A Jazzmaster for people who hate Jazzmasters? American Special Jazzmaster

[golem]

That's straight up something someone said on the Offset forum. It seems a lot of Offset fans are traditionalists. These days you're lucky to get any American Jazzmaster under $1K and I like JMs but don't like RI type Jags and JMs much. At minimum, I prefer a wider neck and a mustang bridge. But when they get rid of the vintage controls or a vibrato all together I won't complain. Add different pickups? I'm happy as long as they sound good.

This model had me a bit confused because I've seen that they come in at least three specs:

CME Spec that have special colors with AV '65 Jazzmaster Singles. I love the blue one on the right in the video.


Limited Edition with Bigsby (500 made; has Jazzmaster Singles)


And a hardtail version with stealth humbuckers that sound a hair fatter and warmer than JMs but very pleasant to my ears:



Generally speaking the people I grew up listening to who used offsets were playing them because they were cheap and modded them to use TOM bridges and humbuckers or noiseless singles. Very few of them didn't put tape over the switches or remove/modify the traditional wiring in some way.
As a result, I have no issues at all with this model.

This one needs a setup. No doubt I'll bring it to @andrewsrea next time he sees me. Speaking of which, do any of you have a betamax player you can sell me? I'm trying to find Rob one.

[BatUtilityBelt]

It's an option, and people should get whatever they want. I really don't understand the hate for the original JM wiring. If you don't like it, you can have the same thing as above from the traditional wiring just by leaving the upper circuit disengaged. But the 2nd circuit offers you at least 2 things many other guitars don't: a kill switch, or a woman tone switch. The latter is why I like the traditional wiring. The shape I like just because it's comfortable to me.

[golem]

@BatUtilityBelt I've been lucky enough to play a few pre-CBS Jazzmasters so I know exactly what I'm missing. It's just the attitude some people have that rubs me the wrong way whether it's a Jazzmaster, Tele, Jaguar, or any other guitar. One of my favorite things about Leo's designs is that they evolved over time and that he continued to try to innovate. It's like people only playing rockabilly on Gretsch guitars or Jazz on Archtops. Or the bluegrass people who wouldn't let my friend Rich play at a venue because he uses a digital keyboard. I don't mind people doing it until they bash/exclude others without sufficient reason.

[Tonray's Ghost]

@BatUtilityBelt I've been lucky enough to play a few pre-CBS Jazzmasters so I know exactly what I'm missing. It's just the attitude some people have that rubs me the wrong way whether it's a Jazzmaster, Tele, Jaguar, or any other guitar. One of my favorite things about Leo's designs is that they evolved over time and that he continued to try to innovate. It's like people only playing rockabilly on Gretsch guitars or Jazz on Archtops. Or the bluegrass people who wouldn't let my friend Rich play at a venue because he uses a digital keyboard. I don't mind people doing it until they bash/exclude others without sufficient reason.

Next time he should bring a digital Jug and washboard...that'll show 'em !

[howardlo65]

Generally speaking the people I grew up listening to who used offsets were playing them because they were cheap and modded them to use TOM bridges and humbuckers or noiseless singles. Very few of them didn't put tape over the switches or remove/modify the traditional wiring in some way.

You must have grown up in a far different time than me. When I bought my new Jazzmaster in 1964 they were more expensive than Strats and Teles. Only the Jaguar cost more (by just a little). I doubt that the Ventures and Carl Perkins, etc. were using Jazzmasters because they was cheaper. The Jaguar and Jazzmaster were the top of the Fender line and priced as such. And nobody was modding them in any way, just playing them. BTW, the stock Jazzmaster is still my favorite electric guitar.

[golem]

Generally speaking the people I grew up listening to who used offsets were playing them because they were cheap and modded them to use TOM bridges and humbuckers or noiseless singles. Very few of them didn't put tape over the switches or remove/modify the traditional wiring in some way.

You must have grown up in a far different time than me. When I bought my new Jazzmaster in 1964 they were more expensive than Strats and Teles. Only the Jaguar cost more (by just a little). I doubt that the Ventures and Carl Perkins, etc. were using Jazzmasters because they was cheaper. The Jaguar and Jazzmaster were the top of the Fender line and priced as such. And nobody was modding them in any way, just playing them. BTW, the stock Jazzmaster is still my favorite electric guitar.

That's absolutely correct. I grew up listening to my parents music and it wasn't until bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana came onto the scene that I listened to music they didn't. I've got no beef with vintage and reissue guitars, I just think they're still Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Teles, etc. even after people customize them with different pickups, bridges, and control layouts that suit their preferences. These would be famous examples:

[golem]

@howardlo65 It's comments I read in threads that get me: https://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vi ... =6&t=73317

I also saw people make the same comments about the American Professional Jaguar.