Jazzmaster masters, some neck questions for you.

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smora
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Posts: 10
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 9:55 pm

Jazzmaster masters, some neck questions for you.

Post by smora »

First question is about neck thickness. I have a MIJ Jaguar whose neck is noticeably thinner (more comfortable for me) than the CIJ and MIM Jaguar necks, which are rounder and more hand-filling ime. I've not played an AVRI, but if you know where this might fit in than I'd like to know. My MIJ and CIJ Jagmaster follow this trend also, but not as dramatically. The body on the MIJ Jaguar seems a bit thinner and lighter, too. Do the Jazzmasters follow this trend also or are the neck thicknesses the same between MIJ, CIJ, MIM, and MIA? Anyone have an MIJ Jaguar with a thicker neck? Did I just happen to get a thin one by luck? I remember reading about the same observations here though.

Would a Strat neck bolt up flush to a Jazzmaster pocket? Any gaps or intonation problems? I've got a thin Warmoth Strat neck here that hasn't found a home just yet. If this works maybe it'd be cheaper to just buy the body and parts online?

Lastly, are there any little differences I should be aware of between MIJ, CIJ and MIA? I know the obvious stuff, like basswood for most MIJ's, pickup quality, vibrato bottoming out on MIJ/CIJ. Little things like how the MIJ Jaguars have a copper shielding plate whereas the CIJ's don't; things like that I may not be aware of with Jazzmasters.
benecol

Post by benecol »

I've played both Japanese and American Jazzmasters and Jags, however I've only owned American ones, and currently have an American Jazzmaster. Out of all the guitars I've just mentioned, my AVRI Jazzmaster has the slimmest neck (which is a shame, because I like fat necks, as a rule). As you've mentioned, some of the Japanese offsets (there - I've said it) are basswood, but most are alder. Other differences, in order of how much they bug people enough to change them out are pickups, trem unit, electrics and poly finish: the last two are purely subjective, mind. As I understand it, AVRI's are fairly accurate replicas, whereas Japanese ones are more of a 'greatest hits' of various years' models.
As for necks, I think Aen (also of this parish) has tried just about every possible neck combination on a Jazzmaster, but I don't think you'd save much (if any) money building from parts.
And welcome aboard, <10 poster x.
smora
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Posts: 10
Joined: Wed May 06, 2009 9:55 pm

Post by smora »

Thanks, benecol. Anyone else agree that the AVRI necks are slimmer for either Jags or Jazzy's? If the strat neck fits that would be great since I know I already like that neck. If enough of you agree on the AVRI then I will commence charging up the funds.