Pick two - Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster

[ItsaBass]

It's worth noting that the setup on Strats and Teles often improves with a neck shim too, and almost all of the old ones came out of the factory with shims. Hell, even my '04 MIM Strat came with three paper shims in it. There's nothing odd about using a neck shim. It's actually quite normal on a Fender, even from the factory. And if you were to examine the innards of set neck guitars, you'd likely be surprised at the number of shims you find too.

In other words, the Jazzmaster and Jaguar are not really special in that regard. It's just that, due to the more complex bridge design, they suffer more if you pull the shim/s out. It's also the case that Strat and Tele bridges handle the low tension of modern strings "better" than the Jag/JM bridges do. Remember that these guitars were designed around flatwound 12s. 12s are tighter than the 10s and 9s that most people use these days, and flats are also tighter than rounds. So most people are using strings that are 2 to 4 gauges lighter in tension than the guitars were designed for. That's like putting six inch wheels on a 500 ft-lb hot rod that was designed for 10 inch wheels, and expecting it to perform OK. Sure; it'll drive, and it'll stop. But you have to stay within a certain range, nowhere near its performance limits, or else the thing won't work very well.

 

[alex1fly]

It's worth noting that the setup on Strats and Teles often improves with a neck shim too, and almost all of the old ones came out of the factory with shims. Hell, even my '04 MIM Strat came with three paper shims in it. There's nothing odd about using a neck shim. It's actually quite normal on a Fender, even from the factory. And if you were to examine the innards of set neck guitars, you'd likely be surprised at the number of shims you find too.

In other words, the Jazzmaster and Jaguar are not really special in that regard. It's just that, due to the more complex bridge design, they suffer more if you pull the shim/s out. It's also the case that Strat and Tele bridges handle the low tension of modern strings "better" than the Jag/JM bridges do. Remember that these guitars were designed around flatwound 12s. 12s are tighter than the 10s and 9s that most people use these days, and flats are also tighter than rounds. So most people are using strings that are 2 to 4 gauges lighter in tension than the guitars were designed for. That's like putting six inch wheels on a 500 ft-lb hot rod that was designed for 10 inch wheels, and expecting it to perform OK. Sure; it'll drive, and it'll stop. But you have to stay within a certain range, nowhere near its performance limits, or else the thing won't work very well.

Fair point regarding shims. I haven't encountered shims before, but then I've only taken apart 2 bolt-on guitars in my time. Objectively it does seem that the JM needs more experimentation - try a shim, re-string, adjust the bridge... and repeat until it's where it plays great. Plus the truss rod adjustment is under the pickguard, so that adds steps as well. Doable for sure! This one at least has the TOM style bridge that doesn't require as much downward pressure for strings to stay in place as did the original bridges.

 

[Mincer]

At least you can make an educated choice, after playing all 3. But after your description, the Strat & Tele seem like they are the winners.

 

[ehdwuld]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

Dang GAS

$349 G&L ssh Tele

 

[GuitarStv]

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid

Dang GAS

$349 G&L ssh Tele

SSH means it isn't a Tele, just a really uncomfortable to play hard tail super strat.

 

[ehdwuld]

SSH means it isn't a Tele, just a really uncomfortable to play hard tail super strat.

I like you Steve
dont mess that up

 

[alex1fly]

Sweetwater is offering $200 and $150 gift cards on a few of the Fender Player and Vintera Teles right now.

 

[ehdwuld]

Aww man its gonna be a rough week for sure

 

[esandes]

Easy decision for me...strat and jazzmaster. I never actually played a tele. We all know the strat tones but the jazzmaster is so underrated. There's a uniqueness from the longer string length (I don'tcut the high E string), the pickups and the high resistance pots for a high definition trademark surfer tone. Long live the jazzmaster.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Tele then the Strat. Of course I would want both with Jumbo 6100 Frets 12" Radius Maple Fretboards, at least a Bridge Humbuckers and a Floyd Rose Original! :lmao:

 

[elelpe]

Easy. Tele, because it has my favorite single coil bridge pickup. And JM, because it has my favorite single coil neck pickup and vibrato unit.

If it had to be one guitar...

 

[GuitarStv]

Easy. Tele, because it has my favorite single coil bridge pickup. And JM, because it has my favorite single coil neck pickup and vibrato unit.

If it had to be one guitar...

Poor thing hit EVERY branch on the ugly tree on the way down.

 

[Aceman]

Tele = It is the ELEMENTAL electric guitar. I call bare bones and natural. Boss approved.

Stratocaster = Because Jerkmasters, Monekystangs, Jagoffwars, all of that other mashed up failed DNA crap sucks. It is only liked by shoe gaze, emo, soy-boi, unbathed Cobainites. The Stratocaster is a real guitar.