I wasn't planning on buying a new guitar, but I got completely transfixed by al the youtube videos (including the one Johnny did for Fender) and it's promise to be all things to all men. I also really like and respect Johnny Marr despite not being a massive fan of The Smiths - he's like a guitar Yoda. Bought from Anderton's for £1623 (Current price: £2399).
This guitar has taken a lot of tweaking, and I still don't think I'm there yet. The first issue, which I had to sort out almost immediately, were the ice-pick highs. Time has dulled my memory somewhat, but I think I got what I wanted by removing a resistor that was in line with the tone pot. Both the tone and volume pots have been changed multiple times, from their original 1M to 500k and 250k - I think they're now at 500k. The capacitor was also changed to a Mojo PIO that was at a different value to what was supplied. It's taken a considerable amount of time, but I'm now quite happy with the tone of this guitar. However, I have to say that the lead/single note of this instrument isn't great, and it's clear to see why it never replaced the Telecaster and Stratocaster it was meant to supercede.
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| My JM Jaguar and the 68 Deluxe Reverb |
The other thing that's been changed many times is the infamous bridge - the supplied Mustang style bridge was pretty bad - too wide for the neck so the low E string would often slip off the fretboard. I replaced this with a Staytrem a few years ago which sorted out the issue, but I think I'll be trying the Mastery bridge if I can get over the price - the Staytrem (and the original bridge) rocks forward and backwards according to use of the vibrato and over time works itself into some quite extreme positions which is obviously not good for intonation. The Mastery stays in one position - apparently the tone is affected somewhat, but I'm willing to give it a try.
The workmanship of the guitar is very good and feels a quality instrument. I don't like the paint - one of the reasons I bought it was because of the nitro finish, but this is actually put on to of a thick layer of poly, which not only defeats the object, but the think nitro shell chips away as opposed to the wear of vintage instrument. It's a pretty ugly effect to be honest.
Doesn't sound like I'm too happy with it does it? It's true, I do have quite a love/hate relationship with this instrument, it's the first one I'd get rid of if I had to (not least because it appears to have actually appreciated in value). Nevertheless, when it's good it's very, very good. In 2022 I limited myself to using just this guitar and I've been quite happy with it. Why? Because it's not a guitar hero axe it's great for coming up with guitar parts that serve the song and don't stand out too much. It's no great lead instrument, but as a rhythm guitar I've yet to play better. I love how it can have a trashy, clangy sound, then it can be funked up, and to play with lots of delay and reverb while picking out chords - the sound is heavenly. Now I've sorted out the bridge issue it actually plays very well, and the vibrato is the best I've used on any guitar.
I think the best thing that ever happened with this guitar for me was when I got my Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb. Previously I'd been using it with my Orange Tiny Terror and it did not suit it at all. But matching it with the Fender amp sealed the deal. I've used it quite a lot since then, it's been the rhythm backbone to pretty much every song I've recorded since then, and with either the Riviera or Les Paul being used for lead, it complements both those instruments well.
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