OffsetGuitars.com

An update on the original guitar.
I sent it back.
In the end, I was disappointed that these aren't more different than the vintage modified Jazzmasters. I was hoping for something very distinct, and ended up with a re-branded VMJM. The few small differences weren't enough. Not to mention, this particular guitar had more issues than I originally saw. The truss rod adjustment hole chip was caused by a poorly placed truss rod - it was not in the center of the neck, and adjusting it would have lead to more chipping. There was a finish chip under the pickguard around the neck pocket. The fretboard had a couple of knots yo could feel on the edge that potentially troublesome in the future. The fret ends were a little sharp. The nut was poorly cut. All small things, that ended up adding up to a guitar that wasn't quite what it should be, even for the price. I could have fixed almost all of it pretty easily, but the knots in the fretboard, and the weird truss rod issue made this one not a keeper.

Is it possible that yours could've been an old/new parts transition guitar?

I wonder that as well since the bodies are supposed to be poplar not basswood.

parry wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2019 9:50 am

Is it possible that yours could've been an old/new parts transition guitar?

Possibly? I don't know. I'll be interested to see what they look like in the future.

Something else I noticed is the truss rod wooden plug is a different shape than the shape on the NAMM guitars and the pictures online.

Maybe? Maybe just an illusion?

I think the truss rod plug is more or less the same - it probably just comes down to the nuances of the drilling and headstock shaping, and how that varies. By all accounts, I think the neck is generally new stock. New plug, new logo, new nut, etc. The body on the other hand...

Thanks for the insights, sonichris. One bit of info was missing, though: what was neck like? Same as VM or a bit chunkier as same have mentioned? The CVs haven't landed here yet so I can't go test myself...

I have to admit, I think I kinda like that sunburst. It's not something I'd get if I got to choose, but it suits the overall look nicely.

As a side note: all three non-Chinese Squiers with RW boards I've bought have had this greyish brown shoe polish-type dye on their boards to cover the lighter streaks.

The neck measured .83” at the first fret. C shape. I think it felt the same as a VM.

Didn’t realize these had pearl dots. Would have been cool as hell to have the JM also have binding, that way you get the late cbs sorta Jag and early cbs Jazzmaster.

I wanna try one of these real bad. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of finish options aside from the black Jaguar. I don’t think they ever added any new finishes to the VM guitarsso I don’t expect these to get any other colors between now and in 8 years when they discontinue these and launch the Prestige Worldwide line

Did the fretboard ever darken up with oil?
I just can’t get on with the look of the Laurel.

I finally saw one of these in person.
The amber tint on the neck is real nice.

wademp wrote: ↑

Sun May 19, 2019 3:53 pm

Did the fretboard ever darken up with oil?
I just can’t get on with the look of the Laurel.

Just as an aside, but the Laurel board on my JM Jazzmaster, had not been dyed, and is a really nice piece of wood. To my eyes it looks darker than the Pay Ferro used on the MIM Fender's. I darkened it up a bit further with some Fret Doctor, and it looks great. My thought was that the better Laurel gets used on the Chinese made Squier stuff like the J Mascis, and the cheaper laurel goes to Indonesia. Anyhow, that was my train of thought.

Fendereedo wrote: ↑

Mon May 20, 2019 5:21 am

wademp wrote: ↑

Sun May 19, 2019 3:53 pm

Did the fretboard ever darken up with oil?
I just can’t get on with the look of the Laurel.

My thought was that the better Laurel gets used on the Chinese made Squier stuff like the J Mascis, and the cheaper laurel goes to Indonesia. Anyhow, that was my train of thought.

The Indian Laurel on my new Squier bullet Telecaster ( made in Indonesia ) looks great and dark and it feels good .

If these are nothing more than re-Logo'd VMJM's level of QC hopefully it won't change the rest of the CV Line of Guitars which have been excellent til now...... That would be a shame...

Why didn't they up their QC to CV level, which is all the VM's needed? I don't get it?

Larsongs wrote: ↑

Tue May 21, 2019 8:36 am

If these are nothing more than re-Logo'd VMJM's level of QC hopefully it won't change the rest of the CV Line of Guitars which have been excellent til now...... That would be a shame...

Why didn't they up their QC to CV level, which is all the VM's needed? I don't get it?

Simple answer - $$$. Take the name recognition of the higher rated CV one but build it to the lower price point of the VM range. People go in expecting Squier CV quality control and bang for the buck awesomeness but get the more hit to miss VM quality.