• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Jaguar/ Mustang basses

C

carlthegroover

Mar 30, 2011
1,133
10
Mexican Megalopolis
#1
Sorry, I have to get this out of my system... Is it just me or does anyone else think that the Jaguar and Mustang basses look like deformed, dwarf brothers of the Jazz Bass? I really don't like the body shape at all. On the other side, I played a few of them Jaguar Squiers (Vintage modified, I think) just out of curiosity and I was surprised because they were easy to play (eventhough I'm not used to 30" basses), very lightweight, and had a fatter tone than I expected.

Anyways, what does anyone think about the Jaguar/ Mustang basses? In terms of aesthetics, tone, playability, you name it. It doesn't matter if it's Fender or Squier as long as it is clearly stated.
 
#3
I had a VM Jag for about a month, the full scale one. I loved it. I liked the body shape and I dug the finished headstock, so shoot me. The sound was very nice, good burp from the bridge pup and the p would add depth. Just couldn't complain for the price. Sold it, getting a stingray:bassist:
 
#5
IMO, the Jaguar and the Mustang/Musicmaster/Bronco are just two other body styles offered by FMIC. I don't think they're deformed, or poor copies, or anything of the sort; they have a style of their own. Some people like them. Some don't.

They're also two very different basses - or more correctly, given the current offerings from Fender and Squier - 8 different basses.
 
#7
I have the Squier SS Jag. I have no strong feelings about the styling other than I would have liked better access to the higher frets. Then again, as it has been asked elsewhere in this forum, "If you're playing up there, who's playing bass?"

I do not care for the shape of the Mustang/Bronco, but would have bought one eventually had the Jag not been offered.
 
#9
The upper horn area is kinda ugly and the pickguard shape is a carry-over from the guitar version it was originally intended for. It would look a lot better if there were a pickup there for that pickguard to wrap around there where it forms an almost 90 deg. angle.

The upper control plate helps a lot because it balances out the lower half-banana shaped one. It kinda gives reason for the misshapen blob of a pickguard to exist between them.

Still, despite it's ugly looks, it tends to grow on you over time. I think overall it looks better than a P-bass. I want a fretless one.
 
#10
I've had a Fender Jaguar for about 2 years now and love it. Very well made, great neck, good fretwork and great sound. It has some options that are different from other Fenders and very usable: the series/parallel switch and a passive tone control that works in either active or passive mode. So it does the usual Jazz bass sounds and has some thicker almost Gibson like tones.

It was pretty noisy until I shielded the entire cavity with copper foil but now it's nice and quiet.
 
#11
ghostdog93 said:
I don't think they're deformed, or poor copies, or anything of the sort; they have a style of their own. Some people like them. Some don't.

They're also two very different basses - or more correctly, given the current offerings from Fender and Squier - 8 different basses.
Click to expand...

Yes, of course. Sorry if my opening post implied they don't have their style or are different. I'm just stating my own opinion of their looks, and wanted to hear opinions about these basses.
 
#13
First off, I have to say I inherited a love for Jaguars. My dad's favorite guitars were Jags, they were really the first guitars that I really became familiar with and my first professional piece of bass gear was a red Jaguar, so I'm a bit biased. The only thing I don't like about the Squier Jag basses is the pickguard. It just looks so odd having that big extension by the upper horn. It really needs to have the chrome control plates to really get the Jag look.
 
#14
I loved the Jag I had - One of the best playing basses I've ever owned. Sold bc didn't like not having sep vol knobs. I also owned a 65 Mustang - and yeah - more like a mini P bass than a jazz. Very rich bassy tone but think I prefer 34" scale.

Do either of them look weird? No. Not unless you think all basses in the world should look the same.
 
#18
I like the Fender Jaguar because it retains the aesthetics of the Jaguitar, ie the switchplates. It's not just for show either, the switches give some tonal options therein. Wish I'd bought a Jag when they first came out, now I'll have to buy used. Custom shop is out of the question.

I've got nothing against Squier, but they should've either kept the Fender Jaguar in production along with the current Squiers, or since the Fender Jag isn't available anymore, then they should offer a Squier with the switching options of the original Fender.

@ Vin*tone...
You should've kept the Jag and just modded the tone/vol pots to suit.
 
#19
I like the Jag shape; it stands out from the standard precision or jazz bass shape. I have the full scale VM Jag and love it! Never tried the short-scale jags or the Mustang, though. I can't get used to the smaller size.

Actually, I never cared for the switchplate on the Fender Jag, so I'm glad that they didn't carry it over to the Squier jags. :hiding:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back