JAZZMASTER REVIEW #6: Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster + Demo! 

Fender, if you're listening: Give this man a signature Jazzmaster please! What an ambassador, and as always, love your playing Mike.

this might be the best guitar review on youtube. i wish more people would go into this kind of detail in reviews. not to mention so many reviews feel like glorified advertisements, whereas this video felt genuinely honest about everything.

I just want to mention to anyone who watched this outstanding video that I have the Am Pro II, I play with 10's and love the trem, and I am a pickup snob who always changes out pickups and I love the pickups on the AM Pro II. I prefer the somewhat "warmer" JM sound that you hear in Mike's excellent demos, and that is a bit of a deviation from what many consider the "true" (i.e. vintage) JM sound! Mike is a Jazzmaster afficianado par excellence. I'm someone who has long loved the JM sound from so many of my favorite bands, but I've never actually owned a JM until now. So for those of you who have never owned a JM, and don't necessarily have the same expectations that an expert like Mike might have, I think this model might be the perfect gateway drug. To me the versatility and expressivity of this guitar makes it an incredible instrument that stands on its own!

I watched the whole thing and I don't even own a Jazzmaster. This is a really good review that I actually learned stuff from. Also, happy birthday!

im personally more of a mustang/jaguar guy but you're the one person i can watch talk about a jazzmaster without getting bored. love this kind of content keep it up

It’s testament to Mike’s quality content that I watched a 58 minute review of a guitar that I have no intention of buying. 👏 and the playing was 💯 as ever.

Mike, you spoke to my soul with your comments on the American Pro I Jazzmaster. I fell in love with the shell pink/all rosewood neck model when I saw it, and went full send when I found a used one, with next to no knowledge of offset guitars. It’s a beautiful guitar, but immediately it felt like the bridge was too wide for the neck, and the pickups were not giving me that Jazzmaster sound. Popped in a master bridge and some Fender Pure Vintage ‘65 pickups and it plays like a dream. Your videos have taught me a lot about Jazzmasters, I greatly appreciate the level of detail you bring, no different in this excellent review. Thank you for the content, great playing, and happy belated birthday!

Jazzmaster: the most underrated guitar ever. To my ears the perfect tone

You are such a great ambassador or the Jazzmaster and other offsets. Fender would be foolish not hire you as a consultant. Leo Fender himself while an undeniable genius in engineering, knew he needed people like you to tell him what was needed and surrounded himself with musicians like Dick Dale that helped push him to create the stuff we are still infatuated with. Should an American Professional III (third times the charm) come about, you'd be who'd I call. The other great thing about you is your creativity demonstrating this stuff and your knowledge of the instrument. In that respect, I think Fender marketing would love you. I wish that you could go to some of these guitar shops and show them through music this whole other paradigm that these guitars are so good at and explain what how and why these guitars are not just quirky Strat alternatives. (Side note: Even just some knowledge would help. I've seen Lee Anderton say multiple times in the recent past the Jazzmaster pickup is just a Strat pickup in a wider casing. Before that they were like P-90s. These guitars have been around 50 years! Some history and explanation of the design of the rhythm circuit, the use of different pots and the historical context of the bridge saddles and heavy gauge flatwound strings of the day seems reasonable) If used as originally designed, these guitars were just as brilliant as the Strat or Tele. And with modern approaches and simple modifications they can be much more.

Awesome! Fender should hire you!

That's got to be the single best guitar review video I've ever seen in my life. You've got me rethinking my Mexi and wanting a pro II. I'd say job well done. Fender, hire this guy already.

I'm getting more and more excited about Jazzmasters. I guess it's just work, save money, buy. No matter how long it takes

Knowing how long this has been in the works, I just wanna say thank you for how much time, effort, and consideration clearly went in to this. I appreciate how much detail you include in these reviews while still making it easy to understand. Happy birthday too!

I love how thorough your reviews are, and you're easily one of the best players on RU-vid! Thank you for putting so much effort into your content!

Most legit review/format I’ve ever seen on RU-vid. The pace reminds me old school tech/science shows

If I was to drop almost 2k on a new Jazzmaster, I would definitely not get an American pro II, and would rather wait a little bit more and get myself an American Original instead. I got into offsets back in june 2021, and got myself a Vintera Jazzmaster. I love the hell out of that guitar because it has everything you'd expect from an ACTUAL Jazzmaster, nothing fancy. trem placement is correct, vintage bridge, pickups that are wound the way that jazzmaster pickups should be wound, a proper rhythm circuit and a 7.25" inch radius (I don't mind it, but I would rather have a flatter neck because I would like to be able to bend a full step without my notes dying mid way through hah) Speaking of that, I would really really be interested to see a review of the Vintera series jag/mustang/jazzmaster! Love your vids, Mike!

The fact these are made in US lefty jazzmasters is what really convinced me i needed one in my life. Yes, it's a modern take, it has its pros and cons. Agreed Safetipost tuners are THE TUNERS and i would've loved to have seen 1 Meg in lead (reverse taper 1 Meg -for lefties-...: rare...push push 1 Meg, ditto...). I use 11-47s but they are Thomastik Jazz swing flatwounds and no issue with very limited downward travel on the panorama... ? Happy 40th ! :)

You were not kidding when you said this was going to be an extensive review.

Dude I am so proud of you for being able to influence Fender. I have been a 30 year offset player and love all your videos and love all the insight that you have that matches up a lot with my opinions. Thanks for being you

This is just about the best product review I’ve ever seen. On any platform. About any product. Makes me want one, and a bigger spring.

With my Pro II that I waited over a year for sitting in the stand next to me, I watched transfixed at this review. I learned so much about my Jazzmaster I had no idea about, having never touched one until I picked mine up a few weeks ago. The only thing I needed to change was the string height. Once I got that sorted It's the only guitar I'm picking up lately. After watching this fascinating video I can see there are several things I can do to improve my Jazzmaster in the future. Had to subscribe.

Happy 40th, Mike! Ahh, to be 40 again… Your playing is awesome. And I don’t think the video was too long at all for a Jazzmaster enthusiast viewer. Loved it.

Amazing review/demo! I'm always blown away at the level of detail and thought that you put into these videos!

Ive watched many videos on these and I was always skeptical but you showed what this thing can do (what I want it to do). Totally changed my mind

What a fantastic video. I had the AmPro II Jazzmaster and a 60s Am Original Jazzmaster at the same time and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with the panorama tremolo. Thank you for making me feel less incompetent. I kept the Am 60s Original as it was a better guitar all round for me.

I've been lusting after one of these for the last year and can now proudly say own one of these beautiful guitars. It's a fantastic instrument! Love your content Mike!

and now it's $1899! I really want to get this guitar, but that is one spicy meatball. Thank you for your superb reviews, Mike. Your reviews are THE ones to watch to get an honest take on Jazzmasters.

@Fender give this guy a job as an product manager! I am from Germany and I work in engineering. This man is someone that develop new products!

Love your deep dives and tech tips. And when B7’s are actually back in stock anywhere, I will use your Bigsby setup tips when I install on my LP Special. But all that aside….you’re one of my favorite players on RU-vid. Love your style and tone.

About the 22nd fret: It's not about getting the high D, its about bending up to the high E! Not really feasible on 21 frets :) Also you say about the pickups that they are muddy but maybe try changing the pots first if you're going for both - they might feel better with 1Meg and may change your opinion! You never know

Thanks for all this Mike. I also just want to say thanks for multiple playing styles in your reviews. So many reviewers only do blues rock or P&W sounds. It’s nice to hear someone with a little post hardcore/shoe gaze playing since that’s more how I play usually.

You are my favorite guitar content creator on youtube and your tone demos never cease to absolutely rip. Thank you for the videos you make, you are great at it

the demo with the guitar mill body was genuis to add

I enjoyed this video a lot! W❤️ Happy birthday!!

Mike, this video was amazing! I'm probably gonna rewatch every review you've made before I buy my first Jag or Jazz! You're the king of edutainment videos!

Thank you so much for the time you took and the care in evaluating all the aspects of the Ampro2 here. As an owner of one I really appreciate how much I’ve learned of my model and also hearing you play it brought a smile to my face several times as I love the tones the guitar gets with and without pedals. It is the most versatile guitar I’ve owned and I’m by no means a traditional player so I definately love this modern tonal freedom. The ART DECO pickguard!!! Also I may ask you about my bar because like yours it is a bit looser then I wanted.

That cutaway shot of the vibrato in action was worth the price of admission! Nice work Mike

I honestly can’t believe you’re 40 you look great man! But oh yeah excellent review, I’ve been waiting for this one forever and I’m gonna buy one of these now.

Very cool deep dive into the dark night here. Side note, nearly every time I watch your reviews I end up pausing them to go pick up my Jazzmaster and play or adjust something. Happy birthday, thanks for the vids and being a good Jazzy representative.

Mike Fender need to up their Customer Service game bigtime and not only answer your helpful calls but give you a Signature Guitar. Love your content and I'm not even a big fan of Offsets but I just ordered the purple FSR Squier

Hey, before you buy a pick guard, go check uot Quick Guards very carefully. They transform a Fender solidbody non carved top into a real inviting and scrumptious looking icon, as opposed to the pedestrian cream, black, or parchment, or endless mother of toilet seat. You can really class up a JM, Tele, Strat, Stang, Jag you know what I mean. These guards are 3 mm thick, about 1/8” , and cost a hundie, and custom routs are available.

I loved this so much, thank you! It was really lovely to see you smiling when doing the demos. Loved how in depth you went, and it was great to see the guitar mill body show up. Fascinated to see what you do with it next. I hope you had a wonderful birthday 💜

Fantastic review! I'm actually working on a guitar design right now and this gave me so much to chew on. Damn, that's a great feeling! Thanks for all you do, man. Happy belated 40th.

I've been waiting for this review, and I was not disappointed. Great work👍

Awesome video as always! Honestly, I don’t know why Fender doesn’t just consult you from the get-go DURING the development phase of these things. Happy 40th, by the way. :)

BRILLIANT EXPLANATION! The "A-Ha" moment at 29:01 was explosive. That makes so much more sense. Watching to the end to see how this can be remedied...

When I started this video I owned 3 Strats, 1 Tele, 2 LPs and an SG. Before the video ended I have a AM Pro2 JM in Dark Knight arriving in a few days. Thanks for a comprehensive review! I’m excited about my first JM. Also… I have an AM Pro 2 Strat and love it.

After drooling over this guitar for a year (wanted jazzmaster for like 5-6 yrs) .. stock shortage due to covid.. finally got it this week. so happy with the guitar. this video definitely helped while i was waiting. :)

at 6:34, I have never really put much thought into looking at the location of the numbers on the knobs, and this is helping me change that! I always just assumed that on 10 the number 10 should be closest to the floor. I do like when the pickguards have a little tick mark on them that lines up with the knob to be a larger visual indicator though. I will definitely do this to my jazzmaster build!

I was really looking forward to this video but man, I didn't expect it to be 1 hour long and I loved every minute of it! It's always a pleasure when you deep dive so much into a guitar's specs, pros and cons etc. And oh, I really missed hearing the "Mike Adams riff". I don't want to sound cocky but Fender acted a bit funky with you, do they actually know you're like the Offset Guru in the guitar community? Haha. Btw, I can't wait to see how you're going to mod that JM. And oh, I know I'm late but hey, happy 40th birthday Mike, cheers from Italy!

This was the swiftest and most enjoyable hour I have ever spent learning about guitars on RU-vid. I have always wanted a JM, and I'm willing to invest in the best model, but I also want the best model for me. Thank you for your amazing combination of luthier skills, playing skills, and your obvious love of music.

This is the exact type of offset nerdery I am here for. Demo six was awesome.

Mike, you might think this video is too long, but I can assure you that I loved every second of what’s in there. Bravo and Happy 40!

I like to tinker, that’s why I think always go back to Fender. Very well done video, thank you for the advice about the spring. Working for Fender seems like a good fit in your future.

I love the length of this video!

So great to get a new video/ review! I lived off your videos in the deep pandemic times. Really enjoyed Thank you

As well as the wealth of information, one of the best things about Mike’s reviews is his effortless and interesting playing. Lovely stuff.

I think we just witnessed the new standard for "in-depth" reviews! Also - GOLD pickguard. Great stuff

That was a great watch . Being left handed and finding a mystic green one available last year I had to jump on it . Yip , same baffling string change trem arm fun within owning it for a day . Threw some 10’s on and away we went . Thinking of getting some Montys pickups installed but all in all I’m very very happy with my new Jazzmaster . Thanks for the review Mike J

Just found your channel a few weeks ago and I'm learning a lot! You make learning fun and interesting! Also I love the Deep Sea Diver shirt. Jessica is one of the people who made me interested in guitar pedals.

I just turned 42 yesterday. Happy birthday! This was a long video. But your energy and love for the Jazz Master comes through. I love JMs and hope to get a vintage correct model. Great video! Keep it up. 🤘🎸

I have 6 Fenders, 2 Strats, 2 Teles, and 2 Jaguars, also a Charvel, and a Jackson. I've never even played a Jazzmaster, but that's a beautiful guitar, and I wish Fender would send me one the same as that. That fretboard is so dark, it almost looks like ebony, I like it.

What an incredibly well done video and happy birthday! (I turn 40 next week). I always find your videos so informative, and about two years ago after watching a couple videos, I was able to buy my first Jaguar. It’s a 2017 MIM 60’s Jaguar Lacquer in fiesta red, and I really love it. Shortly after, I bought a white Vintera Jazzmaster. It’s funny because when I first got into guitar as a teenager, I really didn’t get the appeal of these guitars… and now I really love them. I actually have that Texas Tea 60th anniversary Jag coming this week (I know people are unhappy with many aspects of it), but I’m excited to get it. Thanks for showing me the way.

Your special brand of benevolent criticism pleasures my heart in immeasurable ways… I take great pleasure in knowing you thought of multiple things/measurements/and tests that the dudes down at fender most certainly overlooked. Lololololol!!! “December 63..” “He doesn’t know that!!!” Hahahahha

Worth the wait for your thoughts on the guitar. Lots of helpful information and options. Now I just need my order from August to get off back order. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and Happy Birthday 🎂🎉

I think the gold guard, the deco boom one combined with the burst makes it look a bit too busy... Still, I just watched a 1 hr guitar review and at no point was I bored. So well done Mike!

58:25 Lol. I had the same reaction when I turned 40! I feel your dismay! Great review!

Great review. Now it makes sense when I threw some 11-52's on it it was pretty much bottomed out. Thanks for all your hard work.

Man, I never thought I would watch an hour long guitar demo/review. You made it feel effortless to sit through. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I may just have to work on getting one in Mystic Seafoam with a maple board! So stoked this finally dropped. Keep up the immaculate work, and happy belated!

THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD REVIEW! That seems like such a good guitar with so many cool features. I play heavier strings and man, $1,800 is a lot of money. But, dang does that thing make some good noises.

I am a huge Jazzmaster guy; once I played one, the rest of my guitars lost their sense of purpose. Count me as someone who watched the entire video. Spectacularly informative and entertaining - so many great points & observations and so much to learn here. LOL'd @ your indecision over whether you'd recommend it. Liked, subscribed, and on to your next Jazzmaster video. Want cake now.

A masterpiece Mike - Thank you!

waited for this for so long… much obliged good sir!

Wow, love your videos, man! Super insightful, per usual. Thanks for making these and thank you for the Star Trek references. You affirm both my guitar goals and my sci-fi childhood.

I'm getting my electric start with a Squire Jazzmaster and the Jazzmaster in this video, color and all, is exactly what I aspire to. I love the sound, I love the looks, and I love that it's just a bit weird and unconventional.

I watched the whole video! I’m now inspired to add a bass circuit to my parts-caster and see what that is all about. Thanks for all you do Mike!

I watched the whole thing and as always your amazing. Thanks for all the great advice over the years and happy birthday !

Love your longer vids my man.You play the best riffs for me man. lol

Wonderful! All your excellent knowledge makes it so exciting to get into the world of Jazzmaster. I will buy this version!❤

I watched the whole thing and only play bass. Really interesting! Always like to learn more about Fender guitars. Would love to see more bass content but that is maybe just me. Keep up the good work and happy belated birthday!

Never clicked a RU-vid notification faster!

What a wonderful review. Thorough and entertaining. Thank you so much!

So nice to see a JM review that features indie/ambient playing, as opposed to the bluesy stuff you normally get.

Alright, I wanted to comment that I'd love this exact model with a matching headstock. But the moment you showed that anodized gold guard my mouth dropped open. What a stunning combination! I actually do like the idea of the option to tap the pickups, but that's a very subjective matter, I think. Loved every second of this review. Thanks! And a late, but nonetheless happy birthday, you bloody legend!

wow ive watched hundreds if not thousands of reviews and this one really stands out. Thanks, amazing review!

literally a perfect video to explain the jazzmaster tremolo system. Thanks for sharing!

Great killer in depth review from the offset guru. Your videos inspired me to build my own parts master and all the setup tips were top notch

Just wanted to add my thanks for your great work and expertise, Mike. I was all ready to buy an American Pro 2 Jazzmaster, but decided to track down an American Original 60s Jazzmaster, as I already own an American Pro 2 Telecaster and wanted the more authentic Jazzmaster range of sounds (proper rhythm circuit, less-strat like pickups, original trem, etc). Thanks so much for your review, it really helped me decide to look deeper and go for the reissue (don't own any other Jazzmasters). Also, as you state, the cost was around the same for the 60s version since the price-hike.

My main daily guitar. I absolutely adore mine. Unbelievably versatile.

47:50 "The pups are little muddy" and 48:50 "the guitar boasts 500K pots instead of 1,000K" -there you have it, that's why the pups are muddy. The pots' resistance is *two times* lower! About 49:03 - you can buy 1Meg pot with preferred taper, disassemble it as well as the one from this Jazzmaster, take out the graphite strips out of both and install the 1Meg graphite strip into the guitar's push-push pot.🙂 I did so with many pots.

Thanks to Ryan at 60 Cycle hum for introducing me to your channel. Happy Birthday! It is wonderful to see how deep your knowledge and appreciation is for this particular instrument.

Finally got mine! A 3TSB Pro II Jazzy, it came with 09's put 010's on it. I ordered the replacement spring, the one Ryan found, upfront, but it hasn't arrived yet. But after stringing it up, and a slight truss rod adjustment, the spring does, to my luck, not run out with 0.10's installed. I did activate the micro-tilt slightly though. I also own a MIM 60's lacquer in seafoam green. Also an awesome guitar but I love the modern twists on the Pro II which makes it a more versatile guitar for my needs. Love this thing! Idid see this video and Ryans (60 cycle hum) before I made my final decision, and thought I could over come all the little cons. No need to say I did and man... ok, the honeymoon ain't over yet, I know... but this thing seems a perfect fit for me.

A tip from experience. Check the low E bridge saddle screw now and then. The saddle spring is small, the screw thread pitch is quite wide, the screw is angled and combined with the vibration of the string the screw works itself free. Apart from that, it is a great guitar.

Thanks for the American Pro II Jazzmaster Video. As always you did a great job explaining the likes and dislikes you had with this the guitar. Glad that they were mostly good reviews!! I’ve had been particularly waiting for this video to come out ever since you first announced that you would be making it. I started thinking about purchasing a Jazzmaster about a year ago but didn’t actually decide to order it until just after the price increase went up to $1800 from Fender. So I called Sweetwater and explained that I’d been holding of ordering the guitar because they had been on back order for months. That was the absolute truth. The sales engineer I’m dealing with (Aaron) checked to see if they could offer me a better deal than $1800. He came back with a price of $1700. Since it was my fault for holding off on ordering the guitar in the first place and did really want the guitar, I ordered it. The Jazzmaster finish I also ordered was the Dark night finish. According to Sweetwater my guitar should be arriving to my home just north of Bellingham,Wa. by the end of this February. Hopefully 🤞 Keep up the great work Mike and Happy 40th young man. Love your channel and I will definitely be tuning into you to see what modifications you make in the. future on your guitar.

Wow Dude, nine minutes into this vid, and you are the best reviewer I’ve ever come across!!

Don’t even own a JM but was hooked on every word of this! Beautiful guitar and great vid. And….OMFG GOLD SCRATCHPLATE.

Demo 6 has vibe for dayyyyyyyyys

Appreciate the content. Learned a lot about this guitar ( I have darknight as well, received in Sept. 2021 as well) watching your channel. Also liked the comparison of the AP 1 series and the improvements that have been made with the ii. Happy Birthday!

Fender! Please hire Mike! And Mike, with your new job, please bring back the Bass VI and Fender XII as AVRI models. Awesome video! Thanks!

Just wow, this is how you review a Guitar. Thanx… fully enjoyed this video, Every single minute of it. Happy birthday.