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American Vintage Reissue (AVRI) - based on 62 model, slim neck, 7.25rad, no neck binding (1999 - 2012)
American Vintage (AV65) - faithful reproduction of 65 model, chunkier neck, 7.25 rad, bound neck, very fragile nitro finish (2012 - 2018)
American Original 60s (AO) - based on 60s specs, mostly as AV65 but with fretboard 9.5 rad and different nitro formulation. (2018 - present)
Mexican JMs are certainly not to be sniffed at - the ‘60s lacquer and Roadworn are both vintage spec and have USA pickups.
MIJ and CIJ offsets are fine, if a bit bland. Some silly prices for those nowadays though!!!
If I was on a budget and after a vintage spec Jazzmaster, I’d be after a MIM Roadworn... but if there was any way to stretch to an AV65 (or AO) it’s worth it. My AV65 Jaguar is going nowhere.
Edit: I haven’t tried a Squier offset that didn’t need a serious setup so I’ve no idea of their true quality. Lots seem to like the J Mascis one...
American Professional Limited edition. The whole neck is rosewood - huge plus.
Ignore the rhythm circuit hatred - it’s actually a very useful sound in its own right. Although if you play with a flailing right hand you can knock the switch - solution: sort your poor technique out.
AVRIs - Sorry not a fan. I spent a lot of money on a 62 that was junk compared to the Classic Player it replaced. I’ve owned several JMs since and it’s genuinely the worst neck, the worst resonance and overall sound of any of them.
Vintage-ness - don’t be a sheep. The offset world (as mentioned above) is incredibly conservative. Leo didn’t necessarily get it right first time around *FOR YOU*.
Bridges - don’t ask on here you’ll get a million opinions from people who haven’t necessarily tried the options they are slagging. See comment above about conservatism.
Fwiw, I’d check out the Classic Lacquer Mexican. If you are considering a Mastery bridge though, bear in mind that Fender have fitted narrower thimbles to these than vintage meaning they need to be changed out to fit this bridge. My own Jaguar is from this series and it’s a fantastic instrument - now improved dramatically by Mojo A3 pickups and it will gain a Mastery when I can afford it (personal preference).
Think will head AO.....ta
But yeah, I think if it was me, I'd be looking at the classic lacquer series.
The '94/5 CIJ looks slimmer in places and definitely feels somehow less substantial. It also doesn't sound as rich as the '86 MIJ. I'd advise trying out for yourself first.
I love the '08 thin skin and '86, which are my go-to guitars. I put a set of Mojo pickups in the '86 which utterly transformed the sound. The '94/5 will need some work. At the very least some decent pickups and a better bridge (this one has a Mustang bridge that is actually worse than the standard JM bridge!)
Unless you have a vintage JM, plan on replacing the pickups with Mojos, especially if you play mostly clean. They have a three dimensional quality with rich harmonics that have to be head to be believed. And get a Staytrem bridge.
Oh, and I use the rhythm circuit occasionally. In almost thirty years of being a Jazzmaster player, I don't think I've ever accidentally hit the switch!
I said maybe.....
Given enough time and a little more budget I'd prefer to order a BilT Relevator LS and get it customised to exactly what I wanted... if you don't go crazy on the specs they are running price-wise higher than USA Fenders but way less than Fender CS stuff.
Downside of course is the second-hand hit you take on anything boutique...
I'd highly recommend it, provided you know exactly what you want.
They look great, however they dont feel worth their price tag imho.
It was kind of a dont meet your heroes moment for me. Looked cool as fuck, played a bit meh.
At £800 I'd have one. Never at retail though.
Coda usually have 5 or 6 in stock.
Doug Kauer thinks they are ostensibly the last great bargain in boutique guitars... https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/24670475/
Mind you, you’re probably right: if TGM did an offset issue this month, Guitarist will probably do one next month.
Probably more Les Pauls and tube screamers