• 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.

NBD: Fender Jaguar Modern Player

bass4u

bass4u

Supporting Member
Jul 7, 2007
802
458
maryland,usa
#1
This came today by UPS, Fender Jaguar Modern Player. Beautiful honey colored neck!! The frets are rolled better than my MIA Precision. Really nice bridge. Playing acoustically it resonates a whole lot more than my two Squier Vintage Modified Jaguars. Fit and finish look excellent. I don't have time right now to scrutinize the bass, going to be late for rehearsal as it is. Just wanted to post a few crappy pics taken with my cell phone.

Link Removed

Link Removed

Link Removed
Link Removed
 
#5
I wish they did this bass in the same finish as the modern player Jag guitar. I like the black, but that 2 color chocolate burst would be nice with a maple neck.

DV016_Jpg_Large_H76269.001.001_2-color_chocolate_sunburst_maple.jpg
 
#8
A-Step-Towards said:
Did they ship it packed just like it or was it wrapped in a little cloth like thing?


It came in like a styrofoam bag. The bass has zero blemishes. The neck is REALLY finished well. Well dressed frets. Tuned it up today and played it without an amp for a bit. The neck /body resonate nicely and there is no buzzing from any frets.

I just got home from my other band's rehearsal and it's too late to play it through an amp right now. I know it's silly, I haven't played it through an amp yet. When I'm checking out a bass I'm interested in getting, I always play it acoustically first. For me, if it doesn't sound good acoustically I'll pass on it.

It is heavier than my two VM Squier Jaguars that I have. Maybe the 'koto' wood the body is made from is a denser wood, I don't know anything about 'koto' wood. The neck feels thicker front to back compared to my Squier Jaguars with the blocked necks but I have very large hands and am used to Stingrays and Precision basses so it feels comfortable to me.
The neck is the same width as a Fender Jazz bass.

The only alteration I plan on doing to the bass is install a black pickguard. It's parchment and my preference is for black.

This weekend I will try to post a review. If I have time, some sound clips too.
Click to expand...
 
#15
OK, Here is my review of the Jag. Played a gig Saturday night using my GK MB500 and two GK 212 NEO cabinets. This bass is a keeper!! I don't know if it's the 'Koto' wood or the "Modern Player' pickups but the Jag has an awesome sound. Sure, it doesn't sound like my Stingrays but sounds better than my MIA Precision, 1974 Precision, Squier CV 60's Precision and both my Squier VM Jags. (one has block neck the other a fretless neck)

There is a lot of solid low end and a sweet midrange punch to the bass. The 'P' pickups are great. Plenty of volume from them that I had to engage the active switch on the GK head to keep it from triggering the clip light. The 'J' pickup appears to have 30% less output than the 'P' set and has the typical hum soloed that every Jazz bass I've ever owned/played has. With both pickups maxed and the tone maxed it produces a great sound live. Cutting the tone back 75-50 % produces quite a wide range of tonal possibilities.

And I'll say again, the neck is finished extremely well. Believe it or not the intonation right out of the box was dead on. The neck has some type of tinted finish but is not sticky at all. With the fret edges so smooth it makes for a very fast playing neck.

I don't care if is made in China it plays better than my MIA Precision. I had to return 2 brand new MIA Precision basses because I could not get the G string low enough with the high mass bridge that is installed on MIA Precision basses now. The one I kept I had to shim the neck. Will eventually install a vintage bridge which has a thinner base plate to get rid of the shim on the MIA P.

As I stated before there are ZERO blemishes in the finish of the body or neck. Pickup poles are exactly aligned with the strings. The pickup height adjustment was even correct! (check out the pics in my first post) It even uses smaller screws for the strap pins so Schaller straplocks fit perfect.

If you like the Jaguar body style you owe it to yourself to try one out. Make sure you bring an allen wrench to lower the action if need be. The one I got, right out of the box I only had to lower the D and G string slightly.
 
#16
Wow, that looks totally sweet! How would you compare it's playability and quality of build to your squier cv? Also, the neck looks super glossy on the fretboard, is it the same on the back of the neck? I love me some high gloss maple action...
 
#20
Your review is not helping my GAS in the least. I just received my Squier VM Jag SS today and I'm sold on the feel, P/J configuration and body style. I think my new bass is gonna need a big brother ala "modern player" before too long!

I'm amazed at how the quality gap seems to be shrinking amongst the Fender MIA/MIJ/MIM/MIC through Squier MII/MIC family lines. You mention that your new MIC Jag meets and/or surpasses the quality, sound and playability of your MIA P bass. It's hard for me to accept this phenomenon as a US citizen, but it is what it is and the economy has spoken loudly. Sorry for the mini rant. That is a very nice looking bass indeed sir!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back