Folkesy Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Hi all, I am looking to add a Mustang bass to my collection. I have been browsing and have narrowed it down to the American Performer or the JMJ. I know many Mustang purists don't like the Jazz pickup looks on the performer series but I quite like the look of it and really like the arctic white. The JMJ has amazing reviews online but I am not sure about buying a road worn guitar. With the US performer coming in at £899 and the JMJ at £949 I would be interested to hear some other views? At the moment I'm leaning towards the American performer model. Any help greatly appreciated 🙂 https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/181120335102008--fender-american-performer-mustang-short-scale-bass-arctic-white https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/170703312072008--fender-justin-meldal-johnsen-road-worn-mustang-short-scale-bass?gclid=CjwKCAjwtdeFBhBAEiwAKOIy566y-wscMS9mBlwOvyop89s3AJXXVRRZPJlP1eSuupJ2Nu4_QHyNIhoC7f4QAvD_BwE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigguy2017 Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Get both, try them, send one back... 😉 It's the only way to be sure. IMHO the J pup is pretty useless on a Mustang, simply not needed. JMJ is the best of the Mustangs (If you like the neck width and can't find a great 70's one)... Road worn? Meh, who cares - it's going to get some dings eventually and pre-dinged is kind of liberating.... YMMV 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 1, 2021 Author Share Posted June 1, 2021 Thanks for the feedback. Yes I've read really great things about the JMJ. I guess as you say the only way to really tell is get out there and try one of each 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 The pickup in the JMJ is a bit special and you can’t buy as an upgrade from Seymour Duncan (yet). Also, the build quality on the JMJ is very good indeed, coupled with quality hardware. My only complaint with mine is that the relic dings are often too uniform and start to form a pattern (nails on a roller type of thing). But that’s only when you start looking up close. Other than that, I’m very, very impressed with mine, even the nitro finish on the neck seems to have been dried correctly (something my old RoadWorn P fell short on) and doesn’t stick to my hand after playing for a while (I have a history of this with nitro including, Gibson and PRS). I can’t comment on the Performer as I haven’t played one. I have played the Vintera version, which was rather good and the Performer should be an upgrade from that (you’d hope). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 Thanks for the feedback both. 👍👍 Yes, the JMJ does look amazing and the reports on the pickup are great. I think I'm going to go for the American Performer for now and see how I get on with it and then if I really like it maybe save up and try to get hold of a more classic Mustang style in the future (JMJ, CIJ etc). My other basses are Jazz configuration and I use the bridge pickup alot, so I like the idea of having the jazz pickup available. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 I owned and gigged the US Performer and really rated it. I much prefer 2 pickup basses and the Jazz on this bass certainly was not useless. Really well built and finished, with some great tones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaNoFuNkY Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) What's the difference in neck profile? I rate my American Performer Edited June 2, 2021 by RaNoFuNkY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 There's a very nice Mustang in the For Sale section at the moment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 27 minutes ago, RaNoFuNkY said: What's the difference in neck profile? I rate my American Performer I believe the JMJ has a C Shape neck profile and the American Performer has a Modern C Shape neck profile. Good to hear there are some basschatters who rate the American performer. Most of the discussion I could find online was around the JMJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 19 minutes ago, Steve Browning said: There's a very nice Mustang in the For Sale section at the moment. I saw that one and it looks lovely and a very good price too. It's the player series with the toggle switch pickup selector and a classic PJ set up. The write up on these are great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaNoFuNkY Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 NOO! Not this again - which is slimmer - C or modern C? Their website picture is awful - it looks asymmetrical! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 Just now, RaNoFuNkY said: NOO! Not this again - which is slimmer - C or modern C? Their website picture is awful - it looks asymmetrical! I think (but may be wrong) from one of the many videos that I watched that the modern C is slightly slimmer than the C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaNoFuNkY Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Haha - thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 10, 2021 Author Share Posted June 10, 2021 Decided to go JMJ in the end, just need to wait for some to arrive in the shops now 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 13 minutes ago, Folkesy said: Decided to go JMJ in the end, just need to wait for some to arrive in the shops now 😃 You won't regret it. Lovely tone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 3 hours ago, Folkesy said: Decided to go JMJ in the end, just need to wait for some to arrive in the shops now 😃 2 hours ago, martthebass said: You won't regret it. Lovely tone. +1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bix Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I've owned and sold a Performer and still own a JMJ. Both are really nice but the JMJ edged it for me with the nitro finish and slightly chunkier neck. The Performer is much more modern feeling and can get a wide variety of tones. But the pickup on the JMJ is great. I've just switched from the stock flats on the JMJ to rounds ... which I didn't think I'd ever do ... but it sounds awesome with the rounds too 😀 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adee Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 On 10/06/2021 at 20:54, Bix said: I've owned and sold a Performer and still own a JMJ. Both are really nice but the JMJ edged it for me with the nitro finish and slightly chunkier neck. The Performer is much more modern feeling and can get a wide variety of tones. But the pickup on the JMJ is great. I've just switched from the stock flats on the JMJ to rounds ... which I didn't think I'd ever do ... but it sounds awesome with the rounds too 😀 Exactly right, the Performer whlist it was a very nice bass was a bit 'sterile' the JMJ is full of mojo and tone still love it and I've had a PJ MiM, MiJ, Performer and the JMJ is a keeper 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folkesy Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 The JMJ arrived today and wow, these pickups are very special. The tone knob is fantastic too even with it fully off the notes are clear. I am really enjoying this bass and I'm even enjoying the road worn finish 😳! Thanks for the advice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 18, 2021 Share Posted June 18, 2021 1 hour ago, Folkesy said: The JMJ arrived today and wow, these pickups are very special. The tone knob is fantastic too even with it fully off the notes are clear. I am really enjoying this bass and I'm even enjoying the road worn finish 😳! Thanks for the advice. Yes, it's great when a tone control has a decent taper and isn't either on or off. I find the JMJ's tone control very similar to my old '63 P Bass, which is a good thing. Continue to enjoy your new purchase but beware, these little things are addictive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 On 11/06/2021 at 23:21, Adee said: Exactly right, the Performer whlist it was a very nice bass was a bit 'sterile' the JMJ is full of mojo and tone still love it and I've had a PJ MiM, MiJ, Performer and the JMJ is a keeper I’ve recently switched to Mustangs and have accumulated three JMJs. Managed to find a US Performer in white and it was delivered today, sadly my impressions are the same, the JMJ is full of character where the Performer seems sterile and empty in comparison - I’m talking in feel more than sound wise - so sadly I’ll be returning it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.