I picked one of these Tagima TW61 guitars up at a local swap meet. The previous owner had put a set of bootstrap p90s in it and it was killer!!! The build quality was what really surprised me. Just a very solid instrument.
We picked up our tagima when we first started the channel. We were going to do a video on it and flip it. Some how it is still around over 5 years later.
I am a brazilian, living in Japan. I was just about to opt for the Japanese Bacchus JM, as quality wise , they seem as good as any Squier but this Varitone Switch on this Tagima really got me. For those who dont know Tagima was a brazilian luthier of japanese ascendence. My TW-61 will be a Dakassegui! She will come back to its roots! Importing one from Brazil ASAP.
I'm new to the channel and I really liked your analysis, here Tagima has other guitars that we would like you to analyze, congratulations on your work, greetings from Brazil.
I love the TW61! I dropped a set of firebird pickups in there and upgraded the tuners and electronics and with a little fretwork it’s a great player and it’s sexy as heck.
I literally just bought my third TW-61 today. DP209s for my first 2’s bridges. I find them used and can’t let them go. Feels so good, super affordable, sounds really nice.
@@alvaromejia9569Still in love. Been gigging for 6 months with it. Set up in C standard with 12’s. Never falls out of tune. Feels great. Sounds amazing. Playing in a desert rock/doom metal band. Other musicians ask me about it all the time. It’s a head turner.
Nice video! This squier anniversary edition, at the few places you can find to buy here in Brazil, is 4x expensive than the TW-61. I cant understand all the words in english so maybe you said this: TW-61 have P-90 pickups. So, I think maybe it was not built aiming to sound exactly like a jazzmaster. But still, it sounds very cool. I have one because I like it and because it is one of the most affordable guitars we can buy here. :)
I have a squier classic vibe jazzmaster and a Tagima TW-61. Pricewise, it was $289 vs $449. Playability is pretty darn close between the two. I like the feel of the fretboard on the Squier, but I like the trem stability better on the Tagima. Necks are about even ot me. The Tagima gives you more options on the tone with the varitone switch, but the Squier tones are dang good. I really don't like the look of tortoise shell pickguards and it comes down to the Tagima's I like even less than the Squier's. Bottom line for me. If you like the redish tort pickgurd and you are ok with the feel of the technical wood neck, then the Tagima is a great option. If those are too much to overcome and the $150 difference isn't an issue, the Squier is a great option too. I've hit that point where I'm getting rid of guitars and didn't need two jazzmasters. I kept the squier and got rid of the Tagima. It was tough because I like playing both, but jassmasters were the only guitar I had two of. Would love to see you compare these to the G&L Tribute Doheny.
Thanks for your reply, you told me exactly what I needed to hear and kinda already had thought, I am a bit of a Squier CV fan and was considering a Tagima as an option for an offset purchase, probably because of the price but also for something different… still not 100% but I’m leaning toward the CV now me thinks… cheers from down under! 🎸🤓🍻🤘
I suspect the Tagima build quality is competitive or maybe better than the Squier,, and I like the 22 frets and 2-point tremolo. However, the Squier pups sounded a lot brighter than the Tagima. I like the brightness, clarity and fullness of the Squier better, but their build quality is often lacking. Pros and cons for both. Another contender is the G&L Tribute Series Doheny. GFS makes a pretty inexpensive Jazzmaster also. Lot of options anyway.
They are a great comapny So a very interesting thing about tagima they usually have 2 versions of most guitars which is by the series number Kinda same way fender and squier On there page you can find tagima models that have exact same specs as any fender model maybe besides signature pickups But the 200$ end uses ceramic and higher dollar end uses alinco but 2 totally different tones it’s preference thing But that would be why the pickups between the 2 sound different But if you got a fender with the same type of the 2 pickups it would sound identical I think tagima is a winner in the fact of price point
Love your videos guys, keep it up! I have a question: Is it possible to put a squier jazzmaster neck on that Tagima? I feel like the squier's neck looks better and I don't like the technical wood that they used on the Tagima's fretboard.
Not sure about the answer to that one. I use to be a headstock snob too but the different headstocks don’t bother me as much as they use too. The technical wood isn’t a problem on this guitar either. The neck is really comfortable to play. I can definitely relate to those feelings though. The tagima’s seem to be popping up in more and more shops. Keep an eye out and try one out. We thought about modding ours a bit, but when we balanced the cost of doing that and the initial cost of the guitar we figured it wasn’t something we wanted to get into. Mostly because we really like it the way it is.
Don't think you would go wrong with either honestly speaking. But my personal choice would be the tagima for its warmer tone all the way around but someone might prefer the brighter characteristic of the Squier. But I'm sure tweaking of the amp settings and pedals would compensate either way.
It has been a long time since we had both of them in our hands, and a lot of guitars have passed through since then. I seem to remember the body size being pretty close with one maybe being slightly bigger. Not sure on the weight, but I don't remember either being exceptionally heavy. We still have the Tagima and it weighs in at almost exactly 8 pounds.
I don’t think so. I believe it is pretty similar, though I never held them up side by side. I don’t remember noticing a big difference when we did this video.
I have a TW-61, and its body is almost identical to a Jazzmaster. There are just enough different cuts to avoid lawsuits, and the heft is nearly the same.
I tested both the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. Ended up going with the Jaguar. Both sound very close to a Strat without using the extra circuits. Both have the rhythm circuit to try to emulate the warm neck humbucker tone for Jazz. However, the Jaguar has a high pass filter switch to make it even brighter than a Strat or Jazzmaster. I now want a TW 61 for that P-90 sound, varitone dial, and that body. TW 61 has more tonal options than the Jazzmaster. Jazzmaster failed with its target market (Jazz players) and was picked up by Surf Rockers for the brightness. Fender listened to the Surf crowd and gave them the Jaguar. The Jazzmaster is only popular again because it was picked up by famous players wanting a different look. IMHO the Jazzmaster is obsolete and outclassed by the Jaguar unless you hate the shorter scale length.
@@PJandtheBeardI bought a tw1 a few days ago and it just plays/feels incredible. More comparable to actual fender models. It completely outshines squier in my honest opinion. And for the price it’s a no brainer, I suspect they will skyrocket in price in a year or 2.
I picked one of these Tagima TW61 guitars up at a local swap meet. The previous owner had put a set of bootstrap p90s in it and it was killer!!! The build quality was what really surprised me. Just a very solid instrument.
We picked up our tagima when we first started the channel. We were going to do a video on it and flip it. Some how it is still around over 5 years later.
I am a brazilian, living in Japan. I was just about to opt for the Japanese Bacchus JM, as quality wise , they seem as good as any Squier but this Varitone Switch on this Tagima really got me. For those who dont know Tagima was a brazilian luthier of japanese ascendence. My TW-61 will be a Dakassegui! She will come back to its roots! Importing one from Brazil ASAP.
Nice, hope you like it. Our Tagima is still hanging around. For a guitar we were going to buy, demo, and flip it has some serious staying power.
I'm new to the channel and I really liked your analysis, here Tagima has other guitars that we would like you to analyze, congratulations on your work, greetings from Brazil.
Welcome! We would love to check out some other models but haven’t figured out how to make that happen yet.
I love the TW61! I dropped a set of firebird pickups in there and upgraded the tuners and electronics and with a little fretwork it’s a great player and it’s sexy as heck.
I bet it sounds great with Firebird pickups! I am just starting to understand why they are so special.
I actually liked the tagima better, how intriguing
I literally just bought my third TW-61 today. DP209s for my first 2’s bridges. I find them used and can’t let them go. Feels so good, super affordable, sounds really nice.
Right on! We still have ours.
Hey dude, can I know how do you feel of it after 9 months? Have you noticed anything worth mentioning about it?
@@alvaromejia9569Still in love. Been gigging for 6 months with it. Set up in C standard with 12’s. Never falls out of tune. Feels great. Sounds amazing. Playing in a desert rock/doom metal band. Other musicians ask me about it all the time. It’s a head turner.
@@alvaromejia9569considering buying a 4th 😅
@@alvaromejia9569also, I got my first one 2 years ago and it still plays and sounds just as amazing.
Nice video! This squier anniversary edition, at the few places you can find to buy here in Brazil, is 4x expensive than the TW-61. I cant understand all the words in english so maybe you said this: TW-61 have P-90 pickups. So, I think maybe it was not built aiming to sound exactly like a jazzmaster. But still, it sounds very cool. I have one because I like it and because it is one of the most affordable guitars we can buy here. :)
You have a really good written English, keep it up. Cheers from Russia! I'm a non-native speaker myself.
That’s pretty much what we said. The tagima is surprisingly good! It’s not really a jazzmaster, it does its own thing and does it well.
just got the jazzmaster and i love it!
And you should. Great guitar.
I have a squier classic vibe jazzmaster and a Tagima TW-61. Pricewise, it was $289 vs $449. Playability is pretty darn close between the two. I like the feel of the fretboard on the Squier, but I like the trem stability better on the Tagima. Necks are about even ot me. The Tagima gives you more options on the tone with the varitone switch, but the Squier tones are dang good. I really don't like the look of tortoise shell pickguards and it comes down to the Tagima's I like even less than the Squier's.
Bottom line for me. If you like the redish tort pickgurd and you are ok with the feel of the technical wood neck, then the Tagima is a great option. If those are too much to overcome and the $150 difference isn't an issue, the Squier is a great option too. I've hit that point where I'm getting rid of guitars and didn't need two jazzmasters. I kept the squier and got rid of the Tagima. It was tough because I like playing both, but jassmasters were the only guitar I had two of.
Would love to see you compare these to the G&L Tribute Doheny.
Question about techwood. I have 2 guitars that have the lighted fret board and probably called tech wood. Is there a wax to make it smoother or ?
Thanks for your reply, you told me exactly what I needed to hear and kinda already had thought, I am a bit of a Squier CV fan and was considering a Tagima as an option for an offset purchase, probably because of the price but also for something different… still not 100% but I’m leaning toward the CV now me thinks… cheers from down under!
🎸🤓🍻🤘
Teniendo en cuenta que la Squier tiene casi el doble del valor que la Tagima, la tw61 se defiende muy bien, excelente video guys.
Appreciate it!
Thank you for the comparison 😊 New subscriber.
Absolutely… thanks for the sub and comment. Appreciate it!
I suspect the Tagima build quality is competitive or maybe better than the Squier,, and I like the 22 frets and 2-point tremolo. However, the Squier pups sounded a lot brighter than the Tagima. I like the brightness, clarity and fullness of the Squier better, but their build quality is often lacking. Pros and cons for both. Another contender is the G&L Tribute Series Doheny. GFS makes a pretty inexpensive Jazzmaster also. Lot of options anyway.
Definitely agree with you that there are pros and cons to both.
They are a great comapny
So a very interesting thing about tagima they usually have 2 versions of most guitars which is by the series number
Kinda same way fender and squier
On there page you can find tagima models that have exact same specs as any fender model maybe besides signature pickups
But the 200$ end uses ceramic and higher dollar end uses alinco but 2 totally different tones it’s preference thing
But that would be why the pickups between the 2 sound different
But if you got a fender with the same type of the 2 pickups it would sound identical
I think tagima is a winner in the fact of price point
Love your videos guys, keep it up! I have a question: Is it possible to put a squier jazzmaster neck on that Tagima? I feel like the squier's neck looks better and I don't like the technical wood that they used on the Tagima's fretboard.
Not sure about the answer to that one. I use to be a headstock snob too but the different headstocks don’t bother me as much as they use too. The technical wood isn’t a problem on this guitar either. The neck is really comfortable to play. I can definitely relate to those feelings though. The tagima’s seem to be popping up in more and more shops. Keep an eye out and try one out. We thought about modding ours a bit, but when we balanced the cost of doing that and the initial cost of the guitar we figured it wasn’t something we wanted to get into. Mostly because we really like it the way it is.
I really love tw61
Great guitar
Don't think you would go wrong with either honestly speaking. But my personal choice would be the tagima for its warmer tone all the way around but someone might prefer the brighter characteristic of the Squier. But I'm sure tweaking of the amp settings and pedals would compensate either way.
Good points. We both like the Tagima a lot and it has stuck around since we picked it up when starting this channel out.
are the bodys the same size and shape,
.weight?
It has been a long time since we had both of them in our hands, and a lot of guitars have passed through since then. I seem to remember the body size being pretty close with one maybe being slightly bigger. Not sure on the weight, but I don't remember either being exceptionally heavy. We still have the Tagima and it weighs in at almost exactly 8 pounds.
T61 is Wonderful
Would be a Tagima with a JM soap bar neck pickup would getting best of both worlds? Just curious on this mod
It may be, but aren’t the jazzmaster pickups bigger. You would probably need to route it out a bit.
Yes it slightly bigger. That’s why it may need some routing. But the sound must be good. More variety while getting a Jazzmaster neck sound.
How does the Tagima compare in terms of the actual body size? is it smaller than a fender jazzmaster body?
I don’t think so. I believe it is pretty similar, though I never held them up side by side. I don’t remember noticing a big difference when we did this video.
I have a TW-61, and its body is almost identical to a Jazzmaster. There are just enough different cuts to avoid lawsuits, and the heft is nearly the same.
I'll have this guitar in a week, tagima tw61.
Enjoy! They are fun guitars.
Me too.
I tested both the Jazzmaster and Jaguar. Ended up going with the Jaguar. Both sound very close to a Strat without using the extra circuits. Both have the rhythm circuit to try to emulate the warm neck humbucker tone for Jazz. However, the Jaguar has a high pass filter switch to make it even brighter than a Strat or Jazzmaster. I now want a TW 61 for that P-90 sound, varitone dial, and that body. TW 61 has more tonal options than the Jazzmaster. Jazzmaster failed with its target market (Jazz players) and was picked up by Surf Rockers for the brightness. Fender listened to the Surf crowd and gave them the Jaguar. The Jazzmaster is only popular again because it was picked up by famous players wanting a different look. IMHO the Jazzmaster is obsolete and outclassed by the Jaguar unless you hate the shorter scale length.
One day we need to try a jaguar. Never had the opportunity yet.
Tagima takes the win by a long shot
I do like the P90's in the Tagima for sure.
@@PJandtheBeardI bought a tw1 a few days ago and it just plays/feels incredible. More comparable to actual fender models. It completely outshines squier in my honest opinion. And for the price it’s a no brainer, I suspect they will skyrocket in price in a year or 2.
@@cdmusic2well, we still have the tagima… :)
Probably those two models are crafted at the same factory, by the same chinese guy... It happens a lot nowadays
Wouldn't be surprised at all!