BJFE / BearFoot fx Guitar Effects Community

I think I remember that newark have a Costello Jazzmaster right? And I think I have heard someone else in here that has a 59 thin skin?

I am on the hunt for a jazzmaster, and I would love to hear some inputs from you guys. Have you compared your guitars to a vintage JM? The new pickups are supposedly not nearly as cool as the older ones.

Did you change to a mustang bridge?

I am considering either one of the many partscaster builders, doing it myself, or grab one of fenders RI models. or the costello, which looks absolutely amazing! I just can't afford a real vintage JM at the time.

All inputs are greatly appreciated:D

- A

Yep I've got the Costello and it is to die for!! I've never played a real vintage one though so I can't give you a good direct comparison. And while I found nothing wrong with the standard PUPs I did switch 'em out for the Lollar Jazzmaster PUPs which are just exceptionally great. Novaks are incredible too.

The bridge did give me the typical JM trouble, but basically right as I was getting fed up with it and looking into buzzstops & alternate bridges and such the Mastery Bridge came out and I got one. Its pricey for a bridge but I've never had any kind of issue with buzzyness or anything since I got it set up and intonated properly. Definitely worth it for me, if for no other reason that it put my mind at ease about all the typical JM bridge complaints (and the complaints about buzzstops "dulling" the tone, and mustang bridges being a step up but not a 100% fix).

Check out http://www.masterybridge.com/home.html, those testimonials certainly sold me, seeing as how those guys are all huge influences on me and big parts of why I even wanted a JM in the first place... so if its good enough for them...

Most people hate the cosmetic changes I did to mine but I freaking love it, very unique and plays/sounds like an absolute dream. If you can swing the Costello I'd definitely do it--Elvis' specially designed trem is amazing. It doesn't swing freely and still hold in place though--something to keep in mind. I've gotten very used to playing with the trem in my hand about 80% of the time and very quickly knocking it out of the way when I'm not using it but I know a lot of people really need it to just fall freely out of their hands.

ahh... happiness-

Thanks a lot for the input! I am not that crazy about the changed pickguard as well, but if you like it, and it makes you feel good then that's cool:D.

I love that walnut finish!:)

That mastery bridge sounds pretty cool. And as yourself I also dig all those artists using it, so it is definetly worth checking out:D.
It is quite expensive though... But if it solves the problems, then everything is cool!

I am crazy about Nels Cline at the moment. I must have a JM now:D. hehe.!

Well I've been thinking about trying out a plain black guard to see if it worked better for a long time now, so I just bit the bullet and ordered one. We'll see if it turns out alright! For some reason I just don't like the standard red tortoiseshell and there aren't many other colors that would really work that well with the walnut finish. I do like the black onyx but perhaps the plain black will be more tasteful. We'll see!

Yeah, I think a plain would look really cool. But as I mentioned - if you dig it the way it is, it's all good!

I will defintely try and get one of those Costellos. Or perhaps the 59 goldguard. But I would have to find one used, as I am just a poor music student, who can't afford a brand new one... I don't see that many come up for sale, but i will keep an eye out for one. Let me know if you see one for sale.

thanks for the input newark!

Wow! That Mastery bridge is awesome! I really get very happy and relieved when I hear that there are guys out there trying to improve things like this.
It's not a huge market I guess which makes it even better that they've designed this thing.

I'll definitely get one when I have another Jag or JM, although I never had problems with my Jag, but I bet it would have sounded better with one of these.

To the OP, I am biased against vintage Jags/JMs because I had a bad experience with one, so if you're going vintage it is a must to play it first, which is hard
(or impossible) if you're not in the US where the best selection is. My opinion is that you'll get more value out of one of the US reissues - good guitars, and in
the case of the JM, yes the pickups are not accurate reissues of the old ones, but a set of Fralins down the track will take care of that. Or you may like the
sound of the stock pickups as well.