I have been watching a Squier Vintage Modified Mustang bass at my local music store. Really like how it looks, three tone burst is nice. I get the feeling that the jaguar bass is more desirable to those that I have talked to about getting a short scale. Want to know which bass you would chose between these two basses. I dig how the mustang looks, but I really want something that I will enjoy playing and that sounds nice. Will likely go the direction the survey leads...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Short scale...Mustang or Jaguar?
- Thread starter unclebass
- Start date
Personally, I would go for the Jaguar, the P/J pickup scheme being the primary reason.
Mustang has more character, for better or worse, than the Jaguar. It also costs more to upgrade the pickups, but there's only one to upgrade. Jaguar is a bit heavier (in general) and a bit bigger in every regard. String-through bridge means Mustang requires 32" scale strings (and in some cases, like La Bella, specific ones that allow string-through). If you are coming from a full scale bass, the Jaguar will feel more right to you.
The thing about a PJ bass is that I end up often soloing the P pickup all day, and if we're talking Precision vs. Mustang only, I usually prefer Mustang because it has a "smaller" sound that sits better in a rock mix, if that makes sense.
The thing about a PJ bass is that I end up often soloing the P pickup all day, and if we're talking Precision vs. Mustang only, I usually prefer Mustang because it has a "smaller" sound that sits better in a rock mix, if that makes sense.
Honestly, used MIJ Mustangs usually go for fairly inexpensive and are definitely worth the slightly increased price.
I had written to Fender requesting the Mustang or something like it to bridge the gap between the Bronco and Fender Mustang. By the time the VM Mustang became available, I had the SS Jag, which came out several months earlier. the difference in price was irrelevant because I had no idea that the Mustang would be offered. If both models had come out at the same time, I would have picked the Jag because it costs less and had two pickups which I thought would allow for more tonal variety. I prefer the styling of the Jag. Given that I like natural finishes, of course I had to have the Candy Apple Red one. I'm sure there are differences between the maple fretboard on the Mustang and the rosewood one on the Jag, but I don't have any idea what they are other than the color.
It should be noted that I am a total amateur. I play at coffee houses and open mics. To me, this is nothing more than a hobby. If you play more seriously, like in a band, you may have different considerations.
I voted for the Jag.
It should be noted that I am a total amateur. I play at coffee houses and open mics. To me, this is nothing more than a hobby. If you play more seriously, like in a band, you may have different considerations.
I voted for the Jag.
I got the SS Jaguar a couple years ago as my first bass. Just bought it on a whim, because it looked, felt, and sounded good.
Didn't know anything about bass (still don't know too much).
I've got several other short scales now, and am pretty interested in a Mustang. The Fender Mustang costs more than
a Standard Fender Jazz or P bass. Something's a bit off there. AFAIK, the Squier Mustang is discontinued - most stores
list replacements.
Anyways, about the Jaguar. I still like it a lot. It's comfortable, inexpensive to buy, and sounds good.
I hear a lot of people complain about the J pickup being weak. I don't have that problem with mine.
If I anchor and pick right over the J pickup when it's soloed, it's just as loud as the P. Definitely a lot
different tone though - more sharp, biting, and nasally.
I think it sounds best with the P maxed and the J at about 80%. You can get a good variety of tones from it
with different knob settings and picking positions.
While I don't have a Mustang, I do have a few short scales that only have a single pickup. You don't get the variety
of sounds that you can get from the Jaguar with knob settings, but they still sound good, and you can get a fair amount
of variety from picking positions.
So - to answer the original question. My first uninformed choice was to get the Jaguar. I'm happy with it and glad I got it.
But - (there's always a 'but', right? - ha ha), I also would like to get some version of a Mustang. And probably will sometime
in the future. So, I guess the answer is both.
Right at this time - I'm trying to hold off for a bit to see what develops with this one:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-modern-player-short-scale-jazz-bass.1089586/
Modern Player short scale Jazz bass. It's not available here yet though.
Didn't know anything about bass (still don't know too much).
I've got several other short scales now, and am pretty interested in a Mustang. The Fender Mustang costs more than
a Standard Fender Jazz or P bass. Something's a bit off there. AFAIK, the Squier Mustang is discontinued - most stores
list replacements.
Anyways, about the Jaguar. I still like it a lot. It's comfortable, inexpensive to buy, and sounds good.
I hear a lot of people complain about the J pickup being weak. I don't have that problem with mine.
If I anchor and pick right over the J pickup when it's soloed, it's just as loud as the P. Definitely a lot
different tone though - more sharp, biting, and nasally.
I think it sounds best with the P maxed and the J at about 80%. You can get a good variety of tones from it
with different knob settings and picking positions.
While I don't have a Mustang, I do have a few short scales that only have a single pickup. You don't get the variety
of sounds that you can get from the Jaguar with knob settings, but they still sound good, and you can get a fair amount
of variety from picking positions.
So - to answer the original question. My first uninformed choice was to get the Jaguar. I'm happy with it and glad I got it.
But - (there's always a 'but', right? - ha ha), I also would like to get some version of a Mustang. And probably will sometime
in the future. So, I guess the answer is both.
Right at this time - I'm trying to hold off for a bit to see what develops with this one:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-modern-player-short-scale-jazz-bass.1089586/
Modern Player short scale Jazz bass. It's not available here yet though.
Very interesting! Think I might be waiting as well. Any idea what the price range might be?
Call me a naysayer but nothing says we're not seriously taking this instrument seriously like the one-piece pickguard and 18-fret neck. That means you can't even play a high D on the G string. I actually know some songs that would be impossible to play on such a neck. Weirdly enough, I don't really know any songs that require 20 frets. I know plenty that require 19, though.
18 frets is definitely not cool.
I really didn't give the pickguard much thought.
But if you ever need to get at the pots, it'd require a little extra work.
Some of the things that kind of attracted me to it are the bridge,
the fretboard (as opposed to the squier mustang),
the P/J configuration that includes what they're calling a hot J,
the body shape, the color (I like the white one),
and of course, it's says 'Fender' loud and clear - ha ha.
I really didn't give the pickguard much thought.
But if you ever need to get at the pots, it'd require a little extra work.
Some of the things that kind of attracted me to it are the bridge,
the fretboard (as opposed to the squier mustang),
the P/J configuration that includes what they're calling a hot J,
the body shape, the color (I like the white one),
and of course, it's says 'Fender' loud and clear - ha ha.
Last edited:
Even though the fret thing doesn't impact me too much, I can see it being a problem for people. The pickguard, though? That's like saying they don't take Precisions or Strats seriously. It's just a design choice.
I'd personally go with a Mustang, despite selling one recently. I don't miss it too much, but I am getting the urge to try a Pawn Shop model.
I'm not primarily a bass player, although I've been playing bass for the last 20 or so years on my home recordings. I bought an Fender American Standard Precision Bass in 1996 to replace a relatively cheap Vantage bass. A few months ago I sold the Precision and bought a Squier Jaguar SS. Very happy with it.
Depends on your country, I guess. It hasn't even been announced in the US yet.
Ads are up, and some people have gotten them already, in other countries, as shown in this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-modern-player-short-scale-jazz-bass-pj.1088990/
For myself, if it comes in any higher than this, I'll look elsewhere:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass...1@ADL4MF-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^53736456387
I love my mustang VM!
Punches like a P bass...similar, if tubbier, type of sound.
Seriously great bass for the money.
I have been gigging mine for all of this year, and love love love it.
I had never considered a short scale before, having been a P bass guy previously; but the smaller scale and lighter weight means I'm nowhere near as fatigued at the end of the night with the Mustang.
Being a P fan, and liking simplicity in my gear, the Mustang was the logical short scale choice for me.
I have gotten so used to it, that I don't play my Am Std MIA P anymore.
Punches like a P bass...similar, if tubbier, type of sound.
Seriously great bass for the money.
I have been gigging mine for all of this year, and love love love it.
I had never considered a short scale before, having been a P bass guy previously; but the smaller scale and lighter weight means I'm nowhere near as fatigued at the end of the night with the Mustang.
Being a P fan, and liking simplicity in my gear, the Mustang was the logical short scale choice for me.
I have gotten so used to it, that I don't play my Am Std MIA P anymore.
