Have there been any major quality or pickup differences in the Japanese made Jazzmasters through the last several years?
I always thought I would really like a Jazzmaster but could never find a real or USRI to play. When Fender did that short release a few years ago of the blue and red Japanese Jags and Jazzs I finally got a chance to try one out and was surprised that I liked the sound of the Jag better even though I never thought I would like the shorter scale. Fast forward a couple of years and I finally picked up a real 60's Jaguar (even though it's a parts guitar) and still have some GAS for a Jazzmaster. As it turns out there is a local mom and pop store that still has one of those blue Jazzmasters left that it seems everybody blew out a couple of years ago. Are these any better or worse than the stuff that you see on Ebay that was made before or after? Do USRI pups bolt right in?
I'd prefer an original or a USRI but I don't know if I want to spend the money on one if I chose the Jaguar when I had a chance to play the Japanese reisssues side by side years ago. If I can get a good buy on the Jazzmaster that is left in stock it might be worth trying it for awhile to see if I would actually use it very much or if it would just sit and I'll always go to the Jag.
