Jaguar or Jazzmaster

[us545]

whats your prefrence? Why?

[doingtheunstuck]

i prefer the feel of a jaguar, the electronics setup and the look.

the jazzmaster has cooler pickups though.

[carnevoodoo]

Originally posted by doingtheunstuck
i prefer the feel of a jaguar, the electronics setup and the look.

the jazzmaster has cooler pickups though.


I'm almost 100% with this guy.

I like the pickups better in my Jaguar. They're so jangly and bright.

I picked a Jaguar over a Jazzmaster in a shop because I liked the feel of the Jag better, and I just like how it sounded. I think they both look cool, but I like the chrome on the Jaguar more too.

They're both pretty different if you play them side by side. I think it'll be in the next three guitars I'll get. I want a Mustang, a Jazzmaster, and a telecaster.

[anoren]

I prefer the shape/scale of Jaguar necks slightly. I also wanted something brighter and hotter. Which isn't to say I wouldn't like a Jazzmaster at some point, though I do slightly prefer the Jaguar. I also think they look a little better (chrome makes me feel all fancy pants).

adam

[2noevilstar]

I tend to like the look and the sound of the jazzmaster best, and I find jags to be a little shrill. I do like the scale of the neck on the jags better tho. I want a jazzmaster with a jaguar neck. :D

[coldbuggin]

theyre both great, but i went with the jaguar.

[doingtheunstuck]

Originally posted by 2noevilstar
I want a jazzmaster with a jaguar neck. :D

me too, pretty much.. except, i think of it more as... "a jaguar with jazzmaster pickups," as i love the look of those chrome bits.

[rockstar494]

Hey bub, if yer' going for that Nirvana bit...remember Cobain had a modified Jaguar with humbuckers. Most of the other, better bands predominately used the Jazzmaster which, in a sense, is a Jaguar with humbuckers: Television, Elvis Costello, and Sonic Youth to name a few.

I don't think your sound will be as thick unless you get a Jazzmaster and like some other guy said...you'll sound "jangly".

[doingtheunstuck]

Originally posted by rockstar494
Hey bub, if yer' going for that Nirvana bit...remember Cobain had a modified Jaguar with humbuckers. Most of the other, better bands predominately used the Jazzmaster which, in a sense, is a Jaguar with humbuckers: Television, Elvis Costello, and Sonic Youth to name a few.

I don't think your sound will be as thick unless you get a Jazzmaster and like some other guy said...you'll sound "jangly".

you are confused to some degree. first off, the pickups on a jazzmaster are not humbuckers or anything like humbuckers. they are SUPER mellow single coils. second, just as many people have used jaguars.

they're just really two very different guitars... the jag has the shorter scale and the jangly pickups, the jazz has the longer scale and the more mellow pickups....

[sleewell]

jaguar all the way,

i loved my guitar the first time i picked it up,

now with the new pickups it really screams!!

i love my axe, i will have it forever

bill

[rockstar494]

you are confused to some degree. first off, the pickups on a jazzmaster are not humbuckers or anything like humbuckers. they are SUPER mellow single coils. second, just as many people have used jaguars.

Hmmm...the pick-ups are called "soap bars" right? Not humbuckers huh (...checking Fender site)...Ohhhh, I hate when I'm wrong.

But still...I just wanted to make the point that the Jazzmaster is actually more "historically renown" without any modifications and not just as a "pin-up" guitar for its looks. Even the Raveonettes' Sun Rose Wagner uses the Jazzmaster predominately for his "wicked" sound...but they do also use Jaguars. Let's not forget the Jag was invented as a surf guitar...

But oh my friend, and fellow The Cure fan...you are a very wise man indeed.

[ake]

i love jazz's and jag's as much as the next guy.. in fact if i needed one more guitar i'd definitely be into either.. but why is their such a resurgence of interest in them? it seems like 3 or 4 years ago they were thought of as "cheap punk" guitars or "indie rock" guitars (which i guess they still are)

oh well.. the fickle nature of the guitarist.

[VillageIdiot]

Originally posted by rockstar494
Hmmm...the pick-ups are called "soap bars" right? Not humbuckers huh (...checking Fender site)...Ohhhh, I hate when I'm wrong.


In fact... they aren't even really soapbars, in the common usage of the word.


"Soapbars" are usually P-90's... which are hot, phat single coils.


Whereas the Jazzmaster has mellow single coils, which are not P-90's at all.

[Wir-Click-Wir]

I like each of them for their own distinct sounds (ideally I'd have both, but my next guitar purchase will probably be a Jazzmaster). The shorter scale length of the Jaguar feels more comfortable for me, but I prefer the Jazzmaster's pickups a little more. However, for my style, they'd both need replacement bridge pickups with a little more output...maybe the Seymour Duncan 'Hot' models. Do those retain the sound of the originals well?

[monkeyspunky]

jag sounded n looked better to me

[paulandpaul]

FYI for anyone who cares:

I finnaly got my CIJ jazzmatser shielded and now it sounds beautiful with the seymour duncan "Hot" in the bridge. Gives me a bit more beef.

Anyone who plans on doing this mod however, must do the shielding or the guitar will hum something fierce. There is only a small bit to shield since most of the cavity is already sheilded.

My point:

CIJ jazzmasters with a SD Hot in the bridge rock the funking house.

:D

[doingtheunstuck]

Originally posted by rockstar494
Hmmm...the pick-ups are called "soap bars" right? Not humbuckers huh (...checking Fender site)...Ohhhh, I hate when I'm wrong.

But still...I just wanted to make the point that the Jazzmaster is actually more "historically renown" without any modifications and not just as a "pin-up" guitar for its looks. Even the Raveonettes' Sun Rose Wagner uses the Jazzmaster predominately for his "wicked" sound...but they do also use Jaguars. Let's not forget the Jag was invented as a surf guitar...

But oh my friend, and fellow The Cure fan...you are a very wise man indeed.

i don't know.... most people kind of think of the jag and jazz as being united. most people don't know enough about them to even fully seperate them. but still, a lot of people have used jags... but a lot of the same people had used jazzmasters.

as far as being invented as a surf guitar, so? the jazzmaster was supposedly made for jazz, despite most jazz artists having absolutely no interest in it. both of'em are a bit misplaced when you consider what they were originally geared towards.

I like each of them for their own distinct sounds (ideally I'd have both, but my next guitar purchase will probably be a Jazzmaster). The shorter scale length of the Jaguar feels more comfortable for me, but I prefer the Jazzmaster's pickups a little more. However, for my style, they'd both need replacement bridge pickups with a little more output...maybe the Seymour Duncan 'Hot' models. Do those retain the sound of the originals well?

dylan, i could really see you digging a 1/4 pounder at bridge and a SD vintage at neck.... the 1/4 pounders take to dirt quite well... they're not quite jazz/jag pickups in the traditional sense, but after you set up the height of them, they work well with lower output pickups in neck, IMO.

i love jazz's and jag's as much as the next guy.. in fact if i needed one more guitar i'd definitely be into either.. but why is their such a resurgence of interest in them? it seems like 3 or 4 years ago they were thought of as "cheap punk" guitars or "indie rock" guitars (which i guess they still are)

the big thing is looking at who has used them and how their popularity has ebbed and flowed. sonic youth, my bloody valentine, television, kurt cobain, etc etc etc. you take that part with people picking them up because of these bands... and then you get more people picking them up after seeing the fans of those bands having them and it is just a bit cycle like that. popularity ebbs and flows.

[anoren]

Originally posted by rockstar494
But still...I just wanted to make the point that the Jazzmaster is actually more "historically renown" without any modifications and not just as a "pin-up" guitar for its looks. Even the Raveonettes' Sun Rose Wagner uses the Jazzmaster predominately for his "wicked" sound...but they do also use Jaguars. Let's not forget the Jag was invented as a surf guitar...

I am not sure it is worth doing a count, but I don't think in the end it would be possible to qualify the assertion that Jazzmasters are more historically significant that Jaguars. As often as not, where you find one you find the other. For instance My Bloody Valentine. And I think that Jaguars were used at least as often or more often on Sonic Youth recordings.

Also, I don't think I would choose to endorse any guitar with the Ravonettes. They are a decent idea poorly executed (sort of like the string mute on jaguars), and soon, if not already, to be forgotten.

Also, the Jaguar wasn't invented to be a surf guitar, though that is were it found it's initial widespread application. It was intially intended to be Fender's flagship guitar to be used in all different styles of music, though that possition was wrested from the Jaguar by the Strat.

Anyways, though they are certainly worth comparing, and comparison shopping if you are interested in one or the other, they really are pretty different guitars, both with merits and problems (i.e. the bridge is just a terrible design (swap it out for a mustang bridge)) in equal amounts.

adam

[Rock A My Soul]

I picked a Jazzmaster, though I wouldn't mind having a Jaguar too. They're both nice guitars, but the neck on the Jazzmaster fits my hands better. For those of you who want a Japanese Jazzer or Jag, Guitargai (http://www.guitargai.com) has one on eBay just about every week.

[Surferosad]

Play both and then decide. That's what I did, and I liked the Jag more. I was more comfortable with the short scale, and the sound had more bite and was twangier, which I like.

However, if you're picking up a japanese made guitar, expect to have to change the pickups. I think that the Japanese made electronics on these guitars are not very good.

Also, read about both guitars. They're quirky instruments, and there are some things that you need to be familiar with before buying one: the bridge, the rhythm circuit and the tremolo, for instance.

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by doingtheunstuck
dylan, i could really see you digging a 1/4 pounder at bridge and a SD vintage at neck.... the 1/4 pounders take to dirt quite well... they're not quite jazz/jag pickups in the traditional sense, but after you set up the height of them, they work well with lower output pickups in neck, IMO.

This is the same combination I was considering. I haven't been able to thoroughly figure out the difference between the QPs and the Hots though. The Vintage is the one I would be using more often anyway.

Dylan, let me know what you end up choosing, because I'm in pretty much the same situation.

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by Surferosad
Also, read about both guitars. They're quirky instruments, and there are some things that you need to be familiar with before buying one: the bridge, the rhythm circuit and the tremolo, for instance.

Oh man. The tremolo is the worst. I can't get the damn bar to do what I want it to. I want it to stay up high enough to give me leverage and so that it's not touching the strings, but for it to be tight enough that it doesn't fall out if I'm not holding it. I've tried putting tape on the bar but it just wears off in a few days. Has anyone discovered a good long-term solution to keeping the bar in, or a suitable replacement? Not that this should discourage anyone, because I just leave the bar off and pretend it doesn't have a tremolo.

An explanation for the rhythm circuit, if anyone was wondering: in one position (the lead circuit), the toggle switch and the knobbed volume and tone controls are active. In the other position (the rhythm circuit), just the neck pickup (with a slight treble rolloff) is active, and the volume and tone wheels are active. This lets you set two different volume/tone settings and switch between them easily. This is particularly good if your distortion, be it amp or pedal, cleans up when you roll back the volume. I set my rhythm circuit volume to 2 or 3 and my lead maxed. I play on the lead circuit all the time then when I have my Fabtone on, I can switch from a full-out distortion on the lead circuit to a softer, cleaner, overdrive on the rhythm. It's a really good system.

[anoren]

I have never had trouble with the tremolo bar staying in, though I have an american reissue and I think that issue was more with the Japanese ones. I can see it ultimately loosening up on me. I have always heard teh tape fix as well. Maybe you should try some different kinds of tape. I usually don't use the tremolo either, but I do really like the system. The only problem with it is that guitar techs never seem to set it up quite right. Though not all that much fun, it is really easy to do , and you can actually just follow the directions in the users manual.

I also really like the design of the rhythm circuit.

adam

[Surferosad]

I use tape to keep the bar in place, and it works pretty well for me... I chnage it something like once ery three months or so. I'm using a single layer of regular transparent tape, the kind you use to close card boxes.

[nobody]

Originally posted by rockstar494
Let's not forget the Jag was invented as a surf guitar...


Nope. They were released in 62, years before surf music made it big. They were designed to be a better Jazzmaster (more controls, shielded pickups), at that time they were Fender's top-of-the-line.

[nobody]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Oh man. The tremolo is the worst. I can't get the damn bar to do what I want it to. I want it to stay up high enough to give me leverage and so that it's not touching the strings, but for it to be tight enough that it doesn't fall out if I'm not holding it.

Hold the bar over the steam of a tea pot to heat it up and use some vice grips to give it a slight upward bend. That will get it high enough for you to be able to push the bar all the way into the sleeve for it to stay in place. With this method you can basically customize the shape of the bar to suite your tastes.

[fiveways]

Originally posted by nobody
Nope. They were released in 62, years before surf music made it big. They were designed to be a better Jazzmaster (more controls, shielded pickups), at that time they were Fender's top-of-the-line.

I thought the jazzmaster was $259, the Jaguar $249, the Tele and strat around $159-$199 and a Mustang $99?

At least that was the pricing scheme I have in a guitar rag with a article on Leo Fender in it.....

[nobody]

Originally posted by fiveways
I thought the jazzmaster was $259, the Jaguar $249, the Tele and strat around $159-$199 and a Mustang $99?

At least that was the pricing scheme I have in a guitar rag with a article on Leo Fender in it.....

All the guitar books I have list the Jag as being more expensive than the Jazzmaster, but since they are back in the states I can't look at them .... man, I miss the states .... regardles, I can't find any prices from 1962 online, but both Jag/Jazzmaster sites say the Jag was top-of-the-line if that helps confirm anything.

[fiveways]

Originally posted by nobody
All the guitar books I have list the Jag as being more expensive than the Jazzmaster, but since they are back in the states I can't look at them .... man, I miss the states .... regardles, I can't find any prices from 1962 online, but both Jag/Jazzmaster sites say the Jag was top-of-the-line if that helps confirm anything.

I'll dig that rag out and have a look, maybe I got the Jag and Jazz backward. I remember the price difference being almost nothing though.....

So i assume your not enjoying yourself in your presant location?

[anoren]

One way or the other, I wish I got my Jaguar for $249.

adam

[nobody]

Originally posted by fiveways
So i assume your not enjoying yourself in your presant location?

Honestly?? Nope. Dominica is the ghetto of the Caribbean. I'm insanely bored and very homesick. I didn't think I'd miss oklahoma this much, but compared to this island, oklahoma is paradise.

I should probably post a run down of my experiences in my Dominica thread.

[ennui]

JAZZMASTER, BYYYTCH

[fiveways]

Originally posted by nobody
Honestly?? Nope. Dominica is the ghetto of the Caribbean. I'm insanely bored and very homesick. I didn't think I'd miss oklahoma this much, but compared to this island, oklahoma is paradise.

I should probably post a run down of my experiences in my Dominica thread.

Please do, I'd at least be interested in hearing whats gone on, or at least shoot me a PM:)

[Fungus Amongus]

Originally posted by anoren
Also, the Jaguar wasn't invented to be a surf guitar, though that is were it found it's initial widespread application. It was intially intended to be Fender's flagship guitar to be used in all different styles of music, though that possition was wrested from the Jaguar by the Strat.
You are almost right. Yes your right about the jag been created as the flagship and blabla..... In the sixties surf music was the "IT"! So therefore they where made as an allround guitar but witj the surfers as targets!

Also Check this out (http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/2004/index.php)

And this to

Advertisment for the Jag.Looks so cool!!! (http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/misc/cowabunga_small.jpg)

[Fungus Amongus]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Oh man. The tremolo is the worst. I can't get the damn bar to do what I want it to. I want it to stay up high enough to give me leverage and so that it's not touching the strings, but for it to be tight enough that it doesn't fall out if I'm not holding it. I've tried putting tape on the bar but it just wears off in a few days. Has anyone discovered a good long-term solution to keeping the bar in, or a suitable replacement? Not that this should discourage anyone, because I just leave the bar off and pretend it doesn't have a tremolo.

Slightly bend the piece of the trem arm that goes into the guitar, we are not talking much here 1 mm is more than enough!

Here is a picture (http://community.webshots.com/photo/153105899/153105956WcgZgv)
Im poiting at the benden area of the trem arm and notice how very little it really is benden. Its only a notch you have to bend, else it wont even fit. But mine stays put even if flip my guitar over and shakes it, then it stays where it should!

And about the different curcuits then this little thingie should be very help full for "jag-newbies" ;) Jag curcuit explained (http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/2004/index.php?page=goodies_geek&show=interactive_jag)

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by nobody
Hold the bar over the steam of a tea pot to heat it up and use some vice grips to give it a slight upward bend. That will get it high enough for you to be able to push the bar all the way into the sleeve for it to stay in place. With this method you can basically customize the shape of the bar to suite your tastes.

Are you talking about the same thing as Fungus? Or are you talking about changing the angle of the bend that's already there?

[Fungus Amongus]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Are you talking about the same thing as Fungus? Or are you talking about changing the angle of the bend that's already there?

Did't se that one. playing with steam???? ´Well the effect and result are the same but the method??? steam? I'd just put it in a vice and gave it three hits with a hammer......

Steam:confused:

Guess im just a dumb brute, playing with hammers and stuff

[nobody]

Originally posted by Fungus Amongus
Did't se that one. playing with steam???? ´Well the effect and result are the same but the method??? steam? I'd just put it in a vice and gave it three hits with a hammer......

Steam:confused:

Guess im just a dumb brute, playing with hammers and stuff

yeah, steam heats up the metal and softens it so it will bend easier and won't snap in half.

[nobody]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Are you talking about the same thing as Fungus? Or are you talking about changing the angle of the bend that's already there?

I think he's talking about bending the part that goes in the sleeve to make it tighter. I'm talking about re-angling the bend so that the bar has higher above the strings. This also gives you more downward motion for deeper dives.

[coldbuggin]

Originally posted by Wir-Click-Wir
I like each of them for their own distinct sounds (ideally I'd have both, but my next guitar purchase will probably be a Jazzmaster). The shorter scale length of the Jaguar feels more comfortable for me, but I prefer the Jazzmaster's pickups a little more. However, for my style, they'd both need replacement bridge pickups with a little more output...maybe the Seymour Duncan 'Hot' models. Do those retain the sound of the originals well?

yes they retain the "sound" of the originals.

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by nobody
I think he's talking about bending the part that goes in the sleeve to make it tighter. I'm talking about re-angling the bend so that the bar has higher above the strings. This also gives you more downward motion for deeper dives.

Ok, that's what I want. My biggest complaint is that the only position in which the bar stays in, the bar is so low it's almost underneath the strings. This will help greatly. Thanks!

[nobody]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Ok, that's what I want. My biggest complaint is that the only position in which the bar stays in, the bar is so low it's almost underneath the strings. This will help greatly. Thanks!

You can also try popping the trem unit off and very carefully ever-so slightly tighten the little teeth on the trem arm socket so that it holds the bar tighter and won't allow to go all the way in. But be super-careful, those teeth break easily.

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by nobody
You can also try popping the trem unit off and very carefully ever-so slightly tighten the little teeth on the trem arm socket so that it holds the bar tighter and won't allow to go all the way in. But be super-careful, those teeth break easily.

Hmm. I don't think I'll take that route, because I'd be very likely to break them. But later today I'm going to try out the steam method.

[anoren]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Ok, that's what I want. My biggest complaint is that the only position in which the bar stays in, the bar is so low it's almost underneath the strings. This will help greatly. Thanks!

It sort of sounds like the problem has less to do with the bend of the arm, but the set up of tremolo system itself. A good test would be to see if the tremolo lock is working. You should set the tremolo lock (move it towards the tailpiece). If you can lift the tremolo arm at all, it is not set up correctly. If you can lift it a lot, then that would explain why your tremolo bar is too low when it is all the way in. Before bending stuff, I would suggest doing that. I really like the tremolo on my jaguars/jazzmasters even though I don't use it much, so it would be a shame if you didnt' even have the option of using it.

adam

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by anoren
It sort of sounds like the problem has less to do with the bend of the arm, but the set up of tremolo system itself. A good test would be to see if the tremolo lock is working. You should set the tremolo lock (move it towards the tailpiece). If you can lift the tremolo arm at all, it is not set up correctly. If you can lift it a lot, then that would explain why your tremolo bar is too low when it is all the way in. Before bending stuff, I would suggest doing that. I really like the tremolo on my jaguars/jazzmasters even though I don't use it much, so it would be a shame if you didnt' even have the option of using it.

adam

Are you sure that you're using it properly? My understanding was that you set the tremolo lock, unlock it, play till you break a string, and then lock it and your proper tuning is restored. If you play with it on all the time, that defeats the purpose. I could have read it wrong though.

[Fungus Amongus]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Are you sure that you're using it properly? My understanding was that you set the tremolo lock, unlock it, play till you break a string, and then lock it and your proper tuning is restored. If you play with it on all the time, that defeats the purpose. I could have read it wrong though.

Im on your side in this case

I think he's talking about bending the part that goes in the sleeve to make it tighter. I'm talking about re-angling the bend so that the bar has higher above the strings. This also gives you more downward motion for deeper dives.

Never thought of that, might do it some day when i dont feel as lazy

[anoren]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
Are you sure that you're using it properly? My understanding was that you set the tremolo lock, unlock it, play till you break a string, and then lock it and your proper tuning is restored. If you play with it on all the time, that defeats the purpose. I could have read it wrong though.

You are describing how it is used. But it only works that way if you have it set up properly. Looking in the manual will provide a better description of it that I can here. But basically, when you break a string there is less tension on the spring in the tremolo unit, so the spring causes the tail piece to pull back changing the pitch of your guitar. The lock holds the the tremolo down so that the spring cannot push the tailpiece back. That said, when all six strings are on and in tune (at proper tension), the tremolo lock should just slide in. You should not be able to lift the tremolo bar up with the lock in place. You should also not have to push the tremolo bar down to put the lock in place. If you have to do either, you have the trem lock set at an incorrect possition.

Tuning issues (and string breaking) aside, the trem lock is probably most useful for making sure that you have the trem unit set in the correct neutral possition will will allow increasing and decreasing the pitch in equal measure. Also, in the correct possition, you really shouldn't have a problem with the tremolo bar being way too low. You may want to bend it for personal preferrence, but I have found mine to me in a perfectly comfortable possition.

Ah, if I had only just searched for this before.....

http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/2004/index.php?page=goodies_geek&show=tremloc

That link will explain the above much better than me. One way or the other, you should set it up as described. All it takes is a screw driver, tuner, and a bit of patience. Hope it helps.

Hah, I just read the article before sending this message (having already writen the above and:

"All we need is a tuner, a philips screwdriver and some patience."

I would say that great minds think alike, except that I am idiot.

adam

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by anoren
Tuning issues (and string breaking) aside, the trem lock is probably most useful for making sure that you have the trem unit set in the correct neutral possition will will allow increasing and decreasing the pitch in equal measure. Also, in the correct possition, you really shouldn't have a problem with the tremolo bar being way too low. You may want to bend it for personal preferrence, but I have found mine to me in a perfectly comfortable possition.

http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/2004/index.php?page=goodies_geek&show=tremloc

That link will explain the above much better than me. One way or the other, you should set it up as described. All it takes is a screw driver, tuner, and a bit of patience. Hope it helps.


That article is where I got my information, I've seen it before. Just to clarify: so you say if I set it up properly but leave it in the unlocked position, the trem bar should be at a normal height? Because I'm almost certain that I set it up correctly a month or so ago. I'll check it and get back to you.

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by nobody
I think he's talking about bending the part that goes in the sleeve to make it tighter. I'm talking about re-angling the bend so that the bar has higher above the strings. This also gives you more downward motion for deeper dives.

I couldn't find vice grips, so I heated it up with steam, held onto bar tightly, and clamped onto the part that goes into the sleeve with a wrench and bent it. It helped a lot, but I couldn't get it enough to make a huge difference. So I'm going to go rummage around in my basement to find some and continue the experiment tonight. Though I'm also going to make sure I have the trem set up correctly first (I'm pretty sure I remember doing it right, but apparently if I'm having bar trouble I don't have it right. We'll see).

[Fungus Amongus]

Hope it works out for you!:)

[anoren]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
That article is where I got my information, I've seen it before. Just to clarify: so you say if I set it up properly but leave it in the unlocked position, the trem bar should be at a normal height? Because I'm almost certain that I set it up correctly a month or so ago. I'll check it and get back to you.

That is what I would guess, but I could easily be wrong. I just know that was the case with my guitar. When I had it set up, the tech didn't set up the trem correctly and my bar was too low to use. I set it up myself, and all was dandy. It might not be the case with yours though, in which case I guess it is time to start bending. I would just make sure it is a simple fix before altering the guitar. I would be curious to hear what the conclusion is.

adam

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by anoren
That is what I would guess, but I could easily be wrong. I just know that was the case with my guitar. When I had it set up, the tech didn't set up the trem correctly and my bar was too low to use. I set it up myself, and all was dandy. It might not be the case with yours though, in which case I guess it is time to start bending. I would just make sure it is a simple fix before altering the guitar. I would be curious to hear what the conclusion is.

adam

Mine is a Japanese one, could that make the difference? I have my tremolo almost completely set up (just needs a little fine-tuning) and it helped a little but it's still much too low.

[anoren]

I guess maybe it is a Japanese vs. American thing. Or just personal taste. I guess it is time to bend the bar.

adam

[Rock A My Soul]

Originally posted by anoren
I guess maybe it is a Japanese vs. American thing. Or just personal taste. I guess it is time to bend the bar.

adam

Well, not yet. I have three papers to write for Monday :eek: When I do bend it, I'll update.

[bluesy_marquee]

When I hear about pros using CIJ Jazzmasters with SD pups I'm always happy :) http://www.themeetingplaces.com/bio/

[Tuff Ghost]

Go jazzmaster!

[bluesy_marquee]

Thought all of us here might be interested :)

http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/2004/index.php

[...] Depending from the point of view it's a good thing that, after a temporary boom during the surf area, the Stratocaster took over and that these models remained the ugly ducklings for many years, available cheap and unloved in palm shops everywhere. Which made them the guitar of choice for many underground/independent musicians, and brought them back onto the stages during post-punk, new wave, and early alt-rock. Then, with the Seattle-craze, grunge and the world-wide fame of Nirvana, the Jag became the must-have guitar for many alternative rockers and finally was considered cool. Sonic Youth had utilized Jazzmasters in every modification and variation. Oh, so early 90ies. :-). Of course there were many more musicians, but on a non-geek level :p , Elvis Costello, Nirvana and Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine are the names most often connected with these guitars, when you look at non-surf music. [...]

Geeks of the world, unite! :D The use of the word "geek" is not that clear to me, here ;)

(I'm loving my Big Muff, I know this is extra-topic, but I must say it. I'm loving my brand-new Big Muff! Cheers!)

[baby_blues]

which do you think would sound best through a big muff.

to get a grungy kinda sound.

[Ravelle]

I got a Jaguar because it felt better to me and I liked that jangly sound of the Jaguar. I can't wait til I get my Curtis Novak Pickups, It'll be great cause the CIJ pickups aren't really good and My Jaguar will ROAR with the new Pickups installed!:D

[FlashMiles]

Originally posted by baby_blues
which do you think would sound best through a big muff.

to get a grungy kinda sound.
Ask J Mascis :)

[camelface]

Hey is their a site with some soundclips of jazzmasters and jaguars on clean around here? theyre kinda rare around here all I see are squier versions and stuff...

[Tedmilk]

Well, I found J Mascis...

"Hey J, which guitar sounds better through a big muff - a Jaguar or a Jazzmaster?"

"Why a Jazzmaster of course, Chris!"

I personally am in love with my HH Jag, though I will be replacing the bridge pickup at some point. Not to hijack the thread or anything (though it is jag related), but I'm after a high output, covered humbucker with a kinda bright sound. Any ideas?

[asatbluesboy]

Thread revival! I am pretty torn between these two and I can't decide based only on clips found online. In these said clips, the Jag appeared to have more balls than the Jazz, with more high and low end. Although the Jazz is known for being mellower, it sounded thinner and more "nasal", in general.

I know I won't be able to decide until I actually get to play both and compare them side-by-side, but while I thought that the Jazz would win the battle quite easily against its apparently harsh sibling, I see myself leaning towards the Jag.

Am I crazy to think the Jag would suit my style best (classic rock-ish, alt, prog)?

[Jackfuzz]

Originally posted by us545
whats your prefrence? Why?


Jaguar


Why ?

. . . easy !

Shortscale (shorter than a tele and Jazzmaster & LP)
LOVE THE SHAPE !
I Need a S/C guitar, ad feel uncomfortable w. a Tele, and a Start is just a big No-No for me !
And they look super-cool in either 3-colour sun burst & vintage white ;)

[Jackfuzz]

For the Jazz amster fans among us !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickhelderman/322901021/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickhelderman/322992950/


;)

[mewithoutus]

i like the jazzmaster because of the scale, and i also dig the pickups alot.

i played a surf green reish jaguar a week back and it was excellent. its just the scale i prefer. i played it through a mesa boogie lonestar special and i was in heaven for a good half hour before the salesman came up and asked me to watch my belt buckle. haha.

i have a jagmaster and its a nice compromise. jazzmaster scale and higher output pickups, but i eneded up swapping out the bridge pickup for a seymour duncan phat cat p90. and now it is my ultimate guitar. im thinking about getting another jagmaster from the same time period. kines a 2001/2002. i want a sunburst one...

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/shapes_distance/Picture%20Atlantic/Turlock%2011-3/IMG_0288.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i260/shapes_distance/gear/Jagmaster/jag001.jpg

booyakasha.

[guitarose]

Is it advisable for me to get a Jazzmaster? I've loved both their sound and looks for ages - before I knew of any famous users.

BUT...I know nothing about setting up a guitar, and I'm learning to home record, so don't want to devote that time to learning to set-up guitars.

Opinions please gentlemen...

[CocteauTwin]

Originally posted by Rock A My Soul
I picked a Jazzmaster, though I wouldn't mind having a Jaguar too. They're both nice guitars, but the neck on the Jazzmaster fits my hands better. For those of you who want a Japanese Jazzer or Jag, Guitargai (http://www.guitargai.com) has one on eBay just about every week.

Are Japanese Fenders really as good as this website claims?

[Blown_A_Wish]

I picked a jazzmaster. For its clean tone and the fact its a much broader sound. I didnt really like the jaguar the sound didnt have as big a body as the jazzmaster did. Plus the pickups are actually miles better on the Jazzmaster!

[BossMXRHarmonix]

Jazzmaster all the way! I love mine :cool: It sounds so good clean!

[SFP]

jaguars look really awesome. i've never played one... need to get myself to stores more often.

btw, what does the shorter scale mean? the frets are just closer together? does it change the sound?

[Sri Aurobindo]

SFP,
The shorter scale refers to the distance from the nut to the bridge. A jaguar has a 24 inch scale. A Les Paul has a 24.75, and a Jazzmaster or Strat has a 25.5" scale. The advantage on a Jaguar is that you can bend notes easier bc you don't have to bend the string as far as you would on a longer scale.

The thing is, a Mustang and Bronco have shorter scales than a Jag because they were "student" models. It's sort of misleading to definitively label a jag as a shortscale guiyar. All I know is that I feel most comfortable playing my jaguar over most other guitars. I love the feel of the neck bc it's pretty slim and it sits in your hand really well.

I just replaced the pickups with Curtis Novaks and now it just sounds incredible! It's an extremely versatile guitar and can cross all kinds of musical genres very easily.

[guitarose]

Anyone tried the novak blade JM pup?

[SaltXIII]

When I got my Jag I didn't even think about a JM, don't know why exactly but I just liked the Jag so much:D

[MathiasDGauger]

I'm actually thinking about building a Jaguar or a Jazzmster with Warmoth parts as an alternative to buying another guitar new or used. I wanted to do something like a hybrid of Fender and Gibson ideas, maybe Seymour's stacked P90's on a Jaguar body, either hard tail or Fender American Strat trem to eliminate the trem issues I can see myself having. Poly-wiped blue finish over non-figured hard maple, maybe.

There's a cool-looking flat-black Jazzmaster in the Warmoth customer gallery in the Misc section, but it's javascript-llinked so I don't have a direct link for you all. It's the one with the skull painted on it. It kind of inspired me to look into Jazz/Jags and see if that's what I wanted.

[GDan]

I really wish fender would make MIM Jags.

[asatbluesboy]

Originally posted by GDan
I really wish fender would make MIM Jags.

Amen. Or better: MIB (Brazil) Jags :D

[Jackfuzz]

Originally posted by asatbluesboy
Amen. Or better: MIB (Brazil) Jags :D


. . . or even better, MISA (South Africa) = where top-quality Mahogany is dirt, DIRT CHEAP :cool: ;)

[guitarose]

Or even better G&L tribute series (ie affordable) JM's...i win :cool:

[asatbluesboy]

I got to play a '66 Jag the other day. Played around with it for quite a bit, until I was asked to turn the volume down because of the other customers. I was scared of the shorter scale, as my hands are quite big, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed it felt most comfortable that both my guitars -- a '96 MIC Squier Strat and an Epi Genesis (double cutaway LP). The neck pickup sounded killer, with every configuration I tried, but (why is there to be a "but"?) the bridge pickup sounded quite harsh. I rolled the tone knob back a bit, played it with and without the "thin" switch, but it kept sounding a little too harsh to me... :o It was quite disappointing.

Now, to the Jazzmaster!

[Jackfuzz]

Originally posted by spongemonkey
Who said they wanted to sound like Nirvana? I thought he wanted to know what we prefered Jazzmaster or Jaguar, ?:confused:



JAGUARS for all !!!

:p :cool: :p

[BETA RUN]

I want both - but the first one would be a Jazzmaster

Sadly, it’s only partially based on my preference for a full scale neck - primarily, I just think the Jazzmaster looks really cool. :D

[guitarose]

Originally posted by asatbluesboy
I got to play a '66 Jag the other day. Played around with it for quite a bit, until I was asked to turn the volume down because of the other customers. I was scared of the shorter scale, as my hands are quite big, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed it felt most comfortable that both my guitars -- a '96 MIC Squier Strat and an Epi Genesis (double cutaway LP). The neck pickup sounded killer, with every configuration I tried, but (why is there to be a "but"?) the bridge pickup sounded quite harsh. I rolled the tone knob back a bit, played it with and without the "thin" switch, but it kept sounding a little too harsh to me... :o It was quite disappointing.

Now, to the Jazzmaster!

I think I'll have to give the jaguar a try...I've always been more interested in the Jazzmaster for the warmer tone, but also the 25.5 neck..I'll have to try the jaguar.

[Talent?!]

Originally posted by Jackfuzz
. . . or even better, MISA (South Africa) = where top-quality Mahogany is dirt, DIRT CHEAP :cool: ;)

And Jags/Jazzmasters are made of what wood? ;)

[Jackfuzz]

Originally posted by Talent?!
And Jags/Jazzmasters are made of what wood? ;)


Hopefully Mahogany, but it is NOT South African Mahogany, as the guitars would have been 30% cheaper, as this wood IS Dirt Cheap over here, and we all know a guitar is 90% wood :p

[Talent?!]

Originally posted by Jackfuzz
Hopefully Mahogany, but it is NOT South African Mahogany, as the guitars would have been 30% cheaper, as this wood IS Dirt Cheap over here, and we all know a guitar is 90% wood :p

Alder, which is a big part of the Fender sound, IMO.

[AstralWeeks]

I've owned both. I currently have a MIA 62RI Jazzmaster, a MIJ Jazzmaster, and the body from a MIJ Jazzmaster which I am slowly acquiring parts for over time. For playability and sound, I like the Jazzmaster every time.

The Jag I had was a CIJ model. It was nice, looked nice, felt nice, but was far too shrill for my liking. I did not like the short scale. It was a super nice guitar, and I can see why they are so popular. I even regret selling mine a little bit, but it can't touch my MIA Jazzmaster (which I bought with the money from the Jag).

[asatbluesboy]

Sound samples (http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/cms/2007/05/12/sound-samples-of-vintage-and-reissue-jaguars-and-jazzmasters/).

[Machmood]

Is it just me or on the sunburst jazzmasters with red pickguards the ones made in japan have a MUCH brighter red pick guard then the vintage re issue ones??

[messy bedroom]

the MIJ ones come with red tort's where the american ones come with the more modern (less desireable IMO) brown tort pick guards.

however these can all be replaced with a litttle extra spending.