I do respect your past and the culture of everyone, but maybe we should all look together towards the future and not worry about the past…. If this man wants to use whatever he wants to use, than learn from the Japanese culture you speak of and allow him instead of trying to control whatever it is THAT YOU DONT LIKE OR OFFENDED BY….. like I said before we live in a FREE COUNTRY
This flag was also banned from the World Cup in Qatar. I understand it's a mistake. Please avoid using it from now on. I came here after watching the AVRI II deep dive video.
Player Plus 12” radius 👎👎
If you think this is a good guitar, check out what China has to offer these days. Shijie or Eastman are excellent examples of high quality precision instruments.
Hey Buffalo Lodge, no argument here! I think that was my main take away. There are a lot of good choices and we are lucky to have so many really good guitars at affordable prices to choose from. Please subscribe if you haven't already to see more of my reviews!
It’s pronounced “base-wood” it’s not made out of a fish.
Funny I checked the pronuncation with Google which gives you an audio clip which clearly sounds as "Bass Wood". www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Basswood+pronounce
Heres' another audio clip th-cam.com/video/1H3RHYmieJo/w-d-xo.html
I agree it is overpriced