We often get questions from folks newly interested in the jag and jazzy like this one. So this post is for you owners out there to share your thoughts.
Are you a Fender Jaguar or Jazzmaster owner? What led you to your choice? And if you happen to own both we want to hear your comparisons between the two guitars.
While very similar on the surface the Jaguar and Jazzmaster have some basic differences. Below are some of the technical differences between the Classic Player Jaguar and Jazzmaster.
- The jazzmaster has a 25.5″ scale neck while the jaguar has a 24″ scale neck.
- The jazzmaster has 21 medium jumbo frets – the jaguar 22.
- The controls and pickup switching are different between the two.
- The significant differences between the pickups of the two.
- The new classic player jaguars also have more pickup options like the dual humbucker jaguar model.
With those basic differences what ultimately led to your choice? What do you recommend people currently shopping for one or the other look out for?
Fender Classic Player Jaguar
Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster
Thanks for sharing!
11 Responses to “Fender Jaguar or Jazzmaster? Which did you choose?”
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I loved both, so I ended up going the Squier Jagmaster route. It was cheap and cool looking and I loved it from the moment I strummed the first chord.
I went down the jagmaster route too, but bought a pair. I prefer the long scale length of my silver jagmasters and the jazz, but not the fat pickups.One jagmaster is stock, with two standard humbuckers. The other has a neck original humbucker (Originally the bridge pickup) and an SD P-Rails in the bridge to emulate the Jag and Jazz tones with the Jag. This can be tapped to an out-phase bucker, in-phase bucker, single coil or P-90 by using two push-Pulls. I also added a Graphtec nut so that the strings don’t de-tune by trem use. Players Jagmaster, anyone?
I chose to get a Classic Player Jaguar HH. The reason behind this was because I really liked the amount of different tonal options that this guitar coud dish out. I don’t really care for Jazzmasters all that much, because I don’t really like the looks. The humungous pickguard looks kind of plain and the mammoth pickups just don’t look like they are in proportion. Although the sound is great sounding on the Jazzmaster, I chose to go with the Jaguar because in my opinion, it just looked and sounded better.
I chose both! I’m building a 25.5″ scale Jaguar from parts. The body and pickguard will be from scratch. I love the look of Jags but hate the short scale so this is the perfect solution.
I bought a Jag from a hitchhiker in 1977 for $250, my first “good” electric guitar. I added a third pickup, controlled by the rhythym section(upper bout) pots. My only regret is that I hotrodded the original pickups and lost some of the sweet tone. Because of the increased output the guitar does not work that well with effects, always sounds too dirty. But when plugged straight in to a good tube amp it really burns hot and bright. It’s still a fave after all these years. All my Strat playin friends freak when they try out the 24″ scale neck. Jags were built with the idea of replacing Strats. I guess Leo couldn’t always be right, but these guitars still have some good mojo in spite of their rep as “surf guitars”.
I have an american standard strat, and I want another guitar, but one with dual humbuckers. is it recommended to get the hh jaguar or the jazzmaster?
I went with a Jazzmaster for the ease of use during live shows switching between pickups
I much prefer the Jaguar because of its shorter scale length making it so much easier to get around on. I would actually prefer it to be slightly longer like the Les Paul’s 24 3/4″, which is still the most comfortable playing (bread n butter) guitar ever made. But the 25 1/2″ scale length fender saddles most of their guitars with is bordering on silly and makes the guitar feel like a long neck banjo. No thanks. Having said that, I enjoy playing my Telecaster a lot, but I like it for its sound–not its playability. One thing that’s nice about Jaguars and Jazzmasters is that you can fit a Roland GK-3 pickup right smack in front of the saddles. I’m surprised more guys aren’t using them for synth controllers.
I own both Jazzmaster and Jaguars. I have an original 65 Jazzmaster and a new 62 Reissue. They are both great instruments. I use the Jazzmaster more because I play music that warrants a nice clean sound, no pedals,distortion etc and the Jazzmaster fits the bill perfectly. It has bell like tones which are great. I also own a Les Paul and it is a totally different animal. If you want sustain go with the LP. I use the Jazzmaster for gigs mostly all the time and people love its purity. I have never had a problem with bridges, strings, intonation etc but then again I don’t abuse the guitar either. Try both and see what fits. In my opinion the best guitar you can own is the one you can’t put down and use the most.
I chose a Jap sunburst Jaguar, mainly because I love all the chrome and controls
The scale length I do find a bonus, and the neck profile is beautiful like my 80′s ’67 Hendrix Strat.
I put a mustang bridge on and a buzz-stop.
I contemplated for a while putting P90s in, but instead plumped for two seymour duncan Hot For Jaguar’s.
Every time I pick up this heavy, quality feeling guitar, I fall in love with it!
I chose a 1967 Jaguar (a vintage one). That year specifically (66-68) rather is my favourite. Pre-CBS pickups sound a bit too soft for me and don’t have enough of that bite to it. Plus the block inlays on the neck are just beautiful. Additionally, upgraded the bridge to the Mastery bridge. And put a buzz stop as well. Both of those upgrades gave it a lot more sustain just generally it’s more playable now. Though I do like the stock bridge with all of its problems. Sounds great with 12 or 13 gauge strings.