Fender has released its Player II line , with models costing in the 799 - 850 range.

I’m happy to see there is a Jazzmaster and Jaguar model available, even without the Rhythm Circuit (honestly, no biggie)

https://www.fender.com/en-US/start?rl=default

Interesting picture, I always think of Jags being small (not just in scale length)but in this picture the Jaguar looks a lot bigger than the Strat and Tele.

It just looks wrong without all this chrome

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Oh, thats why it looks weird and I thought it was a Jazzmaster first glance! Yep, needs the chrome.

rockndawg wrote:

Oh, thats why it looks weird and I thought it was a Jazzmaster first glance! Yep, needs the chrome.

Beyond that, the functional aspect of the guitar is different. I realize that most people don’t use the rhythm circuit, but it comes in very handy in other genres, if you want to cut to a dark, archtop sound. I don’t use it much, but I have used it.

While I realize that not everyone likes the slide switches for pickup selection, I actually am fine with it. I don’t blame anyone for using a three position switch, but I imagine that retrofitting one of these with slide switches would be a major undertaking. By eliminating these two comtrol panels, Fender is able to reduce the price point for this model, so I see at as a trade off, but I’d spent the extra for a Vintera, if I was in the market.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

I also just noticed the Jag appears to have Strat pickups instead of proper bladed Jag pickups...

I was mistaken; I'd just been looking at the new Squier Affinity Jag they showed last week and got them confused. THAT one definitely has Strat pickups for some reason.

BB_Bunny wrote:

chiba wrote:

I can count the number of times I've used the rhythm circuit on my Jazzmasters in the three-plus years I've had one on ... two fingers. It not being there doesn't bother me in the least.

I've also only used mine on a handful of occasions and only for recording (non-surfy stuff). It's nice to have the option if you need to dial in a very specific tone for background textures, etc, but is it dumb to say that the bigger reason I like having the rhythm circuit is because I like the look? It's definitely not the end of the world not having it (and it probably cuts down on weight), but that extra set of controls on jazzmasters and jaguars looks cool and really, isn't that the most important thing?

That’s pretty much how I see it. The rhythm circuit can do a pretty decent impression of an archtop, and while that doesn’t do much good in a Surf band, it can be useful in some other settings. Jaguars are exceptionally versatile.

The look is fantastic. In 1962, a Jaguar would have been the most modern looking guitar available. This was the early Space Race era and a time when cars had lots of chrome. The look was of its era, and it was as cool as a guitar could be, circa 1962, but it’s pretty cool these days, too.

I also like the genius of the Jaguar’s wiring. The rhythm circuit was conceived by Freddy Tavares. It’s an unusual design, where the wiper of the 50k tone pot feeds the volume pot. (The volume and tone on the main circuit are similar, but there’s a 56k pot in parallel with the tone pot, which allows some of the signal to bypass the tone pot.)

Then there’s the Strangle Switch, which makes for some interesting options. Unique to the Jaguar and the Bass VI, it’s subtle, but interesting, and really cleans up the mudd.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

Lots of things already noted, yet I'll still chime in:

Looks-wise, I agree that the rhythm circuit and slider switches and all the chrome are a big draw to me. Doesn't look right without them.

Another part in the appearance equation is that the jaguar has a lot of space between the bridge and the strap button end - that was because the tremolo unit on the original was located farther back than on this model. So overall length is like strat length, yet with shorter scale.

The player models push the trem up toward the bridge, leaving more real estate toward the other end. Presumably this is for break angle, sustain, yadda yadda, but what it does is change the pitch of the ghost notes you get while playing. These notes add subtly to the sonic complexity of the Jaguar (and Jazzmaster) and by changing the pitch of those notes, you are changing the character of the guitar. It's subtle, but they are there.

Otherwise, this seems like the bean counter's Jaguar - stripped down so much that it still looks like one and probably sounds kind of like one, yet allows Fender to sell more units.

After watching some of the Player II videos, I have to say Fender isn't really aiming this line at hardcore traditionalists. Modern wiring, bright, glossy colors, updated (and dare I say aggressive sounding) pickups, and the price point ... if you ask me, they're going after younger players who want to either get a cool-looking guitar, follow some of the newer trends (shoegaze is making a comeback, apparently), or expand their tonal palettes beyond the "regular" guitars they already have.

I like the look of the rhythm circuit too, it evokes a certain age with its aesthetics. Somebody mentioned using theirs only for recording, and I agree, that's all I've used mine for and it was a matter of convenience. The rhythm circuit doesn't do anything I can't do with the master volume and tone if I take the time to get them set just right.

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