Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster

markslade07

Hey all, I might have the opportunity to do a trade for a J Mascis JM but have read a few differing reports. Has anyone got one, or played one that can give me a bit of the lowdown as to how good they are, and whether they are Jazzmaster-alike at all? I think the pickups are P99s so it may not sound that close to a traditional JM but I guess they could be swapped down the line?

I’d be getting rid of my Gretsch Electromatic ProJet that’s been heavily upgraded so want to make sure the JM is worth it.

usedtobe

I played one in a shop, once. I was trying various offset guitars. It was great. I should have bought it!

meltedbuzzbox

They are generally good guitars. 
Like you say the pickups can be swapped and you may want to upgrade the wiring and pots too.

The question is price as you can get a better mim offset between 400 - 500. 

darthed1981

usedtobe said:

I played one in a shop, once. I was trying various offset guitars. It was great. I should have bought it!

Yes, I'd have bought the one I tried but it had had a pretty damaging trip to the floor before I saw it.

The one I tried was a Squier though not a Squirt

guitarcookie1

I have one. It now has AVRI pickups & a mustang bridge. Plays well & sounds good. 

PhilKing

I have one, they are really nice guitars but change the bridge and pickups.  I put on a set of Mojotone 59 Jazzmasters and a Staytrem Jazzmaster bridge.

stimpsonslostson

If you're not sure about the white, the Squier Jazzmaster deluxe is (apparently) essentially a Mascis JM but in red... And they're £285 new! 

markslade07

darthed1981 said:

usedtobe said:

I played one in a shop, once. I was trying various offset guitars. It was great. I should have bought it

The one I tried was a Squier though not a Squirt

Don’t know what you mean!

So it seems they need some upgrades over stock then. Trade value is around £350 give or take so probably need to budget another couple of hundred? 

francer

They are well loved over at http://www.offsetguitars.com/  plenty of Mascis threads there.

markslade07

stimpsonslostson said:

If you're not sure about the white, the Squier Jazzmaster deluxe is (apparently) essentially a Mascis JM but in red... And they're £285 new! 

Hmmm....that’s tempting!

stimpsonslostson

markslade07 said:

stimpsonslostson said:

If you're not sure about the white, the Squier Jazzmaster deluxe is (apparently) essentially a Mascis JM but in red... And they're £285 new! 

Hmmm....that’s tempting!

I know! 
I intended to go to Glasgow to get one today, but I bought a pink SG Jr thing this week, so my quota is full! 

darthed1981

markslade07 said:

darthed1981 said:

usedtobe said:

I played one in a shop, once. I was trying various offset guitars. It was great. I should have bought it

The one I tried was a Squier though not a Squirt

Don’t know what you mean!

So it seems they need some upgrades over stock then. Trade value is around £350 give or take so probably need to budget another couple of hundred? 

Not sure if it is across the board but @Flanging_Fred brought a Squier to Woking which had a stock Squier pickup and it sounded excellent.

I suspect the stock pickups are fine to at least START with.  If someone already has a favourite brand they are bound to put those in.

PhilKing

The problem with the stock pickups is that they are more P-90 than Jazzmaster.  They have screw polepieces and bar magnets underneath.  Jazzmaster pickups have rod magnets and are much more Fendery sounding.

flying_pie

markslade07 said:

stimpsonslostson said:

If you're not sure about the white, the Squier Jazzmaster deluxe is (apparently) essentially a Mascis JM but in red... And they're £285 new! 

Hmmm....that’s tempting!

I played one in GG a while back - very nice indeed. Up there with MIM quality with the frets well finished. Can't comment on the trem as I played the hardtail version.

RMJ

@GavRichList had one and upgraded it. 

CountryDave

PhilKing said:

The problem with the stock pickups is that they are more P-90 than Jazzmaster.  They have screw polepieces and bar magnets underneath.  Jazzmaster pickups have rod magnets and are much more Fendery sounding.

That makes it a little more attractive to me.
Wolf in sheeps clothing and all that.

GavRichList

RMJ said:

@GavRichList had one and upgraded it. 

That I did. Changed every last little bit of it. Was only ok. 

markslade07

GavRichList said:

RMJ said:

@GavRichList had one and upgraded it. 

That I did. Changed every last little bit of it. Was only ok. 

Hmmmm. Not promising.

darthed1981

markslade07 said:

GavRichList said:

RMJ said:

@GavRichList had one and upgraded it. 

That I did. Changed every last little bit of it. Was only ok. 

Hmmmm. Not promising.

Well it depends what you want doesn't it?

Pretty much all that would be left if @GavRichList changed everything that could be changed would be the neck and the body. 

The body will just be what it is.  Squier necks are very thin and easy to play, but if you want a fat or wide neck then you will not be happy with a Squier.  Same if you want a nitro finish, it doesn't bother me but if you hate a thick coat of poly then you will dislike almost all Squiers.

GavRichList

The neck is unique to this guitar. It’s actually not particularly thin, and it has a satin finish... it feels almost plastic. Frets are big ol boys too. People rave about the neck. It is comfortable, but as I say, oddly plasticy. The body is fine, though if I recall it was pretty heavy. 

RMJ

@markslade07 is it a jazzmaster you are looking for in particular?