Comparison: Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster and Jaguar

[Noise...]

I got a message from DarkAxel asking me to compare the VM Jag and Jazzie. I'm happy to do it for him, but because there may be others here on ILF that want to hear the tonal differences between the two I thought a thread might be helpful.

What I've done is demoed both of them side by side with each pickup combo. I've omitted the Jag's bass cut switch, as the Jazzmaster has nothing comparable.

My overall view is that the Jazzmaster is way smoother sounding, while the Jag has a lot more edge and bite. I used the same settings on everything, and the progression is:

Bridge>Both>Neck>Rhythm Circuit>Bridge with Fuzz

The Jazzmaster comes first for each. Please keep in mind that my VM Jazzmaster is a bit brighter than the average one due to the anodized pick guard. A standard plastic pick guard will take some treble off the JM.

Guitars used:




Demo:

http://soundcloud.com/noisemaker-effect ... comparison
[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/noisemaker-effects/squier-jm-and-jag-comparison[/soundcloud]

[DarkAxel]

Man, thank you so much

the thing is i'm having a hard time deciding which one to save for because i like them both it's super nice to have something like this at hand

what strings are you using on the Jag? I'm used to 11s on a long scale in standard/drop D and i like a bit of resistance and tuning stability as well... i was thinking maybe some hybrids like Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky or maybe standard 12s for a similar feeling on the jag? Plus i'd be interesting how would it sound with thicker strings - you know, bigger mass of metal vibrating around

[Noise...]

Man, thank you so much

the thing is i'm having a hard time deciding which one to save for because i like them both it's super nice to have something like this at hand

what strings are you using on the Jag? I'm used to 11s on a long scale in standard/drop D and i like a bit of resistance and tuning stability as well... i was thinking maybe some hybrids like Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky or maybe standard 12s for a similar feeling on the jag? Plus i'd be interesting how would it sound with thicker strings - you know, bigger mass of metal vibrating around

No worries!

I've got both strung with D'Addario 11's. I've used them forever, and they're my preferred strings.

If you're tuning down at all on a Jag, I'd go with 12's. The 11's feel pretty slinky on there in standard tuning. Not loose, but you can definitely feel the difference between the long scale and short scale, resistance-wise.

Also worth noting is that my Jags are about 1.5lbs heavier than the Jazzmaster. If weight is an issue, go with the Jazzy, as it's lighter than a Strat.

The stock Jazzmasters are a bit more mellow. The anodized pick guard REALLY added some treble. While it's nice, it's different from the stock sound. I've got a Sonic Blue JM on the way, so that should cover my "standard" JM sound, and the CAR one will be my "bright" JM sound.

Personally, I'd sit down with each and see which one you get on with more. I like Jags a bit more than Jazzmasters, so they're generally my first choice. That being said, these Jazzmasters feel fantastic, and as someone who greatly prefers a short scale Jaguar neck, I love the necks on the Jazzmasters.

You really can't go wrong with either of them. They're fantastic guitars - not "for the money" or any of that nonsense, but in general. Mine shame my CIJ Jag in terms of quality, so that's saying something.

[skullservant]

12's on a Jag is WONDERFUL. Even if you aren't downtuning I would recommend it

[ryan summit]

thanks for the info
what makes a jag heavier?

[Noise...]

thanks for the info
what makes a jag heavier?

I'm guessing the extra metal and extra wood. There's far less routing in the Jag than the JM.

[Gone Fission]

You keep compounding conundrums. While kind of helping on the Jag/Jazzy conundrum, yeah, I'm leaning Jag with "both" strongly in mind, but what guard for CAR? If JM, that anodized is beautiful. But the tort and CAR works nicely, too, though I think a little redder tort than brown tort.

[Noise...]

You keep compounding conundrums. While kind of helping on the Jag/Jazzy conundrum, yeah, I'm leaning Jag with "both" strongly in mind, but what guard for CAR? If JM, that anodized is beautiful. But the tort and CAR works nicely, too, though I think a little redder tort than brown tort.

That pic doesn't show the tort too well. It's an AVRI tort guard, and actually does have a good bit of red in it. In sunlight it's a great match. I'd still call it brown tort, but it really matches well with light on it.

I love the anodized on the CAR Jazzmaster, but the brightness is something to watch. I like it, but if you're going for the warm, traditional Jazzmaster tone you'll need to roll off the tone knob a little. Or stick with a non-metal guard. The good side of it, however, is that you could play it while surrounded by fluorescent lights without any hum.

[hatshirt]

fuck yeah, gold guards! here is mine. i put an allparts gold aluminum guard on there, along with a CIJ mustang bridge and a buzzstop. the stock pickups and trem are great!

[Psyre]

Thanks for your review it really helped me out! Just ordered my Surf Green Jaguar, the wait is gonna be FOREVER, also went ahead and got all the stuff to do this to it:

http://mail.tgpwebzine.com/board/showthread.php?t=1129037

well not the mute, just the headstock change, and eventually an trem upgrade.

[Noise...]

Thanks for your review it really helped me out! Just ordered my Surf Green Jaguar, the wait is gonna be FOREVER, also went ahead and got all the stuff to do this to it:

http://mail.tgpwebzine.com/board/showthread.php?t=1129037

well not the mute, just the headstock change, and eventually an trem upgrade.

Unless you REALLY want the lock, skip the trem upgrade. It's really not necessary. I'm up to three of these with a fourth waiting to be delivered tomorrow, and they'll all keep the stock trem, as it's perfectly usable and nice and smooth.

[rfurtkamp]

Yea, I have a Jag with a trem lock and I only ever use it when I don't want to accidentally play the bar (bad habits) since it's also my guitar synth controller. My Mascis Squier JM and Surf Green Squier Jag don't have a lock. I don't miss the button. I put puke tort on the surf green Jag and it's appropriate.

I liked the Squier Jag so much I tried to get a 'used' Jazzmaster from the MF clearance but apparently missed it by a few minutes. Got a sonic blue Squier Mustang already equipped with a proper Mustang bridge on the way, should be here tomorrow. Will be interesting to compare it to my screaming yellow MIJ 69RI.

Pretty much these are can't go wrong guitars, especially if you already know a little bit about how to set up the trem. I use stainless 10s on everything, including my Jags and Mustangs, and haven't had a problem with the stock bridge on the surf Jag yet, but I had to set up many a broken or nearly so vintage Jag back in the day.

Mustang is another story, that one I'm glad already comes with the MIJ bridge on it and set up, I absolutely hate, hate hate Jag/JM bridges on Mustangs and went through hell to replace one that had been swapped to steal the real bridge on my old '64 back in the day.

The comparison though should be the JMJM to the Squier jag, I love the pickups and the sound on the JMJM and think the extra hundred bucks was well worth it in fit + finish in the Jazzmaster department.