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Dick, having owned both, permit me to offer my opinion on the Jazzmaster
and Jaguar guitars. My intention is not to initiate a series of flame
wars over which is best, only share my personal experiences with these
guitars, each of which has it's own merits.
The biggest difference between the two was the scale length. If you are
used to playing the wider-fretted Strats, picking up a Jaguar can make
playing on the upper frets a bit difficult (especially if you have big
fingers). The Jazzmaster has the same scale length as the Strats, which
was much more comfortable for me (this is another reason why I am going
to be selling my Les Paul and SG guitars). As far as tone, the Jaguar
was hands-down the winner for flexibility (mainly because of the extra
pickup, and switchable circuitry). Although I did prefer the Jazzmaster
neck-pickup tone over any of the Jaguar settings, from purely an
appearance standpoint, the Jaguar was more impressive (even though both
share the same body contour). The weakest point of both guitars was the
bridge; much has been written about alterations that can be made to
improve the stability, including replacing it with Mustang pieces,
Tune-O-Matic bridges, and other add-on remedies (Buzz-Stop, etc.). With
either guitar, plan on possible additional expense for bridge correction
and pickup replacement (specifically for the MIJ units). Hope some of
this helps!
Best regards, Dana Vincent
Dick Messick wrote:
> My "love to have" list includes a
> Jag or Jazzmaster, but I don't know which one yet . . .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have an American reissue Jaguar, but have only played a Japanese
reissue Jazzmaster. I'll just add that so far, knock on wood, I
haven't had any bridge problems. I think having a good setup and
using heavy strings (I've got .012" flats) helps out here. Your
mileage may vary depending on your playing style.
Dana, did you make a typo about the Jag having an extra pickup? A Jag
with 3 pickups would be pretty cool. You could use the strangle
switch for its pickup selector. Kind of Bass VI'ish.
If you want more info about these guitars...there is a wealth of info
and user experiences at the FDP ().
Check out these links too:
This one is especially cool. Tom has a virtual Jag written in Flash
that lets you see how the switching system works and plays sounds too!
This is Mel Waldorf's (Los Mel-tones & Alvarados) pages.
--- In SurfGuitar101@y..., Dana and Roberta Vincent <splashbk@d...>
wrote:
> Dick, having owned both, permit me to offer my opinion on the
Jazzmaster
> and Jaguar guitars. My intention is not to initiate a series of
flame
> wars over which is best, only share my personal experiences with
these
> guitars, each of which has it's own merits.
>
> The biggest difference between the two was the scale length. If
you are
> used to playing the wider-fretted Strats, picking up a Jaguar can
make
> playing on the upper frets a bit difficult (especially if you have
big
> fingers). The Jazzmaster has the same scale length as the Strats,
which
> was much more comfortable for me (this is another reason why I am
going
> to be selling my Les Paul and SG guitars). As far as tone, the
Jaguar
> was hands-down the winner for flexibility (mainly because of the
extra
> pickup, and switchable circuitry). Although I did prefer the
Jazzmaster
> neck-pickup tone over any of the Jaguar settings, from purely an
> appearance standpoint, the Jaguar was more impressive (even though
both
> share the same body contour). The weakest point of both guitars
was the
> bridge; much has been written about alterations that can be made to
> improve the stability, including replacing it with Mustang pieces,
> Tune-O-Matic bridges, and other add-on remedies (Buzz-Stop, etc.).
With
> either guitar, plan on possible additional expense for bridge
correction
> and pickup replacement (specifically for the MIJ units). Hope some
of
> this helps!
>
> Best regards, Dana Vincent
>
> Dick Messick wrote:
>
> > My "love to have" list includes a
> > Jag or Jazzmaster, but I don't know which one yet . . .
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Dana:
Thanks for your thoughts - I'm sure that both guitars have their
respective advantages/disadvantages, depending upon what one is
looking for. Personally, I prefer the "look" of the Jazzmaster, but
think that the sound I want comes more from the Jaguar - which leads
me in that direction. Like you say, each has it's own merits -
My interest in these guitars is to get a good trad surf sound (a la
first wave) - I'll take it wherever I can find it! Actually, I have
corresponded a few times with Bill Epps (of Vara-Tones and Splashback
fame, for those who aren't familiar with him), and he mentioned that
both of you have a Strat mod that allows the bridge/neck pup combo -
I've heard that it sounds anywhere from a Tele sound to a JM type of
sound - any thoughts on the mod? Do you like it? I've been thinking
of trying it, as it would be pretty easy to do with a push/pull pot
replacement (so I wouldn't lose any of the "stock" pup combos). BTW,
the guitarnuts.com site is a great source of these types of mods, too.
Anyone else playing around with this type of mod or any rewiring?
-Dick
--- In SurfGuitar101@y..., Dana and Roberta Vincent <splashbk@d...>
wrote:
> Dick, having owned both, permit me to offer my opinion on the
Jazzmaster
> and Jaguar guitars. My intention is not to initiate a series of
flame
> wars over which is best, only share my personal experiences with
these
> guitars, each of which has it's own merits.
>
> The biggest difference between the two was the scale length. If
you are
> used to playing the wider-fretted Strats, picking up a Jaguar can
make
> playing on the upper frets a bit difficult (especially if you have
big
> fingers). The Jazzmaster has the same scale length as the Strats,
which
> was much more comfortable for me (this is another reason why I am
going
> to be selling my Les Paul and SG guitars). As far as tone, the
Jaguar
> was hands-down the winner for flexibility (mainly because of the
extra
> pickup, and switchable circuitry). Although I did prefer the
Jazzmaster
> neck-pickup tone over any of the Jaguar settings, from purely an
> appearance standpoint, the Jaguar was more impressive (even though
both
> share the same body contour). The weakest point of both guitars
was the
> bridge; much has been written about alterations that can be made to
> improve the stability, including replacing it with Mustang pieces,
> Tune-O-Matic bridges, and other add-on remedies (Buzz-Stop, etc.).
With
> either guitar, plan on possible additional expense for bridge
correction
> and pickup replacement (specifically for the MIJ units). Hope some
of
> this helps!
>
> Best regards, Dana Vincent
>
> Dick Messick wrote:
>
> > My "love to have" list includes a
> > Jag or Jazzmaster, but I don't know which one yet . . .
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have 1963, 1964, 1965 Jaguars, and a '59 Jazzmaster. I prefer the Jaguar
tonal flexibility, but the scale is kinda hard to get used to. I do however
believe that the Jaguar scale is partially responsible for its tone. I like
each model for its own unique features and tone. I can only suggest really
trying each out, and sticking with the one you like best. I have noticed most
often Jaguars are used for lead, and Jazzmasters for rhythm.
...oops, you're right, Brian! The sentence should have read "...extra
pickup switch, and switchable circuitry." Sorry for confusion,
apparently my mind was working faster than my fingers (again...!!!).
...and Dick, yes the bridge-neck pickup selection is a nice option to
add (kind of like the Carl Wilson tone on the Beach Boys instrumentals),
although I don't use it much. My most-used position is the
middle-pickup only, and occasionally the bridge-pickup with an overdrive
pedal (for better definition).
Best regards, Dana Vincent
Brian Neal wrote:
> Dana, did you make a type about the Jag having an extra pickup?
Dick Messick wrote:
> (Bill Epps) mentioned that both of you have a Strat mod that allows
the
> bridge/neck pup combo - I've heard that it sounds anywhere from a Tele
> sound to a JM type of sound - any thoughts on the mod?
> Do you like it?
On Sat, 10 Nov 2001 wrote:
> I have noticed most
> often Jaguars are used for lead, and Jazzmasters for rhythm.
Hello everybody, this is my first post on this list. Thanks to Brian for
setting it up. I wanted to pipe in on this, cause I love Jazzmasters but
feel at best ambivelent about Jags.
Jazzmasters may not have been used much for lead by the first wave of surf
musicians, who tended to either stick to Strats or Jags, but they were
used for rhythm. The exceptions were Randy Holden of the Fender IV
(though I've also seen him with a Jag), the Illusions (Jezebel), and the
Nobles (I think). Anyway, my point is that I believe that has changed
quite a bit during the third wave (nineties surf music). Let's look at
the lead guitarists using Jazzmasters:
Frank Blandino (the Fathoms)
Chris Barfield (The Huntington Cads)
Zak Izbinsky (the Treblemakers)
Phantom Frank (The Treble Spankers)
Mel Waldorf (Los Meltones, now the Sea Monkeys)
Mikko Lankinen (Laika & Cosmonauts)
Dalibor Pavicic (the Bambi Molesters)
Pekka Laine (the Hypnomen)
Pete Curry (the Halibuts)
I've probably left out quite a few others, but that's what i can think of
off the top of my head. The list of Jag users is probably even bigger,
and Strats bigger than that still, but I think that's quite an impressive
list of Jazzmaster users. It's a big vote of confidence for this guitar
that so many talented lead guitarists are using it nowadays (and a couple
of them are actually using Jap reissues, too!).
I've also used my limited edition Jap (blonde) Jazzmaster w/ Seymour
Duncan pickups on about a third of the Space Cossacks songs, and I LOVE
that guitar!! It's every bit as good as my American made Strats, and set
up right (with 12-gauge flatwounds), I never had any bridge problems
(except for the tremolo socket teeth breaking from being tightened up too
many times - thanks Dana!). Jags sound thin to me, and I hate the
scale. They even look really dated with those metal pickguard parts. The
Jazzmaster has a timeless look. Of course, this is all completely
subjective. Just adding my own penny.
StratoCossack
--- In SurfGuitar101@y..., IVAN PONGRACIC <ipongrac@m...> wrote:
> Hello everybody, this is my first post on this list. Thanks to
Brian for
> setting it up.
Hello Ivan! I am stoked you joined up.
I have a tangential question from your post:
>Let's look at
> the lead guitarists using Jazzmasters:
>
...
> Dalibor Pavicic (the Bambi Molesters)
...
I recently got into The Bambi Molesters, having just
gotten "Intensity". Dalibor is pictured holding some kind of Epiphone
and Dinko appears to have a somewhat beat up Jazzmaster. I was just
curious if the Epiphone hollowbody was Dalibor's main instrument?
Forgive me, I am making the gross assumption that all Croatian born
guitar players know each other! I guess I could email him. I really
dig that CD and band. (Hmmmm... That is worthy of another thread..
non-Fender surf guitars).
> Jags sound thin to me, and I hate the
> scale. They even look really dated with those metal pickguard
parts. The
> Jazzmaster has a timeless look. Of course, this is all completely
> subjective. Just adding my own penny.
>
Ha-ha! Maybe it's just me and my penchant for shiny objects, but all
that chrome on a Jaguar, plus the busy nature of all the switches,
knobs, mute, etc, does it for me! Didn't Mark English play a MIJ
Jaguar in The Space Cossacks?
Regards,
BN
On Mon, 12 Nov 2001, Brian Neal wrote:
> I recently got into The Bambi Molesters, having just
> gotten "Intensity". Dalibor is pictured holding some kind of Epiphone
> and Dinko appears to have a somewhat beat up Jazzmaster. I was just
> curious if the Epiphone hollowbody was Dalibor's main instrument?
> Forgive me, I am making the gross assumption that all Croatian born
> guitar players know each other! I guess I could email him. I really
> dig that CD and band. (Hmmmm... That is worthy of another thread..
> non-Fender surf guitars).
Actually, Dalibor and myself are quite friendly and keep in touch to a
fair extent. There was a question about this issue on Cowabunga a year or
two ago - somebody was trying to show that you don't have to use a Fender
to get a good surf sound. My memory is that Dalibor replied that he got
the guitar around the time of the photo shoot and decided to use it for
the shoot, but that he strictly used the Jazzmaster on the CD. I think he
also added that he does not plan on using the Epiphone for the Bambi
Molesters stuff, but just got it to play rockabilly or jazz or something
like that around the house.
I think the other guitarist from the Bambis doesn't actually use a
Jazzmaster, though I'm really not sure about this one. The one he's
holding I think belongs to Dalibor, while he himself uses something like a
Hagstrom or some crazy thing like that.
> Ha-ha! Maybe it's just me and my penchant for shiny objects, but all
> that chrome on a Jaguar, plus the busy nature of all the switches,
> knobs, mute, etc, does it for me! Didn't Mark English play a MIJ
> Jaguar in The Space Cossacks?
Yes, he did - to each his own! I actually liked the fact he used
it. They look right in a surf band. Just not my thing.
StratoCossack
PS My opinion - there is NO surf sound if you don't have a Fender guitar
(or a copy). I have still to hear a good surf tone without a Fender
guitar.
Hi everybody,
> > I recently got into The Bambi Molesters, having just
> > gotten "Intensity". Dalibor is pictured holding some kind of
Epiphone
> > and Dinko appears to have a somewhat beat up Jazzmaster. I was
just
> > curious if the Epiphone hollowbody was Dalibor's main instrument?
> > Forgive me, I am making the gross assumption that all Croatian
born
> > guitar players know each other! I guess I could email him. I
really
> > dig that CD and band. (Hmmmm... That is worthy of another
thread..
> > non-Fender surf guitars).
As Ivan explained Epiphone is not my main instrument. I bought it
because I thought it looks cool but original pick ups were kind of
muddy. So I bought TV Jones TV Tron which is Filter'Tron pickup
mounted under a traditional humbucker cover. So now it is almost like
Gretsch. I might say, compared it the one Gretch that I've recently
played, it sounds even better. Another guitar I'm using as a back up
is Dan Electro Mod 6. Nice sounds but goes easily out of tune.
> I think the other guitarist from the Bambis doesn't actually use a
> Jazzmaster, though I'm really not sure about this one. The one he's
> holding I think belongs to Dalibor, while he himself uses something
like a
> Hagstrom or some crazy thing like that.
The one Dinko is holding is a guitar which belongs to him and he
found it in some village near our home town (jazzmasters were usual
guitars for bands that are playing on weddings in this area ;-)).
Jazzmaster was covered with chicken shit (no kidding) so Dinko needed
some time to do a fret job :-)
He still owns Hagstrom but only as a back up although this one has a
very nice sound. Lousy neck but the sound is almost better then
Fender.
I'm playing candy apple red jazzmaster but I hope I'll get myself a
Jaguar very soon.
Dalibor
