murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on May 27 2020 11:46 AM
Okay, crasy long-shot here. I just sold my TVL Jazzmaster (which was my main grab-and-go around the house guitar), and looking to replace it with a jag. I have a Jagmarr, that I absolutely love, but it lives in the basement with the rest of my gear.
I was looking at the new Vintera Jag in OTM, but haven't been able to get past the aesthetics of the Pau Ferro fretboard. The guitar will live in a stand, in a high-traffic area, so I actually like the poly finish on the Vintera.
I've been scouring the usual sites (reverb, ebay, craigs, etc) and came across a cool CIJ model from the late-90s. It sounds like ocean turquoise is a rare color for the US market. The fact that it's a poly finish is a bonus, and I dig the rosewood fretboard and 7.25" radius.
https://www.mmguitarbar.com/listing/1998-fender-jaguar-62-vintage-reissue-offset-guitar-ocean-turquoise-w-matching-headstock-japan-cij/19379400
This guitar seems to push all the right buttons and although more money than I sold my TVL for, I'm hoping to find a deal (aren't we all).
Opening the search to AVRI models as well! More money for sure, but I've come across more of these than CIJ models. Of course all have sold in the past, but assuming that may give an indication of future availability. 
Thanks for any leads!
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
Last edited: Jun 03, 2020 09:00:08
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martinblasick
Joined: Nov 27, 2019
Posts: 128
Los Angeles
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Posted on May 27 2020 01:04 PM
Is this one for playing? Or for display purposes?
— Squid From Madrid - New Single on Bandcamp
MB Website
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on May 27 2020 01:33 PM
Martin,
It'll definitely be a player. The TVL was an absolute stunner, but no where near as comfortable for me to play as the jag. That's the only reason I had for selling it earlier this week.
Since it'll live in a stand in the corner of the dining room, my wife and I will have to look at it CONSTANTLY. So I guess there is a "display" element to it as well. 
Thanks,
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on May 27 2020 04:07 PM
Hi Murph. I had a stunningly beautiful CIJ ocean turquoise Jazzmaster unfortunately It weighed so heavy on my shoulder It started causing muscle issues. I believe these CIJ were made in the Tokai factory and yes the colour is rare in Europe as well. Best of luck with the Jag.
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BillAqua
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
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Posted on May 27 2020 06:47 PM
I remember when musicians friend blew out CIJ Jags and Jazzmasters for like 400 bucks! It was a good guitar the Jag I had at least. I recorded the first Aquanauts album with it.
— "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"
https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on May 27 2020 08:07 PM
Bill, that sorta makes me want to cry. LOL Many of those CIJ guitars are now selling for close to a grand more. I guess it really does come down to supply and demand (and perceived value). I can't really complain (or cry for that matter), since I've gotten lucky a few times with buying low and selling high(er). But these occasions were usually just dumb luck (right place, right time) and not some keen insight.
I may be better off looking for a crazy good deal on a '62 AVRI. Truth is, a 60's Lacquer jaguar would probably be the biggest bang for the buck, but pretty sure they came in any color as long as you wanted red. Not dead set against red, but there's so many other interesting colors out there.
I think I've seen some listings for a newer version of the 60's Lacquer that comes in lake placid blue, but these later models are using pau ferro for fretboards. Evidently it was only the earlier (like 2014 maybe?) 60's Lacquer models that came standard with rosewood.
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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kangaroobbq
Joined: Apr 22, 2019
Posts: 9
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Posted on May 28 2020 06:34 AM
I sold my gretsch 6120 for one of the 60s lacquer jags in lake placid blue, absolutely love that guitar and it’s now my main guitar. Most of my guitars end up modded in some kind of way, but for me this one has been perfect out of the box.
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kangaroobbq
Joined: Apr 22, 2019
Posts: 9
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Posted on May 28 2020 06:36 AM
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TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 471
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on May 28 2020 07:51 AM
kangaroobbq wrote:
That's a work of art. Seriously love that color.
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on May 28 2020 08:21 AM
Thanks for the testimonial on the 60s Lacquer Jag! This model was very well received when it first hit the market back in 2013/14? Big feature then was the AV65 pups and of course the lacquer finish. It's only in hindsight that the rosewood fretboard was also a nice touch. Yours looks fantastic... even the pao ferro appears darker than some I have seen.
I've seen a few of these in LPB for around the same price-point as the Vintera Jag. The Vintera features a new pup design, but reading between the lines, I wonder how much of that effort was to reduce costs, rather than improve tone? The AV65's seem to be revered by most. I guess the matching headstock is the draw for some on the Vintera. Which incidentally doesn't even include a hard-case (yet another cost-cutting measure I assume).
The 60s Lacquer in LPB just climbed a few more rungs in the GAS ladder.
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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revolutionismyname
Joined: May 13, 2015
Posts: 4
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Posted on Jul 01 2020 09:17 PM
kangaroobbq wrote:
Kangaroobbq, nice set up! Is that reverb unit one of the stewmac or mojotone kits? If so, how does it sound and was the build difficult?
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jul 02 2020 02:46 AM
murph wrote:
Thanks for the testimonial on the 60s Lacquer Jag! This model was very well received when it first hit the market back in 2013/14? Big feature then was the AV65 pups and of course the lacquer finish. It's only in hindsight that the rosewood fretboard was also a nice touch. Yours looks fantastic... even the pao ferro appears darker than some I have seen.
I've seen a few of these in LPB for around the same price-point as the Vintera Jag. The Vintera features a new pup design, but reading between the lines, I wonder how much of that effort was to reduce costs, rather than improve tone? The AV65's seem to be revered by most. I guess the matching headstock is the draw for some on the Vintera. Which incidentally doesn't even include a hard-case (yet another cost-cutting measure I assume).
The 60s Lacquer in LPB just climbed a few more rungs in the GAS ladder.
-murph
I can’t compare it to the Lacquer Jaguar, but the Vintera is very good. I’ve no idea what the pickups are, but they sound great to me. It’s a much better guitar than the CIJ which I used to own. Of course it doesn’t have a lacquer finish, the fretboard is pau fero and there’s no hard case, but if you can get past those, it’s a good deal. At the moment I prefer mine to my 1963 Jag, although that needs som fret work just now.
— Los Fantasticos
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jul 02 2020 02:46 AM
murph wrote:
Thanks for the testimonial on the 60s Lacquer Jag! This model was very well received when it first hit the market back in 2013/14? Big feature then was the AV65 pups and of course the lacquer finish. It's only in hindsight that the rosewood fretboard was also a nice touch. Yours looks fantastic... even the pao ferro appears darker than some I have seen.
I've seen a few of these in LPB for around the same price-point as the Vintera Jag. The Vintera features a new pup design, but reading between the lines, I wonder how much of that effort was to reduce costs, rather than improve tone? The AV65's seem to be revered by most. I guess the matching headstock is the draw for some on the Vintera. Which incidentally doesn't even include a hard-case (yet another cost-cutting measure I assume).
The 60s Lacquer in LPB just climbed a few more rungs in the GAS ladder.
-murph
I can’t compare it to the Lacquer Jaguar, but the Vintera is very good. I’ve no idea what the pickups are, but they sound great to me. It’s a much better guitar than the CIJ which I used to own. Of course it doesn’t have a lacquer finish, the fretboard is pau fero and there’s no hard case, but if you can get past those, it’s a good deal. At the moment I prefer mine to my 1963 Jag, although that needs some fret work just now.
— Los Fantasticos
Last edited: Jul 02, 2020 02:46:51
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on Jul 02 2020 08:56 AM
Thanks for your take on the 60s Vintera Jag, Django! I almost pulled the trigger on one of these a few weeks ago. There were a few in the $800-900 range, which is a decent savings over brand new ($1024).
I just keep holding out that I'll find a deal on a nice old jag in some cool finish. Unfortunately my list of "wants" tends to rule out most guitars for one reason or another. LOL If I could find a Johnny Marr Jag neck (love everything about it) for a decent price, I'd probably make a move on the Vintera.
Another jag at a slightly higher price-point to the Vintera is the 60's Hybrid. It's got a rosewood fretboard, vmod pups (which I've never heard), and comes in a killer looking sherwood green poly (similar to the OTM poly on the Vintera). There would be the expense of shipping from Australia or Japan. The main rub is that it's got a 9.5" radius fretboard with med-jumbo frets. Just not sure I would enjoy playing it as much as 7.25" with vintage frets.
I've read that the fit/finish on the 60's Vinteras is great. I'd be curious to know if the trem assembly is closer to AVRI or MIJ. If it's even close to the trem on my (now sold) MIM TVL Jazzmaster, I'd say it's closer to AVRI... I couldn't get that guitar to go out of tune unless I started turning tuning pegs.
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4458
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jul 04 2020 12:34 PM
This thread interests me greatly. I’ve always have a thang for Jaguars. The only one I’ve ever owned was a CIJ model which had block inlays and was basically a ‘66 RI. It was a love;hate relationship, in many ways. The OEM pickups were incredibly harsh (a problem revisited with my MIJ Bass VI). I put in Seymour Duncan Hot Jaguar pickups and it sounded pretty good. However, I never made peace with the bridge and it launched a sneak attack on me at a gig, dooming the entire guitar to consignment and resale.
I just ordered a Vintera ‘60s Modified Jaguar, mostly because I wanted a Jaguar with the tailpiece closer to the bridge, for greater downforce on the bridge. This limited me to the Modified model, with humbucking pickups. I assure you that I have no intentions of playing any Grunge on this axe and if I don’t like the sound of the humbuckers switched into single-coil mode, I’ll swap in a set of Pure Vintage ‘65s. They tamed my Bass VI.
This is very much an experimental purchase for me. The cupboard is a bit bare, these days, with many music stores unable to allow customers inside the showrooms and I’m seeing that a lot of dealers are out of stock on anything not down the centerline of the markets. IOW, I would have had to do some serious traveling in order to find one to test play. Zzounds had one in stock and they have a good return policy, if I find that I can’t make peace with it. If I like the basic axe, I reserve the right to mod the heck out out of it, once I am certain that I won’t be returning it.
I looked into the V-Mod pickups. They seem somewhat polarizing. I found a thread on another forum where some folks loved them and others were not at all satisfied. Who knows?
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jul 05 2020 03:28 AM
murph wrote:
Thanks for your take on the 60s Vintera Jag, Django! I almost pulled the trigger on one of these a few weeks ago. There were a few in the $800-900 range, which is a decent savings over brand new ($1024).
I just keep holding out that I'll find a deal on a nice old jag in some cool finish. Unfortunately my list of "wants" tends to rule out most guitars for one reason or another. LOL If I could find a Johnny Marr Jag neck (love everything about it) for a decent price, I'd probably make a move on the Vintera.
Another jag at a slightly higher price-point to the Vintera is the 60's Hybrid. It's got a rosewood fretboard, vmod pups (which I've never heard), and comes in a killer looking sherwood green poly (similar to the OTM poly on the Vintera). There would be the expense of shipping from Australia or Japan. The main rub is that it's got a 9.5" radius fretboard with med-jumbo frets. Just not sure I would enjoy playing it as much as 7.25" with vintage frets.
I've read that the fit/finish on the 60's Vinteras is great. I'd be curious to know if the trem assembly is closer to AVRI or MIJ. If it's even close to the trem on my (now sold) MIM TVL Jazzmaster, I'd say it's closer to AVRI... I couldn't get that guitar to go out of tune unless I started turning tuning pegs.
-murph
I think I’ve only ever played one AVRI and don’t really remember what the trem was like, so can’t comment on that. I would say that the trem on the Vintera is superior to the trem on the CIJ which I used to own, but not as good as the one on my ‘63 Jag. It does have the screw in arm, if that’s of any interest/concern to you. I wasn’t sure about it initially, but it’s fine. As you say, the fit and finish is generally very good and definitely better than it was on my CIJ. T pickups also sound great to my ears. If you can’t live with the pau fero fretboard and/or the poly finish, the Vintera won’t be for you. If you can, I would highly recommend one. Especially the ocean turquoise, of course. That’s what I have.
If you have the money (and the patience to wait) you can get exactly what you want from the Custom Shop, of course.
— Los Fantasticos
Last edited: Jul 05, 2020 03:31:41
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synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4458
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jul 05 2020 08:36 AM
djangodeadman wrote:
murph wrote:
Thanks for your take on the 60s Vintera Jag, Django! I almost pulled the trigger on one of these a few weeks ago. There were a few in the $800-900 range, which is a decent savings over brand new ($1024).
I just keep holding out that I'll find a deal on a nice old jag in some cool finish. Unfortunately my list of "wants" tends to rule out most guitars for one reason or another. LOL If I could find a Johnny Marr Jag neck (love everything about it) for a decent price, I'd probably make a move on the Vintera.
Another jag at a slightly higher price-point to the Vintera is the 60's Hybrid. It's got a rosewood fretboard, vmod pups (which I've never heard), and comes in a killer looking sherwood green poly (similar to the OTM poly on the Vintera). There would be the expense of shipping from Australia or Japan. The main rub is that it's got a 9.5" radius fretboard with med-jumbo frets. Just not sure I would enjoy playing it as much as 7.25" with vintage frets.
I've read that the fit/finish on the 60's Vinteras is great. I'd be curious to know if the trem assembly is closer to AVRI or MIJ. If it's even close to the trem on my (now sold) MIM TVL Jazzmaster, I'd say it's closer to AVRI... I couldn't get that guitar to go out of tune unless I started turning tuning pegs.
-murph
I think I’ve only ever played one AVRI and don’t really remember what the trem was like, so can’t comment on that. I would say that the trem on the Vintera is superior to the trem on the CIJ which I used to own, but not as good as the one on my ‘63 Jag. It does have the screw in arm, if that’s of any interest/concern to you. I wasn’t sure about it initially, but it’s fine. As you say, the fit and finish is generally very good and definitely better than it was on my CIJ. T pickups also sound great to my ears. If you can’t live with the pau fero fretboard and/or the poly finish, the Vintera won’t be for you. If you can, I would highly recommend one. Especially the ocean turquoise, of course. That’s what I have.
If you have the money (and the patience to wait) you can get exactly what you want from the Custom Shop, of course.
Is the screw in trem arm similar to a Strat? Which is to say that there’s a small spring at the base of unit which acts to keep a bit of pressure on the arm to allow it to rotate, but provides a degree of resistance to rotation, so that the tremolo arm doesn’t immediately rotate to where it’s pointing downward, as soon as you let go of it.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1568
Brighton UK
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Posted on Jul 06 2020 04:52 AM
synchro wrote:
djangodeadman wrote:
murph wrote:
Thanks for your take on the 60s Vintera Jag, Django! I almost pulled the trigger on one of these a few weeks ago. There were a few in the $800-900 range, which is a decent savings over brand new ($1024).
I just keep holding out that I'll find a deal on a nice old jag in some cool finish. Unfortunately my list of "wants" tends to rule out most guitars for one reason or another. LOL If I could find a Johnny Marr Jag neck (love everything about it) for a decent price, I'd probably make a move on the Vintera.
Another jag at a slightly higher price-point to the Vintera is the 60's Hybrid. It's got a rosewood fretboard, vmod pups (which I've never heard), and comes in a killer looking sherwood green poly (similar to the OTM poly on the Vintera). There would be the expense of shipping from Australia or Japan. The main rub is that it's got a 9.5" radius fretboard with med-jumbo frets. Just not sure I would enjoy playing it as much as 7.25" with vintage frets.
I've read that the fit/finish on the 60's Vinteras is great. I'd be curious to know if the trem assembly is closer to AVRI or MIJ. If it's even close to the trem on my (now sold) MIM TVL Jazzmaster, I'd say it's closer to AVRI... I couldn't get that guitar to go out of tune unless I started turning tuning pegs.
-murph
I think I’ve only ever played one AVRI and don’t really remember what the trem was like, so can’t comment on that. I would say that the trem on the Vintera is superior to the trem on the CIJ which I used to own, but not as good as the one on my ‘63 Jag. It does have the screw in arm, if that’s of any interest/concern to you. I wasn’t sure about it initially, but it’s fine. As you say, the fit and finish is generally very good and definitely better than it was on my CIJ. T pickups also sound great to my ears. If you can’t live with the pau fero fretboard and/or the poly finish, the Vintera won’t be for you. If you can, I would highly recommend one. Especially the ocean turquoise, of course. That’s what I have.
If you have the money (and the patience to wait) you can get exactly what you want from the Custom Shop, of course.
Is the screw in trem arm similar to a Strat? Which is to say that there’s a small spring at the base of unit which acts to keep a bit of pressure on the arm to allow it to rotate, but provides a degree of resistance to rotation, so that the tremolo arm doesn’t immediately rotate to where it’s pointing downward, as soon as you let go of it.
There’s no spring, as on the Strat trem arm, you just screw it to the right place and the arm more or less holds its position. It doesn’t really bother me either way. I use cables with straight jacks and let the arm rest against that on both me Jazzmaster and vintage Jag. On the Vintera it sits a little higher, but both work for me. Over many years I’ve evolved a habit of picking up the trem arm in the crook of my little finger and, quite often, leaving it there, even when I’m not using it. Because of this, I’ve never had the same issue that some do with the vintage-style trem. It’s also one of the reasons why I don’t get on with Strats, because the trem arm sits in the wrong place for me.
— Los Fantasticos
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