20 replies to this topic

[The Jagmaster]

well, I was flicking through some new pages of the Fender website and came across these, Squier JAGUARS

http://www.fender.co...rtno=0302000500

there is also a Mustang that Squier are making too.

As the owner of a Fender Jaguar (MIM) I've been thinking, what lies for the future of Jaguars?
there doesnt seem to be much difference between lower end ones and the Squiers, lets face it, all the key features that people buy Jags for are there, so is it only a matter of time until Japs and Mexi's are phased out altogether?

I'm not sure I like the idea of jaguars and mustangs being made by Squier. I think they'll be more expensive than they're worth, but then again, I may want one because they were originally supposed to be 'student' models and its obvious theyre returning to that. Yet at the same time, I wouldnt because of the association with 'Squier' and 'P.O.S guitars' (except from maybe the jagmaster, which is built like a brick wall)

Im thinking maybe a CAR one as a backup for my CAR Fender. May even pick up a mustang if it seems worth it.

I'm split down the middle...whats your take?

[Mad-Mike]

Honestly, the Squiers are a dream come true for me. The classic Jaguar is my #1 guitar in off-the-rack condition. And close for the Mustang and Jazzmaster. Now I could actually afford to own more than one Jaguar, and not risk going overdraft buying it.{

The Jaguar's story has been an interesting one though. All the "classic rock" guitars (Tele, Strat, SG, Les Paul...etc) all have some famous names anchored to them - quite a few to be honest, while the Jaguar only really has Kurt Cobain as an "inconic" player, and his was not even close to stock.

Maybe Youtube has some to do with this, Fender has a channel, I"m sure they have some people who look for youtubes of people playing their guitars. Around the time I started doing youtubes of my Jag there were not many on there, and now there's a ton of videos by all schools of player playing Jaguars for everything from Jazz, to surf, to full blown Metal. It used to be the Jaguar was this "one-trick-pony" instrument that was only good for plinky surf music and died out with Don Ho and surfboards. Now it seems to hold it's own and has found it's own voice in places most people would last expect to see a Jaguar.

Some of the difference I also attribute to the music industry, way back when, us guitarists found "famous" guitar heroes to look up to, whoever was doing the flashiest, edgiest, or coolest #### around, and then their guitars became coveted items. Now who's really a huge guitar hero within the last 10 years? And to add to it, people tend to listen to music because they like it, not because it benefits them in some way, which I think is a good thing. If it were the late sixties and Jimi shouldered, lit on fire, and smashed Jaguars, we'd probably already seen them candy striped and Floyd Rosed by now after EVH would do so in the 70's and 80's, or at least see Yngwie with a Jag.

I dunno, maybe the Jag is destined to become more and more popular, it has a lot of things that make it more versitile and different from the status quo we've had around for 50 years that was not sitting for $250 in pawn shops through the 70's and 80's.

[HNB]

I agree with Mike that Jaguars (and Jazzmasters) are growing in fame due to old rock/punk/alternative bands using them (because at the time they were cheap). It is funny that all those young fans are now older and have some cash causing these guitars to go up in value. On the other hand, if they had not gained popularity, they might have been discontinued.

I don't see them going anywhere. It is nice to see them get more like strats and teles in that there are many different versions for different prices now.

[The Jagmaster]

I got l####y with my Jaguar since I scored it for less than half price second hand (well, the guy had it overnight and took it back with film, tags and all still there)
So youre definitaly right about the price aspect for them being used (plus I'd always wanted one since my jagmaster served me well)

It just seems to me that this guitar hasnt really ever been popular except from the late 80's/early 90's because of people like Kurt Cobain and Johnny Marr. Hence why hardly anyone now uses them for the features and instead because of the people using it (which I think is kinda sad since I've played a bunch of US strats and teles, les pauls etc, and non of them stand up to a jaguar in my opinion, even though mine's a mexican)

My general take on Jags (and mustangs too coming to think of it) is that,

1. They have been SEVERELY over priced by Fender jumping on the grunge/punk bandwagon over the last 10-15 years or so, so I'd be interested to see what Squier do with it
2. Hands down they are the most reliable and versatile guitars in existace.
3. Fender aren't pricing there guitars sensibly anymore, so people aren't going to buy them. This may explain the move to Squier.

the things I just dont understand is why the US models are over priced. The mexican models are US parts assembled by mexicans, so whats the difference? US quality isnt particularly good in my opinion, and doesnt justify the cost.

But the point I'm trying to make is that with the Squier production of these guitars (making them affordable student models again) it doesnt seem to me like there is a need for japanese or mexican production of the Fender version anymore. The Jaguar has never been particularly popular in the mainstream

so WHAT on earth justifies the price tag?

[Hartbaby]

• All I hope for is that these new Squiers are fairly priced, like the CVs or Standards. Anything more than $300 is excessive in my opinion. If they are priced around or below that, I will surely be getting one as Ive wanted a Jag for a while. Fender Jags are very overpriced even if I find a used one somewhere (which is rare where I live). Squier quality has gone way up in recent years. I have a 2005 Strat that I love as the neck is great and it has a nice weight and feel to it. If these Squiers are built nicely, I think it is a great thing that they are being introduced. Took Squier/Fender long enough to do so! Im excited by these guitars and I wonder when we will be seeing them in shops. Olympic white Jag with turtle shell pickguard has my name all over it!

[RaspberryLeviathan]

I love the idea of Squier Mustangs and Jaguars.
My dad bought me the Classic Player HH Jaguar back in 2008 or something, an $800 price tag I believe, and I imagine that, being 21 now, that will be the last guitar he ever buys for me lol
These lower priced Jaguar, Jazzmaster, and Mustangs are ideal for me. I've always been more inclined to buy Epiphone and Squier guitars because of the lower price. If something is wrong with it, I can always fix it as it comes along, make it a "real" guitar.

Needless to say, I am going to scoop up the Fiesta Red Mustang as soon as I can, maybe paint the headstock to match and put a competition stripe on the body.

[The Jagmaster]

I think I may end up picking up a candy apple red jaguar to see how it compares to my candy apple red fender jag
I have high expectations for these. I sure hope they dont fail me.

[redman1401]

They still are squier so i wouldnt expect them to be as good as a fender, but they should be decent atleast. My issue i neither these or the mustangs are gonna be made left handed.

[The Jagmaster]

Im kinda split about that statement. The chinese Fenders are pretty high quality, as are top end squiers, theyre around the same level in my books.
Dont be fooled by the price tags or where its made, the chinese have caught up a considerable amount in guitar quality.

And on the plus side, the lower price tag means it doesnt matter if it gets dropped or modified.

I dont have a particularly high value for US fenders. Nothing about them seems to justify the pricetag to me. I'd only ever probably buy a custom shop model. I stick to mexicans, all the parts are made in the US and sent down for assembly, so theyre essentially US models.

The way I see it, Fender will keep going east for the cheaper labour, and as their quality has increased so much, so eventually there will be no need for mexico and japan manufacturing, and theyll only keep the US to justify a high pricetag....but hey, thats my opinion

[redman1401]

China doesn't make fenders, only Japan, US, and Mexico. though i do perfer Japanese ones over any others.

[The Jagmaster]

I mean 'Fender' as in any brand they own, sorry if that wasnt clear haha
The Fender Modern Player Jaguar is made in china, and the quality is definitaly there. Its certainitaly a very real possibility.
Although with the wood supplies for guitars expected to run out in the next decade or so if no action is taken, it wont matter anyway xD

[redman1401]

Just irritates me that they aren't making these squiers or the mustangs left handed, its not exactly hard for them to do, for the majority of parts its just flipping the template and there are quite alot of left handed players out there to justify it, especially in a budget model.

[The Jagmaster]

only reason I play right handed most of the time is because of the availability. You must be preettttyy annoyed

[redman1401]

only reason I play right handed most of the time is because of the availability. You must be preettttyy annoyed

I am with the fact that thse aren't coming out that way, but i got a pretty decent left handed collection so i'm not too upset.

[nj2178]

It's cool that Fender are taking note of what people want and doing cheaper versions of the Jaguar...... I work as a guitar teacher so I'll love it if more beginners had more alternative guitars not just the run of the mill black strat!!

But I would also hate it if they did a poor job on these guitar and put people off for life. Oh and I can't believe that are not doing a lefty models in this range. Looks like if you're starting out and you're left handed you'll have a black strat end of!!!!!!

[The Jagmaster]

I'm gonna start teaching soon too as a part time job to pay for stuff. I remember all the people that Ive ever seen (starters) having black strat copies! haha. Hit the nail on the head there!

I think any guitar is only what you make of it. I have a guitar that none of my friends can play comfortably, but I can since I know every little thing about the guitar. Its weird.

They'd better make a good job of these. But if they dont, I have a Jaguar anyway so why does it matter to me? may consider one as a backup though or for touring so theres no worry of damaging anything too expensive.

[redman1401]

I'm one of those people who don't really care too much, i mean, my strat has a different profile neck to my jagstang which has a different profile neck to my mustang which is different from my jag. That and the jag has bigger fret wire than all of them, and the strat is a differen't scale than the rest, i just got used to having a big cluster and working with it, but some people think the jagstang or mustang's neck is too thin for them....that whole personal preference....

I think most people get the black strat copy mainly because you can get one for like 80 bucks with an amp so if you don't play it ever again its not a major loss...me personally though, I'd love for them to make these left handed because i'd like to have another mustang around without having to have it imported from japan.

[RaspberryLeviathan]

I found an auction on eBay for the Surf Green (or whatever) Squier Jaguar with some pictures if any of you want to take a peep:

http://www.ebay.com/...=item27c945c96e

[RaspberryLeviathan]

Also, apparently they are crafted in Indonesia.
Anyone have any information on Indonesia's standard of guitar output?

[LordTrazaza]

I personally love Squiers, I bought a Squier Bullet (2008 or so) from a friend for $50 not too long ago. I refinished it, and replaced the pots, cap, jack, and switch. The tone was actually really good and I liked the feel (neck) on that "cheap" guitar more than on my $1000 dollar American Strat. It was more bassy than my USA Strat. Goes to show you need to play around before you spend the big bucks, but then again I've kinda developed a a do-it-yourself mantra with my guitars recently. What I'm getting at is if you're looking for a Mustang, try both the Squier and the USA in store (when it comes out) before you buy.

This Mustang looks really promising, I'm quite excited, when these Squiers come out you can find bodies and necks for cheap on ebay, Mustangs are still pretty expensive on ebay. I'll be checking the used prices of these, even parted out. When I decide to get either a Jazz or Jag I will seriously look at the Squier options as well.