timiscott wrote: ↑Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:45 am
I think it's a price-point strategy these days. The MIM stuff is about £800, the MIJ about £1200 and the US about £1600. I think that, on the whole, the price reflects the quality, but it's minor tweaks all the way. I'm not entirely convinced that, when you're totally focused on playing, these things matter hugely. You can feel the difference between a US Jag or JM and a non-US one but it doesn't have much impact when you're caught up writing or recording.
The prices for second hand MIJ/CIJ are insane, given that you might need to upgrade some things. That might reflect the way that US stuff holds its price but I'm not sure. Overall, I don't think any of the new guitars across the price range are going to be anything less than very good indeed. I haven't played a Vintera but a MIM Classic Player Jaguar SS I had was a seriously good guitar. I'd visit some shops and see what looks, feels and sounds good to you... but try not to be swayed by pricing or reputations.
Yes I. Know what you mean about price not being the total indicator of quality of usability.
I live in far North Queensland which is about a 19hr drive from nearest capital city. We do have guitar shops but they often have 1 or none offset guitars and usually it's just the latest squire or MIM. So I have to rely on reading a lot of forums to try and gain some average consensus on player experience.
I do own a mid to late 90s olympic white jag that I love but I did have to shield it to avoid excessive hum. It is awesome though.
I also own a American made 2017 Jazzmaster (I think it's a "pro" it has the dark neck colour that continues into the headstock and 65 pickups). It is definitely awesome and the most fun and playable guitar with little to no play issues. It's awesome.
Yet the old Jag is still more inspiring to write songs on but I also had to swap the bridge and to stop it slipping out on the low E all the time and the shielding that I mentioned.
My gut instinct is that I can't afford an American jag but I do want to veer towards a 2020/2021 model Japanese jag (probably the Traditional 60s for my budget).
Part of This reasoning is that the only other MIM fender guitars I've played both had absolutely terrible to the point of almost unusable necks on them. They were models from 10uears back though so I realise things change but it's really turned me off MIMs.