Best Jaguar

[Con-Tiki!]

Johnny Marr Jag is the way to go if you want the best mix between vintage and modern options.

i completely agree.
I pieced one together, and i have stopped shopping guitars entirely.
If you are into traditional Jag features, I like the Fiesta lacquer model. I don't love the '65 pickups they come with though. They are a little harsh, and would probably have to go, if I owned one.

[alarmclarke]

I agree with the above statement. love my JM jaguar sold the 60s laquer when it arrived. Great pups great controls lots of versatility in sounds from position one thin and clean in a good way, position two bright and jangly, position three nice mellow tone, and position four is deep and warm. plus you can clean up each position with the upper switches.

[DWO]

Thank you all for your input.

[sirspens]

It's funny, I used to be against the idea of the Johnny Marr Jaguar, but lately I've been feeling like it offers a unique enough departure from the Jazzmaster to make it worth the purchase.

[DeathJag]

I don't love the '65 pickups they come with though. They are a little harsh, and would probably have to go, if I owned one.

AV65 pure vintage vs bare knuckle Johnny Marr pups? Btw I play surf so I like bright and clean. Con-Tiki sounds like a surf or lounge act.

[jakeisjake]

The one you want to own.

that's a little more like it.

just kidding i love my Thin Skin Jag!

[s_mcsleazy]

MINE

[SAVEStheDAY]

For me it's the MIJ Jaguar Special HH

[alarmclarke]

J MARR

[sunburster]

There are lots of great ones available now.

My favorite is the AV65, but it is not everyone's cup of tea (if you don't like bound necks, for example, you won't like these). Hence there is no "best".

[Meriphew]

I took my time and picked out two primo Marr Jaguars (KO and LPB). They are both barely over 8lbs. The KO Jag has a birdseye maple neck, and the LPB has a really nice grain in the neck too. The finish and sound of both rival my Fender Custom Shop guitars.

[Mad-Mike]

To me, the best is either a vintage 1963 year model with hot pickups, like serial 925 from Fretted Americana (the one Phil X was rocking out on, Olympic White), or a MIJ, CIJ, or a upgraded VM with Cool Rails installed in it. I like my Jaguars to look deceptively vintage and sound outright mean as heck. And I also love the extra resonance of the strings behind the bridge and the hotter pickups brings that out, as well as using the Rhythm Circuit for that smooth "Brian May" or for another example Paul Dean at the start of Loverboy's "Always on my Mind".

My ideal would have to be custom built though - 24" Scale with the fretboard coming right up to the neck pickup (23 or 24 frets), Resonance Slots in the neck (like the Odyssey/Hondo Paul Dean Guitars), an old set of cool rails, vintage wring, vintage or AVRI vibrato, Japanese bridge with brass saddles and my heavy spring mod, with a Swamp Ash or Basswood Body done in some color I down presently own. I'm planning to build that plan out someday - and add a recessed Vibramute as well so I can have my decked neck (no shim) and my Vibramute too.