Thanks man! It's kind of sacrilegious to put humbuckers in a Strat for some people but when I got this one, it was my only guitar. I needed something that would cover a lot of ground so it is wired to split one coil from each pickup in the 2 and 4 positions on the pickup switch. Still has some Strat vibes but it does the thick, humbucker thing, too.
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
Went to guitar center the other day and played a player two Strat, wow did it feel extremely cheap!! Picked up a couple other strats and didnt like the feel of it compared to my tele or les Paul. Felt so light. Maybe it s just something I need to get used to. The search for my next guitar continues.
Funny, I also went to GC. Was just getting a new mic and made the mistake of picking this up and playing it. I was actually trying to find a Tele, since I've never played one. Saw this Ultra II and fell in love at first strum. Action is a little higher than my Jazzmaster, but it just felt so good to play. I left without it, but kept thinking about it for a couple days. As we all know, guitars play differently even if they are supposedly the same. I didn't wanna let this exact guitar go, so bit the bullet and dipped into savings. I expect that I'll have this one forever.
1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th 1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California Nothing since then. I suck. 2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights 2022- Oakland Night 2 2024 Sacramento, CA
Hells yes!!! That is one amazing guitar. Besides appearance, can you guys hear a difference between rosewood and maple?
they say maple is harder word so it can sound brighter and spankier than rosewood. rosewood is softer and is supposed to sound darker. this is why les pauls have a maple cap on the body and a rosewood fretboard. i've seen maple fretboards on les pauls but they are usually special order. i would never order one. i prefer rosewood. i have a relic strat with a maple fretboard worn down to the wood in places and that sucker is harder to play.
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
Hells yes!!! That is one amazing guitar. Besides appearance, can you guys hear a difference between rosewood and maple?
If you're talking about fretboards, not really. I think it is more about aesthetics and feel than tone but others might disagree.
There are a lot of opinions out there regarding various woods and their tonal properties but for electric instruments, I think the differences are quite subtle.
A while back there was a series of videos with notable musicians playing cardboard guitars. Yes, cardboard. They still sounded like themselves. The Billy Gibbons one and the J Mascis ones were quite eye opening since those guys have such recognizable approaches to guitar.
Determine what you like the look and feel of and go with it. It's really easy to change the way any guitar sounds but more tricky to change the feel or the feeling you get when you play.
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th 1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California Nothing since then. I suck. 2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights 2022- Oakland Night 2 2024 Sacramento, CA
Funny, I also went to GC. Was just getting a new mic and made the mistake of picking this up and playing it. I was actually trying to find a Tele, since I've never played one. Saw this Ultra II and fell in love at first strum. Action is a little higher than my Jazzmaster, but it just felt so good to play. I left without it, but kept thinking about it for a couple days. As we all know, guitars play differently even if they are supposedly the same. I didn't wanna let this exact guitar go, so bit the bullet and dipped into savings. I expect that I'll have this one forever.
That's a cool guitar! I actually played an Ultra II at GC yesterday. Very nice feel, pretty lightweight and it was set up surprisingly well for GC. It appeared to have an ebony fretboard, too.
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
Funny, I also went to GC. Was just getting a new mic and made the mistake of picking this up and playing it. I was actually trying to find a Tele, since I've never played one. Saw this Ultra II and fell in love at first strum. Action is a little higher than my Jazzmaster, but it just felt so good to play. I left without it, but kept thinking about it for a couple days. As we all know, guitars play differently even if they are supposedly the same. I didn't wanna let this exact guitar go, so bit the bullet and dipped into savings. I expect that I'll have this one forever.
That's a cool guitar! I actually played an Ultra II at GC yesterday. Very nice feel, pretty lightweight and it was set up surprisingly well for GC. It appeared to have an ebony fretboard, too.
EVERYTHING feels lightweight compared to my ton of bricks Les Paul.
1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th 1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California Nothing since then. I suck. 2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights 2022- Oakland Night 2 2024 Sacramento, CA
I placed an order for this beauty yesterday. Happy that Sweetwater allows you to pick the specific guitar you want, especially when the wood grains can look so different from one sunburst to another.
I placed an order for this beauty yesterday. Happy that Sweetwater allows you to pick the specific guitar you want, especially when the wood grains can look so different from one sunburst to another.
Nice. Is that a Jaguar? Been wanting to play one of those.
1991- Hollywood Palladium, California with Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains -RIP Magazine Show Oct. 6th 1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California Nothing since then. I suck. 2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights 2022- Oakland Night 2 2024 Sacramento, CA
I placed an order for this beauty yesterday. Happy that Sweetwater allows you to pick the specific guitar you want, especially when the wood grains can look so different from one sunburst to another.
Nice. Is that a Jaguar? Been wanting to play one of those.
It's a jazzmaster. Jaguars typically have the thin pickups. Mine has humbuckers:
Thanks! One day I'll splurge for an actual Fender but these Squires have been treating me well.
The Squiers from the last five years or so are surprisingly well done guitars. I remember the time when you would have to do a bunch of work on a Squier to make it playable. Now, many are good to go right out of the box.
I want to pick up one of those Squier J Mascis Jazzmasters one of these days.
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
Thanks! One day I'll splurge for an actual Fender but these Squires have been treating me well.
The Squiers from the last five years or so are surprisingly well done guitars. I remember the time when you would have to do a bunch of work on a Squier to make it playable. Now, many are good to go right out of the box.
I want to pick up one of those Squier J Mascis Jazzmasters one of these days.
I have a Squire from 98 which is basically unplayable. I'm going to do some minor work to it since it's my childhood guitar, but it sucks compared to the new ones lol.
J Mascis Jazzmasters sound great too! I would have gotten one if the Classic Vibes didn't exist. Can't go wrong with either!
Thanks! One day I'll splurge for an actual Fender but these Squires have been treating me well.
The Squiers from the last five years or so are surprisingly well done guitars. I remember the time when you would have to do a bunch of work on a Squier to make it playable. Now, many are good to go right out of the box.
I want to pick up one of those Squier J Mascis Jazzmasters one of these days.
I have a Squire from 98 which is basically unplayable. I'm going to do some minor work to it since it's my childhood guitar, but it sucks compared to the new ones lol.
J Mascis Jazzmasters sound great too! I would have gotten one if the Classic Vibes didn't exist. Can't go wrong with either!
For sure! The Classic Vibes are nice guitars. I think they are at least as good as the MIM Fender Standard Series from a the 90's and 00's. A buddy of mine has a Classic Vibe Tele that just sings and it's a joy to play. Your new Jazzmaster looks awesome!
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
Thanks! One day I'll splurge for an actual Fender but these Squires have been treating me well.
The Squiers from the last five years or so are surprisingly well done guitars. I remember the time when you would have to do a bunch of work on a Squier to make it playable. Now, many are good to go right out of the box.
I want to pick up one of those Squier J Mascis Jazzmasters one of these days.
I have a Squire from 98 which is basically unplayable. I'm going to do some minor work to it since it's my childhood guitar, but it sucks compared to the new ones lol.
J Mascis Jazzmasters sound great too! I would have gotten one if the Classic Vibes didn't exist. Can't go wrong with either!
For sure! The Classic Vibes are nice guitars. I think they are at least as good as the MIM Fender Standard Series from a the 90's and 00's. A buddy of mine has a Classic Vibe Tele that just sings and it's a joy to play. Your new Jazzmaster looks awesome!
Just finished installing new pickups in this bass. It is an ESP LTD Surveyor that I've done a few modifications to. The new pickups are active EMGs.
These basses are total sleepers! Despite looking like any other run of the mill PJ-Bass out there, this thing is incredible for fast and aggressive playing. The fretwork and action make slapping, tapping and fast techniques as close to effortless as I have ever played.
Post edited by dudeman on
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
Tonight's project. Neither of these needed any adjustments. Just changed the batteries for the onboard preamps and they are otherwise good to go. Kind of thinking about changing the electronics in the one on the right. Right now, both basses have the same active EMG pickups and onboard EQs. The fretless is great as-is but the fretted one could be a little hotter and more aggressive. Probably going to try out an EMG BQS system.
If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
Comments
All set up and ready to go!
Kind of thinking about stripping the body on this one and giving it a nitro finish. Have to wait for better weather, though.
Funny, I also went to GC. Was just getting a new mic and made the mistake of picking this up and playing it. I was actually trying to find a Tele, since I've never played one. Saw this Ultra II and fell in love at first strum. Action is a little higher than my Jazzmaster, but it just felt so good to play. I left without it, but kept thinking about it for a couple days. As we all know, guitars play differently even if they are supposedly the same. I didn't wanna let this exact guitar go, so bit the bullet and dipped into savings. I expect that I'll have this one forever.
1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
Nothing since then. I suck.2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights
2022- Oakland Night 2
2024 Sacramento, CA
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
There are a lot of opinions out there regarding various woods and their tonal properties but for electric instruments, I think the differences are quite subtle.
A while back there was a series of videos with notable musicians playing cardboard guitars. Yes, cardboard. They still sounded like themselves. The Billy Gibbons one and the J Mascis ones were quite eye opening since those guys have such recognizable approaches to guitar.
Determine what you like the look and feel of and go with it. It's really easy to change the way any guitar sounds but more tricky to change the feel or the feeling you get when you play.
Just brought this one home today. It's an ESP Vintage Plus Tele from the mid-90's. Made in ESPs Custom Shop in Japan.
I have a weakness for those older ESPs. Apparently the color green, too. Haha
1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
Nothing since then. I suck.2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights
2022- Oakland Night 2
2024 Sacramento, CA
EVERYTHING feels lightweight compared to my ton of bricks Les Paul.
1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
Nothing since then. I suck.2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights
2022- Oakland Night 2
2024 Sacramento, CA
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
1992- Lollapalooza, Irvine, California
Nothing since then. I suck.2016- Fenway Park, Boston - Both glorious nights
2022- Oakland Night 2
2024 Sacramento, CA
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
Cincinnati 2014
Greenville 2016
(Raleigh 2016)
Columbia 2016
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
I want to pick up one of those Squier J Mascis Jazzmasters one of these days.
J Mascis Jazzmasters sound great too! I would have gotten one if the Classic Vibes didn't exist. Can't go wrong with either!
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
Just finished installing new pickups in this bass. It is an ESP LTD Surveyor that I've done a few modifications to. The new pickups are active EMGs.
These basses are total sleepers! Despite looking like any other run of the mill PJ-Bass out there, this thing is incredible for fast and aggressive playing. The fretwork and action make slapping, tapping and fast techniques as close to effortless as I have ever played.
Tonight's project. Neither of these needed any adjustments. Just changed the batteries for the onboard preamps and they are otherwise good to go. Kind of thinking about changing the electronics in the one on the right. Right now, both basses have the same active EMG pickups and onboard EQs. The fretless is great as-is but the fretted one could be a little hotter and more aggressive. Probably going to try out an EMG BQS system.