Which would you keep?
- Benjirob
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:52 am
- Location: Los Angeles
Which would you keep?
Help!
Okay maybe I don’t need help but I probably should sell one of these and I can decide which should go.
2013 Custom Shop Jazzmaster vs 2015 JM Jaguar.
So the Jazzmaster has had its body refinished in a semi decent sonic blue, changed hardware but stock pickups, large c neck, is super loud and resonant and snappy and bright. I love it, but it isn’t a Jaguar and has the semi decent refin which doesn’t look as cool. I also like the vintage radius more than the 9.5.
The Jaguar has the high pass filter, the original finish which looks great and the 7.25 inch radius I love. The bad is isn’t as resonant or bright and is almost muddy sounding, the neck isn’t as chunky but it has its own vibe.
Oh well, I will enjoy both but which would you keep? I may put both up for sale and keep whichever doesn’t sell. I feel like the Jag would benefit from the stock Fender bridge and maybe more traditional wiring?
Okay maybe I don’t need help but I probably should sell one of these and I can decide which should go.
2013 Custom Shop Jazzmaster vs 2015 JM Jaguar.
So the Jazzmaster has had its body refinished in a semi decent sonic blue, changed hardware but stock pickups, large c neck, is super loud and resonant and snappy and bright. I love it, but it isn’t a Jaguar and has the semi decent refin which doesn’t look as cool. I also like the vintage radius more than the 9.5.
The Jaguar has the high pass filter, the original finish which looks great and the 7.25 inch radius I love. The bad is isn’t as resonant or bright and is almost muddy sounding, the neck isn’t as chunky but it has its own vibe.
Oh well, I will enjoy both but which would you keep? I may put both up for sale and keep whichever doesn’t sell. I feel like the Jag would benefit from the stock Fender bridge and maybe more traditional wiring?
Terrible love and I'm walking with spiders
- Wucan
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 301
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2021 12:45 pm
Re: Which would you keep?
The JM looks sweet
But I'd sell the one you aren't actually picking up to play. At the end or the day it doesn't matter how fancy or expensive a guitar is if it's just piling up dust or sitting idle in a case.
But I'd sell the one you aren't actually picking up to play. At the end or the day it doesn't matter how fancy or expensive a guitar is if it's just piling up dust or sitting idle in a case.
- wooderson
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 811
- Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:07 pm
Re: Which would you keep?
I would keep the Jazzmaster and probably have it refinished again at some point, it sounds to me like you like the sound of the JM better. With the Marrguar you could swap pickups but it still might not be enough and then you've invested $200 to find that out.
Maybe it shouldn't matter but I imagine the stock JM Jaguar will sell for more than a refinned Custom Shop right now - when I see those on Reverb they languish because half the reason people buy Fender CS is the finish.
Maybe it shouldn't matter but I imagine the stock JM Jaguar will sell for more than a refinned Custom Shop right now - when I see those on Reverb they languish because half the reason people buy Fender CS is the finish.
Last edited by wooderson on Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- jakeisjake
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 6679
- Joined: Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:39 am
- Location: i am the OGRE kukukachu, vermont
- Contact:
Re: Which would you keep?
Yep. I have a Thin Skin Jaguar that I just don't play. I think it plays well...but like the OP said, I don't get along with the 9.5 radius and the tall frets. It looks so super great!
I picked up a Vintera and can't put it down.
If you are going to sell, sell the one you don't play.
If I was a byrd, I'd be mighty sore every time they shut the door and I don't think I'd sing...
- northern_dirt
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 14064
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:03 am
- Location: Scarborough
Re: Which would you keep?
Jaguar..
But that's cause I like jags
But that's cause I like jags
- marqueemoon
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 7332
- Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
- Location: Seattle
- bluemonday
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2022 8:14 pm
- Location: California, USA
Re: Which would you keep?
Probably keep the one with the resonant bright tone you like. I had a similar choice, and while I liked the Jaguar for the looks and easier reach of the shorter scale, I was convinced from a physical standpoint that it was not going to sound and alive and resonant as the Jazzmaster. Mind you, it is still apples and oranges with a lot of variables--strings, pickups, personal taste--but I think 'alive" sounding guitars are the ones you want to keep. IMO
Those are both beauties though.
Those are both beauties though.
- DeathJag
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2297
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:44 am
Re: Which would you keep?
I don’t know marguars too well but dang, I’d think “muddy” would be the opposite of the word to describe its sound. I also hate rhythm circuits for that reason - they are muddy.
I say keep em both and fix the jag.
I say keep em both and fix the jag.
- bessieboporbach
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2020 4:40 am
Re: Which would you keep?
From your description it sounds like you like the playing experience of the Jag much more. The tone issue is an easy fix. Jag pickups are often a bit darker than their reputation would suggest.Benjirob wrote: ↑Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:32 pmHelp!
Okay maybe I don’t need help but I probably should sell one of these and I can decide which should go.
2013 Custom Shop Jazzmaster vs 2015 JM Jaguar.
So the Jazzmaster has had its body refinished in a semi decent sonic blue, changed hardware but stock pickups, large c neck, is super loud and resonant and snappy and bright. I love it, but it isn’t a Jaguar and has the semi decent refin which doesn’t look as cool. I also like the vintage radius more than the 9.5.
The Jaguar has the high pass filter, the original finish which looks great and the 7.25 inch radius I love. The bad is isn’t as resonant or bright and is almost muddy sounding, the neck isn’t as chunky but it has its own vibe.
Oh well, I will enjoy both but which would you keep? I may put both up for sale and keep whichever doesn’t sell. I feel like the Jag would benefit from the stock Fender bridge and maybe more traditional wiring?
I'm relatively new to this forum so I'm not sure if litigating the topic of whether physical "resonance" affects the amplified sound of a solid electric guitar is verboten or not; it is on some forums. In any case I think it's a minor consideration compared to the other ergonomic and aesthetic issues you mention.
- Surfysonic
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1856
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 12:22 pm
- Location: Walkersville, MD
- Contact:
Re: Which would you keep?
FWIW, I also have a Johnny Marr Jaguar - great guitar but I found the stock Bareknuckle pickups to be a bit muddy/dark for my taste playing through my Fender amps. I ended up swapping them out for some Fender Pure Vintage '65 Jaguar pickups and I was very happy with the change. After acquiring a '63 Jaguar, I sold the JM Jag along with the stock pickups to Scout here on OSG.
Couple of years later (I think?), I got the JM Jag back via a trade with Scout. On a whim, I put the stock Bareknuckle pickups back in the JM Jag. Still didn't sound great through my Fender amps. However, after I had sold the JM Jag, I acquired a Vox AV15C1TV. I played the JM Jag with the stock Bareknuckle pickups through the Vox AC15C1TV and wow, those pickups came to life!
If you have a Vox amp and still find the Bareknuckle pickups not working for you, then I'd recommend a set of the Fender Pure Vintage '65 Jaguar pickups or some other set that you like. Same if you only play through Fender or Fender-type amps. However, if you don't have a Vox amp and was considering getting one, then maybe like me, you'll find the Bareknuckle pickups work great with a Vox amp.
Good luck!
Couple of years later (I think?), I got the JM Jag back via a trade with Scout. On a whim, I put the stock Bareknuckle pickups back in the JM Jag. Still didn't sound great through my Fender amps. However, after I had sold the JM Jag, I acquired a Vox AV15C1TV. I played the JM Jag with the stock Bareknuckle pickups through the Vox AC15C1TV and wow, those pickups came to life!
If you have a Vox amp and still find the Bareknuckle pickups not working for you, then I'd recommend a set of the Fender Pure Vintage '65 Jaguar pickups or some other set that you like. Same if you only play through Fender or Fender-type amps. However, if you don't have a Vox amp and was considering getting one, then maybe like me, you'll find the Bareknuckle pickups work great with a Vox amp.
Good luck!
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- offabit
- PAT PEND
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2021 4:02 pm
Re: Which would you keep?
I think I would sell the Jazz and pick up a version that suited me better for less money.
- JVG
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1399
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:54 pm
- Location: Sydney, Straya
Re: Which would you keep?
Maybe there's a third guitar (which you haven’t found yet) that suits you more than either of these?
Unless you’re in need of money, hold off selling until the decision becomes clearer.
Cosmetic issues are somewhat important, but at the end of the day you need the guitar that is most FUN to play. It’s easy to over-think this stuff!
Unless you’re in need of money, hold off selling until the decision becomes clearer.
Cosmetic issues are somewhat important, but at the end of the day you need the guitar that is most FUN to play. It’s easy to over-think this stuff!
- Tele295
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 99
- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2014 7:05 am
- Location: Ventura, CA
- Contact:
Re: Which would you keep?
If the Jazzmaster looked as snazzy as the Jaguar, this would be an easy decision. As it is, I feel your pain.
Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads - all aloha, all the time
- CROSS_guitars
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 3110
- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:52 am
- Location: Thornbury Melbourne
Re: Which would you keep?
I'd keep that Jag!
- Futuron
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1207
- Joined: Fri Nov 10, 2017 3:19 am
- Location: Australia
Re: Which would you keep?
Easy solution: get someone else to play the Jazzmaster plugged in while you play the Jaguar unplugged.
That way you get to feel & sound the way you want at the same time, haha
But seriously, as others have said, try the Jaguar with a different amp or pedal, strings, pickups etc before giving up on such a great feeling and looking guitar. I'd try to keep that one myself.
That way you get to feel & sound the way you want at the same time, haha
But seriously, as others have said, try the Jaguar with a different amp or pedal, strings, pickups etc before giving up on such a great feeling and looking guitar. I'd try to keep that one myself.