What is the neck profile of the Player II Jazzmaster?

The guitar features a Modern C-profile neck. This shape is designed to be comfortable for a wide range of playing styles and hand sizes.

What type of pickups are installed in this model?

It is equipped with Player Series Alnico V single-coil Jazzmaster pickups. These provide a balance of crystalline highs, musical mids, and tight lows.

What is the benefit of the rolled fingerboard edges?

Rolled edges provide a 'broken-in' feel that is typically found on high-end or vintage instruments. This makes the neck feel smoother and more comfortable during long playing sessions.

Does this guitar use a traditional Jazzmaster bridge?

It uses a Jazzmaster bridge but features Mustang saddles. These saddles are widely considered an upgrade as they improve string stability and prevent strings from jumping out of the grooves.

What is the fingerboard radius?

The rosewood fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius. This is a modern standard that allows for low action and easy bending compared to vintage 7.25-inch radii.

What finish is used on the neck?

The neck features a smooth satin finish. This helps prevent the 'sticky' feel often associated with gloss finishes, allowing for faster navigation.

How many frets does the Player II Jazzmaster have?

This model is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets. The 22nd fret allows for an extra semitone of range compared to traditional 21-fret vintage models.

What kind of tremolo system does it use?

It features a vintage-style floating tremolo tailpiece. This system is iconic to the Jazzmaster design, offering a unique feel and subtle vibrato effects.

Is the Birch Green finish a standard Fender colour?

Birch Green is a specific aesthetic choice for the Player II series. It offers a fresh, modern look while maintaining the classic Fender aesthetic.

How does this compare to the Squier Mini Stratocaster?

The Player II Jazzmaster is a full-scale professional instrument with a 25.5-inch scale length and superior hardware. The Squier Mini Stratocaster is a reduced-size budget guitar intended for beginners or travel.

Can this guitar handle high-gain settings?

While single-coil pickups are prone to hum at high gain, the Alnico V magnets provide enough output and clarity for musical mids and tight lows. It is well-suited for alternative rock and indie styles.

What wood is used for the fingerboard?

This specific model uses a rosewood (RW) fingerboard. Rosewood is prized for its warm tonal contribution and smooth tactile feel.

Gear article

Fender Player II Jazzmaster RW Birch Green

The Fender Player II Jazzmaster in Birch Green is a modern evolution of the classic offset electric guitar, designed to bridge the gap between vintage aesthetics and contemporary playability. Featuring a rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges and Alnico V pickups, it serves as an accessible entry point into Fender’s professional-grade performance instruments.

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Overview

The Fender Player II Jazzmaster RW in Birch Green is a mid-tier electric guitar that updates the original 1958 offset design for today's guitarists. Part of the second generation of the Player series, this model retains the iconic body shape and floating tremolo system while introducing ergonomic refinements such as rolled fingerboard edges. The Birch Green finish provides a unique aesthetic that distinguishes it from traditional sunburst or monochrome options.

Design and Construction

This instrument is built around a 'Modern C' neck profile, which features a smooth satin finish to facilitate faster movement across the back of the neck. The fingerboard is crafted from rosewood (RW) and features a 9.5-inch radius, a specification that balances comfortable chordal work with the ability to perform lead lines without 'choking out' during string bends.

A notable hardware upgrade is the inclusion of Mustang saddles within the Jazzmaster bridge. These saddles are known for providing better string stability than traditional threaded Jazzmaster saddles, working in tandem with the vintage-style floating tremolo tailpiece to offer smooth pitch modulation and reliable tuning.

Electronics and Sound

The guitar is equipped with a pair of Player Series Alnico V single-coil Jazzmaster pickups. These are voiced to provide a versatile sonic palette suitable for various genres.

Highs: Crystalline and articulate, cutting through a mix without becoming harsh.
Mids: Musical and pronounced, providing the body necessary for overdriven tones.
Lows: Tight and defined, ensuring the guitar remains clear even when using heavy effects or fuzz pedals.

Suitability and Market Positioning

With a typical price point of approximately £739, the Player II Jazzmaster is positioned for intermediate musicians or professionals seeking a reliable workhorse. Its blend of classic Fender charm and modern playability makes it a flexible tool for genres ranging from surf rock and indie to alternative and shoegaze. It offers a more modern playing experience compared to vintage-spec models like the Kurt Cobain Jaguar, while remaining more affordable than American Professional II or Custom Shop alternatives.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the neck profile of the Player II Jazzmaster?: The guitar features a Modern C-profile neck. This shape is designed to be comfortable for a wide range of playing styles and hand sizes.
What type of pickups are installed in this model?: It is equipped with Player Series Alnico V single-coil Jazzmaster pickups. These provide a balance of crystalline highs, musical mids, and tight lows.
What is the benefit of the rolled fingerboard edges?: Rolled edges provide a 'broken-in' feel that is typically found on high-end or vintage instruments. This makes the neck feel smoother and more comfortable during long playing sessions.
Does this guitar use a traditional Jazzmaster bridge?: It uses a Jazzmaster bridge but features Mustang saddles. These saddles are widely considered an upgrade as they improve string stability and prevent strings from jumping out of the grooves.
What is the fingerboard radius?: The rosewood fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius. This is a modern standard that allows for low action and easy bending compared to vintage 7.25-inch radii.
What finish is used on the neck?: The neck features a smooth satin finish. This helps prevent the 'sticky' feel often associated with gloss finishes, allowing for faster navigation.
How many frets does the Player II Jazzmaster have?: This model is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets. The 22nd fret allows for an extra semitone of range compared to traditional 21-fret vintage models.
What kind of tremolo system does it use?: It features a vintage-style floating tremolo tailpiece. This system is iconic to the Jazzmaster design, offering a unique feel and subtle vibrato effects.
Is the Birch Green finish a standard Fender colour?: Birch Green is a specific aesthetic choice for the Player II series. It offers a fresh, modern look while maintaining the classic Fender aesthetic.
How does this compare to the Squier Mini Stratocaster?: The Player II Jazzmaster is a full-scale professional instrument with a 25.5-inch scale length and superior hardware. The Squier Mini Stratocaster is a reduced-size budget guitar intended for beginners or travel.
Can this guitar handle high-gain settings?: While single-coil pickups are prone to hum at high gain, the Alnico V magnets provide enough output and clarity for musical mids and tight lows. It is well-suited for alternative rock and indie styles.
What wood is used for the fingerboard?: This specific model uses a rosewood (RW) fingerboard. Rosewood is prized for its warm tonal contribution and smooth tactile feel.