I'll start this post with a question to all of you - Which recordings/live performances, involving Jazzmasters or Jaguars, impacted your preferences for guitar sound?
Of all the reasons to invest in an electric guitar (comfort, aesthetics, sound), sound is the most important to me. More specifically, unique sound. Electric guitars, in general, haven't evolved much in the last 65 years. If you think about it, electric guitars have been defined by two major sounds - Fender single coil and Gibson humbucker. Trends in popular music tend to sway the public one way or the other, but I find that in Fender's alternative models, a third category was ultimately created.
For me, the earliest example of this third sound is illustrated in The Ventures' 1960 recording of "Walk Don't Run." Especially in the rhythm guitar opening. Both Bogle and Wilson used Jazzmasters on recordings (with the occasional Stratocaster during their "twist" period) until they switched to Mosrites. I think those chunky chords during the intro, A, G, F, E... produced a distinctly unique tone that defines the Jazzmaster. Ironically, it wasn't even the original intent of the guitar, which became another defining characteristic of Jazzmasters/Jaguars - they're unexpected.
A lot of people cite Nirvana and Dinosaur Jr. for bringing them to these guitars. I think both groups brought attention to the versatility to the models by altering them (Cobain more so than Mascis - plus, Cobain is more of a Mustang w/ Humbucker bridge guy). Out of this era, I think Sonic Youth's "Washing Machine" was more of a Jazzmaster showcase, especially Thurston Moore's parts, which exploited playing below the bridge and using the guitar's infamous "buzz" for feedback sculpting. Granted, Sonic Youth had been doing that for 10 years up until that point, but Washing Machine's recording really captured that sound with accuracy.
Costello is also given a lot of credit for bringing Jazzmasters back, but according to what I read, he merely stumbled onto it thinking it was a unique strat. Plus, Jazzmasters were cheap in the 80s and could be found in most pawn shops. Nobody wanted them in an era saturated with chorus and delay effects.
I consider Stephen Malkmus' guitar sound on "Brighten the Corners" another Jazzmaster moment. While Malkmus' time with Pavement saw him using a 70s stratocaster during live performances, when he was touring for that album, he used a white Jazzmaster for his alternative tuning, CGDGBD. Malkmus is using that same Jazzmaster more often today with the Jicks. Here's an interesting tidbit of info - I had the honor of recording with Mitch Easter about five years ago, who pulled out his 1964 Burgundy Mist Jazzmaster, which he claimed Malkmus used on a majority of that album through Mitch's Matchless combo amp. It was incredible to actually play the same setup that he used on that album - and it was definitely that sound.
Nels Cline is another guitarist that inspired experimentalists with his use of Jazzmasters, and I always admired how he kept himself anchored on the classic Jazzmaster sound.
As far as Jaguars are concerned, I'm really happy to see a lot of younger artists recognizing its ability to reach sharper tones in a much more pleasant tonal range than Strats or Teles. Does anyone remember Ronald Jones, the lead guitarist from the Flaming Lips from 1992-1996? I feel he's constantly overlooked. That guy made sounds with a Jaguar (modified with a third pickup between the neck and bridge) that I still don't comprehend. Listen to "Clouds Taste Metallic" and try to replicate those sounds on anything else. It's near impossible.
The funny thing is - I find most of the Jazzmaster/Jaguar tribute models to sound atrocious and completely miss the point of the artists behind it. The limited run Ventures Jazzmaster sounds muddy to the point it might as well be an SG. The Elvis Costello Jazzmaster is only defined by a late 70s headstock and Walnut finish and unless Mascis himself is personally making each one, their is no point of a J Mascis Jazzmaster. And why no Thurston Moore or Lee Ranaldo Jazzmaster(blaster)? Probably because in order to make them, they would have to throw them out of a window three stories high, drive over them, solder screwdrivers on the bridge and rip out all the electronics. And what 16-year-old would bug his parents to buy that?
Sorry for this being so long. I'm actually working on a book about the subject and would love to hear your stories. I guess I have a lot to say on the subject.
