Kerouac
weird musical dildo
Picked this up from Music123 as part of a price match promotion against Amazon. Amazon had it for $330, Sweetwater had it at GearFest for $449, and everywhere else has it for $499... with price match and further discount it came down to $286.
Initial impressions: Like all of the Blacktop series, the neck finish is a lot glossier and heavier than I like, but the profile is quite comfortable. A little bit of light sanding will have the neck feel great. I was expecting to want to replace the pickups straight away, but they're actually pretty good sounding. The bridge HB is a lot brighter than the JM pickup, but not wound super hot. The neck JM is just lovely.
I still might hunt down something else, but the pickups were a pleasant surprise. Also, the JM vibrato has replaced the Wilkinson as my favourite vibrato. I still may upgrade it to the nicer MIJ version, but it responds exactly how I've always wanted a vibrato to feel. No rattling in the bridge itself, but I've heard the screws work loose over time, so that may change. Still debating the Mastery Bridge, but it may not be necessary. The only thing I don't dig about it is the mint green pickguard. Blecch. 
My friend Luigi is going to etch me a new metal one in the next few weeks, after we decide on the final design. This may not be a "true" Jazzmaster, but I really like it and am looking forward to this weekend when I can spend some more time playing it. I'll try to make some clips too.
