For Body contours enhance playability and feel. More comfortable to play than ever, with a super-fast neck, and a set of Ultra Noiseless Jazzmaster Pickups, this guitar will definitely appeal to … The electronics are a lot more simplified compared to a traditional Jazzmaster, with just two humbuckers with Alnico 2 magnets. And each of the individual pickups, as well as the combined middle position, are mellower and less bright. When the Fender Jazzmaster was introduced in 1958, it was very clear that this was truly a left-of-center instrument. But to my eye they look a little monochrome and plain against the complex, mutable blue finish. Luminously Luxe Both have cream-bound rosewood ’boards. A new global distribution deal marks the first major activity from the brand since 2016. Fender American Professional Jazzmaster. Firstly, moving the output socket to the edge of the body has allowed for separate tone controls for each pickup, meaning you can take some treble off one without muffling the other. Continuing our journey through the guitar styles of the legendary Three Kings, this time it’s the turn of Flying V-toting blue icon Albert. Guitar.com is the world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar. The 10"-14" compound radius fretboard feels fleet under the fingers, and the medium-jumbo frets and flat radius conspire to make the simplest string bend feel full of expressive potential. And the extent to which inventive players like Jeff Beck (with his Strat Plus-like signature model) and Jonny Greenwood (Telecaster Plus) made next-generation Fenders cornerstones of their art attests to the enduring, practical, and creatively enabling upside of these evolutions. What’s more, the carve on the back of the treble-side cutaway and the slimmed, sculpted heel make access to the highest frets super easy. This model, which was the top-of-the-line Fender when it was introduced in 1958, was designed by Leo Fender as an instrument for Jazz guitarists, but it never made many inroads there. To Fender’s credit, many Stratocaster and Telecaster re-designs helped pave new expressive avenues. The other overt deviation from trad’ style is the chrome 3-knob array, and the new control configuration opens up tone possibilities no standard Jazzmaster is capable of. Right out of the case it’s an easy, issue-free player – and that’s not something you can take for granted with a Jazzmaster. Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear. Your Pedalboards 2020: Part Deux, 3. And any player that has endured the hiss, buzz, and hum of vintage Jazzy pickups in bridge and neck positions can understand the potential appeal. The two attendant roller knobs are dedicated volume controls for the bridge and neck pickups in the latter mode. On the cobra blue version, the neck and fretboard are black-bound maple. #tdi_175_8c3 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { To some, the very idea of the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster is monstrous. I'm a fan. Just as those guitars estranged some Tele and Strat originalists, the Jazzmaster Ultra’s new features will engender skepticism from some vintage heads. Mechanically, it’s identical to a vintage unit. Of course, such bold innovation requires presentation to match… and here’s where Fender is going to alienate some people. The latest guitar news, reviews and features delivered to your inbox. Rather than activating a filtered rhythm circuit, the upper bout slider switches the pickups in and out of phase. Learn more about Fender electric basses. From the tones, the playability to some of the coolest new Fender finishes we have seen, there is a lot to like. The most dangerous time of year for your wallets is here. An autopsy report found traces of fentanyl in Earle's system at the time of his death. Re: Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster Post by Futuron » Wed Nov 06, 2019 2:23 am I'll get to watching the videos a bit later, but just considering the switching options, even if the alternative circuit activates OOP, it means you have 2 separate volume controls (ie presets) for each pickup. The Ultra series consists of four models: a standard SSS strat, an HSS strat, a Telecaster and a Jazzmaster. Flipping the switch, as on the American Professional Jaguar, engages a strangulated quack along the lines of the middle/bridge setting on a Strat; but now we have a couple of roller dials to play with as well. But many of these refinements are unquestionably useful and inspiring. You don’t even need ears to appreciate some of the thinking that’s gone into this guitar. Padding, packing and protection – how to ensure your prized guitars stay safe in a big move. A Jazzmaster in the smooth and sophisticated American Elite tradition really shouldn’t work… and yet, as you’ll already know by the score on this review, it does work – in a big way. Offset-waist guitars are hipper than ever and, whether long-term fans like it or not, finding favour with players well beyond the confines of the alt-rock ghetto. After a week of teasers on its website and social media channels (and quite a few leaks yesterday), today Fender is officially unveiling its new American Ultra guitars and basses.. As on the American Professional model, the nylon inserts around the bridge posts will annoy purists, but they still allow some back-and-forth rocking, and tuning stability is excellent. The Ultras represent the most modernist vision, with their obvious refinements, yet still feel and sound very ‘Fender’, stopping short of features such as stainless steel frets or roasted maple necks and the like. From eye-catching straps to dual-function pedals that both look the part and free up pedalboard real estate, there’s something for every type of guitar player this festive season. The volume knob is also an S1 switch that selects series or parallel pickup configurations. At first, the myriad tone options can feel labyrinthine. It’s fair to say previous generations of Fender’s hum-cancelling Noiseless pickups haven’t been widely appreciated for their tonal chops, but there’s not much wrong with this pair. } But it never really caught on until a brief starring role in 60s surf guitar, and – much later – the shaggy anti-guitarists of the late 80s embraced its unconventional looks, un-bluesy sounds and (at the time) relative affordability. Meanwhile the satin-finished ‘modern D’ neck keeps your left hand supremely comfortable, while the compound-radius fretboard allows for a slick action without choking – even if the 9.5-inch radius of the saddles means the D and G strings are a little high towards the top end of the ’board. Both finishes morph beautifully in sunlight and under stage illumination. To date, variations and mutations of the model tend to be scattered and obscure—occurring primarily in the instrument’s more affordable ranges and within the output of the Custom Shop. The marketing talk of an infinite tonal palette is probably overcooking it a tad, but that doesn’t stop this Jazzmaster being, in practical terms, surely the most versatile guitar in all of Fender’s current line-up. In part two of our look at the chord shapes and sequences which define Paul Simon’s sound, we focus on his early years as a solo artist. The sound of both pickups in series isn’t especially appealing, but the added shunt provided by this setting could be handy for a subtle solo boost, so we can’t argue with its inclusion – especially as the switch is more or less invisible. Cosmetically, the Ultra deftly walks a line between Fender classicism and new-world bling. And now? - and a good foil to either of our reference Strats and Teles, which, to our ears, have a … Fender American Vintage Thin Skin Nitro 1965 Jaguar.84-.96/8.58 lbs. It seems Fender’s grumpy little indie kid – painfully misunderstood, always kicking back against the rules of the mainstream, constantly sneered at by the smart set – secretly wanted to be a prom queen all along. Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. Though the Jazzmaster ceased to be perceived as a cellar-dwelling freak of the Fender family decades ago, it’s never really received the fancifying treatment so often given to its more famous Fender brothers. In isolation, you primarily notice that the Ultra pickups are light years quieter. Perhaps you’ve also noticed the black neck binding, as applied to a handful of offsets in the 70s when the company was really losing its way, and are wondering if its presence here represents an act of industrial sabotage. The maple fingerboard sports rolled edges for hours of playing comfort, and the tapered neck heel allows easy access to the highest register. American Ultra is Fender's most advanced series of guitars and basses for discerning players who demand the ultimate in precision, performance and tone. In the first of a series looking at the chord shapes and sequences used by the Beatles, we get inside the head of John Lennon and find a solid rhythm guitarist with an ear for original chord changes. For 2020, Fender’s flagship American Elite line has been superseded by a new series: American Ultra.Although American Elite instruments were only introduced to the catalogue at Winter NAMM 2016, at the launch of Fender’s Songs learning app in New York back in October, Fender CEO Andy Mooney explained that the company had streamlined its product lifecycle from seven to four years. In our final part of our look at the stylings of the legendary Three Kings, we tackle the searing style of Freddie King. American Ultra is Fender s most advanced series of guitars and basses for discerning players who demand the ultimate in precision, performance, and tone. What else is fun? Two Fender Ultra Noiseless pickups deliver the classic chime and richness Jazzmaster fans love, while S1 switching gives you the ability to switch between series or parallel modes for even more sonic versatility. Could we be seeing new Silvertone guitars soon? Get the best price on Fender American Ultra at Guitar Center. Most Fender American Ultra are eligible for free shipping. The new American Ultra series is proves it's value as soon as you pick it up, sporting features that cater to a wide-range of players and styles. The striking mocha burst specimen that appears in the First Look video flashes between copper and root beer hues. But as the controls become more intuitive, tone shaping on the fly starts to feel as much like painting as playing. Current prices aren't a surprise, IMO. Of course, that was very much the idea when the Jazzmaster was launched in 1958 as a premium guitar for jazz players. But unlike vintage snap-in arms, which can wear out, the Ultra’s vibrato arm screws into the post and can be set to swing freely or tightened to remain relatively stationary. The October 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! Guitar.com Live — THE WORLD'S LEADING VIRTUAL GUITAR SHOW —, Gardiner Houlgate to sell guitars owned by Bob Dylan, Rory Gallagher at auction. Terms Of Use. Sleekly curvaceous and contoured like a Stratocaster, the Jazzmaster boasted an offset-waist body that made it more comfortably playable and balanced while seated. The Modern D neck profile with satin finish plays amazingly fast and smooth, sure to appeal to fans of modern, thinner neck profiles. A USA-made Jazzmaster that plays right and sounds right straight out of the box. We also get locking tuners, a stabilised bridge and a screw-in vibrato arm. If and when I run across a nice clean Ultra Strat in Firestorm … The American Ultra Jazzmaster features a unique "Modern D" neck profile with rolled fingerboard edges for hours of … But there’s little arguing how slinky the neck feels, and players with modern neck preferences—and maybe even a few SG loyalists—will find a lot to love here. Each Fender production series has its own theme and style and, even if they were all priced the same, it’s not an easy thing to find your new Fender fit. Privacy Policy | Get up-close … Perhaps you’ve already formed an opinion on this slightly lurid Plasma Red Burst finish, with its pearloid scratchplate and maple fingerboard. The Mocha Burst is still not the sort of thing we can imagine Thurston Moore attacking with a drumstick, but it’s quite stunning up close. Though the Ultra’s switching and tone circuit deviate significantly from the original Jazzmaster system, they adhere to the notion that more is more when it comes to tone shaping. From upstart beginnings in the early 60s, Eric Clapton soon established himself as one of the decades’ most lauded players. The November 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Fender-Ultra-Jazzmaster-5@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; Like the other guitars that are part of the American Ultra family, the Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster takes an icon of guitar design and reimagines it for the contemporary guitarist. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing. Fender.com; ... American Ultra Jazzmaster 3 results Filter Filter Filters. The Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster electric guitar features a maple “Modern D” neck bolted onto an alder or ash body in the iconic Jazzmaster shape, made famous by jazz legends and surf rockers alike. And with its compound-radius neck, noiseless pickups, phase- and parallel-switching options, and new body carves, the Ultra might soon be as revered as the Plus, Deluxe, and Elite models that marked important evolutions of the Tele and Strat. It has Fender’s latest Ultra Noiseless pickups, promising all of the tone with none of the electrical buzz; a compound-radius fretboard, flattening out from 10 inches at the nut to 14 at the top of the neck; and a reshaped heel and lower cutaway for better access to the upper frets. They're comparable (in terms of features) to a new American Elite Strat, but with nicer ebony than Fender can get now and (often) prettier finishes. The quality is superb. An American original returns in updated form by Phil O'Keefe T he Fender Jazzmaster has a long and somewhat storied history. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:100%;} After a decade working on Nashville’s Music Row, Cobb decided to head back to Georgia to pen Keep ’Em On They Toes. */, Copyright ©2020. The VerdictIt’s nice to see the Jazzmaster in a more evolutionary guise. The cobra blue finish is deep, shapeshifting, and subtly pearlescent, evoking the competition burgundy of the 1969 Mustang. It’s a blast. If you use the tension screw to dial in a more elastic feel, the unit becomes ideal for Kevin Shields’ glide techniques and nuanced vibrato accents. Elite had a compound C to D neck profile - the Ultra has "Modern D" Elite had a 9.5"-14" compound radius - Ultra has 10"-14" Elite had N4 Noiseless pickups - Ultra has "Ultra Noiseless" pickups (a 5th generation?) Not bad for an underdog. Secondly, an S1 push-button hidden in the volume control has added the option of hearing both pickups in series instead of parallel. Well, it’s all got a bit out of hand. Better than all that, though, are the electrics – because here, Fender has played no less than three fiendishly smart cards. In general, they have less output than vintage Jazzmaster units. They all come with a choice of rosewood or maple fretboards, and include the molded cases that come with all American Professional guitars. He has been the gear editor at, On PremierGuitar.com, "Sponsored Content" refers to articles, videos, or audio recordings that are produced or curated by an advertiser but that, First Look: Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster, Fender American Vintage '65 Jazzmaster Electric Guitar Review, 1. Of the three new wiring tricks, however, it’s the third – that phase-switching circuit at the top of the guard – that really stands out as a worthy modification to this 62-year-old design. From 2020 with love: the best guitars, amps, pedals and accessories of the year. The American Ultra Jazzmaster features a unique “Modern D” neck profile with rolled fingerboard edges for hours of playing comfort, and the tapered neck heel allows easy access to … Hooked: Ryan "Fluff" Bruce on Foo Fighters' "For All the Cows", 5. Free From Horrible Hiss The December 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! American Ultra is Fender’s most advanced series of guitars and basses for discerning players who demand the ultimate in precision, performance, and tone.The American Ultra Jazzmaster features a unique "Modern D" neck profile with rolled fingerboard edges for hours of playing comfort, and the tapered neck heel allows easy access to the highest register. #tdi_175_8c3 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { }. A speedy 10”-14” compound-radius fingerboard with 21 medium-jumbo frets means effortless and accurate soloing, while the Ultra Noiseless™ Vintage pickups and advanced wiring options provide endless tonal possibilities – without … Fender rides the wave of offset guitar popularity by launching its slickest ever Jazzmaster… with some very interesting stuff going on behind the spangly scratchplate. First Look: Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster | Premier Guitar Just a small roll back on one pickup’s output level alters the balance in favour of the other, changing the timbre and reducing the ‘phasiness’ in a way that opens up a whole new range of usable sounds. We provide insight and opinion about gear, artists, technique and the guitar industry for all genres and skill levels. Tone Tourism They have plenty of chime without being ice-picky, while the mids are so sweet and sticky you’ll want to brush your teeth afterwards. The American Ultra Jazzmaster features a unique “Modern D” neck profile for hours of playing comfort, and the tapered neck heel allows easy access to the highest register. And with its compound-radius neck, noiseless pickups, phase- and parallel-switching options, and new body carves, the Ultra might soon be as revered as the Plus, Deluxe, and Elite models that marked important evolutions of the Tele and Strat. These differences are super apparent with a pre-CBS Jazzmaster and the Ultra side by side. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Fender-Ultra-Jazzmaster-9@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; In short, this is absolutely a ‘real’ Jazzmaster – just one that doesn’t buzz like a hornet swarm whenever you turn to face your amp. Hirsute humbuckers modelled on the PAFs in Pearly Gates, the ZZ Top man’s legendary 1959 Les Paul, Billy Corgan and company return with escalation the name of the game, but despite the classic line-up, this is not 1995…. /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. 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Series American Ultra (3) Orientation Right-Hand (3) Woods Fingerboard Material Body Material Neck Shape D Shape But the real joy is in playing it. Fender reimagines its original offset 6-string with a compound fretboard radius, noiseless pickups, and super-versatile switching options. A master volume and master tone control pairs with a 3-way toggle mounted on the pickguard’s lower bout. Our two review guitars were more extroverted. Posted by Chris McKee With the introduction of the new Fender American Ultra Series one has to wonder if these new guitars are truly better than the Fender American Elite models that they replace. A year on from her debut EP, we caught up with the genre-agnostic guitarist to talk luck, lockdowns and the challenges of being a non-touring musician. fender american ultra jazzmaster A welcome off-set entry into the series is this incredible Jazzmaster - a favourite of alt-rockers and indie players the world over. The August 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now. Very loud. Charles Saufley is a writer, editor, and musician from San Francisco. Between the high-fret access, the flat radius, and the fat frets, you can achieve otherworldly bends. The Fender American Ultra Stratocaster is a powerful, advanced, super-versatile axe for the modern player! What we can say, however, is that gaudy red and Cobra Blue are not the only options: there’s also the more traditionally styled Ultraburst with tortie pickguard and a Mocha Burst finish that comes with a plain mint ‘guard. It was only natural, then, that Fender should include one in its new flagship American Ultra range. They are the Converse Low Tops of the six-string world. The copious tone shaping control, noiseless pickups, improved vibrato, and shreddily delicious neck all extend and enhance the Jazzmaster’s already ample expressive potential. Cosmetically, the Ultra deftly walks a line between Fender classicism and new-world bling. #tdi_175_8c3 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { It’s fine for Strats and Teles to enjoy the ‘luxury model’ treatment, but how do you apply that to a guitar whose whole identity has become that of the underdog and the outsider? The “Noiseless Vintage” pickups are among the Ultra’s main attractions. If you have a preference for vintage neck profiles and more curvaceous fretboards, the “Modern D” shape will probably feel pretty thin. Fender American Ultra Series Jazzmaster Cobra Blue/Mocha Burst The site lists the following details for the leaked American Ultra Series Jazzmaster in Cobra Blue and Mocha Burst. American Ultra is Fender's most advanced series of guitars and basses for discerning players who demand the ultimate in precision, performance and tone. #V1962979 $ 2,349.99 The Stratocaster-like tone controls, meanwhile, enable super-dissimilar tone shades between pickups and super-specific blends. The Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster takes this flexibility further with S1 switching, accessible via the master volume control. By checking the boxes you agree to receive the following from us via e-mail. And while you could argue that the noiseless pickups lack the open and wild character of vintage units, the seemingly endless and lively tones you can extract from the guitar are a tradeoff well worth considering. The Ultra Noiseless Vintage Jazzmaster set give you that classic clean and clear Jazzmaster sound but can also get nice and gritty when you turn up the gain, all without losing that single-coil definition. Vintage White. Here the the Grammy-nominated guitarist tells us about the inescapable draw of home. This switches the Ultra Noiseless pickups between series or parallel operation modes, each offering a distinct sonic character. The American Ultra Telecaster has a very classy modern build with more than a hint of Fender's showing off about it. The improved vibrato is a tactile joy, too. And if you opted for the pretty ultraburst finish (which adds metallic flake to a classic 3-color sunburst), you might even mistake it for an American Original edition at a glance. Billy Corgan’s first great tearing of the script led to a bold and ambitious album that put the guitars up front and loud. They recall the unusual maple-and-black-block-inlay Jazzmasters and Jaguars of the 1970s. The September 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! The Jazzmaster is beautifully new-string bright - the least ‘jazz’ guitar you’ll ever hear! Here’s a Part 1 guide to the man jokingly dubbed Slowhand. And then we come to the really important bit: sounds. We couldn’t possibly comment. Review: Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster Fender rides the wave of offset guitar popularity by launching its slickest ever Jazzmaster… with some very interesting stuff going on behind the spangly scratchplate. FENDER AMERICAN ULTRA JAZZMASTER REVIEW | In Depth Review of the Mocha Burst Beauty! The Elite series seems to have been renamed Ultra, so these are just incremental updates. So, here is a Jazzmaster that’s unashamedly high-class. And thirdly, the old ‘rhythm circuit’ has been replaced by a phase-flipped mode that lets you control the quackiness by changing the relative levels of the two pickups. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Fender-Ultra-Jazzmaster-6@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; } The best instruments to have come off the Fender production line, the American Ultra series combines luxurious playability with a huge variety of incredible tones, each with their own character. The Jazzmaster Ultra is an overdue reimagining of the model. PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo: The PG Review. A rosewood neck option would be nice. The body profile and hardware (save for the knobs) deviate little from tradition. You can always unsubscribe (so you won't receive any more e-mails) by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each e-mail. The Jazzmaster Ultra is an overdue reimagining of the model. All Rights Reserved © 2020 Guitar.com is a member of the media division of BandLab Technologies. The dual tone controls are another less-than-essential addition, as the two pickups are pretty well matched for treble content anyway; but again, it’s an unobtrusive feature and could come in useful on occasion, so why not? Better still (at least for my preferences), the bend in the arm sits higher in relation to the post and strings, nestling the arm more deeply but comfortably into your palm as you pick and strum. We take a look back at Elephant – the duo’s heavy-hitting 2003 garage-rock masterpiece that unleashed rock’s last truly world-conquering riff.