Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
- figgypudding18
- PAT PEND
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Tue Sep 17, 2019 10:56 am
Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Here's a fun one...people who have played both (I have only played the Jazzmaster)....which would you prefer for Jazz playing? Yes, I know there are "better" jazz guitars out there...yes I know you can play Jazz on anything...just a random question is all!
- bessieboporbach
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 284
- Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 4:40 am
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
You can get a pretty similar jazz tone on both with the rhythm circuit. Ultimately the difference is the scale length. There isn't much of a tradition of jazz playing on short-scale guitars, for various reasons. The Byrdland, for example, is (despite its archtop construction and its coincidental name) seldom used for jazz.figgypudding18 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:21 amHere's a fun one...people who have played both (I have only played the Jazzmaster)....which would you prefer for Jazz playing? Yes, I know there are "better" jazz guitars out there...yes I know you can play Jazz on anything...just a random question is all!
That being said, between Joe Pass's loaner Jag and Marc Ribot, there are probably more serious jazz guitarists who have played Jags than JMs? Since the Jag was the top-of-the-line Fender for quite a while in the '60s, that might have held some appeal for professionals in California.
- Braunzo
- PAT PEND
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 1:24 pm
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Bill Frisell was running around with a Jag for a minute there, as well! And Adam Levy.bessieboporbach wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:53 amYou can get a pretty similar jazz tone on both with the rhythm circuit. Ultimately the difference is the scale length. There isn't much of a tradition of jazz playing on short-scale guitars, for various reasons. The Byrdland, for example, is (despite its archtop construction and its coincidental name) seldom used for jazz.figgypudding18 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:21 amHere's a fun one...people who have played both (I have only played the Jazzmaster)....which would you prefer for Jazz playing? Yes, I know there are "better" jazz guitars out there...yes I know you can play Jazz on anything...just a random question is all!
That being said, between Joe Pass's loaner Jag and Marc Ribot, there are probably more serious jazz guitarists who have played Jags than JMs? Since the Jag was the top-of-the-line Fender for quite a while in the '60s, that might have held some appeal for professionals in California.
- Larry Mal
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 19725
- Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:25 pm
- Location: Saint Louis, MO
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
I've heard people dial in very convincing jazz box sounds on a Telecaster. I'm honestly not sure if the Jazzmaster nor the Jaguar is really all that strong for this.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.
- Surfysonic
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1868
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
- Location: Walkersville, MD
- Contact:
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
I'm not a jazz player but I appreciate it and those who can play it. From these vids, Jazz can be played well on both.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRxXage6Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7F2mK4wCRw
As for the OP's question - I'd go with the Jazzmaster personally as it usually is a lighter guitar...if I could play Jazz...which I can't.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRxXage6Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7F2mK4wCRw
As for the OP's question - I'd go with the Jazzmaster personally as it usually is a lighter guitar...if I could play Jazz...which I can't.
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- Ceylon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 3295
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:27 am
- Location: Middle of the Baltic Sea
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
On the neck pickup and with some flatwounds, you can get a gorgeous jazz tone out of a Jazzmaster. Leo knew very well what it was he was designing. I'm thinking a Jaguar would get you pretty close to the same sound but I haven't tried personally. In theory the short-scale percussiveness might really add something there.
Science Friction burns my fingers
Electricity still lingers
Electricity still lingers
- Stephen_42
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1506
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2018 2:32 am
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Jazzmasters are usually lighter? That doesn't make sense to me. Other than the slightly smaller neck / slightly thinner upper horn on the Jaguar, and slightly bigger pickup routs on the Jazzmaster, they're physically the same size/shape and made of the same stuff... Surely any weight difference should be negligible?Surfysonic wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:18 amI'm not a jazz player but I appreciate it and those who can play it. From these vids, Jazz can be played well on both.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRxXage6Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7F2mK4wCRw
As for the OP's question - I'd go with the Jazzmaster personally as it usually is a lighter guitar...if I could play Jazz...which I can't.
(Obviously with the caveat that woods can vary a lot in density, so it's entirely possible that you've personally happened to have light Jazzmasters / heavy Jaguars.)
- PixMix
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1687
- Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:04 pm
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
It's the metal plates (V+T+input, pickup switching, and rhythm circuit) and the claws on the Jag pickups that makes it heavier than JM, all else being equal, which it never is. That said, I have two Jags both relatively light.Stephen_42 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 1:14 pmJazzmasters are usually lighter? That doesn't make sense to me. Other than the slightly smaller neck / slightly thinner upper horn on the Jaguar, and slightly bigger pickup routs on the Jazzmaster, they're physically the same size/shape and made of the same stuff... Surely any weight difference should be negligible?Surfysonic wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:18 amI'm not a jazz player but I appreciate it and those who can play it. From these vids, Jazz can be played well on both.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRxXage6Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7F2mK4wCRw
As for the OP's question - I'd go with the Jazzmaster personally as it usually is a lighter guitar...if I could play Jazz...which I can't.
(Obviously with the caveat that woods can vary a lot in density, so it's entirely possible that you've personally happened to have light Jazzmasters / heavy Jaguars.)
- alexpigment
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 866
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:02 pm
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Definitely agree that Jags are usually heavier. It's not uncommon to find an 8lb Jazzmaster, but I've rarely ever seen an 8lb Jag. They are often nearing 9lb or more. As mentioned above, it's all in the metal plates and extra switches.
- Surfysonic
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1868
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
- Location: Walkersville, MD
- Contact:
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
YMMV, but in my experience, Jags have usually been the heavier beastie.
Interestingly (to me at least, heh), my '63 Jag (Alder?), Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jag (Poplar), and Squier Vintage Modified Jag (Basswood) are actually not that bad. I was surprised that my Johnny Marr Sig Jag (Alder) is decisively heavier.
My Fender Japan Traditional '60s Jazzmaster (Basswood), Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster (Basswood) are lighter in comparison to my Jags. As is one of my two Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazzmasters (Poplar).
However, my American Original '60s Jazzmaster (Alder), Vintera '60s Jazzmaster (Alder), and the other Classic Vibe '60s Jazzmaster (Poplar) are all on the hefty side, comparitive to the Johnny Marr Jag.
The heaviest offset I've ever owned by far had to be an aftermarket or homemade Mustang ash body that I bought off of Reverb. While lovely, it was too hefty for me and I had to move it on...I may have sold it to someone on here (it's been a while). Hope they aren't cursing my name due to the weight.
Interestingly (to me at least, heh), my '63 Jag (Alder?), Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jag (Poplar), and Squier Vintage Modified Jag (Basswood) are actually not that bad. I was surprised that my Johnny Marr Sig Jag (Alder) is decisively heavier.
My Fender Japan Traditional '60s Jazzmaster (Basswood), Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster (Basswood) are lighter in comparison to my Jags. As is one of my two Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazzmasters (Poplar).
However, my American Original '60s Jazzmaster (Alder), Vintera '60s Jazzmaster (Alder), and the other Classic Vibe '60s Jazzmaster (Poplar) are all on the hefty side, comparitive to the Johnny Marr Jag.
The heaviest offset I've ever owned by far had to be an aftermarket or homemade Mustang ash body that I bought off of Reverb. While lovely, it was too hefty for me and I had to move it on...I may have sold it to someone on here (it's been a while). Hope they aren't cursing my name due to the weight.
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- Sweetfinger
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:23 pm
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Clearly, the answer is one of those Acoustasonic hollow Jazzmasters with a Dearmond Rhythm Chief added, strung with flats....
or a Jaguar.
or a Jaguar.
- BlueMelody
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:18 pm
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Yeah, my thinskin Jazzmaster is 7.8 pounds and my Marr Jag is a shade under 9 pounds.
- andy_tchp
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 8044
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:36 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
It’s not limited to the pickup routes; There’s a huge amount more routed out of a Jazzmaster body than a Jaguar.Stephen_42 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 1:14 pmJazzmasters are usually lighter? That doesn't make sense to me. Other than the slightly smaller neck / slightly thinner upper horn on the Jaguar, and slightly bigger pickup routs on the Jazzmaster, they're physically the same size/shape and made of the same stuff... Surely any weight difference should be negligible?Surfysonic wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:18 amI'm not a jazz player but I appreciate it and those who can play it. From these vids, Jazz can be played well on both.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRxXage6Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7F2mK4wCRw
As for the OP's question - I'd go with the Jazzmaster personally as it usually is a lighter guitar...if I could play Jazz...which I can't.
(Obviously with the caveat that woods can vary a lot in density, so it's entirely possible that you've personally happened to have light Jazzmasters / heavy Jaguars.)
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.
David McComb, 1987.
- HarlowTheFish
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 806
- Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2020 7:09 pm
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Personally Jag, if only because the shorter scale length does some nice bloomy stuff to the attack that works for me in jazz -- same as the Mustang, actually.
I prefer the JM pickups personally, but they're not miles different from a Jag when you've got the tone rolled down pretty far on both, and IMO the playability and tone of the shorter scales does more for a really cool jazz sound than the (admittedly cool, smoky, and jazzy) tones of a JM neck pickup.
I prefer the JM pickups personally, but they're not miles different from a Jag when you've got the tone rolled down pretty far on both, and IMO the playability and tone of the shorter scales does more for a really cool jazz sound than the (admittedly cool, smoky, and jazzy) tones of a JM neck pickup.
- mcbrandt
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 969
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:37 pm
- Location: Walnut Creek
Re: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar for Jazz?
Like stated already, I'd argue for the Jazzmaster, as that is what it was actually designed for, and in my opinion can do at the very least as good as a Tele in terms of solidbodys. Typically I'm playing some sort of bastardized jazz which probably only amounts to 7th chords, and I've never actually played a Jaguar, so I might not be the best judge. There are plenty of videos on youtube now of people playing jazz on JMs, even some of people espousing it's virtues as a jazz guitar.