Wow, you just single-handedly destroyed Fender and Sweetwater's multi-million dollar advertising campaigns, trying to convince us that we all need multiple guitars. Nice job, particularly the observation that these sounds are closer to each other than they are different. Bravo man!
Anyone commenting that they sound the same is definitely listening through a phone speaker. Many of them sound similar, yes, but each is unique. Whether they are different enough to warrant someone buying each is up to them. Most of us can simply use any of those and tweak settings to get close enough to cop sounds of another.
Still think the tele bridge and the strat in between positions are unlike anything else, but your point absolutely stands. Again, us shiny-thing loving guitarists learn we buy with our eyes more than our ears.
Everytime I see Eric play that telecaster I get telecaster envy. I agree with all points made, but I still want a tele (to go with my strat 😂, the differences are enough to want more, but maybe not nowadays when you can use amp modelling etc!)
I agree with your point, but man I love that Mustang! The Tele with the Bigsby too... Can't decide... Multiple guitars truly is the answer! Happy Friday, Eric, everyone!
I honestly think they sound so different! It confirmed my love for my old squire Jazzmaster. That said, that mustang has such a great dark sound, something with the shorter scale length and the older pick ups and the broken in wood that makes it sound so good.
What speakers are you using today? 0:27 Riffin’ 0:58 Jazzy stuff 1:47 Jangle 2:48 ‘fÅnk’ 3:22 Favourite? 3:29 back’t’back solo 4:21 pretty similar? 4:46 take-away or to-go? 5:11 Recommendations My takeaway: they sound really different, I especially like the Jazzmaster and Mustang cleans😄 I’ve never owned a Fender but now I’m considering it. That Godin is to die for, but on the home page they don’t mention if there’s a left handed version
This is great, my humble opinion having watched it twice. The strat is just strat all the way. The Jazzmaster sounded a little washy, perhaps vague. I love Jazzmasters. The Tele was stoical and firm. Jag and Mustang are very close and are the overall champs 😅
@thomasachambers7318 Haha, yes indeed, I was really impressed with the Mustang, seemed like a guitar that required effort but appreciated the attention 😄
I've become a Fender junkie (not afraid to admit it). Mostly teles and strats. Some stock, some modded - the beauty of the design IMHO. AND they keep producing beauties. The new Shifty cleaver is on my xmas list. PLEASE Santa!!
Who cares what they sound like, that’s for the audience to worry about, for us guitarists it’s all about how they feel, how they inspire, and how cool we look playing them 😂
I definitely heard differences. The Tele seemed the most balanced and seemed to cut through the mix nicely, without being too bright. Of course I tend to go between a Tele and a Gretsch these days, so those sounds feel most like home to my ears. Good tones all around, though - I've never much cared for short scale Fenders in terms of playability (I'm a big boy), but that Mustang of yours always sounds great.
I have a Strat, Tele and Jazz and they’re all different, yeah you can get them close to each other, but they all have quirks that are specific to each one, especially when you’re running them through different amp/pedal combinations. I want one of every modification they’ve released! (And a 59 Les Paul, Rickenbacker, and dozens of other newer boutique brands! Lol) But right now I’m happy with what I’ve got! (Also have a 67 SG with P90’s that was stripped and left neglected in an attic for 30 years, now it weighs six pounds and sounds incredible, the pickups are QUIET somehow but still powerful and beautiful sounding!)
They all sound different but close to each other, through my iPhone speaker anyhow, BUT this made me really rethink why. The biggest differences I heard were when the scale lengths changed, especially on the neck pickups. Maybe it’s not the output of the pup but the positioning of the pickup that makes the differences? Great video.
They're all very different to the PLAYER. The difference will be subtle to the listener, especially in a band context. The short scale on a jag really throws off your muscle memory on bends.
Thanks for the reminder to be excellent to myself as I go off to a church band practice including a band and orchestra that I have to hang with. I just ate some pizza. Carry on my friend!
All are tonally close, with most audible differences among the models being when the pickup selector is in the middle position. As from most comparison videos on TH-cam, I'm struck here by the tone coming from the Jaguar. (I have a now-discontinued Jaguar bass, but I don't have a regular electric guitar variant of the Jaguar, so my opinion isn't a case of confirmation bias.)
The only thing thats ever compared to a Fender guitar is another Fender guitar IMO. Strat was my favorite sound of your shootouts but i am also bias as i chose a strat over all other options over 20 years ago ::))
I’m recovering from an inner ear injury and consequently can’t wear headphones or sit in front of my monitors at 85db for the next few months: the jazzmaster’s the only one that sounds tonally different to me though my phone speakers. All the rest just seem to sound tonally identical though driving the preamp at different levels of heat
All similar but its a great sound, Most notable difference I found the jazz and strat were great for funk and jazz above the rest and sounded a tad thinner and brighter, Mustang sounded less bright so it'd be great for rhythm. They'll all feel different so they'll make you play differently and that's the most important difference if you ask me. TH at mustang is a beauty by the way!
Sir I think you should consider my infallible method for guitar selection, some guitars in certain colors are prettier than others. My candy apple red MIM 50’s Strat (lacquer finish!) says the heart knows what it wants. Oh and it sounds great too… just like a Strat!
Your mustang is soo beautiful, the dark wood with the red pick guard just gorgeous! Great video as always ❤ Btw in the solo test my favs were the Tele, Strat and Mustang. And I’m considering a Starcaster but I would have to be one in the same Color way as yours lol
Cool comparison! I'm surprised how different they are in some genres (e.g. Wilburys), & how similar they are in others (e.g Jazz). I'd love your impressions on how they feel to play.
Nice comparison. Those look like stock Fender pickups to my eyes, could be wrong, and if so then the sound tools part of the description is wrong (lists after market pickups). They're pretty subtle differences but each are cool in their own way. If you want something different try gold foil! Find a bargain Japanese guitar. The only drawbacks are that the output is lower and they seem to not like newer digital pedals. Have a good one.
Yes they sound similar but the devil's in the details.The Jazzmaster's middle position really stands out with the Jangle and the Funk parts. Trebles galore. And its neck pickup does the Wes Montgomery thing best - Leo was technically right after all. No jazz for the Jaguar: it's a rock'n'roll machine. I always thought the Strat sounded more "comfy" than the Tele, and I get the same impression here. Other differences are much more subtle, and who cares when the player actually uses the instrument.
This is a fun comparison and very useful info, and the shout-outs to Carrboro and Durham, NC are awesome...up the road from me. Btw, what a cool introductory tune by Steppenwolf. 😎👍🏻
The in between sounds are the most dramatic difference, but more importantly the feel of those guitars and their various trems would have an effect on how you play and interact with them. That said, guitar players in general make way too much of a big deal about small differences in sounds.
@Infinighost I agree the Jag sounds surprisingly good. In the red, it does look a little cheap. The yellow ones look great. I got one this week, and I'm really pleased with it.perfect mod platform. I'm going to leave it alone. It's awesome.
No, my Eric Johnson strat sounds nothing like my Classic Player Jazzmaster with the overwound P90s in or indeed my Parallel Universe Jazz Tele or my original Coronado with the Rossmeisl unique pickup in it. You can also play to accentuate and exploit these difference, and exaggerate the resonance response of the pickup with pedals. Let's get back to some jams and theory!
they all sound "Fender-ish" (someone would say wimpy) and Gibson will sound "Gibson-ish".. and x will sound x-ish (it's turtles all the way down...) those particular combinations didn't make them stand out particularly one from another but one can dial __wildly__ different tones on them (with basically no pedals, for ex. metal/shred like John 5 on a telly etc.)
I think everybody should own at least a tele, strat, les Paul style and a hollow body with p90s. But then again, I might just be trying to justify my purchases.
Eric is the tone king, been listening to him for 8 years at least, no better tone man, period, happy Friday the 13th everybody, now what's gonna happen?
It’s funny that the Strat is the go-to first guitar for beginners. Though pretty similar to the rest, it sounded the most distinct and least forgiving. (and LFG Twin Houseee!)
The Strat and Tele sound way more alike than a lot of people are willing to admit. Even the middle position on a Strat sounds like a slightly more focused Tele sound. But at the end of the day, they all sound like single-coil guitars.
I've been watching for years and this is by far the least amount of information you've ever given in a video. I've seen you do gear things but usually there is a tip or an explanation of how something works. Hopefully, this was just a light week to prepare for some serious theory to come?
I honestly think they sound so different! It confirmed my love for my old squire Jazzmaster. That said, that mustang has such a great dark sound, something with the shorter scale length and the older pick ups and the broken in wood that makes it sound so good.
Wow, you just single-handedly destroyed Fender and Sweetwater's multi-million dollar advertising campaigns, trying to convince us that we all need multiple guitars. Nice job, particularly the observation that these sounds are closer to each other than they are different. Bravo man!
Anyone commenting that they sound the same is definitely listening through a phone speaker. Many of them sound similar, yes, but each is unique. Whether they are different enough to warrant someone buying each is up to them. Most of us can simply use any of those and tweak settings to get close enough to cop sounds of another.
@callaway5148 To me, they are worlds apart. Did you notice the similarity of the Mustang and Jag? All very cool individuals 😎
even listening out of phone speakers theres still a difference i think people are just getting old
@LizordSword yeah, I'm listening on my phone, and it's a really clear comparison 👌
Still think the tele bridge and the strat in between positions are unlike anything else, but your point absolutely stands. Again, us shiny-thing loving guitarists learn we buy with our eyes more than our ears.
Gosh that Telecaster sounded fantastic.
Everytime I see Eric play that telecaster I get telecaster envy. I agree with all points made, but I still want a tele (to go with my strat 😂, the differences are enough to want more, but maybe not nowadays when you can use amp modelling etc!)
I came because of the guitars and stayed to the end because of the bodaciously awesome playing! Man!
A/B timestamps
Bridge Riffin':
0:31 Telecaster
0:36 Stratocaster
0:41 Jazzmaster
0:46 Mustang
0:51 Jaguar
Neck Jazzy:
1:03 Telecaster
1:11 Stratocaster
1:20 Jazzmaster
1:29 Mustang
1:37 Jaguar
In Between Jangle:
1:50 Telecaster
2:01: Stratocaster
2:13 Jazzmaster
2:24 Mustang
2:35 Jaguar
In Between Funk:
2:51 Telecaster
2:57 Stratocaster
3:03 Jazzmaster
3:09 Mustang
3:15 Jaguar
Solo:
3:30 Telecaster
3:41 Stratocaster
3:50 Jazzmaster
4:00 Jaguar
4:09 Mustang
I prefer all the time your Mustang !
I agree with your point, but man I love that Mustang! The Tele with the Bigsby too... Can't decide... Multiple guitars truly is the answer! Happy Friday, Eric, everyone!
I honestly think they sound so different! It confirmed my love for my old squire Jazzmaster. That said, that mustang has such a great dark sound, something with the shorter scale length and the older pick ups and the broken in wood that makes it sound so good.
All great. I thought would the jazz would blow them out, but Tele and Jag felt more balanced throughout.
What speakers are you using today?
0:27 Riffin’
0:58 Jazzy stuff
1:47 Jangle
2:48 ‘fÅnk’
3:22 Favourite?
3:29 back’t’back solo
4:21 pretty similar?
4:46 take-away or to-go?
5:11 Recommendations
My takeaway: they sound really different, I especially like the Jazzmaster and Mustang cleans😄
I’ve never owned a Fender but now I’m considering it.
That Godin is to die for, but on the home page they don’t mention if there’s a left handed version
Think it’s more how they feel to play more ,as very little between the sound of many different guitars
This is great, my humble opinion having watched it twice. The strat is just strat all the way. The Jazzmaster sounded a little washy, perhaps vague. I love Jazzmasters. The Tele was stoical and firm. Jag and Mustang are very close and are the overall champs 😅
Haha just shows they ain’t the same as I prefer the strat and tele. Something for everyone 😂
@thomasachambers7318 Haha, yes indeed, I was really impressed with the Mustang, seemed like a guitar that required effort but appreciated the attention 😄
I've become a Fender junkie (not afraid to admit it).
Mostly teles and strats. Some stock, some modded - the beauty of the design IMHO. AND they keep producing beauties.
The new Shifty cleaver is on my xmas list. PLEASE Santa!!
I play a tele, mostly, but the Jaguar sounded really good to me here.
love the steppenwolf jupiters child cover at the beginning
Happy Friday, Eric!
Enjoyed all of them but the Tele reigned supreme!
Who cares what they sound like, that’s for the audience to worry about, for us guitarists it’s all about how they feel, how they inspire, and how cool we look playing them 😂
Funny how similar they all sound in some of the applications. The most noticeable standout was the snottiness of the strat's bridge pickup.
I definitely heard differences. The Tele seemed the most balanced and seemed to cut through the mix nicely, without being too bright. Of course I tend to go between a Tele and a Gretsch these days, so those sounds feel most like home to my ears. Good tones all around, though - I've never much cared for short scale Fenders in terms of playability (I'm a big boy), but that Mustang of yours always sounds great.
I have a Strat, Tele and Jazz and they’re all different, yeah you can get them close to each other, but they all have quirks that are specific to each one, especially when you’re running them through different amp/pedal combinations. I want one of every modification they’ve released! (And a 59 Les Paul, Rickenbacker, and dozens of other newer boutique brands! Lol) But right now I’m happy with what I’ve got! (Also have a 67 SG with P90’s that was stripped and left neglected in an attic for 30 years, now it weighs six pounds and sounds incredible, the pickups are QUIET somehow but still powerful and beautiful sounding!)
Very cool comparison! I really liked the Tele, Strat, and Jazzmaster. I've got one of each and trying to make sure I keep their unique voices.
Great, now I need a strat
They all sound different but close to each other, through my iPhone speaker anyhow, BUT this made me really rethink why. The biggest differences I heard were when the scale lengths changed, especially on the neck pickups. Maybe it’s not the output of the pup but the positioning of the pickup that makes the differences? Great video.
I've never gravitated towards Stratocasters, but the one you're using has the edge here, I reckon.
Another great video, thank you!
They're all very different to the PLAYER. The difference will be subtle to the listener, especially in a band context.
The short scale on a jag really throws off your muscle memory on bends.
Thanks for the reminder to be excellent to myself as I go off to a church band practice including a band and orchestra that I have to hang with. I just ate some pizza. Carry on my friend!
Love them all but how different to you expect them to be? I own four of them and really enjoy each guitars unique character.
I agree generally but the Strat quack is pretty unique.
Age 50
Tele and jaguar and mustang close behind but since those pickups were Re-wound I don’t think that counts
All are tonally close, with most audible differences among the models being when the pickup selector is in the middle position.
As from most comparison videos on TH-cam, I'm struck here by the tone coming from the Jaguar. (I have a now-discontinued Jaguar bass, but I don't have a regular electric guitar variant of the Jaguar, so my opinion isn't a case of confirmation bias.)
The only thing thats ever compared to a Fender guitar is another Fender guitar IMO.
Strat was my favorite sound of your shootouts but i am also bias as i chose a strat over all other options over 20 years ago ::))
I think all guitar players know deep down that they’re almost all the same, but we keep up the charade to justify new gear.
I think your right, lol
However different if use a delay or echo, at same amp settings?
Maybe it’s in my head but they sound distinctly different to me.
And most important, never tell this to your spouse 🤣🤣
I’m recovering from an inner ear injury and consequently can’t wear headphones or sit in front of my monitors at 85db for the next few months: the jazzmaster’s the only one that sounds tonally different to me though my phone speakers. All the rest just seem to sound tonally identical though driving the preamp at different levels of heat
All similar but its a great sound, Most notable difference I found the jazz and strat were great for funk and jazz above the rest and sounded a tad thinner and brighter, Mustang sounded less bright so it'd be great for rhythm. They'll all feel different so they'll make you play differently and that's the most important difference if you ask me. TH at mustang is a beauty by the way!
I think I'm gonna a buy a Jaguar now lol Thanks Eric! :)
Sir I think you should consider my infallible method for guitar selection, some guitars in certain colors are prettier than others. My candy apple red MIM 50’s Strat (lacquer finish!) says the heart knows what it wants. Oh and it sounds great too… just like a Strat!
Sorry to ditch, but you just made me want to listen to the Traveling Wilburys... I think I need a jazzmaster now though.
Your mustang is soo beautiful, the dark wood with the red pick guard just gorgeous! Great video as always ❤
Btw in the solo test my favs were the Tele, Strat and Mustang. And I’m considering a Starcaster but I would have to be one in the same Color way as yours lol
Cool comparison! I'm surprised how different they are in some genres (e.g. Wilburys), & how similar they are in others (e.g Jazz). I'd love your impressions on how they feel to play.
Each played with coolness 😎👍👍
😎✌👍❤🖖
Nice comparison. Those look like stock Fender pickups to my eyes, could be wrong, and if so then the sound tools part of the description is wrong (lists after market pickups). They're pretty subtle differences but each are cool in their own way. If you want something different try gold foil! Find a bargain Japanese guitar. The only drawbacks are that the output is lower and they seem to not like newer digital pedals. Have a good one.
Yes they sound similar but the devil's in the details.The Jazzmaster's middle position really stands out with the Jangle and the Funk parts. Trebles galore. And its neck pickup does the Wes Montgomery thing best - Leo was technically right after all. No jazz for the Jaguar: it's a rock'n'roll machine. I always thought the Strat sounded more "comfy" than the Tele, and I get the same impression here. Other differences are much more subtle, and who cares when the player actually uses the instrument.
Les Paul with minis would sure be sweet.
This is a fun comparison and very useful info, and the shout-outs to Carrboro and Durham, NC are awesome...up the road from me. Btw, what a cool introductory tune by Steppenwolf. 😎👍🏻
The in between sounds are the most dramatic difference, but more importantly the feel of those guitars and their various trems would have an effect on how you play and interact with them. That said, guitar players in general make way too much of a big deal about small differences in sounds.
You have cool guitars. I'm not a LP guy at all, but if you put a gun to my head, I'd choose a Deluxe. Fun episode. Happy holidays!
The Jaguar sounded quite good but man that Player series looks so cheap without the top panel. I don't think I could ever get over that change.
@Infinighost I agree the Jag sounds surprisingly good. In the red, it does look a little cheap. The yellow ones look great. I got one this week, and I'm really pleased with it.perfect mod platform. I'm going to leave it alone. It's awesome.
Name your age as you name your preferences! Age totally changes ability to hear notes and I’m curious how this hits these
No, my Eric Johnson strat sounds nothing like my Classic Player Jazzmaster with the overwound P90s in or indeed my Parallel Universe Jazz Tele or my original Coronado with the Rossmeisl unique pickup in it. You can also play to accentuate and exploit these difference, and exaggerate the resonance response of the pickup with pedals. Let's get back to some jams and theory!
they all sound "Fender-ish"
(someone would say wimpy)
and Gibson will sound "Gibson-ish".. and x will sound x-ish (it's turtles all the way down...)
those particular combinations didn't make them stand out particularly one from another
but one can dial __wildly__ different tones on them (with basically no pedals, for ex. metal/shred like John 5 on a telly etc.)
But John5 uses humbuckers, so not really a good comparison.
@PiotrHryncyszyn His '67 telly doesn't, for example
Shoot Out Guitar video! IT is Christmas!!! Hella brehhh i still want a tele to go with my strat tho
Good guitar player is a helllluva guitar salesman!!
Thanks, Eric. Now that you've used all these guitars in a video, can you claim them as a tax write-off?
This video just reinforces my dislike for strats and my love of teles.
... Or maybe a Rickenbacker ?
Love a jazzmaster
However a Strat does have “that”sound .
I thought I was a telecaster player till I picked one up just too twangy for me
Much prefer jazzmaster and strats
The Origin Of The Lick Has Been Revealed
I think everybody should own at least a tele, strat, les Paul style and a hollow body with p90s. But then again, I might just be trying to justify my purchases.
Another controversial opinion: most amps sound the same when played clean. *ducks*
Exactly, put the guitar through a Tone test using an echo or fuzz box, however maybe I will get rid of one of my 18 guitars, no. No. No,
Eric is the tone king, been listening to him for 8 years at least, no better tone man, period, happy Friday the 13th everybody, now what's gonna happen?
Yep. Just pick the one that you like the look of best.
and play two Tom Petty songs….nice.
It’s funny that the Strat is the go-to first guitar for beginners. Though pretty similar to the rest, it sounded the most distinct and least forgiving.
(and LFG Twin Houseee!)
The Strat and Tele sound way more alike than a lot of people are willing to admit. Even the middle position on a Strat sounds like a slightly more focused Tele sound. But at the end of the day, they all sound like single-coil guitars.
the traveling dingleberries
I've been watching for years and this is by far the least amount of information you've ever given in a video. I've seen you do gear things but usually there is a tip or an explanation of how something works. Hopefully, this was just a light week to prepare for some serious theory to come?
I honestly think they sound so different! It confirmed my love for my old squire Jazzmaster. That said, that mustang has such a great dark sound, something with the shorter scale length and the older pick ups and the broken in wood that makes it sound so good.