Hi guys, this is my first post so please don't rip into me too much if I haven't done it correctly.
I'm really after a Jazzy (though I could possibly fold for a Jag) and i've got a budget of about $2,000.
What would be my best route?
This one looked pretty nice: http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrume ... 386105.htm
However, I am confused as to why this MIJ (suposedly limited edition) is selling new at almost the same price as a MIM Classic Player.
Either way; it hasn't been relisted in a while so I think it may have sold
Or am I looking in the wrong direction?
Help me out, thanks.
Hi Ryan B - welcome. We don't rip into new folk here.
I know some of the older MIJ Jazzies fetch a premium and the Fender nerds here will give some good info on why. What I can say is I have seen some most excellent deals on eBay on USA Jazzmasters of recent...so much so that even I have been tempted to hit the BuyNow. Landed plus GST - $2200.
Just as a reference, my mates well played but completely awesome Jazzmaster from the late 90's (Japanese) sold for $1300 on TM about a year ago.
Good luck.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
The MIJ's are usually more than the Classic Players, so that's not unusual. The only thing with the Jap ones is that they supposedly don't have proper JM pickups, but rather Strat pickups under a JM cover, although I haven't checked this out myself. Alot of guys seem to get Jap ones and switch out the pickups. That Jap one you linked to looks rather nice I must say (although if I'm being pedantic, a 66 would have a transition logo, not a spaghetti logo).
Personally I like a the Classic Players a lot, I just wish there were more colour options!
Last edited by mr_sooty on Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
If it was my money, I couldn't justify spending any more than that of the classic player series. They are really good, sound brilliant, are built extremely well and come out of the box set up perfectly. They also have the benefit of a bridge that is useable with non jazz gauge strings. If you haven't tried one, I fully suggest getting your hands on one.
So do you guys think it'd be best to just buy a new Classic Player,
or hold out for a MIJ Reissue on Trademe?
I've been looking casually for MIJ Jazzy's and Jag's on TM for quite a while now, I see a few Jag's pop up and they usually go for about $1,100-$1,200, but i'd prefer the Jazzmaster.
Theoretically, what'd be a fair price to pay for a used to good condition, probably 90's, MIJ Jazz?
Oh and also, i've never bought from overseas before.
Would it be worth having one (Classic Player) shipped in, or would the shipping costs, tax, etc. offset any saving?
Ryan B wrote:So do you guys think it'd be best to just buy a new Classic Player,
or hold out for a MIJ Reissue on Trademe?
I think it depends a little on your playing style. There are a few changes to the specs on the Classic Player to make it a more modern playing instrument, which some JM purists don't appreciate. The Jap ones are more true to original specs. The main differences with the CP are flatter fretboard radius, slightly hotter pickups, and a change in the tremolo positioning to increase the angle of the srings on the bridge, which increases sustain and lessens the chances of the strings slipping off the bridge. If you're mainly a rhythm player you might be alright with the more traditionally spec'd MIJ one, but if you're more lead orinetated the Classic Player may be more suitable.
Been seriously contemplating getting one of these myself for......well for ages.
Sooty is on the money. MIJ, 1300 for a good one. If you get an older reissue you will likely have to get a trem fix piece (what ever the name is)...a big improvement.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
Thanks for all the help guys, I think i'll take the plunge and get the Classic Player.
However, they don't seem to have them in any of the local music stores so i'll probably have to buy online.
I was just browsing Musiciansfriend and noticed that they won't ship a new one but they will ship a 'used' one to NZ.
They have one available: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... ition=used
It's in their first grade of "Mint Condition".
Does anyone have experience with buying used from musiciansfriend? Are their labels acurate? Is it a fair price?
Also, I put in my shipping details and it said that shipping would be free (Mothers Day deal I think). Where do taxes and GST fit into the process (sorry, new to buying overseas).
Pretty sure I've seen some locally...will have look locally
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
Ryan B wrote:Thanks for all the help guys, I think i'll take the plunge and get the Classic Player.
However, they don't seem to have them in any of the local music stores so i'll probably have to buy online.
I was just browsing Musiciansfriend and noticed that they won't ship a new one but they will ship a 'used' one to NZ.
They have one available: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... ition=used
It's in their first grade of "Mint Condition".
Does anyone have experience with buying used from musiciansfriend? Are their labels acurate? Is it a fair price?
Also, I put in my shipping details and it said that shipping would be free (Mothers Day deal I think). Where do taxes and GST fit into the process (sorry, new to buying overseas).
Hi there,
My CP Jazzmaster was purchased from Sweetwater in the US and shipped over. They were pretty easy to deal with and the sales rep actually knew his stuff and dealt with a few bands. This was halfway through last year and I think it was $1200 landed. Although I had to pay tax and shipping. Yeah, it was cheap but they wont guarantee anything outside of the US so if it arrives with the neck in two bits (unlikely I know) it's tough titties. I use a MIJ one too so PM if you want to have a chat about them. The others are right about the MIJs having non-JM pickups... Mines only has the original neck pickup and it's a bit weak. I guess the CP is a little more versatile as I often use the middle position for rhythm tones and it's a bit thicker than the MIJ. The bridge is a Duncan JM pickup and I can't really hear much of a difference between my CP and the MIJ in that setting. Especially when my other guitarist has the MIJ and we are both playing through our HR Deluxes. If I had to have one, it would be a hard choice. The CP is technically a better guitar but the MIJs look the business (longer string length and JM bridge).
