The $120 Jaguar

Justin

So I've been seeing those Squier Jaguars for $299 and almost bought one a few times, then I saw them on eBay for $269 and again almost bit down. Found one on the Guitar Center used gear site for $184.99 and I was intrigued enough to call.

They said one of the bridge pieces was missing the part that lets you raise or lower it, that they'd looked high and low to find them. They said they would sell it as is $120 as is... I agreed that yes, finding the exact piece might be a pain and I hung up. Then I realized, duh, I could buy an entire bridge for $30 and slap in there!

Then yet another duh moment when I realized I would be putting a Mustang bridge in anyway, also for around $30, so I called them back and bought it.

Just opened the box. it's beautiful.but abused. The high E saddle is all the way down, no allen screws to adjust it at all. The top strap post is just missing. The screw between the neck pickup and 2 wheels is missing. One of the 4 screws for the neckplage is not completely screwed in.

But did I mention that I got it for $120?!?!

I'm going to get a Mustang bridge, intonate it left handed and add it to my rotation of guitars I don't play 😁 I'm really digging this surf green or aged sonic blue whatever it's called.

Alex

Great find!

Doug

Keep us posted, Justin. "What doesn't kill you..."

Justin

I received my chrome mustang bridge from Allparts today, $38 shipped. I didn't realize that I didn't need the thimbles so I guess I paid more than I should have to get them.

I only have 4 strings on it, E A D G and the Jaguar bridge was so out of whack I couldn't even test the guitar until now. I have to say, it sounds and plays really sweet. IF a made in mexico Strat/Tele is really worth what they're asking, then the new price for these Jaguars certainly is. Sounded as good or better than my 90s Japanese Jaguar.

I hope to find the time to take it to the local guitar guy and get it back within the next 2 weeks. I'll let them worry about the bridge intonation and also the nut has to be flipped. I've seen them popped out before but it may need to be replaced. We'll see what they try to charge me for that. Either way I'm coming out way ahead.

This picture was taken in near darkness, but here is what it looks like with the new bridge

Justin

Well, mostly a success.

$150 for the Jaguar shipped

$30 for the Mustang bridge shipped

$27.xx to have new strings put on, and made left handed.

$208, better than buying one new and paying to have it converted.

The shop I took it to said $80 but when I called they said $25 because they didn't have to replace the nut. I was in a hurry so didn't really inspect it til I got home and played it.

Jaguar wise: Jesus Christ who came up with that switching. I keep turning the volume down with my left hand when I'm playing, I dont know the config yet so I just change stuff while playing only to find out I've changed it for the other switch position. That will get better with time.

Now that I've played it a good bit I have to say there is no way I'd ever pay twice as much for a Japanese version or 3x as muc for North American made. Sounds really good, just not as much output as I'd like, though not enough to change the pickups.

The action is a bit too high and seems to be uneven. B & E are acoustic guitar high off the fretboard.

They did nothing to the nect screw and didn't mention trying, and instead of intonating the bridge, the just turned it around backwards.

So basically I paid someone to put over priced strings on it. The bridge looks wonky but IF it was properly intonated right handed then I guess some of the strings are correct now. I haven't bothered to check with a tuner past the 12th fret but I'm sure it is off.

Well, you get what you pay for I guess. I'm happy to have it, but I don't see it getting much rotation with my LP, Tele, acoustic, and soon to be added Strat.