Hi all. My main guitars are HSS Strats. I play in cover bands so there's the practical necessity of being able to cover a lot of tones - 5 ways with coil taps - so I get a lot of tones I'm very happy with.

I've always enjoyed Surf/Spy/Spaghetti/Instro (60s stuff) and would like to be able to get CLOSER to that sound than the Strats, but I'm not a "Purist" by any means.

By affordable, I'm thinking under $1,000 - but cheaper is better. Or let's put it this way - I don't really want to pay 850 for a guitar I might just enjoy at home every now and again. But if I can get a guitar for 850 that can do the surf stuff, but also be used for other things, that would be ideal.

I've seen, heard, read a lot, and been told that Jazzmasters sounds like Jazzmasters and you either want that sound or don't, and the same is true of Jags. Of course, one issue is the purists always chime in with "if you change the pots it won't sound right anymore" or "if you have Humbuckers it won't sound right anymore" and so on. People also say "no one uses the rhythm circuit" and stuff like that so not sure that that would give me the versatility I like to have.

But I really just want to get a versatile guitar that can capture somewhat more of the Surf sound than my strats do, but not be a one trick pony in that regard.

One seemingly good option is the Fender Player Series Jaguar with the "vintage looking" single coil in the neck, and the humbucker in the bridge. I bought my son a Player Strat, and one of my students got one too, and they both seem to be very well made, and a totally giggable instrument. I'm actually kind of jealous of my son's - and mine are American Deluxes...

In my searches, I came across the new Guild Surfliner Deluxe - the one with the Trem.

I kind of like that. Good price. Tones seem "in the ballpark" more than a Strat does. Ryan on 60 Cycle split the HB and they advertise it as splittable, so that would be pretty good - don't know anything about the quality on these things - have always respected Guild and I've played all solid Guild acoustics well under the prices of Martins and Taylors that sounded and played phenomenally so they've always been on my radar.

To be honest, it doesn't have to be an offset guitar, but I do prefer the idea.

But if not one of those two, are there any other brands and models that might fit the bill - that 700-850 kind of price range with both "vintage" and "modern" sounds and versatile switching?

Dick Dale played Strats. The Chantays and lots of others played Strats. If that isn't a surf tone than what is?

Strat may do surf stuff but also a lot of other stuff. So I don’t under the question) I am not fond of hum-backer in bridge, but middle and neck give you a lot of surfy sounds.

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

Last edited: Jun 07, 2023 13:25:35

Stormtiger wrote:

Dick Dale played Strats. The Chantays and lots of others played Strats. If that isn't a surf tone than what is?

Fair enough. I'm including stuff like theme from GBU (Jazzmaster) and Bond (though a hollowbody) and things that do have than "thinner" sound that seems more associated with JMs and Jags instead of Strats and Teles.

I'm not in a cover band, but I was seeking the sound you are as well.

I have had (and still do) mostly Fender Strats and Teles.
I wanted 'that surf sound' but I also wanted that surf green color...
So, I tried the Fender MIM Jaguar HH with split coil humbuckers. I will echo what other say about that...its never going to be 'the surf sound'
And that led me into this project: (https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/35154/)
which was a fun project and I love the outcome, '62 Jag pickups and authentic wiring. It sounds perfect! Was a lot of effort.

Since then I have 'acquired the Squires' just for my beater backyard jam guitars. Well, the sounds are authentic surf. The quality is quite acceptable and affordable. I have another Jag and a Jazzmaster.
They are slightly different, but both within the true surf genre.
I would suggest used Vintage Modified series , which are discontinued.
I found my used Squire Jag for $200 and the Jazz for $300

But the newer 'Classic Vibes' I hear are just as good!

-

Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:13:46

I have this pedal and I highly recommend it for any humbucker equipped guitar if you'd prefer it sounding like a Telecaster or a Strat.

_

Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.

https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics

FWIW, I've been playing surf music since 1964 and my two choices are a Fender Stratocaster and Jazzmaster. I have a Jaguar too, but I prefer the Jazzmaster.

Having one of each is ideal, and it depends on the song. My Jazzmaster is more musical, the Strat kicks more butt....quite a bit more.

Just my humble opinion.

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

Last edited: Jun 08, 2023 11:25:41

For my Strats, I have used either a "Blender" pot or a "Neck-On" switch. I do all my own wiring and it is a useful skill to have. Effectively, the one pickup selection that is common to Jags, Jazzmasters, and Teles (and any other 2-pickup configuration) that is not available on typical Strat 5-way selectors is Bridge+Neck. Magical - and fantastic for surf and a broad range of more modern-day cover tunes. Highly recommended.

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada