New Vintage Modified Squiers!

[Katastrophe]

A Jaguar and a Jazzmaster. The Jazzmaster's got it goin' on, IMHO. They took out all the switches and that goofy vibrato unit, created a new bridge (already radiused at 9.5", same as the fretboard), slapped on a maple FB neck at 25.5" scale.

I'm in total guitar GAS induced lust over the blonde Jazzmaster.

Check it out! http://squierguitars.com/products/se...uitars&cat=new

[markb]

A Jaguar and a Jazzmaster. The Jazzmaster's got it goin' on, IMHO. They took out all the switches and that goofy vibrato unit, created a new bridge (already radiused at 9.5", same as the fretboard), slapped on a maple FB neck at 25.5" scale.

I'm in total guitar GAS induced lust over the blonde Jazzmaster.

Check it out! http://squierguitars.com/products/se...uitars&cat=new

All of which really makes it something other than a Jaguar for the Fender purists. Like the JM, though

[progrmr]

Yea I'm liking that jazzmaster...have to play one though. The CV's are a tough act to beat.

[Katastrophe]

All of which really makes it something other than a Jaguar for the Fender purists. Like the JM, though

Agreed... There will be a hue and cry from those who believe that the Jag and Jazz were perfect Leo creations, never to be trifled with. But, even Leo modified his designs when he went and formed G&L...

Progrmr, I believe you're right, too. I think that the new models won't sell like the CV Teles, either, because it's a different shape than Tele or Strat. I doubt the closest GC will even stock any, as they have an inventory of 70% Strats, 20% LP types, and 10% everything else.

[Spudman***]

Oh no! They have some other new models that look really good too. How about this? http://squierguitars.com/products/se...tno=0301028540
Simon Neil Stratocaster
Alder body, Alnico, 3 and 5 pickups in Fiesta Red!

[Tig***]

Cool! I don't know if they should be named after the originals, but regardless, these are interesting.
The Jag...


The Jazz...

[Spudman***]

I wonder why they decided to use humbuckers in the Jag? The original has single coils. I think I'd really miss all the tonal options without the switches. A 64 Jaguar was the first electric guitar I owned. For the life of me I can't figure out why I sold it, other than I must have been pretty stupid when I was younger.

It's interesting to note that the Jag gets 22 frets while the Jazz gets 21.

[Spudman***]

...and...a midi controller guitar. WOWSA!

http://www.fender.com/promos/2010/ro...wheretobuy.php

[FrankenFretter***]

I'm loving that Jazzmaster, too. I had an SX Jazzmaster-style guitar, and I never really bonded with it due to the chunky neck, but I did love the style and the P90s. I'm going to have to check out one of those Squiers when I get a chance.

[Katastrophe]

Interesting....*twirls implied metaphorical handlebar mustache*

[marnold***]

Interesting....*twirls implied metaphorical handlebar mustache*

Which would make a great name for a band: Matt and the Metaphorical Mustaches.

[t_ross33]

I wonder why they decided to use humbuckers in the Jag? The original has single coils.

My guess is Squier is still going after an entry-level teen/garage-band market that likely wants a fuller humbucker sound coupled with pawn-shop vintage styling than the quintessential surf-tone that Jag single-coils were noted for.

[Spudman***]

My guess is Squier is still going after an entry-level teen/garage-band market that likely wants a fuller humbucker sound coupled with pawn-shop vintage styling than the quintessential surf-tone that Jag single-coils were noted for.

Well put. I think you are right on target. Kids desires = sales. Ca-ching.

[Kestrel]

I picked up a VM Jazzmaster the other day in Butterscotch Blonde and I love it. It sounds suprisingly good and the neck feels just right. At first I had my reservations about the concentric knobs and the Strat-style jack plate and Danelecto-esque bridge, but these guitars are put together rather well consideriing what they cost. I actually like that it's got a hardtail bridge rather than the Jag/Jazzmaster vibrato assembly. Don't really use them anyway, so it's not a feature I will miss. Overall, I think these modifications were a nice touch. I wonder if the original Jazzmasters would have been more popular back in the day had they been designed like the VM Jazzmasters.

Sorry for the poor quality pic. The guitar looks much better in person than in the picture.

[Tig***]

That's a sweet guitar, Kestrel. Excellent value.
I saw a few being un-boxed last week at my local GAS station but didn't have a chance to pick one up and play it. I'd like to hear the pickups in action.

[Spudman***]

Congrats Kestrel. Those have some great toanz.

[progrmr]

I am going to have to try one of those out this week.

[Kestrel]

The VM Jazzmaster does sound very nice. The maple neck is a little bit chunkier than what you'll find on an MIM Strat, but it's very playable and the frets are nicely dressed. I'm surprised at how nice these single coil Duncan Designed Jazzmaster pickups sound. Fit/finish is also better than what I've seen on Squier Standards and they actually come very close to the Classic Vibe series. Hey, it's a $300 guitar so I can't complain. The only thing that needed to be addressed on VM Jazzmaster was that the concentric knobs were a bit sticky. In other words, if you rolled back on the tone you would also roll back on the volume. Not sure if this was an issue with my particular guitar, but saturating the knobs with Contact Cleaner fixed the issue considerably.

Incidentally, I got a chance to mess with the Fender Blacktop Jaguar as well (although I wish they had a Blacktop Jazzmaster I could have tried) and although it too departs quite a bit from the original Jaguar design, it's a very nice guitar for the price. The neck feels nice and the frets are nicely dressed. Got to look at a Fender Blacktop Tele too and even though the Blacktops don't come with gig bags and are priced l$50 bucks less than the Mexican Standards, they seem to have better fit and finish than the Mexican Standards. Say what you will about Fender, but I have to applaud them for releasing such cool looking and playable guitars at prices that anyone can afford.

[Katastrophe]

Beauty of a guitar, Kestrel! Thanks for the pics and review, and congrats!