This makes the neck pickup achieve a warmer tone. C-shaped necks like this have been the most popular for the last years. It's always nice to have the option to play higher notes if you want to. Volume controls for both pickups on the upper horn (these work when the phase/ parallel switch is in the up position. I love the Vmod pups in the Pro 1, very versatile. Squier Affinity, Squier Contemporary, Fender American Performer and Fender Player. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Like we already wrote, wood will have little influence in the final tone of an electric guitar. Its tonality tends to favor warm tones. I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. The neck is made of Maple. However, if you don't care about the warmer neck pickup, more frets will always be better. The bridge pickup has a tap function that allows both a powerful, throaty sound or a lower-output vintage sound. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. You are using an out of date browser. In the rhythm position, only the neck pickup is active, and the rhythm volume and tone controls. Another important thing to analyze is the nut material, as it's one of the most important aspects that can affect the sound and playability of your guitar. You can find other models with valuable features (locking tuners, stainless steel frets, etc) for a lower price. The guitar also resonates wonderfully, even acoustically, which is always a sign of a well-constructed and assembled guitar. It's generally a thin neck that doesn't get in your way when playing fast, but that also has enough mass to give your hands a comfortable grip for chords if they aren't too big. Jazzmasters are traditionally quite heavy guitars, but their contoured and offset bodies make for a super comfortable play, and this new American Pro II is no exception to that. Oh something went wrong. If you bend too hard at the high frets, some of your notes might get muted because the curve will make the string fret out. The Jazzmaster has so many pickup options and tonal variations to explore, and it can harness almost any sound you dial in. Hi, so the AM PRO II series is rolling out. It has heft like a traditional Jazzmaster, but modern appointments and specs for the more discerning contemporary player. A 9.5 radius matches the radius of the Jazzmaster bridge before the lockable Panorama tremolo system takes control. This new range borrows the rounded heel from its Ultra counterparts and allows easy access right up to its 22nd fret (and beyond if youre so inclined). The American Professional II series overall is, in my opinion, some of Fenders best work to date. The popular Deep "C neck now sports smooth rolled fingerboard edges, a Super-Natural satin finish and a newly sculpted neck heel for a supremely comfortable feel and easy access to the upper register. The versatility of the American Pro II Jazzmaster is definitely a guitar to have in your arsenal, especially if you play a wide variety of music or are just looking for some new sounds and tones to inspire you. When the lead/rhythm circuit switch is in the rhythm position, the only controls that will affect the sound are the rhythm tone and rhythm volume controls. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. The latter two provide different advantages, although neck-throughs are the most expensive. From headstock to Panorama tremolo system, the American Professional II Jazzmaster is everything you want from a Jazzmaster, as well as everything you didnt know you needed. American made Fender are top-tier instruments for the working musician, and the American Professional II range push the envelope for the discerning and busy musician. This is a lightweight type of wood that was popularized by Fender. This is the kind of guitar youll keep forever. If I am buying a cat I want it to catch mice so the new series looks like the one for me. The bridge pickup sounds more aggressive and brighter compared to the neck pickup which sound more mellow. So you'll have to increase the distance of your bends to reach the same tension (note) compared to a fixed bridge. I think if someone initially picks it up expecting it to sound and feel like a traditionally specd Jazzmaster, its bound to be a disappointing experience. The S1 switch is activated and deactivated by using the push/ pull control on the bottom of the guitar. Muncie, IN 47304 | 1-765-289-8526, Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster 3-Color Sunburst Ser#US210061294, Lead Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Down), Rhythm Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Up). So you can expect well built pickups with great sound that shouldn't need an upgrade anytime soon. Tone control: this adjusts the brightness of the pickups. The pro 2 isnt the traditional switching. You get friendly & honest product advice about vintage and new gear and everything in-between. Professional, However, thinner necks are also weaker and will need adjustment more often than a thicker neck. The Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster are quite different to the controls on the classic Jazzmaster. Finally, let's talk about fret size. It comes with the popular 3-way switch that is present in most guitars. Instead, we'll take a look at the hardware usedmainly the pickupsto determine what kind of tone you can expect. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Im pretty guilty of always thinking every jazzmaster should sound vintage but I suppose a new take on them is pretty in tune with the spirit of the guitar. Don't these come with V-Mod version II pickups (whatever that means)? We offer personal service through our experienced & knowledgeable employees. Neck Pickup, Special Electronics: Push/Push on tone control taps bridge pickup for vintage tone, Bridge: 9.5 Radius Jazzmaster/Jaguar Bridge with Panorama Tremolo System, Tuning Machines: Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered, Strings: Fender USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges), Case/Gig Bag: Deluxe Molded Case (Included). This allows you to perform smoother bends but will also make you slower. However, most people seem to agree that a more curved (lower) radius will make it easier to play chords while a less curved (higher) radius is better for soloing and bending. On the other hand, some people like shorter frets because they like to touch the fretboard when playing, or because they got heavy hands and tend to press too much on the string and alter the of the note pitch accidently. These are located on the bottom half of the guitar (closest to the high E string) and include a pickup selector, tone control and volume control. Lead Circuit: gives you access to both pickups, the pickup selector and the tone and volume controls. Sunburst, Sight and Sound Music Center 1993 - 2022 | 4341 W. Williamsburg Blvd. This thing can DIVE! Here's an image comparing this guitar's fretboard radius to other popular choices: This is the most common radius for Stratocaster guitars. These prices are searched for automatically and are prone to error. Fenders new Super Natural satin finish on the back of the neck offers a very comfortable play, and the gloss urethane finish on the headstock helps retain the classic Fender aesthetic. We'll earn a small fee if you purchase after clicking. In the lead position, both pickups can be used via the 3-way pickup selector, and the tone and volume controls on the lower horn are active. This is the down position on the switch. Also, since the bridge is not fixed to the guitar body, the bridge will move as you bend the strings. Here's the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster's 25.5" scale length compared to other common sizes: This is the same scale length used in Stratocaster guitars, and it's one of the main reasons they have such a bright sound. Pickup selector: this is a 3-way selector allowing you either activate the bridge pickup only, neck pickup only, or both together. Thats the biggie here, I feel. I believe the rhythm circuit has been been replaced with a series/parallel mod thats pretty commonly done on jazzmasters. It depends on the guitar model. Thanks for the input everybody. It seamlessly blends Fenders history, tradition, aesthetic and honours it all while blending this new range with modern appointments and specifications. The Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster's frets are Narrow Tall size. JavaScript is disabled. Next, we can take a look at the quality of the pickups. But this time round there is no Am Pro II jaguar (at least not one that has been released). : NL855324119B01. Every difference will completely change the feeling and comfortability of the neck. Here's the diagram showing the different pickup combinations you can get out of this guitar model: As a 6 strings, Solid Body guitar with SS configuration and Passive pickups, we'd recommend it for genres like Jazz or similar. Doctor Lelykade 122583 CM Den Haag, The Netherlandstel +31 (0)70 449 03 33, Chamber of Customer No. Keep in mind this doesnt have a locking tremolo on it, so it will likely go out of tune if you try to do it too many times. We found the same or very similar pickups available for purchase online: These are passive pickups, so you can expect a moderade level of hot output instead of the overwhelming output that distinguises active pickups in metal. Unless we're talking about Fender or Gibson, since they build excellent pickups too. The rhythm circuit sound warm and mellow. The American Pro II Telecaster delivers instant familiarity and sonic versatility youll feel and hear right away, with broad ranging improvements that add up to nothing less than a new standard for professional instruments. However, you can use almost any guitar for any genre. Fender Noventa Jazzmaster (3 pickup configuration). The AmPro II sounded really good in Rob G's hands to me. At the flip of a switch, the rhythm circuit puts both pickups in series for a thicker tone with increased output, controlled by independent volume and tone roller pots. Do you have questions? Thanks for signing up. The Jazzmaster by Fender and Squier is a pretty unique electric guitar in terms of its controls. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players to get used to. In this article I'll compare everything you need to Hey, welcome Pro Sound HQ. The body is alder wood with a gloss urethane finish. According to them, it's a wood that offers a balanced tone but that favors the upper midrange slightly. Its average competitor's price is $2460, which means that the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster is around 27% cheaper than the competition. However, it's also used for fretboards, bodies and tops due to its light color, resistance and beautiful patterns. I mean, the complex switching is one of the main reasons to get the JM in the first place, I guess. the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster is around 27% cheaper than the competition. This guitar comes with pickups from one of the top brands: Fender. The classic Jazzmaster controls can be found on the Squier Classic Vibe, Fender Vintera 60s and Fender American Original models. This Jazzmaster in particular, finished in Mystic Surf Green, plays like a fine-tuned and modded classic. These measurements were taken either from the official Fender website, or, in case this information wasn't provided, by researching multiple online marketplaces and forums where owners of this model have posted their measurements. The Am Pro II JM doesn't have the traditional rhythm circuit. After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster's construction is balanced for most hand sizes. New V-Mod II Jazzmaster single-coil pickups are more articulate than ever while delivering the sparkle and chime the Jazzmaster is known for. Two different bone nuts, even if made from the same bone, will probably sound slightly different. Obviously, its known for its jazz tones, but it can mimic so many other styles. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. We'll take into account things like coil split, fret number, tremolo and the pickup combinations you can have. Best bang for your buck guitar right now. I have a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar and have never used it. It has that warm surf rock wobble vibrato, but then throw on some distortion and you can wail some Van Halen divebombs! When engaging the push-push knob, it taps the bridge pickup, bringing even more bite to the sound. The first step to choosing an electric guitar should be deciding what type of pickups you want. These are the types of wood used in the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster: The body is made of Alder. In my case, I didnt want it to sound or feel like my more traditionally specd JazzmastersI have those tones and that feel covered. However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The rhythm section really shines, offering thick and driven rhythm and an impossibly tube-like overdrive and warmth, even through a clean amp. Should not be too hard to rewire it traditionally, should the owner decide so, I guess. The neck joint is the part where the neck of the guitar meets the body. Ill have to check one out again as soon as a pro 2 comes in stock somewhere. The new Panorama Tremolo system with pop-in tremolo arm dramatically increases the range of vibrato available, allowing for deep, Strat-style dives, in addition to classic Jazzmaster warble. I see, interesting. Finally, the fretboard material is Rosewood. But since we know that this isn't always possible, we'll try our best at reviewing this guitar for you. Let's start with the switch options. Its hard to break the mindset of traditionalism. Pressing the switch downwards to turn it on activates the series mode which sounds darker and louder to make them sound more like humbuckers. These guitars have either two humbuckers or two P90 pickups, a pickup selector, tone control and volume control. It's considered a long scale when compared to most non-baritone guitars. 3-Color, Please let us know!! Rhythm volume: this adjusts how loud the neck pickup is. There are multiple configurations and each offers different advantages. You are looking at serial numberUS210061294. Overall, a good guitar for the price, especially if you like Jazz or similar genres. Some brands like to build their own pickups, but it's preferable when they feature a specialized pickup brand like Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, EMG, etc. This type of bridge allows you to change the pitch of the notes by pulling the bridge with the attached bar, which gives you better versatility. This is the first time* series mode has been offered on a Fender JM (with the exception of the recent special run CME Player JM, which adds it on a 4-way switch). This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. In this case, the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster has a Bone nut. Thin necks like this make it easier to move your hand across the neck and it helps when playing fast solos, especially if you like to leave your thumb free while playing high on the fretboard. ex-VAT only applies when buying from outside of the EU or within the EU providing a valid VAT-number is submitted during checkout. Let's evaluate how much freedom this model gives you to play with more tones, playstyles and genres. United States We'll be taking a look at its build quality, tone, playability, versatiliy and some extras to determine how 'good' this guitar is. You must log in or register to reply here. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Low Group Inc. dba Guitar Girl Magazine 2020. This material is one of the highest quality you can get. "Yeah we should definitely jam some time". The Jazzmaster has a lead/rhythm switch on the upper horn of the guitar. The nut is bone, the pick guard is classic 3-ply Fender and the hardware is chrome. This is just the typical type of music for this kind of guitar. The body is alder, covered in gloss urethane thats available in a bunch of different colours. Other people do. The reason is that they feel good in most hands. The official Fender video demo featuring Rob G sold me on the AmPro II. It has a C type neck. 22 narrow-tall frets make for a pleasing play along the maple neck, available with either a rosewood or maple board. American, Dog Ear vs Soapbar P90 Pickups: Is There a Difference? This guitar has a Bolt-On neck joint. Squier Classic Vibe, Fender Vintera 60s and Fender American Original. It can tell you a lot about the overall playability and tone of the instrument. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups. Yes, the II has the old fashioned Jazzmaster setup. Fender have ingeniously taken the best parts of their classic designs in the American Professional range, as well as their boundary-pushing designs in the American Elite and Ultra ranges, and combined them for a new and refreshed American Professional II range for 2020. However, bear in mind that this is only relevant when playing open strings. Make sure you test this guitaror another one with similar characteristicsbefore buying. You can switch to ex-VAT prices using the menu in the top-right of our website. Unfortunately, the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster has the same radius across the board. Sometimes it's also used for necks because it's an extremely hard wood (even harder than maple). Click Here to Check Out the Deals!! The Fender Noventa Jazzmaster has 3 pickups and a 5-way pickup selector with the following positions: It also has a single tone and volume control. When it comes to tone, it highlights the mid and high frequencies. Prosoundhq.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk. If you use your instrument a lot, you'll need to replace the frets after a few years. The bridge pickup has a tap function that allows both a powerful, throaty sound or a lower-output vintage sound. At the flip of a switch, the rhythm circuit puts both pickups in series for a thicker tone with increased output, controlled by independent volume and tone roller pots. The overhauled Vintage Mod II pickups offer classic Jazzmaster sound with modern improvements, a lower noise floor and more articulate dynamics. When you decrease the rhythm tone control the pickup will sound more warm and mellow. Fender really enhanced the tremolo system on this model to give you more range and motion. P90's are single coil pickups but with a wider and shorter bobbin compared to standard single coils where the wires are closer to the pole pieces. Since the ban of Brazillian Rosewood, this has become a rare and expensive wood. Tags: Fender, Thanks for visiting! The point is though that you can! It's considered curved when compared to most other models. The new American Professional II range pushes those designs further. Just wanted to warn anyone that these V-Mod pickups do NOT sound like a Jazzmaster! This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast. And you can travel with the guitar more easily, swap out the neck if you damage it, or upgrade to a more comfortable neck later on. However, this curve also gives the guitar less allowance for lower action. The Jazzmasters were always designed as a flagship model with maximum flexibility and the American Professional II Jazzmaster pushes this reputation further than you may have thought possible. The Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster has 22 frets. If you're looking for a high output Gibson bridge pickup then the 498T and 500T are your best options, but what's the difference between them? We'll always show you the best prices we find regardless of the compensation we receive. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. You'll be able to press the strings easily, but if you're not used to them, you might get the notes out of pitch if you press down too hard on the strings since their height won't let you feel the fretboard. Finally, these are nickel silver frets, so they won't last as long as stainless steel frets. The American Pro II Jazzmaster features a Deep C neck that offers classic and familiar Fender feel with a more comfortable and streamlined play, better for complex chord shapes and leads. Visit our stores, give us a call or send us a message. Now let's take a look at the most important measurements and features that will determine the playability of a guitar: The Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster has a nut width of 42.8mm (1.685''). Fender's popular Deep "C" neck now sports smooth rolled fingerboard edges, a "Super-Natural" satin finish and a newly sculpted neck heel for a supremely comfortable feel and easy access to the upper register. This is the up position on the switch. In this case, the measurements of the Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster's neck is a thickness of approximately 0.8'' (20.3mm) at the first fret, and 0.92'' (23.4mm) at the twelfth. When the lead switch is active, it will sound brighter compared to the rhythm switch. That said if it still has the same vmod pickups from the pro 1, they are awful. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases. On the lead circuit, the bridge pickup is bitey when dimed, and the middle pickup position is mid-forward and aggressive when need be, but classically chimney and bell-like when rolled back. Reviewed: Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster. Call +31 85 303 06 40 or use the chat below. Scale length is the distance the strings will span between the bridge and the nut. Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength. For more versatility, guitarists tend to prefer a 5-way switch, although it all depends on what you want to use your guitar for. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform. However, things can get confusing especially when you start to take all the model variations into consideration. In this article, Ill go through the controls on every type of Jazzmaster so you can figure out how to start playing! Theyre super clean when you need them to be, but can turn dark and gritty when you wind the classic Witch Hat knobs up toten. The neck profile tells you the thickness (neck depth) and shape in cross section. There are three main techniques to attach both parts together: Set-In, Bolt-On and Neck-Through. Even though this type of neck was looked down upon for a long time, nowadays bolt-on necks are well built and provide just as much sustain as any other join method. These models operate by using a lead/ rhythm switch to activate either circuit on the guitar. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. When the lead switch is active on the Jazzmaster, the lead circuit controls are active. Finally, remember that this type of bridge requires a bit more maintenance than fixed ones, especially when changing strings. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Compound radius fingerboards give the best of both worlds. Simple Jazzmaster controls e.g. 3-way pickup selector (bridge only, neck only, both together), S1 Switch (activates pickups in parallel or series on the Ultra and coil taps the bridge pickup on the Pro II), Phase/ parallel switch (labelled as switch on the diagram). When the slider switch is engaged, the tone and volume controls are bypassed except for the push-push knob. Feel free to contact us via our email/chat at the bottom right of the screen or call +31 (0)85 303 06 40. Pro. Product Review: Fender American Pro II Jazzmaster, Giveaway: Win 1 of 3 Luna Guitars Enter to Win, Peavey Electronics Debuts Delta Woods Series Acoustic Electric Guitars, DADDARIO ANNOUNCES HAND EXERCISER COMBO PACK WITH VARIGRIP AND FIDDILINK, Product Review: Boss Pocket GT Pocket Effects Processor. Some people prefer tall frets because it's easier to press the strings and perform bends since there's less friction against the fretboard. Now, let's take a look at the quality of the materials used to build this guitar. The new Panorama Tremolo system with pop-in tremolo arm dramatically increases the range of vibrato available, allowing for deep, Strat-style dives, in addition to classic Jazzmaster warble. This is where you can get precise tonal control. These are affiliate links. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. Rhythm tone: this adjusts the brightness of the neck pickup. We are not a store, we're not owned, nor are we related to these retailers in any way beyond receiving a fee from qualifying purchases. When the S1 switch is on, you can also use the switch on the top horn to switch one of the pickups out of phase which sounds thinner. Please try again. Now for my favorite partthe Panorama tremolo! Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by.