Which would you keep?

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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Benjirob
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Which would you keep?

Post by Benjirob » Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:32 pm

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?

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Wucan
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by Wucan » Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:39 pm

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.

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wooderson
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by wooderson » Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:42 pm

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.
Last edited by wooderson on Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by jakeisjake » Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:45 pm

Wucan wrote:
Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:39 pm
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.
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.
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northern_dirt
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by northern_dirt » Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:45 pm

Jaguar..
But that's cause I like jags

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marqueemoon
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by marqueemoon » Fri Jun 24, 2022 2:07 pm

Wucan wrote:
Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:39 pm
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.
This.

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bluemonday
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by bluemonday » Fri Jun 24, 2022 2:09 pm

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.

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DeathJag
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by DeathJag » Fri Jun 24, 2022 2:48 pm

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.

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bessieboporbach
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by bessieboporbach » Fri Jun 24, 2022 3:56 pm

Benjirob wrote:
Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:32 pm
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?

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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.

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.

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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by Surfysonic » Fri Jun 24, 2022 4:55 pm

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!
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offabit
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by offabit » Fri Jun 24, 2022 5:53 pm

I think I would sell the Jazz and pick up a version that suited me better for less money.

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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by JVG » Fri Jun 24, 2022 7:46 pm

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!

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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by Tele295 » Fri Jun 24, 2022 8:04 pm

If the Jazzmaster looked as snazzy as the Jaguar, this would be an easy decision. As it is, I feel your pain. :unsure:
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CROSS_guitars
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by CROSS_guitars » Fri Jun 24, 2022 11:20 pm

I'd keep that Jag!

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Futuron
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Re: Which would you keep?

Post by Futuron » Sat Jun 25, 2022 2:36 am

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.

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