I had one of these just under a year ago & I was impressed by the p/ups. They were ceramic but lacked the muddiness I associate with budget ceramic pickups. They sounded sweet and "stratty" for want of a better term. It's hard to find anything not to like, especially for this price. A well known guitar tech & luthier of my acquaintance (and yours, Steve) has said that these Jet guitars are on a par with MIM Fenders in terms of timbers used and build quality. Enough said.
Yes mate! The ceramic muddiness is hugely apparent in the Squier sonic series Strats. And if Agrajag approves... That should be good enough for anyone 😃👍
I picked up a Great JS-400 in Thailand. Super Value for such a fantastic neck/body combo! As I do with all budget guitars, I changed out tuners (black locking), pots (CTS push-pull), all pickups (put a hot rail humbucker in neck), nut (tusq graph tech), and strings (52-10). It is soooooo comfortable and smooth to wear and play!!!
I've had both the Jet JS300 and JS400. I upgraded the pickups and tuners on both and ended up with professional standard guitars. I had some tuning stability issues with the JS400, but resolved these with a bit of fettling to the nut and changing the string tree. I no longer have either of the guitars and particularly regret parting with the JS400, which was an absolute belter! In my opinion these guitars offer the best value for money and are great for modifying into your ideal Stratocaster at very little expense! Keep up the great work matey!
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 To have loved and lost..... Ach... Ya can always pick up another one anytime 😜👍 But yes - totally agree it's the best stratty mod platform imo 😎👍
Great playing. Loved the clean tone. I'm very tempted by the JS 400, for that neck joint alone. I would change the pickguard for a SSS Vol and 2x Tone though.
This brand is amazing. I've got my 450 in August 2022. A month ago I sent it to a luthier to change the nut for a tusq one, and also change the pots and the electronics (but not the pickups). It was already great before that but but now I have no words. So far one of my favourite guitars. I wish I could try one of those with the floyd rose style bridge. Thanks for these videos, man!
Thanks for watching mate! The 450's are incredible! I'm on my 2nd. Sadly sold the first one, loved everything about it (stock) but it was a whopping 9lbs! 🤯 The 2nd one I got is bang on 7lbs and absolutely love that one too - it's a limited edition purple burst. 1 of 18 made 😃
@@stevecassidyguitar I really dig your content, man! The new colors of the 450s and Jets in general are gorgeous. And as you said, the neck feels fantastic. I have a Mexican Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas, a 98 Japanese Jackson Dinky, an Ibanez grg270, among others, and man, the 450 has my favourite neck 🤘
@@fruchesi Cheers mate 🙏 Totally agree 😎👌 I also have a Charvel DK 22 and the Harley Benton ST modern, I've had loads of different necks, but the Jet JS & JT necks are on par with my 2004 Fender USA strat. Could argue the jets are better as they're roasted maple 😁👍
Yes it is. I had one of the older ones, it was brill, had to sell it, but will get another. The tuners were actually fine and I’ve put them on my modded Pacifica project
There's plenty around and you can get good used prices too. I picked up the sunburst JS400 for £100 delivered on eBay last year. Just got it for the tort pickguard and needed a stock one for comparison reviews. My other 400 has been modded loads 😂
Ive got a JS300 but I had to change most of it: Tusq nut, locking tuners, Wilkinson tremolo, fender pickups, fender 5 way switch, strap locks and a pure tone jack. So it’s not really a Jet anymore…more like Triggers broom. ;) but I bet triggers broom came out of the factory better than these jets do, but that’s just my experience. End of the day, it’s a cheap guitar, you get what you pay for. Regarding the saddles, mine were a lot worse. The high e string was on the grub screws for the intonation. Seems like the holes for the saddle screws were way off
Yeesh mate - sounds like you definitely got a dud 😬 Bummer. There's got to be some duds out there for sure. I've had my hands on at least a dozen Jets now, all pretty much problem free except for the saddles issue on the new ones, tuners on some of the old ones and lacquer cracks on the neck heels of a couple (purely cosmetic but got sent back for peace of mind). But yeah... You're right - that can't all be perfect at these prices 👍👍
Gentlemen of culture, we meet again :) Great guitars , I have the JS300 myself , modded up (as steve knows) , fender 69 custom shop pups, obsidian wiring harness , switch craft jack, guitar anatomy locking tuners. and i have reliced it and put my own logo on the headstock and a s shameless plug - i have a vid of it on my channel, her name is "Marianna" after the trench have a safe trip back from the far east mate
Many thanks to Steve for demoing and talking about the Jet guitars, also the wonderful Johan Joos Laur (great videos on youtube about the JS300) who both drew my attention to this guitar. I've had mine about 10 days and I love it. I was expecting to need to replace the tuners - no need they're fine - and to have to polish the frets which some reviews have criticised as scratchy; mine were very nice and smooth. The pickup selector switch feels good and solid. I haven't tried out the trem yet; it's still decked as per the factory set up, but I'll have a look when I re-string the guitar with 10's, which probably need slightly different trem adjustment. The jury is out on the pickups at the moment; the Jet pickups are very appealing when I'm playing on my own, with some lovely clean sounds available but I suspect the guitar would be a bit lost in a band context. My Fender Strats, one with Chris Buck Radioshop pickups and one with Fender pickups, both have more bite which works well with my band. I really like the Jet guitar, and eventually I might splash out on some expensive but lovely Chris Buck 57's from Radioshop.. There's a TH-cam video of Chris playing "Talking Body" by Tove Lo, with a Squier Strat equipped with them, and I think they sound incredible. Perhaps Chris has something to do with that though.
Thank ya kindly mate! And yes! I'd imagine Chris would make that Squier with the stock pickups sound awesome too 😜👍 But yeah... I did change the pickups on my JS400 too. I just went with a set from a Fender player (single coils) which I think are massively underrated. I'd imagine the Jet stock pickups would be no match for a set of Buck RS's tho 😎👌 Also yes to Jonathan! I checked out one of his vids before I got my first jet too - very useful and great review 😃👍
I have the JS-300. I also quickly realized that the jack was very flimsy. But it was easy to replace it. I like the sound of it, I just need to do a little bit of a setup. It's about time, I got it about six months ago. 😂 Before the JS-300, I bought a JT-350. The pickups were not good, but after i changed all the electronics on it, it's just amazing! Totally worth it! Amazing neck, easy to play. No sticky neck even with sweaty hands.
Ha! I know the feeling mate - I've got several mod projects all at different stages of completion - for some it's been over 2 years 😂🙈 I think the Jack socket on my JS300 was ok - but I replaced it anyway, I was changing to all gold hardware anyway so chucked a pure tone socket in when I was changing 👍👍
Great video Steve, I’ve bought a Jet JS-600 BS & a JS-400 LPB in the last few months largely based on the excellent demos and reviews of Jet guitars on your channel. They are both fantastic guitars, the JS-600 is a phenomenal guitar. The stock pickups weren’t bad but I upgraded these with a set of HSS Alan Dingwall ‘Spirit’ pickups for a ‘true vintage’ tone and this literally elevated the guitar to within touching distance of my Suhr Classic S. I bought the JS-400 to mod after being very disappointed with and returning a Harley Benton ST Modern Plus LPB due to the the awful quality of the fretwork and a number of other build and QC issues which should have prevented it ever leaving the factory. Interestingly, I much prefer the neck on the JS-600, and although Jet state on their website that the necks on their 400 & 600 models are both “modern C’s”, the neck on the 600 is definitely a slimmer C and closer to a Fender modern C and for me it feels like a significant ‘step up’ from the neck on the JS-400. I even prefer it to the vintage C neck on my Suhr Classic S! Keep up the great work. Best regards, Steve.
Thank ya kindly mate 😃🙏 Wow! That's high praise for the spirit pickups - might have to check these out 👍 I've never tried the JS600 but the JS 300/400/450/480 and JT 300 I've tried all have the same neck profile. I compared them with a profile gauge with a Fender player (1) and my 2004 USA strat - pretty much bang on 😃👍
I’m a fan, just an amazing guitar for the money… but might get some tough competition with the new Harley Benton ST- Modern… But the JET does still have the “better” fretboard radius. Oh! Thank you for the shout out, I’ll be at 100 k subscribers in no time now 🤩
Ha! No doubt! Unfortunately I finished this vid about 6 weeks ago before we knew about the new ST Modern. And... Yeah mate, to be honest, I think the new ST modern absolutely destroys the Jet (technically we should be using the HSS JS400 for comparison here) "on paper" it's even cheaper too! 🤯 But I've tried the ST Modern plus - I know that neck now, for me... It's still the Jets 💪😎👌
Thank you kindly mate! 😀🙏 Ya know what... I know I should, but I don't think I've ever measured saddles before changing. 🙈 I think I've always just got lucky 😂 I've changed them loads too. I recently put the saddles from a Gotoh 510 on my JS300 and I have a full Gotoh 510 trem on my JS400. No problems so far. I know it is important to measure first though - that would be best practice - definitely do that 👍 I think you can just use digital callipers to measure your saddle width, most saddles I've seen for sale have the saddle width measurements in the diagrams. I fancy trying a brass set on another guitar soon. Also... I'd only change the saddles if you have the hump/string spacing issue, if not I'd just leave it as/is 👍 Sorry I couldn't be more help 😬
Thanks a lot for your prompt reply!! Saddles in my js400 don't have the string guide nor the bump I belive.... Good that the vanson locking tuners fitted with no mod required. I also intalled a set o fleor alnico V pups and a reverend string tree, thinking about the saddles 🤔. Thanks!!!
Definitely - that's usually an indication of Quarter sawn I think. I'm no expert but if it is... That's another welcomed extra spec they don't advertise along with the rolled fret ends 😃👍
The neck pickup on mine seemed to be the wrong length.The top e string was no where near the pole piece.I changed the tuners for lockers.The pickups and electronics are next to go in the bin.What you have to watch when upgrading the bits is that the final price could biy you a decent guitar of better quality on the used market.
I hear ya mate - to me... The bones on these guitars are soooo good! I've threw 3 times the value of my JS400 in upgrades (including stainless steel frets refret recently🙈) and I have zero regrets. I couldn't buy a guitar of these specs anywhere else (with the mods) unless it was custom shop or something
Steve, great content as usual. Yours and Elmo Karjalainen's channel is my go to for unbiased views from class players. How about the J&D ST Vintage @DV247, decent mod platform? Regards.
Thank you so much mate! 🙏 I'm a fan of Elmo's channel too! 😃👍 The J& D Looks like very decent specs for the price mate - I need to take a bit of a break from strats at the moment tho. Got about 14 Strat vids incoming 😂🙈. I'll keep an eye on them though - Cheers 👍
Great review Steve Super happy with my JS 300, had to work on my tuners but apart that is the best guitar for the money I ever got. When is the JS 480 vid coming out? I would appreciate if you could do a quick comparison with the 400 as I’m about to pull the trigger on one or the other.
Thank ya kindly mate! and glad you're happy with the Js300 😀👍 I've filmed the JS480 review - But I've got a massive back log of stuff to edit and I'm waaaay behind. If it's any use, for now - I'm personally not big on Rosewood so, I'd always opt for the JS400 with roasted maple fretboard. The pickups on the JS480 are actually really great though (imo). I've had issues with the 480 trem though - it's struggles to saty in tune with light use now (was fine during the unboxing though 🤷♂️)
I have my 2 versions of a strat and the Squier is only winning because of the neck profile and shape. My fretting hand dislikes flat necks with 12" or higher fretboard radius. Always a fun video, Steve! ANd, yes, do replace those tuners, you modder you!!
Ha! Cheers mate! 😃👍 I've recently fallen in love with the Squire affinity Starcaster neck profile - super comfortable and really digging the narrow tall frets 😎👌
Ha! Cheers mate 😁🙏 I had to re-review this one as I have a few comparisons lined up for it and... My first review of it was early days and a bit... Crap 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar Buddy, you do fine. Your reviews are better than most even when you are having an off day. Have fun in China and tell Yoshi the Guy from Arizona says "Hello!"😉👍✨
Had a Jet JT 300 and it was a lovely guitar, not far off my Fenders except the pick ups were a bit mehh. Sold it and regretted it but was tempted by the new HB Modern, which arrived today. It's incredible and has much better spec than the Jet for less money. Still have my Jet tele but that will never go. Jet are fantastic quality and very playable. Love the channel btw :)
Nice! 😎👌 So does that mean you have a SFG with an "aged white" pickguard and a black with a tort guard? I'd be too tempted to switch them, just to see the SFG with the tort guard 😁👍👍
Oooooh! I was expecting Cliffs of Dover with that first 2 notes! Awesome guitar! I bought one for £90 on Facebook Marketplace. Ended up buying the JT400 as my gigging guitar.
Fair play mate, you continue to be the best channel for all things Jet 👏👏👏. Having Two of them I am biased to the JS400’s they are just unreal for the price. And damn good guitars regardless. The Two Js600’s have become my main gigging guitars (they look, play and sound killer) though they are a little heavy. But the Js400’s will always have a special place with me and remain my main house/practise guitars. That neck 🙌
Thank ya kindly as always mate 😃🙏 You certainly don't need convincing - not that I'm trying to convince anyone of anything - I literally have zero skin in the Jet Game 😂 (but hopefully that will change next year 😁🤞). Anyway... Glad your loving your fleet of Jets. I've got loads more Jet stuff on the way! (Mainly shootouts with the same old stuff tho 😜)
@@stevecassidyguitar haha I can imagine mate 🤣 I was thinking more like for part of the video just give the viewers the audio and have them guess what’s what
They are awesome indeed, that neck feels so good! I just have a problem with them...the headstock...I prefer the fender shape or even Fazley shape...jigsaw is the way to go? 😉
That's fair enough mate 😂👍 It doesn't bother me really. For some people it's the actual font they've used for the logo that puts them off 😆 Each to their own. But I do agree, I prefer the Fender headstock too 😎👍
@@stevecassidyguitar Each to their own, very true. I am going to get one and keep it away from the Jigsaw 🙃 I am sure I will get to used to that shape. The price vs quality relation is truly unbeatable!
I'm using the Line 6 HX Stomp XL only . If I remember correctly... It's basically an AC30 style amp with a "retro reel" effect, a memory man style delay and a particle reverb. All the ambient effect stuffs 🤓👍
Still not gotten around to getting me a JS. Sadly no guitar shops close to me stock them. Otherwise I fully agree about the necks natural C is perfect.
It's always a bummer when people don't have access to them due to location :( But I've been in China the last 8 days and seen a load of cool beands I'd never heard of before. Looks like you can get great guitars anywhere! Funnily enough .. Jets are made in China but there's none here either 😂 must just be made for the European market
HI :) So I bought this Jet JS300 - amazing guitar for this proce, however I do have so trouble with mine. Maybe you could be so kind and help me with some information. I have still few days to decide if I want to keep it or return and information provided by you may be of a great importance. Fist of all - yes, I do know quite a lot about guitars, and all you will (hopefully ) read below is already after the set up and all adjustments were done. . -how is the nut on your model? Mine may to have slots cut too narrow cause it seems to bind the strings. Did you change the original 9 gauge for 10? Do you have any problems with strings being caught on the nut and so issues with tuning? In my case lubricant didn't help. . -also my nut seems to be quite high. There seems to be quite a lot of space between strings and first fret and so when I fret any string on first, second fret the notes ar sharp. But not just slightly - it spoils the whole tunning. So guitar is in perfect tuning on open strings, intonation set right, action as low as possible, all notes fretted above 3rd fret are clear and round but on 1st and 2nd fret sharp too much - unable to play chords in that positions close to head. . - another thing is that I can't tune it properly everywhere, now I know that guitar can't be tune perfectly due to equal temperament, but compromises between some strings that I have on this guitar are just too big (B and G strings needs to be tuned flat but way too flat). Can you tune it in a way that you are satisfied, no significant dysonans are heard? Acceptable balance across all fingerboard? Cause I can't achieve it with mine. B and G strings are or to high for one position or to low for other, and when I try to find some common ground and tune them in between in the middle - then just nothing is in tune. -do you use whammy bar? . Did your guitar also came only in ONE PLAIN BOX? When I saw it I was surprised but also upset - this should be shipped with more care. Hence I wonder if my guitar maybe is broken in a way, or just I am unfortunate to receive a faulty model. . I will be so grateful for your help. I have really hard time to decide if something is wrong and to keep it or return (warranty or return policy)
Hey mate - that's a bummer 😬 sounds like you might have got a dud. 👎 Ok so first - the nut. Every Jet I've had has had a great job done on the nut, very well cut and tidy, not too high either. I've never had any problems with mine. I did change the not on a couple of my Jets to bone, but that's just because I personally don't like bone. I also ALWAYS upgrade the string trees to Graphtech. Did you check if you have the saddle issue I mentioned in the vid at 9:30 ?? One thing you could try is lowering the height off the pickups? Perhaps your getting too strong of a pull that's affecting your intonation? Re the strings - I thought the JS300's came with 10-46 strings - I always immediately change them to 9-42. The JS300 in this vid I had on loan. I have my own JS 300 which I changed the trem on - there wasn't anything wrong with the original, I was just changing the aesthetic to all gold hardware. I also barely use my JS300, I don't even have strings on mine atm 🙈 I much prefer the JS400. Any Jet I've ever bought has came in one of the Guitar shaped/triangle boxes with a big "Jet" logo on the front, and would also be inside another larger rectangle box for shipping, but that's usually down to the retailer to provide (I think) I've bought Jets from GAK, J.G Windows, & BAX music, all shipped this way. Long story short.. If I was you, I'd check the saddles & try lowering the pickups - If that doesn't work, I'd opt for an exchange or return. Lastly... Don't let one bad one put you off. I had to return 2 faulty Squier Starcasters, before I settled on the 3rd. 3rd one is great! I love it - So glad I persevered 😅👍 Best of luck with this one mate 🤞
@stevecassidyguitar Thank you so much for this answer, much appreciated. I must say that on my guitar the saddled them self do get a bit off axis, I have noticed it right away out of the box they were all tilt downwards, Bridge plate in place but saddles on the plate were all a bit tilted down (towards trem bar) but strings on them were also moved (like to recompensate the tilt of the saddles) and a bit closer to upper screw, so strings were straight on the neck. I adjusted saddles to be straight and moved strings on them so the string were on the middle od saddles and straight on the neck. Then while playing ( I ddo have sometimes a hard hand I do use whammy bar a lot) the e1 string saddle moved downa again but string is again straight (on the saddle closer to upper screw) however this is the string that stays in tune the best! I love this e1 I its a winner in tunning, so I didn't try to fix that saddle for now as it works ok. Lowering the pickups didn't helped " I thought the JS300's came with 10-46 strings - I always immediately change them to 9-42." - this may explain why you have no problems with the nut. 9s will fit to slots from 10s. As I went opposite way - changed factory 9s to 10s I might get ino troubles like slots of nut not wide enough for 10s Man, but I sit with this guitar another day and just cant make it tune properly. I mean I know that it can't be perfectly in tune across all fingerboard due to equal temperament rules, but how close can you get with your guitars? Can you tune them in a way that you are satisfied, no significant dysonans are heard? Acceptable balance across all fingerboard? What are the acceptable compromises? Cause I can't achieve it with mine. B and G strings are or to high for one positions (chords) or to low for others, and when I try to find some common ground and tune them in between in the middle - then just nothing is really in tune. I really strat to think that I got a faulty model. Anyway, I will not give up. These Jets are worth another try. Most likely I will try to return. I just hope they will accept my return afer all these tweaks and adjustments. Thanks for your help!
I dont understand why budget manufacturers havent carved their neck blocks on the strat bodies to a contoured low profile ergonomic design, I have just done it to a 3D printer Strat file and it took me 5 minutes to do in CAD, its an upgrade that would only cost the manufacturer 5 minutes in CAD and about the same in CNC milling time per body, its a free upgrade! Harley Benton photography used to have crazy body colours on the website compared to the actual guitar, they fixed this though and they are quite accurate these days.
I had no idea how much difference it would be from a manufacturing stand point - thanks for sharing mate 😃👍 I'd imagine if it didn't take too much more time then they'd save on the neckplate costs and save a wee bit on the weight too 😃👍
The new Fender player 2 series now have rolled edges too, so they're a bit closer now. Although i'd say the fretwork on the Jets is more consistent (ime) 👍 The player 2 I tried earlier this year had a very poorly cut nut though. It gets increasingly harder to recommend a Fender for the price these days
Great review mate! Not bad for ceramics, some can be brash and spiky these were OK... I like the tones Strats make but lm always hitting the middle pickup or the vol knob so they're not for me. Hope you get to show some footage from China pal, it'd be interesting.👍🏼
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏 The pickups are still a tad on the hot side for me, but they still have some very good clarity for what I'm assuming is probably a £20 set of pickups 🤷♂️ Got quite a lot of clips from China - including visiting a Guitar Street! Just finding the time to edit it all will be the challenge 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar Excellent mate, be gd to have a squizz once you get back and have an edit.. I'm with you on the hot pickups Steve, can't stand em if theyre pushing the front end of the amp.. Sound fizzy and buggas any picking technique we think we've got!!
I have mixed feelings... JS300 over ST62 for strattiness because of the 9.5 radius ST Modern over JS400 for super-strattiness because of the 12-16. I like different tools for different tasks. Don't own a Jet (yet), but I just ordered an ST modern, hope I won't be disappointed.
Graph tech is amazing. Sounds as good as bone, if not better. And I find that about 25 percent of the bone nut I buy have soft spots or defects. What's really bad is when these don't become apparent until after you have done 2 hours of work on it. Lol. Graph tech is like Mcdonalds. You get the same thing every time, anywhere you go in the world. Even China!
Agreed 💯 on GraphTech - especially the self lubricating TUSQ XL. That's definitely the way forward. Fazley were using those nuts stock on some of their affordable S & T types under £200. Should be possible to have them stock on every guitar for not too much more imo
you made me buy a sunbust jet js300 with tortoise pickguard couple of months ago and it's perfect! it has a floppy tremolo arm and i couldn't figure how to fix it but it's ok anyway.
I didn't make you do anything mate! 😂 But if that's what you need to tell the missus - then that's cool with me 😜👍 "Steve made me do it! 😳" Good decision tho mate - awesome guitars imo 👌👌
Hullo mate! That's a good shout 😎👍 I did want to do that one, but my local shop who loans me guitars (Kenny's Music) only had the Player 2 SSS variant in at the time. When I Did the shootout with the Players 1 and JS400 last year, I had the Jet as the winner, but they'll definitely be closer now with Fender now having the rosewood & rolled edges. Jet still about 1/3rd the price though 😜👍
Got the JS 400 in Breast Milk Yellow and swapped the saddles for blocky ones and replaced the grub screws inside them with shorter ones to have em low and not piercing my palm
Is it Singapore you're at? Funnily enough I've been to a load of guitar shops here and Jets are made in China but not seen a single one. Must just be made for the European market and now slowly creeping into the US. Thank ya very kindly mate - last day today. Apparently I'm off to get a bone crunching massage now 😬 I fear for my life! 🤣
@@stevecassidyguitar Yup, I'm in Singapore. Thanks for remembering! Yeah, we don't get any of the EU budget brands here. Off the top of me head there's Squire, Cort, Ibanez Gio, Jackson, Heritage Ascent Series, Samick, Aria Pro, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vintage. And then there's the ones that are supposed to be budget but aren't really...Epi, PRS SE, Sire, Harmony and Gretsch. Oh and don't worry about the massage, you'll survive 😅
@@jowyong6769 do you get the "grassroots" ESP stuff? Seen a few of them that look pretty cool 😃👍 Epi, PRS SE, and Gretsch aren't that affordable here either these days :/ Survived the message - cheers! 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar There's a dealer here for ESP but the Grassroots range come in very limited quantities. It's mostly E-II, LTD and Edwards. Have a great flight mate!
Ha! Good point! I get them from either TEMU or Ali Express 🤓👍 They don't even have lenses in them 😂🙈 I get asked about them a lot so ended up making a wee vid about em: th-cam.com/video/LKLu7dve2gc/w-d-xo.html
@@gedellis701 I think it has to grow on you. I did a review of a pink guitar on my channel and I was thinking why did he send me pink. After playing it and seeing it I was completed sold
I dont think there is anything wrong with a bone nut tbh. Its often a waste product in cattle and pig farming. I suppose you could argue that plastic nuts (sounds wrong, that) are bad for the environment as they still rely largely on crude oil. I think the understated colour scheme is actually quite nice, they should roll with that tbh. Sounds great!
Aside from the ethical and environmental reasons, bone can also be quite inconsistent with soft spots etc. With the Graphtech it's consistent and with the TUSQ XL it's self lubricating. Re the colours they do look different in person, so it's good to see one in the wild if possible. But sounds like you'd prefer the real colour anyway 😃👍
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah you're right about soft bones (oo-er). Have read that sometimes they deteriorate too, though I think the modern quality ones are treated in some way.
Yes mate! It's still satin finished. It was only the very earliest runs of Jets that had the gloss. They fixed that. You might come across it on an older used one, but you can still fix that easily with some steel wool or scotch brite pad. 5min job both sides 😃👍
Indeed mate 😎👍 As Do Musicman, Suhr, Schecter, Godin, and many more. I'm a bit of a tonewood denier, so it doesn't really matter too much to me anyway 😜
Agree 100% they've totally nailed the Fender neck and (imo) the execution and quality of the neck, fretwork, fret ends and nut work, is superior to what Fender has been putting out post covid 😎👌
Hi Steve, hope things are all good in China. I've probably mentioned it before but I'm not a Strat type person, but this is a very nice guitar and not a lot of money so it might well be something to think about in the future. It won't be just yet because my Les Paul got delivered today and my bank balance will take a while to recover from that. Hope you're having the best time.
@@stevecassidyguitar I do have a Strat type guitar now as well, I was so lucky and won Jonny's "Mississippi Blue" guitar on his live stream last Sunday. It's been an incredible week! A bit of solder or something must have come undone on it's journey to me because as yet I can't get a proper signal from it but I'll get it sorted and might even get a bit of a funk going in the future. BTW my Les Paul is amazing it plays like butter and the mini humbuckers sound like something right out of the 70s. I'm a teenager again when I play it.
Ah that's a bummer mate - I'm sure you'll have other great options from different brands near you. I've been in China for the past 8 days - seen a load of different brands I've never seen before putting out similar types of guitars that also look high quality 😃👍
Budget manufacturers have worked out that bone is a cheap waste product but it's considered to be a premium material in the guitar world. Many good budget guitars have bone nuts now but it's a deal breaker for me, also because reasons.
I've knowingly and recently purchased far too many Guitars with bone nuts that I'm comfortabe with 🫤 But I do always try to make the case for the alternative (and waaaay better) Graphtech TUSQ XL when possible
Unfortunately I'd filmed all this a few weeks ago before the ST modern was announced 🙈 That's definitely well worth mentioning at this price point. Hope you're loving yours 😃👍
Not surprised mate - if you've got the cash, the player 2 is a brilliant choice. The stock pickups are still some of my favourite single coils ever! They sound excellent! I'm always on the hunt for used sets 😁👍 Actually have a player set in my Jet JS400 😂
Correct sir! Well spotted 🤓👍 I get asked about the daft glasses a lot so ended up making a vid about it... th-cam.com/video/LKLu7dve2gc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wa_LaId-SHkDbnAF It "almost" makes sense... Kinda 😜🤷♂️
Bought one on after viewing this and other reviews. Putting in Tonerider City Limits pups, CTS pots, Switch craft jack, orange drop cap,locking tuners, string tree and Oak Grigsby switch. All in I will have sunk £310 into it including purchase cost. The neck is superb as you point out and agree prob better than some of the stuff coming out of the US Thanks for the heads up
Thank you. Do you take requests? I am fascinated by the ‘myth’ or ‘truth’ that Gibson acoustic guitars are very overrated and expensive and peoples like me are paying for the Name. I would love to get your comments, thoughts and reviews on this comparing a few alternatives. I bet I’m not the only acoustic guitar player that would find this beneficial. Plus, I bet that numpty guy hasn’t done one! 😏🫢
Hullo mate! I think that could turn out to be an expensive request 😂👍 Acoustics aren't really my forte to be honest 😬 I've always thought of Gibson as doing very high end acoustics, but don't think I've ever tried one. My first choice for acoustics has always been Taylor, I've never owned one but tried out loads before. These days I'd say "Furch" are making my favourite acoustics. I'm sure like anything else these days there will be cheaper alternatives that people will say are just as good. All that matters is what you think mate - if it sounds good, feels good and you're happy with it and what you paid... Then it's all good mate 😃👍 But if I get a chance for any kind of shootout like that in future - I'll take it! Cheers mate 🙏
I had one of these just under a year ago & I was impressed by the p/ups. They were ceramic but lacked the muddiness I associate with budget ceramic pickups. They sounded sweet and "stratty" for want of a better term. It's hard to find anything not to like, especially for this price. A well known guitar tech & luthier of my acquaintance (and yours, Steve) has said that these Jet guitars are on a par with MIM Fenders in terms of timbers used and build quality. Enough said.
Yes mate! The ceramic muddiness is hugely apparent in the Squier sonic series Strats.
And if Agrajag approves... That should be good enough for anyone 😃👍
I picked up a Great JS-400 in Thailand. Super Value for such a fantastic neck/body combo! As I do with all budget guitars, I changed out tuners (black locking), pots (CTS push-pull), all pickups (put a hot rail humbucker in neck), nut (tusq graph tech), and strings (52-10). It is soooooo comfortable and smooth to wear and play!!!
Yes…replaced bridge saddles with black stainless steel
Nice one mate! Great mod choices too - I would do very similar 😎👌
This too 😁👍
I've had both the Jet JS300 and JS400. I upgraded the pickups and tuners on both and ended up with professional standard guitars. I had some tuning stability issues with the JS400, but resolved these with a bit of fettling to the nut and changing the string tree.
I no longer have either of the guitars and particularly regret parting with the JS400, which was an absolute belter!
In my opinion these guitars offer the best value for money and are great for modifying into your ideal Stratocaster at very little expense!
Keep up the great work matey!
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏
To have loved and lost.....
Ach... Ya can always pick up another one anytime 😜👍
But yes - totally agree it's the best stratty mod platform imo 😎👍
Great playing. Loved the clean tone. I'm very tempted by the JS 400, for that neck joint alone. I would change the pickguard for a SSS Vol and 2x Tone though.
Nice one mate 😃👍
That's definitely what I'd do if I wanted the best of both too 😎👌
One for playing your heart out, and the squier for into the campfire! I take another beer! 🤤
"All of the above" is always the best option 😂👍
This brand is amazing. I've got my 450 in August 2022. A month ago I sent it to a luthier to change the nut for a tusq one, and also change the pots and the electronics (but not the pickups). It was already great before that but but now I have no words. So far one of my favourite guitars. I wish I could try one of those with the floyd rose style bridge. Thanks for these videos, man!
Thanks for watching mate!
The 450's are incredible! I'm on my 2nd. Sadly sold the first one, loved everything about it (stock) but it was a whopping 9lbs! 🤯
The 2nd one I got is bang on 7lbs and absolutely love that one too - it's a limited edition purple burst. 1 of 18 made 😃
@@stevecassidyguitar I really dig your content, man! The new colors of the 450s and Jets in general are gorgeous. And as you said, the neck feels fantastic. I have a Mexican Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas, a 98 Japanese Jackson Dinky, an Ibanez grg270, among others, and man, the 450 has my favourite neck 🤘
@@fruchesi Cheers mate 🙏
Totally agree 😎👌
I also have a Charvel DK 22 and the Harley Benton ST modern, I've had loads of different necks, but the Jet JS & JT necks are on par with my 2004 Fender USA strat. Could argue the jets are better as they're roasted maple 😁👍
Yes it is. I had one of the older ones, it was brill, had to sell it, but will get another. The tuners were actually fine and I’ve put them on my modded Pacifica project
There's plenty around and you can get good used prices too. I picked up the sunburst JS400 for £100 delivered on eBay last year. Just got it for the tort pickguard and needed a stock one for comparison reviews. My other 400 has been modded loads 😂
Ive got a JS300 but I had to change most of it: Tusq nut, locking tuners, Wilkinson tremolo, fender pickups, fender 5 way switch, strap locks and a pure tone jack. So it’s not really a Jet anymore…more like Triggers broom. ;) but I bet triggers broom came out of the factory better than these jets do, but that’s just my experience. End of the day, it’s a cheap guitar, you get what you pay for.
Regarding the saddles, mine were a lot worse. The high e string was on the grub screws for the intonation. Seems like the holes for the saddle screws were way off
Yeesh mate - sounds like you definitely got a dud 😬
Bummer. There's got to be some duds out there for sure. I've had my hands on at least a dozen Jets now, all pretty much problem free except for the saddles issue on the new ones, tuners on some of the old ones and lacquer cracks on the neck heels of a couple (purely cosmetic but got sent back for peace of mind).
But yeah... You're right - that can't all be perfect at these prices 👍👍
Gentlemen of culture, we meet again :)
Great guitars , I have the JS300 myself , modded up (as steve knows) , fender 69 custom shop pups, obsidian wiring harness , switch craft jack, guitar anatomy locking tuners.
and i have reliced it and put my own logo on the headstock
and a s shameless plug - i have a vid of it on my channel, her name is "Marianna" after the trench
have a safe trip back from the far east mate
All the mods!! That's the way to do it! 😃
Cheers mate 😃🙏
Many thanks to Steve for demoing and talking about the Jet guitars, also the wonderful Johan Joos Laur (great videos on youtube about the JS300) who both drew my attention to this guitar. I've had mine about 10 days and I love it. I was expecting to need to replace the tuners - no need they're fine - and to have to polish the frets which some reviews have criticised as scratchy; mine were very nice and smooth. The pickup selector switch feels good and solid. I haven't tried out the trem yet; it's still decked as per the factory set up, but I'll have a look when I re-string the guitar with 10's, which probably need slightly different trem adjustment. The jury is out on the pickups at the moment; the Jet pickups are very appealing when I'm playing on my own, with some lovely clean sounds available but I suspect the guitar would be a bit lost in a band context. My Fender Strats, one with Chris Buck Radioshop pickups and one with Fender pickups, both have more bite which works well with my band. I really like the Jet guitar, and eventually I might splash out on some expensive but lovely Chris Buck 57's from Radioshop.. There's a TH-cam video of Chris playing "Talking Body" by Tove Lo, with a Squier Strat equipped with them, and I think they sound incredible. Perhaps Chris has something to do with that though.
Thank ya kindly mate! And yes! I'd imagine Chris would make that Squier with the stock pickups sound awesome too 😜👍
But yeah... I did change the pickups on my JS400 too. I just went with a set from a Fender player (single coils) which I think are massively underrated.
I'd imagine the Jet stock pickups would be no match for a set of Buck RS's tho 😎👌
Also yes to Jonathan! I checked out one of his vids before I got my first jet too - very useful and great review 😃👍
I have the JS-300. I also quickly realized that the jack was very flimsy. But it was easy to replace it. I like the sound of it, I just need to do a little bit of a setup. It's about time, I got it about six months ago. 😂
Before the JS-300, I bought a JT-350. The pickups were not good, but after i changed all the electronics on it, it's just amazing! Totally worth it! Amazing neck, easy to play. No sticky neck even with sweaty hands.
Ha! I know the feeling mate - I've got several mod projects all at different stages of completion - for some it's been over 2 years 😂🙈
I think the Jack socket on my JS300 was ok - but I replaced it anyway, I was changing to all gold hardware anyway so chucked a pure tone socket in when I was changing 👍👍
Lovely playing
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏
Great video Steve, I’ve bought a Jet JS-600 BS & a JS-400 LPB in the last few months largely based on the excellent demos and reviews of Jet guitars on your channel. They are both fantastic guitars, the JS-600 is a phenomenal guitar. The stock pickups weren’t bad but I upgraded these with a set of HSS Alan Dingwall ‘Spirit’ pickups for a ‘true vintage’ tone and this literally elevated the guitar to within touching distance of my Suhr Classic S. I bought the JS-400 to mod after being very disappointed with and returning a Harley Benton ST Modern Plus LPB due to the the awful quality of the fretwork and a number of other build and QC issues which should have prevented it ever leaving the factory. Interestingly, I much prefer the neck on the JS-600, and although Jet state on their website that the necks on their 400 & 600 models are both “modern C’s”, the neck on the 600 is definitely a slimmer C and closer to a Fender modern C and for me it feels like a significant ‘step up’ from the neck on the JS-400. I even prefer it to the vintage C neck on my Suhr Classic S! Keep up the great work. Best regards, Steve.
Thank ya kindly mate 😃🙏
Wow! That's high praise for the spirit pickups - might have to check these out 👍
I've never tried the JS600 but the JS 300/400/450/480 and JT 300 I've tried all have the same neck profile. I compared them with a profile gauge with a Fender player (1) and my 2004 USA strat - pretty much bang on 😃👍
I’m a fan, just an amazing guitar for the money… but might get some tough competition with the new Harley Benton ST- Modern… But the JET does still have the “better” fretboard radius.
Oh! Thank you for the shout out, I’ll be at 100 k subscribers in no time now 🤩
Ha! No doubt! Unfortunately I finished this vid about 6 weeks ago before we knew about the new ST Modern. And... Yeah mate, to be honest, I think the new ST modern absolutely destroys the Jet (technically we should be using the HSS JS400 for comparison here) "on paper" it's even cheaper too! 🤯
But I've tried the ST Modern plus - I know that neck now, for me... It's still the Jets 💪😎👌
Great video Steve, been looking at tue Jets for a while and will maybe have to save up to purchase one.
Cheers mate! 😀🙏
Definitely worthwhile checking out if you're getting strat gas 😁👍
Great review video Steve, I notice that the vintage yellow JS400 is actually £10 cheaper than theJS300 on the Kenny's website !! 👍🎸😃
Ooooft!! If ya like the colour - that's a no-brainer 😁👌
Great video as always Steve.
Which size of saddles should I pick to replace the stock ones in the js400?
Thank you kindly mate! 😀🙏
Ya know what... I know I should, but I don't think I've ever measured saddles before changing. 🙈 I think I've always just got lucky 😂
I've changed them loads too. I recently put the saddles from a Gotoh 510 on my JS300 and I have a full Gotoh 510 trem on my JS400. No problems so far.
I know it is important to measure first though - that would be best practice - definitely do that 👍 I think you can just use digital callipers to measure your saddle width, most saddles I've seen for sale have the saddle width measurements in the diagrams.
I fancy trying a brass set on another guitar soon.
Also... I'd only change the saddles if you have the hump/string spacing issue, if not I'd just leave it as/is 👍
Sorry I couldn't be more help 😬
Thanks a lot for your prompt reply!! Saddles in my js400 don't have the string guide nor the bump I belive....
Good that the vanson locking tuners fitted with no mod required. I also intalled a set o fleor alnico V pups and a reverend string tree, thinking about the saddles 🤔.
Thanks!!!
Please!! Do a Comparison video. ❤❤
It's in the works mate - hopefully before the end of the year 🙏
The pixelation in the fretboard is nice
Definitely - that's usually an indication of Quarter sawn I think. I'm no expert but if it is... That's another welcomed extra spec they don't advertise along with the rolled fret ends 😃👍
The neck pickup on mine seemed to be the wrong length.The top e string was no where near the pole piece.I changed the tuners for lockers.The pickups and electronics are next to go in the bin.What you have to watch when upgrading the bits is that the final price could biy you a decent guitar of better quality on the used market.
I hear ya mate - to me... The bones on these guitars are soooo good!
I've threw 3 times the value of my JS400 in upgrades (including stainless steel frets refret recently🙈) and I have zero regrets. I couldn't buy a guitar of these specs anywhere else (with the mods) unless it was custom shop or something
Thanks❤❤🎉🎉🎉
Thanks for watching mate! 😀🙏
Already subscribe.
@@folkgreengarden8600 Thank Yooou!😀🙏
Steve, great content as usual.
Yours and Elmo Karjalainen's channel is my go to for unbiased views from class players.
How about the J&D ST Vintage @DV247, decent mod platform? Regards.
Thank you so much mate! 🙏 I'm a fan of Elmo's channel too! 😃👍
The J& D Looks like very decent specs for the price mate - I need to take a bit of a break from strats at the moment tho. Got about 14 Strat vids incoming 😂🙈.
I'll keep an eye on them though - Cheers 👍
Great review Steve
Super happy with my JS 300, had to work on my tuners but apart that is the best guitar for the money I ever got.
When is the JS 480 vid coming out? I would appreciate if you could do a quick comparison with the 400 as I’m about to pull the trigger on one or the other.
Thank ya kindly mate! and glad you're happy with the Js300 😀👍
I've filmed the JS480 review - But I've got a massive back log of stuff to edit and I'm waaaay behind.
If it's any use, for now - I'm personally not big on Rosewood so, I'd always opt for the JS400 with roasted maple fretboard. The pickups on the JS480 are actually really great though (imo). I've had issues with the 480 trem though - it's struggles to saty in tune with light use now (was fine during the unboxing though 🤷♂️)
I have my 2 versions of a strat and the Squier is only winning because of the neck profile and shape. My fretting hand dislikes flat necks with 12" or higher fretboard radius. Always a fun video, Steve! ANd, yes, do replace those tuners, you modder you!!
Ha! Cheers mate! 😃👍
I've recently fallen in love with the Squire affinity Starcaster neck profile - super comfortable and really digging the narrow tall frets 😎👌
Cool throwback guitar!😎👍✨
Ha! Cheers mate 😁🙏
I had to re-review this one as I have a few comparisons lined up for it and... My first review of it was early days and a bit... Crap 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar
Buddy, you do fine. Your reviews are better than most even when you are having an off day.
Have fun in China and tell Yoshi the Guy from Arizona says "Hello!"😉👍✨
@@gringogreen4719 You're too kind mate 🙏 Yoshi is sitting right next to me, showed her your message - She says hello to you too! 👋😃
@@stevecassidyguitar
Yay! What a sweetheart! Have fun in China you guys!😋👍✨
Had a Jet JT 300 and it was a lovely guitar, not far off my Fenders except the pick ups were a bit mehh. Sold it and regretted it but was tempted by the new HB Modern, which arrived today. It's incredible and has much better spec than the Jet for less money. Still have my Jet tele but that will never go. Jet are fantastic quality and very playable. Love the channel btw :)
Thank ya kindly mate 😃🙏
HNGD!!! 🥳
I have two 300s, the seafoam green and the black. Love them!
Nice! 😎👌
So does that mean you have a SFG with an "aged white" pickguard and a black with a tort guard?
I'd be too tempted to switch them, just to see the SFG with the tort guard 😁👍👍
@@stevecassidyguitar yes, and yes.
Oooooh! I was expecting Cliffs of Dover with that first 2 notes! Awesome guitar! I bought one for £90 on Facebook Marketplace. Ended up buying the JT400 as my gigging guitar.
Ha! Soz mate - I would totally murder cliffs of Dover 😂🙈
£90 is an unbelievable bargain! 😃👌
Jet JS400 (highly modded) is my no.1 gigging guitar too 😁👍
Fair play mate, you continue to be the best channel for all things Jet 👏👏👏. Having Two of them I am biased to the JS400’s they are just unreal for the price. And damn good guitars regardless. The Two Js600’s have become my main gigging guitars (they look, play and sound killer) though they are a little heavy. But the Js400’s will always have a special place with me and remain my main house/practise guitars. That neck 🙌
Thank ya kindly as always mate 😃🙏
You certainly don't need convincing - not that I'm trying to convince anyone of anything - I literally have zero skin in the Jet Game 😂 (but hopefully that will change next year 😁🤞).
Anyway... Glad your loving your fleet of Jets.
I've got loads more Jet stuff on the way! (Mainly shootouts with the same old stuff tho 😜)
@@stevecassidyguitar well you should have some ‘skin in the game’ 😉. And we love a good shootout mate. Especially the Anderson’s blind fold type 😉
@@thelolguy007 ha! I love the andertons blindfold tests too 😃👍
Tricky to do on your own tho 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar haha I can imagine mate 🤣 I was thinking more like for part of the video just give the viewers the audio and have them guess what’s what
@@thelolguy007 ah yeah! 😃👍
Love it when Glen Fricker does those - I always get them wrong 😂🙈
They are awesome indeed, that neck feels so good! I just have a problem with them...the headstock...I prefer the fender shape or even Fazley shape...jigsaw is the way to go? 😉
That's fair enough mate 😂👍
It doesn't bother me really. For some people it's the actual font they've used for the logo that puts them off 😆
Each to their own. But I do agree, I prefer the Fender headstock too 😎👍
@@stevecassidyguitar Each to their own, very true. I am going to get one and keep it away from the Jigsaw 🙃 I am sure I will get to used to that shape. The price vs quality relation is truly unbeatable!
Damn what a sweet sound! Can you tell me what you used to get this tone? @4:56 I’m definitely going to get one of these!
I'm using the Line 6 HX Stomp XL only . If I remember correctly...
It's basically an AC30 style amp with a "retro reel" effect, a memory man style delay and a particle reverb.
All the ambient effect stuffs 🤓👍
@@stevecassidyguitar thank you!
Still not gotten around to getting me a JS. Sadly no guitar shops close to me stock them. Otherwise I fully agree about the necks natural C is perfect.
It's always a bummer when people don't have access to them due to location :(
But I've been in China the last 8 days and seen a load of cool beands I'd never heard of before. Looks like you can get great guitars anywhere!
Funnily enough .. Jets are made in China but there's none here either 😂 must just be made for the European market
HI :)
So I bought this Jet JS300 - amazing guitar for this proce, however I do have so trouble with mine. Maybe you could be so kind and help me with some information. I have still few days to decide if I want to keep it or return and information provided by you may be of a great importance.
Fist of all - yes, I do know quite a lot about guitars, and all you will (hopefully ) read below is already after the set up and all adjustments were done.
.
-how is the nut on your model? Mine may to have slots cut too narrow cause it seems to bind the strings. Did you change the original 9 gauge for 10? Do you have any problems with strings being caught on the nut and so issues with tuning? In my case lubricant didn't help.
.
-also my nut seems to be quite high. There seems to be quite a lot of space between strings and first fret and so when I fret any string on first, second fret the notes ar sharp. But not just slightly - it spoils the whole tunning. So guitar is in perfect tuning on open strings, intonation set right, action as low as possible, all notes fretted above 3rd fret are clear and round but on 1st and 2nd fret sharp too much - unable to play chords in that positions close to head.
.
- another thing is that I can't tune it properly everywhere, now I know that guitar can't be tune perfectly due to equal temperament, but compromises between some strings that I have on this guitar are just too big (B and G strings needs to be tuned flat but way too flat). Can you tune it in a way that you are satisfied, no significant dysonans are heard? Acceptable balance across all fingerboard? Cause I can't achieve it with mine. B and G strings are or to high for one position or to low for other, and when I try to find some common ground and tune them in between in the middle - then just nothing is in tune.
-do you use whammy bar?
.
Did your guitar also came only in ONE PLAIN BOX? When I saw it I was surprised but also upset - this should be shipped with more care. Hence I wonder if my guitar maybe is broken in a way, or just I am unfortunate to receive a faulty model.
.
I will be so grateful for your help. I have really hard time to decide if something is wrong and to keep it or return (warranty or return policy)
Hey mate - that's a bummer 😬 sounds like you might have got a dud. 👎
Ok so first - the nut. Every Jet I've had has had a great job done on the nut, very well cut and tidy, not too high either.
I've never had any problems with mine. I did change the not on a couple of my Jets to bone, but that's just because I personally don't like bone.
I also ALWAYS upgrade the string trees to Graphtech.
Did you check if you have the saddle issue I mentioned in the vid at 9:30 ??
One thing you could try is lowering the height off the pickups? Perhaps your getting too strong of a pull that's affecting your intonation?
Re the strings - I thought the JS300's came with 10-46 strings - I always immediately change them to 9-42.
The JS300 in this vid I had on loan. I have my own JS 300 which I changed the trem on - there wasn't anything wrong with the original, I was just changing the aesthetic to all gold hardware.
I also barely use my JS300, I don't even have strings on mine atm 🙈 I much prefer the JS400.
Any Jet I've ever bought has came in one of the Guitar shaped/triangle boxes with a big "Jet" logo on the front, and would also be inside another larger rectangle box for shipping, but that's usually down to the retailer to provide (I think) I've bought Jets from GAK, J.G Windows, & BAX music, all shipped this way.
Long story short.. If I was you, I'd check the saddles & try lowering the pickups - If that doesn't work, I'd opt for an exchange or return.
Lastly... Don't let one bad one put you off. I had to return 2 faulty Squier Starcasters, before I settled on the 3rd. 3rd one is great! I love it - So glad I persevered 😅👍
Best of luck with this one mate 🤞
@stevecassidyguitar Thank you so much for this answer, much appreciated.
I must say that on my guitar the saddled them self do get a bit off axis, I have noticed it right away out of the box they were all tilt downwards, Bridge plate in place but saddles on the plate were all a bit tilted down (towards trem bar) but strings on them were also moved (like to recompensate the tilt of the saddles) and a bit closer to upper screw, so strings were straight on the neck. I adjusted saddles to be straight and moved strings on them so the string were on the middle od saddles and straight on the neck. Then while playing ( I ddo have sometimes a hard hand I do use whammy bar a lot) the e1 string saddle moved downa again but string is again straight (on the saddle closer to upper screw) however this is the string that stays in tune the best! I love this e1 I its a winner in tunning, so I didn't try to fix that saddle for now as it works ok.
Lowering the pickups didn't helped
" I thought the JS300's came with 10-46 strings - I always immediately change them to 9-42." - this may explain why you have no problems with the nut. 9s will fit to slots from 10s. As I went opposite way - changed factory 9s to 10s I might get ino troubles like slots of nut not wide enough for 10s
Man, but I sit with this guitar another day and just cant make it tune properly. I mean I know that it can't be perfectly in tune across all fingerboard due to equal temperament rules, but how close can you get with your guitars?
Can you tune them in a way that you are satisfied, no significant dysonans are heard? Acceptable balance across all fingerboard? What are the acceptable compromises? Cause I can't achieve it with mine. B and G strings are or to high for one positions (chords) or to low for others, and when I try to find some common ground and tune them in between in the middle - then just nothing is really in tune.
I really strat to think that I got a faulty model.
Anyway, I will not give up. These Jets are worth another try. Most likely I will try to return. I just hope they will accept my return afer all these tweaks and adjustments.
Thanks for your help!
@@wojciechstecyszyn6040 No worries mate and respect for persevering with it. 😎👍
I'd probably go for an exchange/return too 👍
I dont understand why budget manufacturers havent carved their neck blocks on the strat bodies to a contoured low profile ergonomic design, I have just done it to a 3D printer Strat file and it took me 5 minutes to do in CAD, its an upgrade that would only cost the manufacturer 5 minutes in CAD and about the same in CNC milling time per body, its a free upgrade!
Harley Benton photography used to have crazy body colours on the website compared to the actual guitar, they fixed this though and they are quite accurate these days.
I had no idea how much difference it would be from a manufacturing stand point - thanks for sharing mate 😃👍
I'd imagine if it didn't take too much more time then they'd save on the neckplate costs and save a wee bit on the weight too 😃👍
*better than Fender neck profile.
I feel a big difference because of the rolled edges. I play with my thumb hanging over and that's why I notice it.
The new Fender player 2 series now have rolled edges too, so they're a bit closer now. Although i'd say the fretwork on the Jets is more consistent (ime) 👍
The player 2 I tried earlier this year had a very poorly cut nut though. It gets increasingly harder to recommend a Fender for the price these days
Great review mate!
Not bad for ceramics, some can be brash and spiky these were OK...
I like the tones Strats make but lm always hitting the middle pickup or the vol knob so they're not for me.
Hope you get to show some footage from China pal, it'd be interesting.👍🏼
Thank ya kindly mate! 😃🙏
The pickups are still a tad on the hot side for me, but they still have some very good clarity for what I'm assuming is probably a £20 set of pickups 🤷♂️
Got quite a lot of clips from China - including visiting a Guitar Street!
Just finding the time to edit it all will be the challenge 😂
@@stevecassidyguitar
Excellent mate, be gd to have a squizz once you get back and have an edit..
I'm with you on the hot pickups Steve, can't stand em if theyre pushing the front end of the amp..
Sound fizzy and buggas any picking technique we think we've got!!
I have mixed feelings...
JS300 over ST62 for strattiness because of the 9.5 radius
ST Modern over JS400 for super-strattiness because of the 12-16.
I like different tools for different tasks.
Don't own a Jet (yet), but I just ordered an ST modern, hope I won't be disappointed.
Nice one mate! Hope you love the ST modern! 😀👍
But you're right, the best option is always "all of the above" 😜👍
Hi! Steve! What is the body thickness of the Jet strats please? Thanks so much!
Full Thickness mate 😃👍
44.5 - 45mm Same as a Fender Player or USA Strat 😎👍
@stevecassidyguitar amazing 😮😮😮!!! Thank you Steve!
Aye, for me it's just worth getting the extra cash together and going for the 400. That 2 point trem and heel joint are worth it 👍
Totally! I can't think of any other brands that do such substantial upgrades for so little dosh 😃👌
Jet JS 400 would be my choice HSS configuration is a must love humbucker at the bridge!🙂
Same here mate! HSS for gigging is essential for me 😎👌
Graph tech is amazing. Sounds as good as bone, if not better. And I find that about 25 percent of the bone nut I buy have soft spots or defects. What's really bad is when these don't become apparent until after you have done 2 hours of work on it. Lol. Graph tech is like Mcdonalds. You get the same thing every time, anywhere you go in the world. Even China!
Agreed 💯 on GraphTech - especially the self lubricating TUSQ XL. That's definitely the way forward. Fazley were using those nuts stock on some of their affordable S & T types under £200. Should be possible to have them stock on every guitar for not too much more imo
you made me buy a sunbust jet js300 with tortoise pickguard couple of months ago and it's perfect! it has a floppy tremolo arm and i couldn't figure how to fix it but it's ok anyway.
I didn't make you do anything mate! 😂
But if that's what you need to tell the missus - then that's cool with me 😜👍
"Steve made me do it! 😳"
Good decision tho mate - awesome guitars imo 👌👌
Awesome video have a great day Steve also i am a Fender person
Cheers mate! Hope you have a great day too sir 😃🙏
Jets are perfect for the guy who loves Fenders but doesn't have Fender money 😁👍
Hi Steve, how about a comparison between the jet 400 and a player 2 hss rosewood strat?
Hullo mate! That's a good shout 😎👍 I did want to do that one, but my local shop who loans me guitars (Kenny's Music) only had the Player 2 SSS variant in at the time.
When I Did the shootout with the Players 1 and JS400 last year, I had the Jet as the winner, but they'll definitely be closer now with Fender now having the rosewood & rolled edges. Jet still about 1/3rd the price though 😜👍
Got the JS 400 in Breast Milk Yellow and swapped the saddles for blocky ones and replaced the grub screws inside them with shorter ones to have em low and not piercing my palm
😂🤣 if that's not the official colour name - they should definitely change it to that 😂👌
Breast milk yellow 😂😂
We don't get Jet guitars in my country. Seen any in China! Here's wishing Yoshi & yourself a smooth and safe trip 一路顺风!
Is it Singapore you're at?
Funnily enough I've been to a load of guitar shops here and Jets are made in China but not seen a single one. Must just be made for the European market and now slowly creeping into the US.
Thank ya very kindly mate - last day today. Apparently I'm off to get a bone crunching massage now 😬 I fear for my life! 🤣
@@stevecassidyguitar Yup, I'm in Singapore. Thanks for remembering! Yeah, we don't get any of the EU budget brands here. Off the top of me head there's Squire, Cort, Ibanez Gio, Jackson, Heritage Ascent Series, Samick, Aria Pro, Yamaha, Suzuki, Vintage. And then there's the ones that are supposed to be budget but aren't really...Epi, PRS SE, Sire, Harmony and Gretsch. Oh and don't worry about the massage, you'll survive 😅
@@jowyong6769 do you get the "grassroots" ESP stuff? Seen a few of them that look pretty cool 😃👍
Epi, PRS SE, and Gretsch aren't that affordable here either these days :/
Survived the message - cheers! 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar There's a dealer here for ESP but the Grassroots range come in very limited quantities. It's mostly E-II, LTD and Edwards. Have a great flight mate!
Never mind all the guitar stuff, where do you get your glasses?
Ha! Good point! I get them from either TEMU or Ali Express 🤓👍
They don't even have lenses in them 😂🙈
I get asked about them a lot so ended up making a wee vid about em:
th-cam.com/video/LKLu7dve2gc/w-d-xo.html
Love it and the color
Ha ha, I seem to be very much in the minority again regarding the colour!
@@gedellis701 I think it has to grow on you. I did a review of a pink guitar on my channel and I was thinking why did he send me pink. After playing it and seeing it I was completed sold
I love pink guitars! 😍
Tis each to their own mate - the JS300 comes in several different finishes tho (I failed to mention that in the vid 🙈
I dont think there is anything wrong with a bone nut tbh. Its often a waste product in cattle and pig farming. I suppose you could argue that plastic nuts (sounds wrong, that) are bad for the environment as they still rely largely on crude oil.
I think the understated colour scheme is actually quite nice, they should roll with that tbh. Sounds great!
Aside from the ethical and environmental reasons, bone can also be quite inconsistent with soft spots etc.
With the Graphtech it's consistent and with the TUSQ XL it's self lubricating.
Re the colours they do look different in person, so it's good to see one in the wild if possible. But sounds like you'd prefer the real colour anyway 😃👍
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah you're right about soft bones (oo-er). Have read that sometimes they deteriorate too, though I think the modern quality ones are treated in some way.
Hey Steve! Does the neck still have a satin finish like it used to, or is it a glossy one? Cheers!
Yes mate! It's still satin finished. It was only the very earliest runs of Jets that had the gloss. They fixed that. You might come across it on an older used one, but you can still fix that easily with some steel wool or scotch brite pad. 5min job both sides 😃👍
Is there any screw that hold this tremolo arm? Could it be loosen in order to make tremolo arm swing freely under its own weight?
Yes - there's a wee grub screw at the back of the trem block you can adjust to tighten or loosen the grip on the arm 👍
@stevecassidyguitar Thanks :)
By the way, Fender Japan makes Teles out of Basswood by the bucketload and charging thousands, so, there you go...👍
Indeed mate 😎👍 As Do Musicman, Suhr, Schecter, Godin, and many more.
I'm a bit of a tonewood denier, so it doesn't really matter too much to me anyway 😜
Bought one js 300 mint lefty 3 years ago, no upgrades a bargain at £160 the neck is incredible
Agree 100% they've totally nailed the Fender neck and (imo) the execution and quality of the neck, fretwork, fret ends and nut work, is superior to what Fender has been putting out post covid 😎👌
Sweet riff at 5:20 !
Thank ya kindly mate - pretty sure I've stolen that from somewhere, but can't put my finger on it 😂🙈👍
Hi Steve, hope things are all good in China. I've probably mentioned it before but I'm not a Strat type person, but this is a very nice guitar and not a lot of money so it might well be something to think about in the future. It won't be just yet because my Les Paul got delivered today and my bank balance will take a while to recover from that. Hope you're having the best time.
Ooooft! This is the big one yeah!? 😃
HNGD mate! 🥳
I hope you love it 😃👍👍
@@stevecassidyguitar I do have a Strat type guitar now as well, I was so lucky and won Jonny's "Mississippi Blue" guitar on his live stream last Sunday. It's been an incredible week! A bit of solder or something must have come undone on it's journey to me because as yet I can't get a proper signal from it but I'll get it sorted and might even get a bit of a funk going in the future. BTW my Les Paul is amazing it plays like butter and the mini humbuckers sound like something right out of the 70s. I'm a teenager again when I play it.
👍🏻👍🏻
Always appreciated mate! 🙏
👍👍
I would like to get a Jett but there are no dealers here and importing is a nightmare XD
Ah that's a bummer mate - I'm sure you'll have other great options from different brands near you.
I've been in China for the past 8 days - seen a load of different brands I've never seen before putting out similar types of guitars that also look high quality 😃👍
Thought you were gonna do cliffs of dover
Ha! I wish! 😂👍
Have you tried the budget AZ ibanez range?
Yes indeed mate! Excellent guitars 😎👌
Reviewed one here:
th-cam.com/video/iL2Nmy7Dt8o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=s867Hw9rvctqGKnX
Hello, Mighty Ginger Sir !! ❤🎸🎶🎶🎸
Hullo mate! 🤣🙏
Budget manufacturers have worked out that bone is a cheap waste product but it's considered to be a premium material in the guitar world. Many good budget guitars have bone nuts now but it's a deal breaker for me, also because reasons.
I've knowingly and recently purchased far too many Guitars with bone nuts that I'm comfortabe with 🫤
But I do always try to make the case for the alternative (and waaaay better) Graphtech TUSQ XL when possible
you are a really good guitar player
You're far too kind sir!
Thank ya mate 😃🙏
Like the guitar not so sure of the colour though, again!!
I also have a JS300 in blue - that's a keeper 😁👍
Hard to beat at that price
Unfortunately I'd filmed all this a few weeks ago before the ST modern was announced 🙈
That's definitely well worth mentioning at this price point. Hope you're loving yours 😃👍
Cool guitar but I’m completely happy with my new Fender Player 2 Strat! 👍
Not surprised mate - if you've got the cash, the player 2 is a brilliant choice. The stock pickups are still some of my favourite single coils ever! They sound excellent! I'm always on the hunt for used sets 😁👍 Actually have a player set in my Jet JS400 😂
Yes , but can we purchase any channel themed flip flops anytime soon 👍
You can bet your soul mate 😜👍
@@stevecassidyguitarNow THAT is funny 👍
Why the plain glasses, doesn't appear to be any glass in them, weird.
Correct sir! Well spotted 🤓👍
I get asked about the daft glasses a lot so ended up making a vid about it...
th-cam.com/video/LKLu7dve2gc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wa_LaId-SHkDbnAF
It "almost" makes sense... Kinda 😜🤷♂️
Bought one on after viewing this and other reviews. Putting in Tonerider City Limits pups, CTS pots, Switch craft jack, orange drop cap,locking tuners, string tree and Oak Grigsby switch. All in I will have sunk £310 into it including purchase cost. The neck is superb as you point out and agree prob better than some of the stuff coming out of the US
Thanks for the heads up
@@millarhaxtonlaing1882 Nice one mate - glad to hear you like it 😃👍
Definitely worth the upgrades - sounds like a killer strat you got there now 😎👌
Give me a humbucker at the bridge and I'm a happy man
Hear hear!! 😎👌
To everyone with spare money, buy me a guitar 😭😭
I'm sure they will 😃🙏
I don't like strats, have a tele I love so I think I'm going to buy their jazzmaster thingy ❤
Nice! If the Jet JM had a trem of any sort - I'd have one (or 2) by now for definite 😎👌
That sounds affy, affy brah x
Ha! Cheers mate! You no picked up one of these yet? 👹
Awww....I slow....
You're just in time mate 😃🙏
I am first wooo hooo!!
Cheers mate! 😃🙏
Have a great time in china . Hope it's not minging.
Ha! Having a ball mate! Last day today 😭
Just en route to get a bone crunching massage apparently 😬 I fear for my life 😬
Thank you. Do you take requests? I am fascinated by the ‘myth’ or ‘truth’ that Gibson acoustic guitars are very overrated and expensive and peoples like me are paying for the Name. I would love to get your comments, thoughts and reviews on this comparing a few alternatives. I bet I’m not the only acoustic guitar player that would find this beneficial. Plus, I bet that numpty guy hasn’t done one! 😏🫢
Hullo mate!
I think that could turn out to be an expensive request 😂👍
Acoustics aren't really my forte to be honest 😬
I've always thought of Gibson as doing very high end acoustics, but don't think I've ever tried one. My first choice for acoustics has always been Taylor, I've never owned one but tried out loads before. These days I'd say "Furch" are making my favourite acoustics.
I'm sure like anything else these days there will be cheaper alternatives that people will say are just as good.
All that matters is what you think mate - if it sounds good, feels good and you're happy with it and what you paid... Then it's all good mate 😃👍
But if I get a chance for any kind of shootout like that in future - I'll take it!
Cheers mate 🙏
@@stevecassidyguitar thanks for that I will check out Furch 👍