It’s been ages since I last updated this blog with my gear acquisitions. Like properly updating the blog as there are guitars that have been in my possession for at least 5 years now. Expect more posts in the future. In dribs and drabs. よろしくお願いします！

My acquisition for the missus’ guitars is currently still ongoing, and was defo happening back in 2015. By this time, I had attended two shows of SCANDAL’s Hello World hall tour in Japan, during which time I noted that she was playing an actual Jazzmaster as well as her modified sig JM aka the “Stratomaster”. And then I found the exact model on eBay from a seller living in London.

What MAMIchan played at the gigs I saw was a three-tone sunburst Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster Special, which is an MiM model. The JM enthusiast would tell you that this model differs from the common or garden JM by way of the closer distance of the trem plate to the bridge, which is an Adjust-o-Matic™ in the JM Special for better sustain.

I quite like the AoM bridge which is less fiddly than that of a standard JM/Jaguar/Mustang. I know this would make the JM Special not a typical JM but as a modded model, these features are way better than what Squier did for MAMI’s Stratomaster (the one available to the general public at least). Have a look below for the specs as provided by the Fender website which includes the special features of this model. The headstock is otherwise that of a JM.

Playability is superb and very comfortable. A far cry from Azunyan, my MiJ Jaguar[1]. I like the weight of the alder body and the C-shaped neck feels nice. The pickups are reminiscent of P90s in their appearance but they are specially designer Fender single coil pups, and they are pretty hot (just check out the video below). For me, I just use the 3-way pickup selector switch, and not bother with the lead/rhythm circuit controls which remain a big mystery to me despite owning a Jaguar.

The JM Special didn’t come with a hard case when I bought it on eBay, but I sourced a Fender one second hand last year thereabouts.

Since the shows in Japan, I saw MAMI use this guitar again (for 本を読む) in London later the same year, as well as the two Budōkan shows in 2016.

Gitā no namae? MAMIMasutā desu.

Series: Classic Player
Color: 3-Color Sunburst

Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Polyester
Body Shape: Jazzmaster®

Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane
Neck Shape: “C” Shape
Scale Length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.650″ (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Dot
Truss Rod Nut: Vintage-Style Slotted
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Vintage-Style

Bridge Pickup: Special Design Hot Single-Coil Jazzmaster
Neck Pickup: Special Design Hot Single-Coil Jazzmaster
Controls: Lead Circuit – Volume, Tone; Rhythm Circuit – Volume, Tone
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle – Position 1. Bridge Pickup; Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups; Position 3. Neck Pickup
Pickup Configuration: SS

Bridge: Adjusto-Matic™ Bridge with Vintage Style “Floating” Tremolo Tailpiece and Tremolo Lock Button
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Tremolo Arm Handle: Screw-In Style Jaguar/Jazzmaster Tremolo Arm
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Pickguard: 4-Ply Tortoiseshell
Control Knobs: White Plastic
Auxiliary Switching: 2-Position Tone Switch
Strings: Fender® USA 250R NPS, (.010-.046 Gauges)

Unique Features: New pickups with fatter tone and more output, Adjust-o-Matic™ Bridge, medium Jumbo frets, new neck pocket cut provides better pitch, 9.5″ radius, trem plate moved closer to bridge to increase break angle and sustain, screw-in tremolo arm, white plastic knobs and switches.

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[1]To be reviewed belatedly in another post soon(ish).