Orange Amps Forum

Ok....so once again my GAS has kicked in and I am now at a crossroads between buying a new Fender Jaguar OR a Fender Jazzmaster....

I have tried out the Jazzmaster Reissue, and loved it. Sounds amazing and it has the "Twang" of a Tele, but the warm tone of a Paul....

The Jaguar IMO looks a lot cooler though, but seeing as how I haven't tried on and can't (unless I commit to a $200 downpayment), I don't want to base my decsion on looks.

Can anyone here help me and let me know:

1. What's the main difference between the two?
2. Which do you recommend?

All I know is the Jaguar is smaller in scale, and has single coils, where as the Jazzmaster has P-90's.

HELP!



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That Jaguar certainly does look nice

i had a japanese jaguarandsounded good but it's a particular guitar

i hated my jazzmaster until i added a buzzstop. now it's most glorious

I've had a couple of both and I can now say (after spending thousands of $s on scientific research) that I like the JM better than the Jag - YMMV. For what I play, the JM has more varied and useful tones than the Jag.

Oh, and the Whizzo Buzzstop is an absolute must on either guitar, IMO. What a terrible bridge design.

I've always like Jazzmasters better.

IMHO I always preferred the Jazzmasters over the Jags...but
that was 30+ years ago. I always hated the jag pickups but
felt the Jazzmasters were fine...In the early - mid 70's
you couldn't give either one away. Funny how time changes
so many things.

Jazzmaster, no contest

I was actually just contemplating the same thing a few days ago and was set on the jazz master, but I changed my mind and am now going to get a surf green 58 strat. Love that surf green color.

i haven't played a jaguar, but i love my jazzmaster. i bought a japanese jazzmaster and replaced the pickups with a pair from Curtis Novak, what an upgrade. the guitar has a lot more balls and a higher output and overall better rock sound. don't know many specifics about the American version though.

I haven't had much of a play on either, but I prefer the look of a Jazzmaster. I almost bought one, but went for a Ric 360

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Jaws Theme Swimming</i>
<br />i haven't played a jaguar, but i love my jazzmaster. i bought a japanese jazzmaster and replaced the pickups with a pair from Curtis Novak, what an upgrade. the guitar has a lot more balls and a higher output and overall better rock sound. don't know many specifics about the American version though.
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Which novaks did you get? I've been thinking about upgrading the bridge pickup in my jazzmaster and have heard a lot of good things about curtis novak pickups.

jazzmasters are the coolest guitars ever:D

Hi devonder I personally prefer Jazzmasters, I have had a friends Vintage 62 re-issue Jaguar in my studio for over 2 years and have only used it once or twice.Whilst its a great playing guitar it's just a little too thin sounding and brittle for my tastes.But hey what can I say each to their own Kurt Cobain loved a Jags slicing sound as do Sonic Youth.

Also just wanted to let you know that the pickups in a Jazzmaster are not P-90's they are a Fenders own single coil design that they came up with for the Jazzmaster,while they may look like a P-90, that is were any similarity ends.The real skinny is that the main difference in sound is that Jags tend to sound on the thin side whilst Jazzmasters are fatter more well rounded and a hell of a lot smoother sounding.I used to own an early Japanese Squire Jagmaster that I dropped Jazzmaster pickups in, this thing screamed it was great for clean sounds and handled moderate distortion as well.

You may also wanna look at the Japanese made Fender Jag with twin humbuckers(with coil taps) and a stop tailpiece.The same friend whose Vintage Jag I have, has one of these, and to be honest I didn't wanna give it back to him way more versatile in this format.Don't be put off by the made in japan tag this guitar was killer quality all they way.

The only downside is you would probably have to shell out for a hardcase,checkout Music 123 or Musicians Friend for more info on the 2 humbucker Jag.Anyway I hope this helps you to make a more informed choice but whatever you choose good luck.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by billynightingale</i>
<br /><blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Jaws Theme Swimming</i>
<br />i haven't played a jaguar, but i love my jazzmaster. i bought a japanese jazzmaster and replaced the pickups with a pair from Curtis Novak, what an upgrade. the guitar has a lot more balls and a higher output and overall better rock sound. don't know many specifics about the American version though.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Which novaks did you get? I've been thinking about upgrading the bridge pickup in my jazzmaster and have heard a lot of good things about curtis novak pickups.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

i got the jm90 for the bridge and the vintage jm pickup he makes for the neck. like i said, the bridge pickup was an incredible upgrade. what have you got in there right now? and i assume it's an american made JM?