The Ultimate Fender Squier Jazzmaster Shootout | J Mascis vs Classic Vibe vs Vintage Modified
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- čas přidán 3. 10. 2020
- Today, we look at (and hear) the differences between the Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster, the Vintage Modified Jazzmaster and it's more 'up-to-date' sibling the Classic Vibe...
Pickup sound comparisons: 4:13 - Hudba
This is how comparisons should be done. Thank you for not talking in between every guitar and defeating the purpose like so many people like to do.
Appreciate the kind words man 👍👍 was a pleasure to make
Without a doubt, I’d spend my money on the Classic Vibe.
Fantastic shootout, including the Mascis lets you decide definitively.
Much appreciated, thanks for watching! Yes, the CV is an unbelievable guitar for the money, seems they really set the mark this time round across the whole squier line!
Just ordered a classic vibe - can't wait to play. Bit dubious about the 'bone' nut in the specs. I do like the p90 sound but this is an easy mod for a bridge p/up.
@@jonathanbolger6173The bone nut is way better than the plastic ones, that’s for sure.
Just picked up the Mascis jazzmaster. I absolutely love it. A great choice for anyone doing 90s style alternative/grunge.
Dang. The Mascis' bridge sounded so much better to my ears. More sustain, more depth. I want one...
The P90 is a great bridge pickup...and rocks with overdrive...The Classic Vibe had the best Neck and mid position tone though...and it's more authentic as a Jazzmaster...
the mascis trem assembly sits [on top of the body, wish they'd set it in flush] closer to the bridge. .stronger break angle, more downward force on the bridge which, on the mascis, features razor sharp v cuts for the strings [which i dulled] i stripped mine to bare basswood, it's a pretty wood the paint finish was very thick layers of clear base with the toilet seat white, gone from mine it sounded much much better. .it did have in my opinion too much backset in the neck pocket which revealed a less than flat to flat interface, so letting the neck back up a bit did'nt cause any problems. .there are no problems with the squier j mascis these are just comments
@@philliplee1193 would like to see your Jazzmaster.
i have the jmascis its nice
i like how the vintage modified sounds a little deeper than the classic vibe
I do it’s warmer
I thought the bridge on the CV was basically terrible..
I got the Squier Jazzmaster Deluxe, which is a red version of the J Mascis. It's my second best playing guitar after the Johnny Marr Jaguar. It's ridiculously heavy, but sounds so great.
Didn't even know that existed! (Not sure I needed to know.... 😂) Thanks for watching 👍
I have the red Squier JM deluxe also. Mine isn't terribly heavy though. I think it's about 8 and 1/2 lbs. I actually have a VM Jaguar that's 9 lbs which is way too heavy for a short scale. I agree the Deluxe plays great. I chose it over the J. Mascis simply because it was cheaper yet had the same specs. This was about 3 years ago now. I don't think they make the deluxe any more.
HOLY CRAP YOU PLAY GUITAR???? IM A BIG FAN OF YOUR CHANNEL ITS SO WIERD TO RUN INTO HERE!!! I have the j mascis jazzmaster and I use it live in my band. Jazzmasters are my favorite.
@@spoopyghost3515 he commented this on every squier jazz master video. Knobhead
The J Mascis sounds more toneful,
almost as if some reverb was added by the amp because of the extra sustain. Must be that bridge makes a big difference after all.
Maybe fender should put that on all guitars, screw the purists!
That vintage modified has such a beautiful thick tone, but I think the Mascis sounds bitier and almost as chunky, but with some extra mid/high clarity that puts it ahead. It’s a bit of a unicorn in some ways that thing. I don’t want to like it but it seems like a decent guitar. I can feel it pulling my wallet slowly out of my pocket
Probably the best Jazzmaster comparison video I've watched on CZcams
Nice comparison. I would understand if someone had different preferences, it's a matter of taste, but for me CV sounded the most Jazzmasterish.
Those classic vibe JMs are really great value for money, couldn't recommend them highly enough
@@wilsonguitars2724 recently picked up a used 2012 VM in white with tort guard, for a song! It needs new strings and some freshening up, but at this point I think it's a keeper, even the "duncan designed" pickups. I like to mod, especially pickups, but I might only replace what needs to be replaced for function. It's great!
I have a 62 jm and i would say cv is nearest in sound
@@alexk3088 I just got the same one! I love it exactly as-is!
Great vid. Wanted a jazzmaster forever and a dream to have so much choice for such a good price.
The VM has a super warm vintage sound which I love
agree
I own one in Sonic Blue, it's a gem and after adding a neck shim plays like a dream. I kept the stock pickups in place as I do like the tone they produce.
@@Mr.Steve-O It's a great guitar.
@@Mr.Steve-O what pick up do you use on VM now? im thinking to replace them with fender VMod for jazzmaster
@@Actionmom69 I have the stock pickups in there Duncan Designed. The Vmods are great as well these Pure Vintage 65's czcams.com/video/hGzK_w_mFZI/video.html
Absolutely perfect comparison video!
Great demo. It lets me know I'm not missing anything with the Vintage Modified. I have the Mascis and Classic Vibe. Love the Mascis for the higher output resulting in more sustain and a great high gain sound. Love the Classic Vibe for the great clean tones, with nice attack on each note. Mascis is great out of the box. Classic Vibe needed additional setup. Really happy to have them both. In comparison to the Mascis and Classic Vibe, the Vintage Modified sounds more "plunky", lacking in sweetness and sustain, and I assume this is mostly due to its pickups.
Great review, superbly carried out 👍 and it’s been a real help, thank you 😊
Vintage Vibe gets my vote, closely follow by the JM Jazzmaster.
That Vintage Modifified sounds like it’s got really old strings, not good.
Lots of good sound samples, gave a really good idea of the differences. My personal preference based on this vid is 1. J Mascis, 2, VM, 3. CV Cheers!
Agree
The J Mascis sounds better than a lot of Fender branded JMs honestly! To me anyway
Thank you so much for this one...have a debranded JM that I couldn't work out the model of but you solved it. A VM. And as I bought with my ears and hands it's proven to be the right choice for my tastes :)
Thanks for the review! That was great!
Excellent video, thank you. Definitely going to order a Classic Vibe!
Love that you’re playing Wish Fullfillment for the demo. Love that song! Good vid
Thanks, superb comparison!
Great video! Great comparison! Great guitars!!
I Got the Mascis in a trade a few months back and I love it!!
Would like to get the Classic Vibe now! . . . UPDATE I got the Classic Vibe now 😁
Update. . . I got the white classic vibe in a trade last weekend 😊
@@BrandonKJohnson which one would you recommend as first Jazzmaster? I've found J Mascis and CV at the same price but I honestly don't know at the end of the day which one is "better" for the price ( I also know it's just personal preferences)
@@magrolorenzo I love both - for different reasons. The Classic Vibe gives the "real jazzmaster feel" where as the Mascis feels like a jazzmaster shaped guitar that I can play any way I want. Dunno if that makes sense - but when I play the Classic Vibe I find myself playing "pretty" and with the Mascis I find myself playing more rocky and aggressive. I think it's cause the bridge on the Mascis is stable and the classic vibe does the jazzmaster wiggle. Again both good but for me and my playing I play differently on each one.
(I've always been a believer that you play the style of whatever equipment your using at the time [hopefully that makes sense lol] )
Great demo Wilson
I loved the video. To me, the most equilibrated guitar was the VM (that's why I chose over the JM some time ago); however, the bridge it's a crap. I bought some cheap 10 bucks aliexpress version of the mustang, and now my VM is amazing. Thank you a lot for this great comparison video
My thoughts exactly. Re bridge pup I’m thinking the j mascis pup would be great in my VM after watching this video
I have/had all three (sold the vintage modified a while ago) and the J Mascis is one of my favourite guitars I've ever played. The cv is great as well and the vm just has a certain vibe to it that I really liked although it's definitely my least favourite sound-wise.
Don't think we'll be getting rid of our j mascis anytime soon 😄
If you have owned all of them, I have a question for you : do the VM and CV models have real differences in violin making or is it mainly the electronics and the pickups that make the difference?
Clean I liked the Classic Vibe, with overdrive I liked the Mascis
This video made my decision harder by highlighting all the minute details!
The JM that I want is a combination of all 3. Satin neck, vintage tint, bone nut, rosewood board, I like the VM pickups the best, but want the mustang bridge, and really want the tremolo lock.
Guess it's time for a partscaster.
I think you mean "partsmaster" in this case 😁😂✌️
I literally just bought one plan to mod it a bit. The classic vibe with the bone nut and mustang bridge seem like good value. Might swap out the bridge for a p90 and maybe a staytrem if I can get my hands on one
appreciate the work you put into this. i personally prefer the sound if the vintage modified. this really helps because i was caught up between the first two
You just made me fall in love with my JMJM all over again.
Perfectly done video. All sound great but different. I think for the classic jazzmaster sound etc it’s the classic vibe for me. The mascis sounded great but I’m looking for something different than the p90 sound. Otherwise I’ll take all three
The J Mascis sounds fuller and more alive!!
its a bigger sound but better? it sounds quite generic p90 to my ears. the other guitars do sound thinner but thats more in line with the plinky plank of a jazzmaster, and in context of a mix, or band might well add that character you're after.
@@do-bugger5719 I'd suggest that in this demo, he's playing the same notes the same way on all 3 instruments. If you were actually performing/jamming you'd cater your playing to the instrument. I think the J. Mascis is just a more spirited horse... it may be harder to tame, but it can outrun the others. The sound of that thing cuts hard, but it can be mellowed with a softer touch once you know it's eccentricities. I really thought the others sounded muddy by comparison in most positions despite the distortion.
The consistent arp’s ceate an accurate comparision, not easy to maintain even volume and clean picking. Very nice!
Vintage Modified for me. Love that percussive attack on clean and the growl when overdriven. Shame they're discontinued.
i found one here in my city for 250 bucks on Craigslist. I chose it over the CV cause of the rosewood neck primarily. Feel is really the most important thing for me and i just like how rosewood is a bit smoother when fretting. the finish on the CV is kinda tacky to me also in the sunburst color-way, the sunburst is too red i feel. They are excellent modding platforms, i threw a mastery bridge on, got some black bobbin pickups, rewired to 920D vintage harness, and its a dream! id put it well over a stock vintera. name on the headstock doesnt matter if the instrument plays and sounds well.
Good find, man. I agree about the name on the headstock. Never cared about it.
It’s so hard between the JM and the CV! I love the look and feel of the JM but I like the sound of the CV so much more!
Nice SY nod man 👌 great review 👍
I'm choosing between a jmjm and a Vintera, and honestly I think I'm gonna go with the Mascis. The neck feels so much nicer to play
Great video... I read up on these woods and they say basswood is a better tone wood and has better sustain than popular. It also said some high end guitars are made out of poplar. one of the things that sold me on the J Mascis.
Thanks for great comparison. Recently I made complete rewirng of JM Jazzmaster, I put 60s specs electronics and Fender 65 Pure Vintage Pickups + Mustang bridge. Now it sounds a lot like genuine old Jazzmaster, the only one thing bothers me a bit... a fact that both PUs are 6.8 kOhm, I would like to have bridge bit louder. Every component changes the sound in some way. I liked the stock sound but I also keep Fender Modern Player JM upg with P-94, it is mahagony body Jazzmaster a chinesee FENDER for the prize of Mascis - it sounds truly amazing. It is my secret tip for getting cheap good JM!!!
If you were going to do all of that you could have just gotten an Affinity Jazzmaster.
This demo was fantastic, was that some MBV I heard in the distorted section?
Feel like we may have another Squier JV era going on with these Indonesian made guitars. Quality and finish exceeding the cheaper Fenders and, to me, nearly on a par with Fender Japan. I've a CV Jazzmaster and love it.
Yeah, was hard for me to choose a J Mascis when the CV is Indonesian. Although, there are "real" Fenders made in China and no "real" Fender made in Indonesia that I'm aware of. They are all pretty good, lol.
Very enjoyable video but I’ve got to say I’m disappointed you were making so much noise in a public library. I’m surprised you didn’t get shushed by anyone 😉
Vintage Modified is fantastic. It has a darker sound with a stronger kick. It sounds like something between Jazzmaster and Jaguar at times. I think it would spread its wings even more with a 15 inch speaker.
I've had mine going on 10 years now, you can definitely play around with the amp controls to find all sorts of different tones. Very versatile 👌
Nice review . Thx.
Gotta love my VM JM
I've been looking at Jazzmasters and Jaguars for months now, and I think the JM JM is going to be the guitar I buy. I keep coming back to it and for the price it'd be hard to find a better instrument.
I have the Affinity Jazzmaster which I've modified to have Wilkinson tuners and humbuckers. For the price it's really good!
Great video dude. I also love the Jazz vid and was wondering do you have a favourite Squire overall. Tele, strat, jag, jazzmaster, marauder, mustang?
Tough one that my friend, but I'm going to go with squier Stratocasters from 1995-1997ish... Full size alder body, full size neck, rosewood board so it's the best mod platform you could think of! That's what we did the "frusciante" strat video with, and it really was a lovely guitar in the end.
Great comparison video! It would be amazing - if you had a chance to do one for Fender Jazzmasters (Player, Vintera, American Player, American Professional, American Original and American Ultra). Hoping to own/buy a Jazzmaster at some point in the future
That sounds like an expensive comparison. But we can't rule it out... 😂
@@wilsonguitars2724 My bad - I later read that you are focusing mostly on budget gear. I think a Player and Vintera comparison with the Squires you reviewed in this video would be great though - if it's possible :)
@@patrickel94 We'll be reviewing a wealth of gear over the coming months so we'll look into getting ahold of those models. Make sure to subscribe so you dont miss it! ;)
@@wilsonguitars2724 Thank you! Looking forward to watching more of your videos! :)
Seymour Duncan pickups are absolutely the best. Very full and Burbly/glassy
So glad I've just ordered the j.
awesome video
J.Mascis for the win. I have it and it truly sounds good in here too not just to me in my head. Handles fuzz well. It sits well in my bands mix at practice.
I have the VM and I worry from time to time if I messed up not getting the JM. For me I just really prefer the VMs warmness but the neck on the JM is awesome. Might grab a JM neck on the VM body and I think that would be perfect
I appreciate this review. I've been wavering between the J. Mascis and the Classic Vibe.
The J Mascis is not a "real" JM...does that help?
@@popsfereal Indeed it does. Thanks.
Hey my fellow dude! For that Shoegaze glide playing, how does the plate to bridge distance affect the feel and sound? Cheers!
Like how you are in a library for the distortion part :)
Squier JMascis for life! ❤️❤️❤️
Great video. For me it the JMJM or the Vintage Modified. The Classic Vibe sounded hollow and harsh.
Great job thankyoubfor video
Hi, hope you can help. When listening to the clean finger picking round (the first round) the answer as to which was the best became immediately obvious to me…. The Vintage Modified was the only one that sounded like a Jazzmaster….. i.e. it “thunked” and “plunked” like I’d expect a Jazzmaster to sound. Almost like it was wearing heavy Flatwounds. I’d love to know your opinion as to why….?
I Have the JMascis and CV version. Playability is near perfect with the JMascis. CV is a bit rough on the fretboard material but nothing to stop you playing.
@Neon Thunderbird yes 100% and JMascis stays in tune better than most guitars from my experience. I don't think I will ever sell mine.
@Neon Thunderbird I have found these with only 3 guitars so far. JMascis, CV Tele Butterscotch and the PRS SE. All three of these can match any other high priced equivalents.
For a true lover of the Jazzmaster there are no losers, they are just a bit different but certainly not in a negative way ( except when fitted with hum buckers!). Having had Deluxe JM I finally managed to get a new J Mascis Squier but had to pay top dollar as they tend to fly of the shelf. It’s a stunning looking guitar, has a fabulous neck and those tweaked pickups have a sound of their own. I rank it equal with my American Standard Strat which cost me more than three times as much. Highly recommended. Keep up the good work!
Isn't the deluxe same as the mascis just red .??
@@clarkster98 Different pickup voicings (more full blooded on the Mascis) and jumbo frets on the Mascis. Have to say I also prefer the white body and pickup covers on the Mascis set against the gold pickguard. Did not like the red/ black combination on the Deluxe but liked the tone of the guitar. Wish I had kept it and had both , but can’t complain as got good price for it!
J mascis sounds best to my ears 😊 great video.
Since Squier dropped the J Mascis Jazzmaster, I can't help feeling there's an opening for competitors to make a great affordable JM with character, around the 500-600 mark. The Fender Player Jazzmaster doesn't cut it, and the Vintera is a big leap up in price. Hopefully Sire will do one and fill in the gap, above the CV and VM. Otherwise, second-hand Squier JMJM are the choice in that price range. edit: very happy they started making the Squier J Mascis again. Listening back, I think the vintage modified sounds better than the classic vibe Jazzmasters, which are a bit shrill.
I got the jmjm and could not be happier with my choice,the only thing is that it has doubled in price on the used market and I want a second one.
that's how you review a jazzmaster, well done bro
Thanks, great video! Any reason why the Mustang bridge is flipped with the screws pointing forwards?
Good spot! To be honest I hadn't noticed haha. Must've been a slip of the mind when changing strings in a hurry! Thanks for watching
can i ask, is that riff at 6:35 from Harness Your Hopes by Pavement? the lead singer used a white 60s jazzmaster and i couldnt help but think of it
you got it :)
This is a very good video
Is that Wish fulfillment by sonic youth for the clean demos? Great video just purchased the classic vibe the other day.
Yes!
I was scrolling through the comments just to see if someone noticed!
👍
@@damanlidison I did. Lee is free.
@@christianberthiaumeccb 👍👍👍
Unfortunately, most of guitar reviews/tutorials/unboxing on youtube are lacking of sonic youth (and, in general, interesting bands) riffs... And mostly filled with typical rock guitar heroes kind of stuff!
@@damanlidison So sadly true. People doesn't like or know alternating tunings! ;)
@@christianberthiaumeccb I guess most people into guitars are more oriented to regular/technical/virtuoso style, and probably many of them are like "Yngwie Malmsteen is god" and everything outside their range is crap!
So, you can find tons of "guitar videos" with someone playing big solos, but not many with some Sonic Youth or Butthole surfers riffs!
😠
IMO:
Vintage Modified for cleans & riffin,
JMascis for strumming.
Classic Vibe #3.
Thanks for your feedback! The VM had its own sound for sure.
There was something about the tone of that VM neck pickup, on the clean sounds, that I liked. Not so much the bridge p/u.
CV missed the boat & fell in the water on the bridge sound! 😮IMO
Timely, I'm looking for a Jaguar so the review of the bridge/trem was handy as the Vintera 60s Modified HH has the same system as the Mascis.
I'd hang onto the Mascis on the basis of that & the pups on the basis of this test.
Yep, the Mascis was the 'keeper' for us too! If you haven't seen it, we did a review of the Squier Jaguars too! czcams.com/video/Q3lI892gDDc/video.html
Thanks for the feedback!
@@wilsonguitars2724 yep, I've seen your Squier Jaguar shoot out, I think it was that video that brought me to your channel originally, cheers
. I liked the mascis sound only a little better then the modify jazz master. But didn’t really like the classic vibe sound . Well done very nice Comparison job
Which one is better ? The vintage modified or the classic vibe ? And their prices ? Thanks
lol you can definitely tweak/set intonation on the other styles of bridges. what do you think the screws are there for? 😂
i got the mascis and its so beautiful that i dont use it that much to retain its pristine condition.... planning to buy the cv
Does the Troy Van Leewuen signature Jazzmaster worth the money with J Mascis on the other side.....? THANKS!
They are extremely different price points! If we're talking pound for pound value wise, then the J Mascis is pretty unbeatable
@@wilsonguitars2724 The Deluxe is almost identical spec wise to the J Mascis, but cheaper. Best value guitar I've ever owned.
Yes, the tutomatic helps on the J Mascis- BUT -it's not a 9.5" radius bridge. I've found that since the cost-cutting 12" TOM bridge has odd string height causing string fret buzz at odd places. PROBABLY negligible for most people, but keep it in mind. J Mascis wanted this design for some reason. Still a fantastic guitar!
He raises his action super high. By the look of it you could stick a finger between the strings and higher frets. So the fact the the E strings are a little further at either end probably doesn't make a big difference.
J Mascis has his personal guitars set up in some way that seems totally bizarre to 99% of players but proof of how we’re all creatures of habit
I returned my mascis after realizing that the action couldn’t be lowered. I just thought it needed a setup like most squier guitars. Once I found out you’d have to buy a new bridge and redrill to get it lower I was like f that and returned it. It’s a shame cuz it sounded great but the action was ridiculous.
@@misterknightowlandco that doesn't sound right. Did you try adjusting the truss rod??
@@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84 yes I did. The problem is that the neck is a 9.5 radius but the bridge is a 12 radius. The bridge is designed for guitars, like a Gibson, with a flatter fingerboard than on the typical fender neck. Basically what happens is the strings on the edge of the fingerboard have a slightly higher action than the strings in the middle and if you try to get all 6 strings low the strings in the middle will have fret buzz and your low and high e strings for example will be at a low and good action. But when you adjust it higher so the middle strings are at a good action your low and high e’s will be really high. It’s just a bad design if you play precisely but if your an indie rocker just blasting chords you probably won’t even notice.
Im getting the J Mascis as my first electric, are there any upgrades you could suggest to get the most out of it?
Get the nut changed to bone, and there are “roller bridges” for that specific style. Smoother and more sustain with both pieces replaced.
You can also upgrade the pots for different things (better treble roll off, roll on)
Please consult your local on all of these things though. The first two probably would be something actually needed more than the pots is just a tone thing. Doesn’t make it better. Just changes what things can sound like.
I see your wishes on the wall
And that's all right with me
I see you run to make a call
Hoping that there's someone free
Your life and my life, they don't touch at all
And that's no way to be
We've never seemed so far...
Loved your video ✌️
Got me the vintage. I'm good. Love it
Picked up a brand new Classic Vibes Jazzmaster in Daphne Blue with a tortoise shell pick guard for $200! Super great guy ❤️ it's got the Mustang
Do these all still have bridge issues ? I had one years ago and had to replace the bridge because it kinda mute the strings
love my VM sunburst jazzmaster, however I tried the mustang bridge and the string spacing was off. This is because the fretboard radius between the jazz and stang are different. Best upgrade is a mastery bridge, but the cheapest is using the original bridge with thicker strings.
I got the vintage modified and modified it with a fender water slide decal and some Seymour Duncan pickups
4:14 sonic youth! Love it
Right off the bat 4:20 - the Vintage Modified had such a nice sound. I'd put the J Mascis somewhere inbetween the Classic and the Vintage.
The Classic Vibe! More clarity, chime, and variation between the pickups, to my ears. Sounds more distinct from the others.
I love the tone of the vintage modified. I felt like it sounded like me. I really connected with it and could feel the emotion so much. Like it has the same soul as me
Gay
CV for the WIN!!!!!
The classic vibe has noticeably more sustain. Must be that real bone nut.
There’s not a bad sounding guitar here , my choice would be J Mas however my back tells me choose the CV .
You forgot to mention the frets. J mascis has Jumbo frets, which are amazing or terrible depending on your preference
Yes it does. To me it plays way better than the CV.
yep i wish the j mascis came with tall/narrow and, i made it happen on mine with an easier than you might think remedy : using a dulled hacksaw blade for cover, over the fretboard up against the frets, run a chainsaw file across the sides leaving the top of the frets untouched
Why neck and bridge combination on vintage modified sound like neck pickup on its own? Is it just me? 4:30 vs 5:16
Yes, I found the Duncan Designed pickups were certainly unique sounding!
ooooh you played only shallow! nice
Great comparision video! I’ve got only one remark - they are not P90 in JMJM. There are some similarities, Yes, but they are not P90.
Thank you
Where did you find a J Mascis lefty?! ‘Ive been looking, but no luck…
The video is just flipped. It's not a lefty.
One thing I can say, owning a Mascis, is that its pickups take distortion exceedingly well, I've never had it squeal when i didnt force it to
The Vintage Modified SDD pickups sound better in my opinion. But that’s just my opinion!
Seriously does the J Mascis have P90? In all the research I have done they have always described it with jazzmaster singlecoils
they are more like p90s than jazzmaster pickups. Little bit hotter and use bar magnets + screw pole pieces rather than the regular magnetic pole pieces most jazzmasters have.
They are not technically p90’s they are jazz master pickups that have been “voiced” to be more like p90’s.
@@misterknightowlandcoNot true. They're P90s using a Jazzmaster bobbin.