Is the Squier Classic Vibe the best value Jazzmaster?
CLASSIC FOR A REASON
In 1958 Fender introduced the Jazzmaster to world as a new featured model at the NAMM. Despite having the word Jazz in the name, the Jazzmaster was mainly adopted and favoured by surf rock in the 1960s. And while not being as well knowns as Fender’s Telecaster and Stratocaster, the Jazzmaster continues to have a following to this day, especially in the alt/prog rock scene.
Not too long ago, Fender introduced a more cost friendly version of this guitar in their Squier Classic Vibe Series. The Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazzmaster aims to recreate all the features of the original Fender model, but at a fraction of the price.
This is Fender’s official statement:
“The Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazzmaster® is a faithful and striking homage to the iconic Fender favorite, producing undeniable Jazzmaster tone courtesy of its dual Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickups. Player-friendly features include a slim, comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile with an easy-playing 9.5”-radius fingerboard and narrow-tall frets, a vintage-style tremolo system for expressive string bending effects, and a floating bridge with barrel saddles for solid string stability. This throwback Squier model also features 1960s-inspired headstock markings, rich-looking nickel-plated hardware and a slick vintage-tint gloss neck finish for an old-school vibe.”
ALL THE SPECS
The Squier Jazzmaster has some unique controls which may be unfamiliar to most people, so let’s go over all the guitar specs and features as found on Fender.com:
BODY
Body Material
Poplar
Body Shape
Jazzmaster®
Body Finish
Gloss Polyurethane
NECK
Neck Material
Maple
Neck Finish
Tinted Gloss Urethane
Neck Shape
"C" Shape
Scale Length
25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material
Indian Laurel
Fingerboard Radius
9.5" (241 mm)
Number of Frets
21
Fret Size
Narrow Tall
Nut Material
Bone
Nut Width
1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays
White Dot
Truss Rod
Head Adjust
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup
Fender® Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Middle Pickup
N/A
Neck Pickup
Fender® Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Controls
Lead Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Down): Master Volume, Master Tone; Rhythm Circuit Controls (Slide Switch Up): Two Thumbwheel Controls for Neck Pickup Volume and Tone
Switching
Neck pickup only (rhythm circuit); neck only, neck and bridge, bridge only (lead circuit)
Configuration
SS
Special Electronics
Specially-Voiced Rhythm and Lead Circuit Controls
HARDWARE
Bridge
6-Saddle Vintage-Style with Non-Locking Floating Vibrato
Hardware Finish
Nickel
Tuning Machines
Vintage-Style
Pickguard
4-Ply Tortoiseshell
Control Knobs
Aged White Plastic
Switch Tip
Aged White
Neck Plate
4-Bolt Squier®
WHERE CAN I GET ONE?
If you are looking to purchase this guitar or a different model of Jazzmaster, check out these online shops for the best deals in your location. These are affiliate links that help support my Youtube channel and this blogging website.
SUMMARY
For the price and features and overall quality, I think it’s tough to beat the Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazzmaster. You get all the tonal switching options and controls that you would find on the original Fender model and you save a ton of money. The neck is unique and slim and very glossy. This may not appeal to everyone, so it might be worth feeling one in your own hands. Check out my full review video below to hear the guitar, and see all of the pros and cons that you will find with this guitar.
