Sweetwater made this possible so thank them by CLICKING THE LINKS! 60s Jazzmaster: sweetwater.sjv.io/1r0QjD 70s Jaguar: sweetwater.sjv.io/anqj4Y What should be your first surf guitar? a Jazzmaster or a Jaguar? The strings: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyXNoj The Fuzz: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ4Dm5 The Reverb: www.surfyindustries.com/surfybearmetal Ill be giving away the Jazzmaster at this show on the 7/27/24: www.stellarshows.net/shows/259369
Aesthetically I prefer the small pickups and all the crazy so-60's electronics of the Jaguar, but thing I prefer the sound of the longer scale Jazzmaster. I had never heard a comparison between the two models so close and it's really educational. Thanks!
I've been in love with Jaguars ever since playing one in shell pink at a local shop. Whenever I went there I had to play it. One day... it was gone. I asked the guy behind the counter if they were ever getting more Jags and the guy claimed they never had one... The Phantom Jaguar. Seeing John Frusciante and Kurt Cobain using them cemented that I had to have one. I got my first job at around 14-15 working a couple hours a night and saved up for like a year and bought my Jaguar. An '06 American Vintage '62 Reissue Jaguar in sunburst. Nearly 20 years late and it's still rock solid, even with the notorious bridge. Truly a dream guitar.
I have both of these and a telecaster from the classic vibe series, and I can tell you that these are some of the BEST made Squier guitars ever!!! In fact, I only had to do a setup on one of them. The pickups sound fantastic, they stay in tune extremely well, and they are built like tanks.
I have a Daphne Blue Classic Vibe 70s Jaguar and it's pretty wild... but the lead circuit with the strangle switch is *definitely* great for the jangle-y sound and when you mix it with some good reverb and palm muting...*so good* The short scale is pretty great too...
I love my Jaguar. You didn’t talk much about how it feels to play the short scale, but I love how easy it is to play stretchy chords on it. That and the punchy sound of the Jag are what I like most.
@@johnperry9082 Jags really need heavier strings. The scale makes them a bit slinkier, but I think it's harder for bends on offsets than other guitars. I got used to using the tremolo to bend upward, though.
? We're talking finger bends, right ? That's totally reversed from my experience. I find it easier to bend on longer scales. Fender over Gibson for example. So it can't be just the scale length. A friend noticed the same thing when we were comparing Gibson and Fender guitars. The amount of bend might be a factor too. Slightly off pitch for Surf vs 2 half steps for Blues.
But I think the main thing is the shallow angle across the bridge , which, tho more w a LP than a Jag is still way less than the 90° on a Tele or Strat.
I went for the JAGUAR because I like its ease of play and the great TONAL OUT put possibilities. Thank you for inspiring me to push the Outer Limits of my creativity! 🙏🏻🤘🏻🤗🤘🏻
I’ve been watching your videos for years and this just hit me today … you need a mini surfboard for your surf pedalboard, your “surf board”. Would it be completely impractical? Absolutely. But it would be sweet!
Finally a clear, concise explanation and demonstration of the differences of these two. Both are extremely cool, but I can see why the JM is more popular. The tone was much crisper, articulate, and twangy. The Jag seemed a little dark, but still awesome. For my personal taste, I’ll vote for the JM.
I appreciate how much you show off the tremolo system, I’ve been watching alot of reviews on jaguars, jazz masters, and mustangs trying to see which I should get and alot of reviewers lightly cover the tremolo. They don’t crank it like you do. Also love your play style, I would love to learn to play like you.
I smiled all the way through, great playing and a perfect way to compare. FWIW I have just bought a Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar and find the sound much more interesting than my Fender Jazzmaster, and after tuning it played pretty darned good straight out of the box.
I bought both, lol. I love my Johnny Marr Jag and my American Original 60's Jazzmaster. I almost feel like the Jazzmaster is piano like with it's response. The Jag is grittier.
I’ve watched for years but this might be my first comment. I really enjoyed hearing you play in your favorite genre with the effects you would use for that music. You play dry a fair amount-I assume to showcase instrument/amp tone, but for this style of music the effects really help me understand what you are doing and what the tones of the guitars and amps are for-more please!
Thank you for inspiring me and jolting me back to why I like the Jaguar so much for surf music. Your playing is also very inspiring. More than you could ever know. Thank you Ryan. Few people play Jaguars and Jazzmasters like you do, the way they were intended to be played. At least the way many surf players played them back in the day.
I just recently got the Jaguar because it was on sale and I love it, the short scale reminds me of my Rainsong Parlor guitar, makes stretching hard chords easier on my arthritic hands. But, now I want a matching Jazzmaster!
I have both exact guitars in the exact colors and can't say enough good about them. The more I play the more I see them as very different. For me the Jazzmaster is more smooth and open and jangly and the Jag has more attitude and snarl - more punchy/throaty "thud" as you call it.. Super well done and as always very entertaining.
Oddly enough. I wish you posted this yesterday as I was indeed choosing between the two models. I went with the Jazzmaster for the scale length alone. Another great video, keep it up!
Great comparison! Of course "I Want the One I Can't Have", the MarrGuar, and it's driving me mad. Hah, nice Smith's you did at the end. So, here's what I took from this: I liked the Jazzmaster for the heavy overdriven stuff and the Jag for the cleans. That doesn't help me because now I want both. I would use the Jazzmaster for some nasty *Man or Astro-Man* type stuff.
I could hear the biggest differences when you strummed both at the 29" mark. Not sure which I liked the best - the bright and jangly Jag has it's appeal, but I'm leaning towards the JM; it just seemed to have more overall sonic richness and detail. The looser string tension of the 24" scale is appealing, but that could likely be achieved by using lighter gauge strings on the JM (possibly sacrificing some of the tonal qualities that I like about it!).
1. 24 inch scale length the guitar really becomes a different instrument ergonomically- stretches are noticeably easier in lower registers however many types of chords (m7b5) in upper registers are almost impossible because of the closer frets. 1.b) Smaller hands? Go with the Jaguar! 1. c) regular size hands? Get a Jaguar- you will be able to play it for much longer without hand fatigue 2. The rhythm circuit is great for an instant and complete sound change at the literal flick of a switch. This and the strangle switch are great to use as a lead tone when using a fuzz or treble booster circuit- very warm singing tonal quality
I always thought and still do think the Jaguar has a sweeter, higher sound and seems like the Jazzmaster is duller and less distinctive to me. The Jag seems like the quintessential sound of the surf. And I like the feel better.
I own both and in my opinion Jazzmaster is a safe choice, even though I think that Jaguar is way cooler looking and sounding guitar. I also find my Jazzmaster way more comfortable to play both in sitting and standing position (due to the smaller and lighter body).
I need both. For me the Jazzmaster takes line honors for pure tone, definitely. I've watched it through twice now. Jaguar for the short scale characteristics, bling and versatility. $900 for two excellent instruments, whaaat? I have a few others I never play I could sell for more than that. Great review Ryan, thanks, appreciate you - Mark
I personally own both guitars and more into the Jag mainly for the scale length. I love my CV 60s JM and need to play it more often since that was my very first offset guitar.
This definitely reaffirmed my love of my CV Jazz, I picked it up a while back and was worried I might regret it but I love that twinkly jangle to it. That said I definitely wanna play around with Jags more. I’m especially curious about that Affinity Jag, since those new Affinity guitars seem kinda nice.
@@60CycleHumcast Very interested to hear your thoughts on it. I've been eyeballing that crimson FMT Telecaster, might be my birthday present if I like it!
I've owned multiple examples of both, from pre-CBS to Squiers that were on sale at Christmas. There is no wrong decision. They can both surf. If I HAD to make a choice between the two, I'd go with the Jazzmaster, only due to the tighter tone (compare a 30" bass to a 34" bass and the difference will jump out at you). But again, you can't go wrong with either.
I played a beautiful 1963 Jaguar at AmVets "sock hops" and liked it a lot. However, doing covers as we did, I think the Jazzmaster would have been more useful. I like the bright, open ring of the JM. Good video, fellar!
I played at a local AmVets for years here in Ga. They are so appreciative and fun. I played old school country and rockabilly. That place was like my second home and one of the best gigs I ever played. They always took care of us.
I bet we could have been switched in mid-"gig" and would hardly have known the difference! We would play two hours of all acoustic Stanley Brothers Bluegrass and then four hours of old rock n' roll. It was like family. So good to hear from you.
Both are great for different reasons... the Jazzmaster seems like it has a flatter EQ curve and the Jaguar has a chunkier lower end. The Jaguar does look better and the electronics have more of an in-your-face tone. Most people should prefer it. As a supporting instrument in a production environment, I think the jazzmaster is a better team player when considering a mix.
They both sound great. The Jaguar has more tone variations. The tremolo sounds smoother on the Jazzmaster. That’s probably to do with the scale length. Lots of fun either way. Great demonstration.
What a great video. Thank you. I learned…I am all about the jaguar…all day. To jangly with the jazz master. And I am a jazz guitarist…or I attempt at being a jazz guitarist
I struggled with this decision a couple of years ago, had them both here. I prefer the Jaguar in every possible way, except for the look of those single coils, too similar to a strat for me, which is a guitar I can't stand. I ended up keeping the Jazzmaster 'cause I couldn't live with myself if my electric guitar didn't remind me of the cover of Loveless. My priorities are extremely healthy, evidently. I miss the Jaguar, much more organic sounding to my ears, much more usable for what I needed it for, plus any guitar can do shoegazing, really. I can only own one. So yeah. Kept the Jazzmaster 'cause I'm a masochist.
great video! I'm pretty sure that exact Jaguar in that color will be mine soon, the Jazzmaster sounded great too, but the Jaguar was more pleasing to my taste. Fantastic comparison with the quick edits between the two of them, I find it so hard to compare if it's one after the other with some talking in between. Was just at GC today with my daughter (who wants a tele) and played with a Jaguar they had there, not sure the exact model and I didn't plug in, but felt nice in my hands. Which are on the larger side and I'm 6'3'' tall, but play guitars on my left leg, so the slightly shorter neck might just be the reason. Thanks!
QUESTION FOR BRYAN THE MANYkin: Dear Bryan, Please explain the five things you need to do to your guitar tone to sound like surf. I think it would be fun to get Bryan's take on surf sounds. Love the show - MAHALO!
Just the rig you see here - Fender single coil guitar (Jazz, Strat or Jag), a Fender amp (Princeton, Deluxe Reverb, Twin or similar) on clean tones, and a reverb tank (the Surfybear is excellent). If you don't have vibrato in the Fender amp, add a good vibrato pedal, such as the SurfyTrem. Now, work on your technique - alternate picking, glissandos, Major and Minor chord scales and chords. There you go...five things to get surf tone and style!
Or you can just get the Valco Five-0 and have it all in one box, once you learn to dial it in. I have it, and it sounds amazing through my Fender HRD IV with the matching extension cab. I play my original 61 Strat and 61 Jazzmaster through that rig, as well as, my 2018 American Professional Strat with Fender hot-noiseless pups I dropped in it. That setup is criminal. . . 🔥😮💨💎
I find it very difficult to choose between them. The Jag seems more “rock and roll” like. A bit more shreddy. The JM seems more shrill and deep at the ends of the audio spectrum. I picked the Mascis JM because the pickups seem to bring these two type guitars closer to each other soundwise. I liked this comparo very much. It’s very precise and honest.
The claw on the Jag pickup is supposed to be hum canceling. I don't know if it actually is, but it was designed in response to hum being a big problem with those early strat designs. Also, the jag has a more scooped sound than any other Fender instrument. More bass, more treble. That's why there's a strangle switch to cut the highs and low to get a more mid-focused sound. If you want to really differentiate the sound of your Jag from the JM, I'd recommend using LaBella Jazz Flats 11s on the Jag. It brings out the thump in a way that works really nice for surf guitar.
The scale length is undoubtedly the biggest difference between the two. There is a big difference in feel between a Gibson 24.75" scale and a Fender 25.5" scale, there's a huge difference between 25.5" and 24". You can lessen the difference by using heavier strings on the Jaguar but you'll still notice the difference. I use 11-52 on my Jag, I do tune a half step down, but I would suggest you go with heavier strings than you would onvw 25.5: guitar.
Between these 2, the Jazzmaster. Been playing & love the 24" Mustang since I bought a used one circa 1980. My first Fender. Also love Strats. Hadn't really thought about a larger offset, but I do like the sounds from that Jazzmaster.
What about the Mustang? I was all about the Jazzmaster. I got a Mustang about a year ago and I have just fallen in love. But, they definitely seem to fit the "is it a surf guitar" criteria
Thanks for doing this man…. I’ve been on the fence about purchasing one of these and the scale length will certainly have me go towards the shorter one 🤙
Went shopping for teles, decided to try both of these guitars on a whim. Didnt care for the JM at all, but the Jag..its my favorite guitar. It became my favorite guitar the minute i plugged it in. The rhythm circuit is my happy place. I'm not into surf music, for me the Jaguar just has incredible sympathetic resonance behind it that I now want all the time. I'm considering dropping a jag trem into my mustang.
Ok, listened to this video a second time without looking to much. - There are also Jazzmasters with rithm circuits so that would Have been nice in the comparison. - the jag, in my opinion, gives a much more subtil tone where the jazz sounds cleaner when playing clean or with reverb only. - tried to compare them to a mustang ( also shortscale) too.. Cleanest sound ( which i really appreciate) is still the mustang , so my choice is still on .. the mustang , i guess. To be sure i will have to find a guitar shop where i can rest them, which is not an easy task where i live 😢 Keep up the good work, i love this kind of video’s !👍
Hey, this is a great comparison! I like them both for their differences. As a total beginner I would first be tempted to go with the Jazzmaster. However the Jaguar, well, that sound is definitely different and for the price you are getting something that you can really grow into down the road. The shorter neck will make a difference in comfort which matters to me. I curently have a small Jay Turser LP style guitar with the shorter scale, P90s, and a wiggle stick added on. I used to have a Strat clone but I found that I didn't like it as much. The Jaguar would be my choice. Something to think about when I outgrow this yard sale guitar I bought!
I like both , but the jazzmaster is so versatile, all those buttons an slides, that's interesting. I'm a blues and country player. I could make it work. 😊
Even before you mentioned the scale length, I was thinking about that being the most significant difference in terms of tone and feel. So glad you highlighted that. Amazing overview. I don’t play surf and was looking at a strat…but now I have offset GAS haha. The Jaguar would be my choice. I really dig shorter scales.
Thank you for the Jaguar content. I'm in the Market for one and there's a lot of options. I want to hold out for the new Affinity version to see how that compares too. Loved the Player II demo!
There were so many points in this vid where I seriously thought you were about to break out into a Smiths/Johnny Marr riff, both those guitars are not just for Surf.
Love the Jazzmaster and have one. But, the Jag (also have one) just seems to have a little more versatility and tone range options... but Neither are for sale LOL ! But that aid the Jag, cannot outdo the JM in the overall twanginess / chiminess dept. But it can get "close enough"..
i just got me one of those jazzmasters in daphne blue a few months ago. i always wanted a crack at that jangle, and i finally got to it... sounds just how i wanted it to. wish the neck was a tad less chunky, but it'll do. also the pots aren't super responsive on mine, but i guess that isnt a surprise for the price point. i've spent a majority of my guitar playing over the years on short scales, so i bet the jag feels great to play. and that neck w/ block inlays and binding is rad as hell. in conclusion, i think they both do the classic surf thing perfectly. dunno what to recommend to someone as a first surf axe, but the jazz is $30 cheaper, so it has that going for it...
something about the bottom end of the Jag i like - I think its the sound of New Wave guitar. Would like to hear you do a demo where you have hifi drums and bass with the guitar riffs - gotta hear these in a mix - cause its a guitar that lives in a band / song environment.
I have an early 90’s Fender JG-66 Jag, made in Japan, and it’s amazing. I don’t have a Jazzmaster but after this I don’t know if I need one! I do like the binding and inlay on the Squier Jag, mine doesn’t have that.
I hope I'm not mansplaining here, but... Frequency decreases as length increases (as we know from moving up and down the fretboard), and the JM is longer, so the JM strings need to be tighter to get the same note as the Jag (assuming they're the same gauge). I guess this contributes to the twanginess.
Hey Ryan, nice video! I would be interested in seeing how the tone knob interacts with the strangle circuit on the Jaguar. I know on the Bass VI the tone knob cuts out a lot more low end as you turn it down, and I wonder if it does the same thing on the Jaguar. Maybe I could just go try one in a music shop, but it would be cool to see on your channel too.
I bought a 65 reissue Jag back in in the early 00's. It sounded absolutely amazing, but I couldn't get along with it physically at all. Ended up selling it a few weeks later. I had no idea until years later that it was the scale length making all the difference.
Ryan, your assignment (should you choose to accept it): jag pickup shootout. There’s nothing useful out there on the Tube. I can’t figure out if the pups in my CV 70s jag would benefit from an upgrade.
Well if I got one or the other it would be my second surf guitar, because my Fender Mustang counts. It’s a late 70/early 80 one, with the phase reversal,option and a wiggle stick. But since I have a Mustang I would be more likely to get a Jazzmaster, as it is more different. But either would be fun to have.
The Jaguar sounds nice, but I can get such a sound also with my Stratocaster, so I want a Jazzmaster because its really different from my other guitars
I didn’t read through all of the comments but I do remember the jags having a string dampener. When we did the “surf” music, the lead guitar player used this feature. It looks to be missing. I suppose the palm works as well. I think I prefer the Jag.
They were both used in that early to mid 60s period, and Jaguar being introduced in 1962 is kinda essential Surf guitar since that is what you bought if you wamted the best, it was top of the line model. Same for Jazzmaster and It’s kinda more popular now since it’s long scale not short as Jag. But Jag was short scale so you can play lead with bends in day and age when guitars come out of factory with 12s. It was decent idea. Sadly we sorted the problem differently later, lighter strings and long scale, as Strat or Tele.
Ryan, this was (IMHO) a most excellent discussion and intro for those who may be interested in surf and the common tools used...I own both and love them (63, 65, 63 JM)
Sweetwater made this possible so thank them by CLICKING THE LINKS!
60s Jazzmaster: sweetwater.sjv.io/1r0QjD
70s Jaguar: sweetwater.sjv.io/anqj4Y
What should be your first surf guitar? a Jazzmaster or a Jaguar?
The strings: sweetwater.sjv.io/PyXNoj
The Fuzz: sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ4Dm5
The Reverb: www.surfyindustries.com/surfybearmetal
Ill be giving away the Jazzmaster at this show on the 7/27/24: www.stellarshows.net/shows/259369
Nice playing brother!..I enjoyed it!
The Jaguar totally blew me away, it's such a unique sound and I love that it has both a bass cut and the rhythm circuit
Aesthetically I prefer the small pickups and all the crazy so-60's electronics of the Jaguar, but thing I prefer the sound of the longer scale Jazzmaster. I had never heard a comparison between the two models so close and it's really educational. Thanks!
I've been in love with Jaguars ever since playing one in shell pink at a local shop. Whenever I went there I had to play it. One day... it was gone. I asked the guy behind the counter if they were ever getting more Jags and the guy claimed they never had one... The Phantom Jaguar.
Seeing John Frusciante and Kurt Cobain using them cemented that I had to have one. I got my first job at around 14-15 working a couple hours a night and saved up for like a year and bought my Jaguar. An '06 American Vintage '62 Reissue Jaguar in sunburst. Nearly 20 years late and it's still rock solid, even with the notorious bridge. Truly a dream guitar.
I think the Jaguar is the best surf guitar period. More Jag videos please!
I have both of these and a telecaster from the classic vibe series, and I can tell you that these are some of the BEST made Squier guitars ever!!! In fact, I only had to do a setup on one of them. The pickups sound fantastic, they stay in tune extremely well, and they are built like tanks.
I bought both! No regrets👍🏻
I have a Daphne Blue Classic Vibe 70s Jaguar and it's pretty wild... but the lead circuit with the strangle switch is *definitely* great for the jangle-y sound and when you mix it with some good reverb and palm muting...*so good* The short scale is pretty great too...
I love my Jaguar. You didn’t talk much about how it feels to play the short scale, but I love how easy it is to play stretchy chords on it. That and the punchy sound of the Jag are what I like most.
I would like to know how it feels to play the shorter scale neck too. Is string bending easier like on a Les Paul for starters.
@@johnperry9082 Jags really need heavier strings. The scale makes them a bit slinkier, but I think it's harder for bends on offsets than other guitars. I got used to using the tremolo to bend upward, though.
@@johnperry9082yes it’s noticeably easier than on my tele with strings of the same gage.
? We're talking finger bends, right ? That's totally reversed from my experience. I find it easier to bend on longer scales. Fender over Gibson for example. So it can't be just the scale length. A friend noticed the same thing when we were comparing Gibson and Fender guitars. The amount of bend might be a factor too. Slightly off pitch for Surf vs 2 half steps for Blues.
But I think the main thing is the shallow angle across the bridge , which, tho more w a LP than a Jag is still way less than the 90° on a Tele or Strat.
I went for the JAGUAR because I like its ease of play and the great TONAL OUT put possibilities. Thank you for inspiring me to push the Outer Limits of my creativity! 🙏🏻🤘🏻🤗🤘🏻
I’ve been watching your videos for years and this just hit me today … you need a mini surfboard for your surf pedalboard, your “surf board”. Would it be completely impractical? Absolutely. But it would be sweet!
Finally a clear, concise explanation and demonstration of the differences of these two. Both are extremely cool, but I can see why the JM is more popular. The tone was much crisper, articulate, and twangy. The Jag seemed a little dark, but still awesome. For my personal taste, I’ll vote for the JM.
I appreciate how much you show off the tremolo system, I’ve been watching alot of reviews on jaguars, jazz masters, and mustangs trying to see which I should get and alot of reviewers lightly cover the tremolo. They don’t crank it like you do. Also love your play style, I would love to learn to play like you.
I smiled all the way through, great playing and a perfect way to compare. FWIW I have just bought a Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar and find the sound much more interesting than my Fender Jazzmaster, and after tuning it played pretty darned good straight out of the box.
I bought both, lol. I love my Johnny Marr Jag and my American Original 60's Jazzmaster. I almost feel like the Jazzmaster is piano like with it's response. The Jag is grittier.
I’ve watched for years but this might be my first comment. I really enjoyed hearing you play in your favorite genre with the effects you would use for that music. You play dry a fair amount-I assume to showcase instrument/amp tone, but for this style of music the effects really help me understand what you are doing and what the tones of the guitars and amps are for-more please!
Thank you for inspiring me and jolting me back to why I like the Jaguar so much for surf music. Your playing is also very inspiring. More than you could ever know. Thank you Ryan. Few people play Jaguars and Jazzmasters like you do, the way they were intended to be played. At least the way many surf players played them back in the day.
I learned that I like Jaguars more than I did before watching this very informative and entertaining video.
Saw your comment on my post on Reddit thanks so much for the detailed video thoroughly enjoying it.
What a fantastic comparison that addresses something I have always pondered myself. Great content!
I just recently got the Jaguar because it was on sale and I love it, the short scale reminds me of my Rainsong Parlor guitar, makes stretching hard chords easier on my arthritic hands. But, now I want a matching Jazzmaster!
The answer is "Gretsch" because you can get them in silver sparkle, which is the most important thing.
@@Visionism There was literally a Squier Jag in silver sparkle
Golden sparkle FSR coming out soon
I have blue sparkle!!! :)
@@yashinisukiis it an exclusive through a retailer?
@@baltipszlr3398 nope, it’s available for a pre-order from most of the music shops here in the UK.
Jaguar, my first and only (so far) solid body guitar. It's awesome as I am not that tall.
I have both exact guitars in the exact colors and can't say enough good about them. The more I play the more I see them as very different. For me the Jazzmaster is more smooth and open and jangly and the Jag has more attitude and snarl - more punchy/throaty "thud" as you call it.. Super well done and as always very entertaining.
Super BITCHIN’ surf playing there man! Way cool , I like the JAG , I like the 24” scale and pickups.
love my cv Jag had it about 3 months hard to put down thanks for all your help with getting the right pedals
Jaguar is so surf!!🎸 Just bought a Squier ‘70 model to complete my Squier series models. Love the options on one instrument!!🚀
Oddly enough. I wish you posted this yesterday as I was indeed choosing between the two models. I went with the Jazzmaster for the scale length alone. Another great video, keep it up!
Squier classic vibe 70s jaguar perfect in my subjective opinion!😎 and you're review is also perfect! Thanks!
Love my Gretsch double cut Jet with Bigsby for Surf!!!
Great comparison! Of course "I Want the One I Can't Have", the MarrGuar, and it's driving me mad. Hah, nice Smith's you did at the end. So, here's what I took from this: I liked the Jazzmaster for the heavy overdriven stuff and the Jag for the cleans. That doesn't help me because now I want both. I would use the Jazzmaster for some nasty *Man or Astro-Man* type stuff.
Great review Ryan.
To me, the Jazzmaster isn't brighter but has more mids. The Jag sounds more scooped to my ears...
I could hear the biggest differences when you strummed both at the 29" mark. Not sure which I liked the best - the bright and jangly Jag has it's appeal, but I'm leaning towards the JM; it just seemed to have more overall sonic richness and detail. The looser string tension of the 24" scale is appealing, but that could likely be achieved by using lighter gauge strings on the JM (possibly sacrificing some of the tonal qualities that I like about it!).
1. 24 inch scale length the guitar really becomes a different instrument ergonomically- stretches are noticeably easier in lower registers however many types of chords (m7b5) in upper registers are almost impossible because of the closer frets.
1.b) Smaller hands? Go with the Jaguar!
1. c) regular size hands? Get a Jaguar- you will be able to play it for much longer without hand fatigue
2. The rhythm circuit is great for an instant and complete sound change at the literal flick of a switch. This and the strangle switch are great to use as a lead tone when using a fuzz or treble booster circuit- very warm singing tonal quality
I always thought and still do think the Jaguar has a sweeter, higher sound and seems like the Jazzmaster is duller and less distinctive to me. The Jag seems like the quintessential sound of the surf. And I like the feel better.
@@jeromemurphy2572 I totally agree 100%
I own both and in my opinion Jazzmaster is a safe choice, even though I think that Jaguar is way cooler looking and sounding guitar. I also find my Jazzmaster way more comfortable to play both in sitting and standing position (due to the smaller and lighter body).
I need both. For me the Jazzmaster takes line honors for pure tone, definitely. I've watched it through twice now. Jaguar for the short scale characteristics, bling and versatility. $900 for two excellent instruments, whaaat? I have a few others I never play I could sell for more than that. Great review Ryan, thanks, appreciate you - Mark
I personally own both guitars and more into the Jag mainly for the scale length. I love my CV 60s JM and need to play it more often since that was my very first offset guitar.
I've always loved Jags!
This definitely reaffirmed my love of my CV Jazz, I picked it up a while back and was worried I might regret it but I love that twinkly jangle to it. That said I definitely wanna play around with Jags more. I’m especially curious about that Affinity Jag, since those new Affinity guitars seem kinda nice.
gonna try to demo one of the affinities when they become available
@@60CycleHumcast Very interested to hear your thoughts on it. I've been eyeballing that crimson FMT Telecaster, might be my birthday present if I like it!
I've owned multiple examples of both, from pre-CBS to Squiers that were on sale at Christmas. There is no wrong decision. They can both surf. If I HAD to make a choice between the two, I'd go with the Jazzmaster, only due to the tighter tone (compare a 30" bass to a 34" bass and the difference will jump out at you). But again, you can't go wrong with either.
Ryan, I always think of 4 guitars for surf; Jags, and Jazzmasters, Strats, and Mosrites.
I played a beautiful 1963 Jaguar at AmVets "sock hops" and liked it a lot. However, doing covers as we did, I think the Jazzmaster would have been more useful. I like the bright, open ring of the JM. Good video, fellar!
I played at a local AmVets for years here in Ga. They are so appreciative and fun. I played old school country and rockabilly. That place was like my second home and one of the best gigs I ever played. They always took care of us.
I bet we could have been switched in mid-"gig" and would hardly have known the difference! We would play two hours of all acoustic Stanley Brothers Bluegrass and then four hours of old rock n' roll. It was like family. So good to hear from you.
leaning toward the jaguar as you stated...gets you the spaghetti western sound as well as surf!
HUGE SMILE!!!!! Love Both of These!!!! Made My Day!
I love my ,'84 Fender Jag .
MIJ.....
I've been wanting a Jazzmaster .... Good video.
Both are great for different reasons... the Jazzmaster seems like it has a flatter EQ curve and the Jaguar has a chunkier lower end.
The Jaguar does look better and the electronics have more of an in-your-face tone. Most people should prefer it. As a supporting instrument in a production environment, I think the jazzmaster is a better team player when considering a mix.
I reaĺĺy dig your channel the way you play surf guitar is awsome great feel have a great day man
They both sound great. The Jaguar has more tone variations. The tremolo sounds smoother on the Jazzmaster. That’s probably to do with the scale length. Lots of fun either way. Great demonstration.
I figured you'd have them through in a Mustang as well because of your fairly new found love of their trem system.
What a great video. Thank you. I learned…I am all about the jaguar…all day. To jangly with the jazz master. And I am a jazz guitarist…or I attempt at being a jazz guitarist
haven't played my 68 Jaguar in a while, but think it's coming out of the case today!
Great comparison between the two & some fab classic & not so classic sounds !😊
I struggled with this decision a couple of years ago, had them both here. I prefer the Jaguar in every possible way, except for the look of those single coils, too similar to a strat for me, which is a guitar I can't stand. I ended up keeping the Jazzmaster 'cause I couldn't live with myself if my electric guitar didn't remind me of the cover of Loveless. My priorities are extremely healthy, evidently. I miss the Jaguar, much more organic sounding to my ears, much more usable for what I needed it for, plus any guitar can do shoegazing, really. I can only own one. So yeah. Kept the Jazzmaster 'cause I'm a masochist.
I really like the scale length of JMs, but the block inlays and the binding on the Jag is waaay cooler looking
You can get those on a JM too, bud. The 70s models specifically, but I only play 60s or ultra-modern. Their tones are infinitely superior.
Jazzmaster for me! Daphne blue with a custom pickguard!
great video! I'm pretty sure that exact Jaguar in that color will be mine soon, the Jazzmaster sounded great too, but the Jaguar was more pleasing to my taste. Fantastic comparison with the quick edits between the two of them, I find it so hard to compare if it's one after the other with some talking in between.
Was just at GC today with my daughter (who wants a tele) and played with a Jaguar they had there, not sure the exact model and I didn't plug in, but felt nice in my hands. Which are on the larger side and I'm 6'3'' tall, but play guitars on my left leg, so the slightly shorter neck might just be the reason.
Thanks!
QUESTION FOR BRYAN THE MANYkin: Dear Bryan, Please explain the five things you need to do to your guitar tone to sound like surf. I think it would be fun to get Bryan's take on surf sounds. Love the show - MAHALO!
Just the rig you see here - Fender single coil guitar (Jazz, Strat or Jag), a Fender amp (Princeton, Deluxe Reverb, Twin or similar) on clean tones, and a reverb tank (the Surfybear is excellent). If you don't have vibrato in the Fender amp, add a good vibrato pedal, such as the SurfyTrem. Now, work on your technique - alternate picking, glissandos, Major and Minor chord scales and chords. There you go...five things to get surf tone and style!
Or you can just get the Valco Five-0 and have it all in one box, once you learn to dial it in. I have it, and it sounds amazing through my Fender HRD IV with the matching extension cab.
I play my original 61 Strat and 61 Jazzmaster through that rig, as well as, my 2018 American Professional Strat with Fender hot-noiseless pups I dropped in it. That setup is criminal. . . 🔥😮💨💎
Thank you for doing the best comparison video of these 2 guitars. The Jag wins in my opinion.
I find it very difficult to choose between them. The Jag seems more “rock and roll” like. A bit more shreddy. The JM seems more shrill and deep at the ends of the audio spectrum. I picked the Mascis JM because the pickups seem to bring these two type guitars closer to each other soundwise.
I liked this comparo very much. It’s very precise and honest.
The claw on the Jag pickup is supposed to be hum canceling. I don't know if it actually is, but it was designed in response to hum being a big problem with those early strat designs. Also, the jag has a more scooped sound than any other Fender instrument. More bass, more treble. That's why there's a strangle switch to cut the highs and low to get a more mid-focused sound. If you want to really differentiate the sound of your Jag from the JM, I'd recommend using LaBella Jazz Flats 11s on the Jag. It brings out the thump in a way that works really nice for surf guitar.
Thank you for this comparison, please do more of those like tele- and Stratocaster or different versions of telecaster etc.
Great playing bbtw 👍
The scale length is undoubtedly the biggest difference between the two. There is a big difference in feel between a Gibson 24.75" scale and a Fender 25.5" scale, there's a huge difference between 25.5" and 24". You can lessen the difference by using heavier strings on the Jaguar but you'll still notice the difference. I use 11-52 on my Jag, I do tune a half step down, but I would suggest you go with heavier strings than you would onvw 25.5: guitar.
Between these 2, the Jazzmaster. Been playing & love the 24" Mustang since I bought a used one circa 1980. My first Fender. Also love Strats. Hadn't really thought about a larger offset, but I do like the sounds from that Jazzmaster.
What about the Mustang? I was all about the Jazzmaster. I got a Mustang about a year ago and I have just fallen in love. But, they definitely seem to fit the "is it a surf guitar" criteria
I just recently got a mustang and I’m loving it. I need to make a mustang vs jag video.
Beautifully explained, Ryan. Thanks for that!
Thanks for doing this man….
I’ve been on the fence about purchasing one of these and the scale length will certainly have me go towards the shorter one 🤙
Jazzmaster is wow for me! Loved the sound!
You have to have both. They are both great in their own unique way! 🎉
... i couldnt decide so i got both and lovin it dude...
Went shopping for teles, decided to try both of these guitars on a whim. Didnt care for the JM at all, but the Jag..its my favorite guitar. It became my favorite guitar the minute i plugged it in. The rhythm circuit is my happy place. I'm not into surf music, for me the Jaguar just has incredible sympathetic resonance behind it that I now want all the time. I'm considering dropping a jag trem into my mustang.
Ok, listened to this video a second time without looking to much.
- There are also Jazzmasters with rithm circuits so that would Have been nice in the comparison.
- the jag, in my opinion, gives a much more subtil tone where the jazz sounds cleaner when playing clean or with reverb only.
- tried to compare them to a mustang ( also shortscale) too..
Cleanest sound ( which i really appreciate) is still the mustang , so my choice is still on .. the mustang , i guess.
To be sure i will have to find a guitar shop where i can rest them, which is not an easy task where i live 😢
Keep up the good work, i love this kind of video’s !👍
Hey, this is a great comparison! I like them both for their differences. As a total beginner I would first be tempted to go with the Jazzmaster. However the Jaguar, well, that sound is definitely different and for the price you are getting something that you can really grow into down the road. The shorter neck will make a difference in comfort which matters to me. I curently have a small Jay Turser LP style guitar with the shorter scale, P90s, and a wiggle stick added on. I used to have a Strat clone but I found that I didn't like it as much. The Jaguar would be my choice. Something to think about when I outgrow this yard sale guitar I bought!
I like both , but the jazzmaster is so versatile, all those buttons an slides, that's interesting. I'm a blues and country player. I could make it work. 😊
Jag hands down!!👍👍
What a great video! Kudos sweetwater! Loved the intro music!
Even before you mentioned the scale length, I was thinking about that being the most significant difference in terms of tone and feel. So glad you highlighted that. Amazing overview. I don’t play surf and was looking at a strat…but now I have offset GAS haha. The Jaguar would be my choice. I really dig shorter scales.
Thank you for the Jaguar content. I'm in the Market for one and there's a lot of options. I want to hold out for the new Affinity version to see how that compares too. Loved the Player II demo!
There were so many points in this vid where I seriously thought you were about to break out into a Smiths/Johnny Marr riff, both those guitars are not just for Surf.
My plan is for both eventually. Maybe a nice Xmas gift to myself
Love the Jazzmaster and have one. But, the Jag (also have one) just seems to have a little more versatility and tone range options... but Neither are for sale LOL ! But that aid the Jag, cannot outdo the JM in the overall twanginess / chiminess dept. But it can get "close enough"..
Best presentation of the difference between these two legendary models !
i just got me one of those jazzmasters in daphne blue a few months ago. i always wanted a crack at that jangle, and i finally got to it... sounds just how i wanted it to. wish the neck was a tad less chunky, but it'll do. also the pots aren't super responsive on mine, but i guess that isnt a surprise for the price point. i've spent a majority of my guitar playing over the years on short scales, so i bet the jag feels great to play. and that neck w/ block inlays and binding is rad as hell. in conclusion, i think they both do the classic surf thing perfectly. dunno what to recommend to someone as a first surf axe, but the jazz is $30 cheaper, so it has that going for it...
something about the bottom end of the Jag i like - I think its the sound of New Wave guitar. Would like to hear you do a demo where you have hifi drums and bass with the guitar riffs - gotta hear these in a mix - cause its a guitar that lives in a band / song environment.
Man, you used to review Squires all the time. A little blast from the past!
I have an early 90’s Fender JG-66 Jag, made in Japan, and it’s amazing. I don’t have a Jazzmaster but after this I don’t know if I need one! I do like the binding and inlay on the Squier Jag, mine doesn’t have that.
A really Good show as always
I hope I'm not mansplaining here, but... Frequency decreases as length increases (as we know from moving up and down the fretboard), and the JM is longer, so the JM strings need to be tighter to get the same note as the Jag (assuming they're the same gauge). I guess this contributes to the twanginess.
Hey Ryan, nice video! I would be interested in seeing how the tone knob interacts with the strangle circuit on the Jaguar. I know on the Bass VI the tone knob cuts out a lot more low end as you turn it down, and I wonder if it does the same thing on the Jaguar. Maybe I could just go try one in a music shop, but it would be cool to see on your channel too.
I bought a 65 reissue Jag back in in the early 00's. It sounded absolutely amazing, but I couldn't get along with it physically at all. Ended up selling it a few weeks later. I had no idea until years later that it was the scale length making all the difference.
i thought the jag's pickup claws were for noise mitigation?
I have the CV Jag...it's my favorite guitar I've ever owned. Jags are just IT!
The Classic Vibe Jaguar comes in Gold Sparkle. Easy.
Ryan, your assignment (should you choose to accept it): jag pickup shootout. There’s nothing useful out there on the Tube. I can’t figure out if the pups in my CV 70s jag would benefit from an upgrade.
Maybe it’s time to dust off my Seymour Duncan affiliate connection.
Well if I got one or the other it would be my second surf guitar, because my Fender Mustang counts.
It’s a late 70/early 80 one, with the phase reversal,option and a wiggle stick.
But since I have a Mustang I would be more likely to get a Jazzmaster, as it is more different.
But either would be fun to have.
The Jaguar sounds nice, but I can get such a sound also with my Stratocaster, so I want a Jazzmaster because its really different from my other guitars
I didn’t read through all of the comments but I do remember the jags having a string dampener. When we did the “surf” music, the lead guitar player used this feature. It looks to be missing. I suppose the palm works as well. I think I prefer the Jag.
They were both used in that early to mid 60s period, and Jaguar being introduced in 1962 is kinda essential Surf guitar since that is what you bought if you wamted the best, it was top of the line model. Same for Jazzmaster and It’s kinda more popular now since it’s long scale not short as Jag. But Jag was short scale so you can play lead with bends in day and age when guitars come out of factory with 12s. It was decent idea. Sadly we sorted the problem differently later, lighter strings and long scale, as Strat or Tele.
Ryan, this was (IMHO) a most excellent discussion and intro for those who may be interested in surf and the common tools used...I own both and love them (63, 65, 63 JM)
Some tasty lead work. One day I hope to tremolo pick as well as you.