Breakdown on the Goose guitar: • The Story Behind My Axe. Get started on Swedish Shred Secrets TODAY: tomshreds.mykajabi.com/usp-sa... Yngwie Malmsteen YJM Fender Stratocaster
Thank you for this comparison. All I can say is that the YJM Fender Stratocaster is my favorite in all my Strat collection and those that I've tried in the Guitar stores. The feel from the scalloped neck, as well as the tone just trumps any Stratocaster out there (American Pro, Player Plus, Deluxe, Mayer sig, Clapton Sig, Gilmore sig, Japan, Mexican, etc.) except for the very expensive Custom Shop Elite. BUT......... I totally agree with you, the only thing I despise is the 21 Frets. I use 8's so bending is not an issue, but you cannot use it on other songs that required the 22 frets on solos. If not for that one lacking fret, YJM sig could be the perfect Stratocaster EVER. That 1 fret is a dealbreaker to some, but still you have awesome scalloped frets, the sleek contours, and the YJM noiseless pickup that screams Furiously.🔥
I just got a YJM signature a few months ago and I love it! I bend up to the high E from the 21st fret and it’s not difficult with 8’s on. And haven’t broke a string yet. Just keep fresh strings on it and it won’t be a problem.
@@GeneralTHC I actually have a candy apple red Strat that’s not scalloped and I feel the same way about it. It’s a tad bit harder to bend without the scallops but I still do it without grimacing haha
I play with 8’s and despite having 22 frets I will sometimes bend up to the E on the 21st fret when doing Yngwie stuff just to get the more dramatic effect of 1 1/2 steps. I have never broken a string, I find the fender style tremolo’s where the strings run through the trem block to be super reliable. The only thing that suffers is my finger, especially if I already have a callous developing 😅
On the new Fender Yngwie, it's better to set the 6 bridge screws (into the body) yourself. Remove strings and SPRINGS so the bridge is loose, then tighter/loosen each screw. I put locking tuners on mine, oil in the nut and I put a dab of oil on each of the 6 bridge screws as well.
I have an 88' Malmsteen Strat - I swapped out the bridge for a Vega-Trem and it's really awesome. Bending with 8's on the 21st fret is no problem. That being said my favorite Malmsteen Strat is a MIJ ST57-140YM from the early 90's- it has shallower scallops than the current USA models and just looks and sounds awesome.
I’ve only played a Malmsteen strat once back in ‘87ish and remember the neck being massive (candy apple red). Sounds like the neck profile has changed over the years.
Thanks for your videos Tom. I bought a rosewood fretboard YJM signature a few months ago and it is one of the best guitars I've ever played (and I've played a lot). The tuning stability is fine after I set it up myself, but the lack of range by only having 21 frets is a very noticeable downside to the guitar, unfortunately.
21 frets is definitely a deal breaker for me. Heck, I have trouble making those bends from the 22nd fret. My Strat is a 1996 US Lonestar Strat. It's basically just the standard USA American Strat with a "modern c" 22 fret maple neck with Texas Specials in the neck and middle and a Pearly Gates humbucker in the bridge with upgraded Sperzel locking tuners. It was pretty drenched in lacquer too. I scraped that stuff off the frets for years. Because it starts flaking off and it makes bending not smooth. It's pretty thick and heavy by modern standards and the body reminds me on your Yngwie Strat. I actually like your Goose better. It's looks thinner and sleeker to my eye. If I was going to buy another Strat I'd buy a Charvel with compound radius neck, which is made by Fender now too. I've had my fill of the 9.5 radius neck. IMO, they're extremely hard to shred on.
Keep it and have it signed by the Man! Your course, and goose, inspired me to have my 95 Am Std strat scallopped and I am so happy with it! Will try the Shred like Ed course soon!
The first run of the YJM stats were the best. They came in the vintage yellowish color, candy, apple red and baby blue. I’m pretty sure you could pick Rosewood or Maple fretboard.
HI Tom Great seeing the differences between the guitars, Just to help you answer a couple of you questions, I have a 2009 YJM strat that i bought as new in early 2010, The colour has darkened on both the body and the neck through natural UV rays and i think it looks so much better now, my one had lacquer on the frets when new, I just ran some light grad wire wool over them to polish them up and that took the lacquer straight off them..
21 frets is a dealbreaker for me too, it's not only the note, but visually also for some reason I need to see 22 frets, for me 21 frets looks incomplete. I need that D note on the 1st string 😊
Have the malmsteen strat. Put locking tuners, a callaham vintage narrow to fix the string spacing and voila, MUCH better now. For the tuners,check stewmac they are klusin 6-in-line revolution. Direct drop :)
Disconnecting the pots makes it a bit brighter and hotter. It's a subtle change and I stopped doing it, because I started using them occasionally. 21 frets is a deal-breaker for me too. You should return it, buy a fender neck with 22 frets and get it scalloped.
Congrats for your videos . I have kept only my vintage 21 frets fenders for old stuff , and blues . However , to play maiden and yngwie stuff , i use a st72 olympic white japanese 22 frets fender Strat ( soon equipped with dave murray duncan pickguard) , and for yngwie stuff, i have just purchased a new black custom shop 69 reissue with a 7,25 radius and unscalloped maple board nut …. 22 frets !! I really consider that absence of 22nd fret is a performance break, you should definitely keep your goose and not buy any malmsteen strat ( i have had many ones including the custom shop version …. Not worth the money ! But i can sell you my japanese early 2000s japanese malmsteen strat if you are interested …..) Cheers
Great video - I finally picked up a Fender YJM about a month ago and have really enjoyed it, I shudder think about the joy and creativity I would failed to tap into without it. 8-46 are standard for YJM and it does make a difference. I have not broken any strings but I wouldn't mind a 22nd fret either, but... YJM gotta be different right!? My tuning stability is great and once I figured out what the hole in the middle of the post was for I've really fallen in love with those vintage "lockers". Super fun guitar! and the only Strat I've ever played/owned that I didn't want to mod the pickups in.
My YJMs have 9s. If I haven't been playing much, bending to an E on the 21st fret can be a bit of a strain, but it's not so bad. I'm tempted to try 8s, just to see what they're like.
While I myself would love to have his sig, I do not like a whole number of things about it myself. I'd have to swap the pickups, the tuners and I still don't know how I feel about the 21 fret... pretty happy with my Am Performer strat right now.
As far as staying tune, I've had some luck with the Joe Walsh method. You tug pretty hard on the string and then you raise it to pitch. You never lower it without doing the tug and then raising it to pitch again.
If you get the YJM strat you could always add a 22nd fret. I mainly play Charvel's and they both only have 21 frets. I have no issue bending 9's up to A.
Yeah Fender has awesome feeling necks. Warmoth never got the neck shapes right. The only neck shape I like from warmoth is the 59’. Fender gets the neck shape right and the taper. Yes Fender and everyone lacquer the neck after the frets. It’s makes no difference since you level and dress the frets after. If your warmoth body is the modern then it’s not fender specs. Vintage fender bodies have kinda sharper edges. Deeper tummy contour as well. Trust me I’ve build a bunch of parts guitars and most get the small details wrong. Have fun Cheers !
My bad habit is that i buy stuff that i dont really need.. Its nice, if you like the guitar theres no harm in keeping it, if you end up disliking it someday you could still sell it
I bought three over the course of about 6 months I found the Fenders would not intonate They were setup professionally and then I worked with them as I put them through their paces just unforgivable But I wanted one so bad I started driving some distance to try shops in NY and Philly I found several that were just fine and bought the Olympic White So don’t trust mail order I also own a EJ signature Strat with the same fret count and unless I’m tuned to Ed and using 8s or 9s it’s very difficult bend to the E up to speed My Kiesle has SS frets and I wish I could have them on all my players 22 frets is great Everything else seems superficial and frankly given the radius the EJ is a much better feel just no scallops
I believe you knocking this guitar(even slightly)could have had an impact on you getting content yanked. He gets commissions of sales of these guitars btw.
Lacquer on the frets is normal, it won't adhere to the metal for long and will flake away. I have a Fender YJM, tuned to Eb with the YJM 8s, I've never broken a string yet, even bending to the high Eb. Tuning stability should not be an issue, definitely look into nut lube (if you do but it). I presume you mean you're having stability issues when bending, as I note you haven't used the trem on that YJM Strat as the sticker is still on the trem arm hole. Strat trems are what they are, I'm sure your mods you covered in SSS would help tuning stability. You absolutely should not be getting any tuning issues when just playing normally without using the trem.
I’ve owned my YJM for about 3 months. I bought it after working on Swedish Shred secrets. No issues with breaking strings with big bends, Also the YJM has no load tone pot for the Bridge and Middle pickup. Not sure why it isn’t not on the neck, but that would be a simple mod. I love my YJM. As a side note I can’t not recommend Swedish Shred Secrets Enough. It is an amazing break down of Yngwie’s style. I’m having a blast working on this. I’ve been playing my guitar casually since the 80’s and never thought I could lean to shred. But with the course I’m actually doing it. You are a great teacher!
I use 8s on my Japanese YJM and going from that high C# to high E is not hard at all. Have never broken a string doing that. However, with 9s it is very very hard.
@TomShreds standard thin from warmoth neck. But they use a compound radius UNLESS you specify and it's actually more expensive from warmoth to have the true 9.5 radius all the way on the neck.
When I went to order a vintage white body from Warmoth once I asked them it would turn Yello or cream over time. They said it would so I orderd a sunburst instead.
It's too close to what you already have and it is not as unique as "the goose". A vintage YJM would be much nicer or maybe a tele? If it's not love at first sight don't do it!
Dude, I swear in about 3 days.I'm gonna set up a go fund me to raise money to get🎉 you the Fender YJM STRAT YOU have to have one of these. Give me about 3 days cause I'm kind of busy this weekend. I'm gonna set up a go. Fund me account when I do. I'll let you know and then advertise it on your page. I'm sure you have enough fans and students. That will throw in a few bucks that we can hook you up. And then you can play it for us and give us some more lessons because your lessons are awesome. That way, you can have that guitar and at the same time. Save that money to take Mrs. Shredder out for a nice dinner. Tell her that we thank her for supporting our favorite guitar teacher.😅
I don’t deserve fans like you mate 🥹 That is an incredibly kind and thoughtful offer. I’m in a very privileged position where my courses are selling well, and I can now more freely afford to buy guitars (hurray!), and I honestly would feel unworthy accepting such a gift from you & my incredible fans. If anything, I should be gifting you guys stuff!
@@TomShreds It's cool man. I'm glad your courses are selling really well. They are great courses. I apologize. I'm a little behind online. I have AD HD and I get off track pill. It pretty easy. I work on lessons and then oh, I'm gonna play this TV commercial team and do a theme and variation on the frostbank Commercial LO. L. But I'm starting to get a lot of those basic techniques. I'll be it in my own form, my own variation. Those are great lessons man, great lessons. It's cool man. Well, let me know if you need anything. I'd love to see you have that guitar. I have one and I absolutely love it whatever ounce of my being. Funny story. My brother got a brand new boat and he's gonna take me out on the lake this summer. But I run my YJM. Into a little boss amp that runs on 6 AA batteries. Which? Means I guess we're gonna be shredding the YJM out on the lake while we're boating LO. L. It doesn't get more rock and roll than that. All right, bro, well, if you need anything, let me know we're definitely happy to help. I figure you have a lot of fans even if we all just threw in a couple of bucks. But I'm good to set it up if need. Be just let me know. We gotta get you one of those man. The only thing is I love the cream-colored ones.But I wish they sold them in candy.Apple red and sonic blue.I used to have an old white jam that had the old de marcio pick up senate and had The old rosewood fretboard.It was really awesome.I think I like this one better but I love the Sonic blue color. I can't get that unless I pay 6K custom lol
The best saying I've ever read was, the guitar is an "Imperfect" instrument. Every guitar is different even when created in a factory with million dollar machines that claim to create a "Perfect" designed instrument. Anyway, I had a play it loud YJM copy from China and the scalloped frets were nice and very playable. Amazingly the plastic nut was an exact replica of the YJM brass nut so swapping them worked. The body was totally wrong so I put some premium pickups in it and sold it on reverb as a parts caster. In the end I'd think the difference between the two guitars comes down to that "Backed by Fender" promise you get with every fender product, if your goose suffers a drop or something like that its going to cost you more to get it back to working order.
Dude it's not worth it! In a day you will get used to the new neck and will not notice the difference. Besides, I believe that a good guitarist can play well on the crappiest guitar, and should not strive so much for comfort. Oh, the neck on this guitar is a millimeter thicker, I can't play this piece of shit! You already have great guitar use it! Said the guy with 10 guitars
