ausf
Joined: Apr 20, 2018
Posts: 47
|
Posted on Apr 25 2018 06:28 PM
I'm looking down the road at my next guitar. I was eyeballin' the new Fender Jaguars that are going around $800. Not sure of the origin of them, whether they're MIM, Indonesia or China, haven't gotten that far yet.
I have an old Squier Tele kicking around from about 10 years ago. I fixed the proud frets, got rid of the sharpies, dressed them and the neck plays nice. It's maple, nothing fancy but is comfortable.
I'm thinking about which direction should I go.
Would I be better off putting a Bigsby B5 with bridge, changing out the pickups, electronics, nut and eventually tuners and maybe even an aftermarket neck or just going straight for a Jag, which I assume will be kind of middle of the road in quality, but one package. Or waiting for an older used one to come around and follow me home.
I don't care about resale value, every piece of gear I've sold in my life I've eventually regretted, so these days it's generally a one way trip.
Nor do I have any problem with doing the work, I've been modding, setting up and switching out my gear for well over 30 years. If I went the Tele way I'd most likely be doing some inlay work and refinishing and airbrushing on the body as well.
|
Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
|
Posted on Apr 25 2018 06:53 PM
-
Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 13:48:51
|
Teiscofan
Joined: Feb 21, 2011
Posts: 511
Ontario
|
Posted on Apr 25 2018 07:27 PM
I would keave the Tele alone and stay stock.
I have a Jag and it is by far IMHO better suited for surf and has the shorter scale length. Love the Jaguar.
— I am not obsolete, I am RETRO.... 
|
montereyjack66
Joined: Jul 23, 2014
Posts: 637
LA -ish
|
Posted on Apr 25 2018 08:47 PM
I think this question is more internal than external.Clearly, you're a surf guy. The question is really, deep down, are you a tele guy or a jag guy? Or both. I think deep down tele guys are always happier playing with a telecaster. Teles can surf. If you've never played a jag, then maybe it's time to try one out. Maybe your latent Jagularity will come out of the closet! No matter what you do, we accept you in all your glory.
— mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/
https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/
Last edited: Apr 25, 2018 20:51:24
|
ausf
Joined: Apr 20, 2018
Posts: 47
|
Posted on Apr 25 2018 09:32 PM
All superb responses, thanks.
I really do need to check out a Jag in the flesh. AS a bass player I've spent the majority of my life stretching my left hand out to cover more, short scale guitar scares me a bit but if I can get over that it probably is the better choice.
|
Tqi
Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
|
Posted on Apr 26 2018 03:01 AM
-
Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 13:48:33
|
montereyjack66
Joined: Jul 23, 2014
Posts: 637
LA -ish
|
Posted on Apr 26 2018 03:59 AM
ausf wrote:
All superb responses, thanks.
I really do need to check out a Jag in the flesh. AS a bass player I've spent the majority of my life stretching my left hand out to cover more, short scale guitar scares me a bit but if I can get over that it probably is the better choice.
As a life long bass player, switching back and forth can be a bit of a shock after a week. Shorter scales like the Jag is also a shock, but even more so. Doesn't mean it's bad. But it is an adjustment.
— mj
bent playing for benter results
Do not attempt to adjust your TV set.
https://www.facebook.com/Bass-VI-Explorers-Club-179437279151035/
https://www.facebook.com/Lost-Planet-Shamen-366987463657230/
|
Surfadelphia
Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 403
|
Posted on Apr 26 2018 07:53 AM
Tqi wrote:
Oh, and don't forget the Jazzmaster. ;) That's full scale!
I have to agree. If you are a bass player, transitioning to a 25.5" scale Jazzmaster will be a lot easier than a 24" scale Jaguar. There are also some really nice Jazzmaster options out there. If you are on a budget, the Squier VM Jazzmaster is great for "classic/vintage" JM sounds and configuration. If you are looking for something a little hot rodded, the Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster and Squier JM Deluxe (same guitar, just in red) have tunamatic bridges and hotter P-90ish pick ups.
|
ausf
Joined: Apr 20, 2018
Posts: 47
|
Posted on Apr 26 2018 10:35 AM
Thanks again guys.
A bit more research and I'm leaning heavily towards the Fender 60's Lacquers. They seem to be hitting on all cylinders for me and since they're both around $1000, it's not a bank breaker.
The Jazzmaster may be the better fit for my bass calloused hands (plus they're available in the killer surf green) but will it deliver the surf tone as well as the Jag?
The other thought is the shorter scale would allow for heavier strings without tension, but I'm not planning on too much lead work and probably couldn't squeeze my fingers into the spaces higher up anyway.
Whad'ya think sirs?
|
CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4052
Nashville, TN.
|
Posted on Apr 26 2018 10:44 AM
I think it's time that you go and play some of each, Jazzmaster and Jaguar.
You can't go wrong with either for Surf sounds and you'll most likely find you prefer one to the other.
The Tele project could be fun but for all your efforts,time and money you may not land where you want to when it's done although Tele's are great for this music as well, IMO.
Less time modding, upgrading and re-building and more time playing - that's my current motto, FWIW.
Cheers,
Jeff
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
|
horax
Joined: Mar 23, 2011
Posts: 518
colorado springs
|
Posted on Apr 27 2018 08:46 AM
they're both great guitars for waht you're trying to do.
FWIW, the Jag was made especially FOR surf, while the Jazzmaster was adopted by surf players.
I have a Jag now (squier vm) and it's amazing. BUT I'm looking at possibly getting a jazzmaster in July. Different animals, and the pickups are THE surf sound you hear so often.
As much as I love my Jag, sometimes the shorter scaled gets in the way, and sometimes it makes it easier to play. I play 11's on the Jag, and it is still a wee bit floppy. When I played a Jazz the other day, it was easier to tremolo pick due to teh tighter strings.
Go play them and one will speak to you.
The jag has more chrome on it. ;)
|
Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2675
Ventura, CA
|
Posted on Apr 27 2018 11:24 AM
No, the Jaguar was not made especially for surf! It was made to appeal to Gibson players. It became popular with surf music, like the Jazzmaster. You will hear more first wave surf music played on Stratocasters, like Dick Dale. I prefer the Jaguar myself, I love the chrome. I had a Jazzmaster too, which I sold. I honestly could not hear a big difference between the two. I also have a Tele that I put a Jaguar tremolo unit on and that sounds great too although I have .10 roundwounds on it so I don't use it for surf music much.
|
shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 600
Vancouver BC
|
Posted on Apr 27 2018 10:48 PM
I've played Jags with modern radius fretboards and medium frets, but I find the thinner fretwire of the 60s Laquer Jag to be easier to fret on the upper frets. A bit more space to get my fingers on the right spots. I use 12s (flatwound T-Is). I am not exactly sure why, but I am more impressed by the 60s Lacquer Jag than the 60s Lacquer JM. So, it's the Jag I bought. I love the shorter scale for faster note runs although I primarily have played a Strat for decades and have dabbled in bass, too. I am 6'1 with big, wide fingers and the 60s Lacquer Jag is fine for me. I love Teles...but only when other people are playing them! But I love the Jag in all respects. If you would have told me that, say 4 yrs ago, I would have laughed in your face and said something rather disrespectful!
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
|
tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
|
Posted on May 04 2018 04:55 AM
Jazzmasters deliver classic surf tones in spades
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
|
April Birthdays 
