First, I do not think that word means what you think it means.
Yeah, I can totally see how this is terribly one-sided.
Better get out that flame retardant suit.
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SQUIER JAG SHORT SCALE; ANY REVIEWS?
- Thread starter lbwdog
- Start date
First, I do not think that word means what you think it means.
Yeah, I can totally see how this is terribly one-sided.
Better get out that flame retardant suit.
The only time I've ever seen anyone who criticized Squier getting trashed is when the poster is obviously judging the entire brand based on one or two bad personal experiences, sometimes no experience at all, just basing their opinion on "stuff someone told them." We Squier fans know they're not perfect, but I defy you to name me a brand that is perfect %100 of the time.
UPDATE:
Well, I finally got to play one yesterday. Stopped by my local mom & pop store and lo and behold, two had just arrived. A short scale with P/J pickups, and a regular scale with the MM type humbucker.
After we unboxed the short scale, I spent about ten minutes with it, and despite not playing a short in years, I loved it! The neck was super straight, and the action was very good considering it was just unpacked. The E string felt a little foreign, but nothing I couldn't adjust to with time, and possibly some string experimentation.
Tone was excellent from the P pickup. Rich, deep, and even across the four strings. The J pickup sounded great when blended, but didn't have that mid-rangey Jaco tone when soloed. One factor could be the amp I was playing through, a Rumble 210 combo set flat which had a different tone profile than what I'm accustomed to. I feel it would be fine with a few EQ tweaks though, however I did notice some discrepancy in the string to string balance with the J bridge pickup. Again, nothing that couldn't be worked out somehow.
The finish and fit was fine. No gaps, and no apparent issues with the poly coated body. This bass is black with a black pickguard, and black painted headstock. Very attractive and professional looking. The neck is some type of satin which felt almost like unfinished wood, which I much prefer to a thick, glossy finish. I would probably sand it down and apply a few coats of Tru Oil, which is what I did with my Jazz.
Weight? (very important to me*) Didn't weigh it, but it feels significantly lighter (maybe 2-3 lbs?) than my 9 lb Jazz, and the body is noticeably smaller and more compact.
I didn't inspect the hardware thoroughly, but the tuners look to be typical "budget import" quality but with no apparent glitches. Out of the box this bass was down about a half step, and each string tuned smoothly up to pitch and stayed there while I was playing it. I would probably end up installing some good quality tuners such as Hipshot Ultralites. I'd leave the bridge alone unless the saddles were prone to slipping. In that case, I would go with a genuine Fender Vintage bridge. I like those especially since they use a slotted set screw rather than an Allen head for height/length adjustments. (One of my pet peeves with modern basses is the use of 3 or 4 sizes of Allen screws as opposed to slotted heads for bridges and knobs.)
* The reason I have developed an interest in a compact, lightweight bass is out of necessity, as I have been diagnosed with "end stage" COPD as well as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Lifting a 5 lb object feels like 30 lbs, and a 30 lb cab feels like 90 lbs. I can no longer walk thirty yards without pausing to rest and gasping for oxygen. (Wish I had quit smoking twenty five years ago when my doctor warned me!)
So now, a typical 3-4 hr. gig can be misery, and I am trying to reduce weight and size of my gear to a bare minimum. Fortunately, with my regular band, I can sit on a stool about 50% of the gig, but load in/out is excruciating!
The short time I spent with this bass impressed me thoroughly, especially at the $169 price point! Money is very tight now but I'm gonna find a way to own it. I guess I'll need to sell my MK Dragonfly acoustic/electric fretless bass.
CONCLUSION: If you're looking for this type of instrument, I don't see how you can go wrong. I think it's exceptional at the price point!
Oh BTW, one of the store employees unpacked the reg. scale with MM style pickup, and it sounded fantastic! I would have checked it out myself, but I have to go with the more compact ss.
Well, I finally got to play one yesterday. Stopped by my local mom & pop store and lo and behold, two had just arrived. A short scale with P/J pickups, and a regular scale with the MM type humbucker.
After we unboxed the short scale, I spent about ten minutes with it, and despite not playing a short in years, I loved it! The neck was super straight, and the action was very good considering it was just unpacked. The E string felt a little foreign, but nothing I couldn't adjust to with time, and possibly some string experimentation.
Tone was excellent from the P pickup. Rich, deep, and even across the four strings. The J pickup sounded great when blended, but didn't have that mid-rangey Jaco tone when soloed. One factor could be the amp I was playing through, a Rumble 210 combo set flat which had a different tone profile than what I'm accustomed to. I feel it would be fine with a few EQ tweaks though, however I did notice some discrepancy in the string to string balance with the J bridge pickup. Again, nothing that couldn't be worked out somehow.
The finish and fit was fine. No gaps, and no apparent issues with the poly coated body. This bass is black with a black pickguard, and black painted headstock. Very attractive and professional looking. The neck is some type of satin which felt almost like unfinished wood, which I much prefer to a thick, glossy finish. I would probably sand it down and apply a few coats of Tru Oil, which is what I did with my Jazz.
Weight? (very important to me*) Didn't weigh it, but it feels significantly lighter (maybe 2-3 lbs?) than my 9 lb Jazz, and the body is noticeably smaller and more compact.
I didn't inspect the hardware thoroughly, but the tuners look to be typical "budget import" quality but with no apparent glitches. Out of the box this bass was down about a half step, and each string tuned smoothly up to pitch and stayed there while I was playing it. I would probably end up installing some good quality tuners such as Hipshot Ultralites. I'd leave the bridge alone unless the saddles were prone to slipping. In that case, I would go with a genuine Fender Vintage bridge. I like those especially since they use a slotted set screw rather than an Allen head for height/length adjustments. (One of my pet peeves with modern basses is the use of 3 or 4 sizes of Allen screws as opposed to slotted heads for bridges and knobs.)
* The reason I have developed an interest in a compact, lightweight bass is out of necessity, as I have been diagnosed with "end stage" COPD as well as Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Lifting a 5 lb object feels like 30 lbs, and a 30 lb cab feels like 90 lbs. I can no longer walk thirty yards without pausing to rest and gasping for oxygen. (Wish I had quit smoking twenty five years ago when my doctor warned me!)
So now, a typical 3-4 hr. gig can be misery, and I am trying to reduce weight and size of my gear to a bare minimum. Fortunately, with my regular band, I can sit on a stool about 50% of the gig, but load in/out is excruciating!
The short time I spent with this bass impressed me thoroughly, especially at the $169 price point! Money is very tight now but I'm gonna find a way to own it. I guess I'll need to sell my MK Dragonfly acoustic/electric fretless bass.
CONCLUSION: If you're looking for this type of instrument, I don't see how you can go wrong. I think it's exceptional at the price point!
Oh BTW, one of the store employees unpacked the reg. scale with MM style pickup, and it sounded fantastic! I would have checked it out myself, but I have to go with the more compact ss.
I dunno, but if you find one, post the info here. The one for my guitar is too short and the other cases are in use.
I noodled around on a red P/J version this afternoon, and it sounded very nice. Neck felt great, although the setup was pretty bad and the strings were quite high.
If I could honestly say that it wouldn't duplicate one of the dozen basses I already have, I'd have bought it...but I have an active Schecter Diamond in black that's every bit as pretty and already paid for.
If I could honestly say that it wouldn't duplicate one of the dozen basses I already have, I'd have bought it...but I have an active Schecter Diamond in black that's every bit as pretty and already paid for.
Has anyone played and compared the SS version to the LS version as far as quality, playability and feel?
I guess I'm guilty of misuse. I do know what it means (subjective) except I accidentally used it instead of objective, which can be defined as relating to, or being an object, phenomenon, or condition in the realm of sensible experience independent of individual thought and perceptible by all observers : having reality independent of the mind.
Oops.
I still stand by my opinion. Aren't you comforted in the knowledge that it's only that, an opinion?
There are none, as I discovered after my experiences with Fodera and after plunking down $1200 on a new Lakland Skyline 44-64 that played and felt like a 2003 Fendy MIM Standard (except with a bit more fret buzz and pickups that seemed the bastard spawn of Lace and DiMarzio). Heck, my most prized basses are far from perfect but work for me, which I suspect is the underlying factor in folks' lov for the contemporary Squier line of instruments. I have to admit that I formed my opinions on the brand based on several of the newer basses I tried: A Jaguar, a "51" and VM(?) Jazz fretless. They all just felt like they needed something added to them in the tone/hardware dept.. But the price on the shorty Jag and the fact that it's different and has "utility" potential has me intrigued.
Bought mine yesterday and my seller was gonna throw in a bag. He went through everything in the store, (including some Ibanez SS bags) to no avail. I have a gig this evening so I guess I'll stick a piece of foam or something in the butt end of a Fender bag to keep it from flopping around inside.
Rondo Music has a cheap one (includes tuner and cable) but it's hard to tell anything about the pockets from the website pic.
Wow! Ijust figured shipping from Rondo.
case.... $19.95
shipping $14.83
total.....$34.78
BTW, mine weighs 6.5 lbs.
Rondo Music has a cheap one (includes tuner and cable) but it's hard to tell anything about the pockets from the website pic.
Wow! Ijust figured shipping from Rondo.
case.... $19.95
shipping $14.83
total.....$34.78
BTW, mine weighs 6.5 lbs.
I still stand by my opinion. Aren't you comforted in the knowledge that it's only that, an opinion?
I could agree to disagree with you on many subjective issues, like fretboard wood, body shapes, playing styles or pickup types. You could hold one view, I could hold another, and neither of us would be wrong.
But your earlier post - "Reviews for most things Squier are terribly one sided...Speak bad of Squier, you best to be wearin' that flame retardant suit with chainmail and an all encompassing force field." - is a hyperbole-laced statement that, while serving under the guise of your "opinion", also happens to be patently false.
There are, no doubt, ardent defenders of all bass brands, from SX to Sadowsky. But to imply that TB is filled with rabid fanboys who 1) are biased to the point of being one-sided and 2) vigorously flame any and all who malign a certain product - be it a Squier or stuff from any other manufacturer, for that matter - is not only wrong in light of the facts...it's just plain ridiculous.
If you want to stand by your opinion, that's fine. I'd love to see all these threads where my fellow TBers posted something bad about Squiers and got roasted for it, though.
I gotta try the short-scale Jag. Sight unseen, I would guess that for me a medium-scale bass would be best, but maybe it's just a matter of finding the right short-scale for me.
My shortie Rondo P doesn't feel quite right somehow. I love its sound and its light weight, but the fret spacing is just too tight up high — it feels like a frickin' guitar, for crying out loud. We can't have that!
Also, this one came from a kit/package and I sense that maybe the neck is not quite as nice as those on the Rondo basses sold on their own. Or it could be psychological — I hear that said on TB, and I believe it whether or not it's true. Know what I mean?
My shortie Rondo P doesn't feel quite right somehow. I love its sound and its light weight, but the fret spacing is just too tight up high — it feels like a frickin' guitar, for crying out loud. We can't have that!
Also, this one came from a kit/package and I sense that maybe the neck is not quite as nice as those on the Rondo basses sold on their own. Or it could be psychological — I hear that said on TB, and I believe it whether or not it's true. Know what I mean?
I just played the long scale P/J for a few minutes. Nice build quality, decent neck (tiny bit grabby, but that will work itself out as it gets played) decent sound. Nice P/J bass.
My biggest concern was the balance. Had an SX Jag-style that sounded great, but had horrible balance. Headstock diver in the extreme.
I didn't put the Squier on a strap, but did balance it on the upper horn strap button with one finger. The body of the bass dropped slightly to the rear indicating good balance on this one.
I'd buy one if I needed a P/J.
My biggest concern was the balance. Had an SX Jag-style that sounded great, but had horrible balance. Headstock diver in the extreme.
I didn't put the Squier on a strap, but did balance it on the upper horn strap button with one finger. The body of the bass dropped slightly to the rear indicating good balance on this one.
I'd buy one if I needed a P/J.
Mine arrived yesterday! I'm not terribly experienced in giving reviews, but I'll share my impressions.
It arrived double boxed from Guitar Center; no flaws in the finish at all (mine is black); setup out of the box is decent; low action, no buzzes or rattles.
What strings come shipped on these? Different colored ball ends = D'addario? They feel very flexible. I usually change strings out first thing, but I'm keeping these stock for a while.
It feels comfortable to me, and fun to play! FWIW, I'm about 5'5" and was told that this bass looks like a regular 34" scale on me. LOL. The body is bigger than my Mustang, so perhaps that's why. Speaking of bigger than the Mustang, the Jag will NOT fit in the Rondo short scale hard case. I hope it will fit in the gig bag mentioned earlier; that sounds like a good deal if it works out.
Neck is very comfortable. I played it all day yesterday, and it's just as comfortable to play as my Mustang & Bronco. I like the P pickup soloed, and I like the J pickup blended in; not a fan of the J soloed.
Overall, I like the sound/punch of my Mustang with Nordstrand pickup replacement better than the Jag stock; but if I had purchased the Jag first, I may not have felt the need to get the Mustang in the first place... Kwim?
It could be that I am a complete n00b when it comes to slapping, and I don't know if this is due to bad technique or what, but the Jag slaps way better than the Mustang does. With the P/J pickups & easier slapping ability, I guess I have to say the Jag is a bit more versatile than either the Bronco or Mustang. They each have their own good points, though.
Overall, I'm really happy with it. I'll bring it to my next band practice to see how it does in the mix.
It arrived double boxed from Guitar Center; no flaws in the finish at all (mine is black); setup out of the box is decent; low action, no buzzes or rattles.
What strings come shipped on these? Different colored ball ends = D'addario? They feel very flexible. I usually change strings out first thing, but I'm keeping these stock for a while.
It feels comfortable to me, and fun to play! FWIW, I'm about 5'5" and was told that this bass looks like a regular 34" scale on me. LOL. The body is bigger than my Mustang, so perhaps that's why. Speaking of bigger than the Mustang, the Jag will NOT fit in the Rondo short scale hard case. I hope it will fit in the gig bag mentioned earlier; that sounds like a good deal if it works out.
Neck is very comfortable. I played it all day yesterday, and it's just as comfortable to play as my Mustang & Bronco. I like the P pickup soloed, and I like the J pickup blended in; not a fan of the J soloed.
Overall, I like the sound/punch of my Mustang with Nordstrand pickup replacement better than the Jag stock; but if I had purchased the Jag first, I may not have felt the need to get the Mustang in the first place... Kwim?
It could be that I am a complete n00b when it comes to slapping, and I don't know if this is due to bad technique or what, but the Jag slaps way better than the Mustang does. With the P/J pickups & easier slapping ability, I guess I have to say the Jag is a bit more versatile than either the Bronco or Mustang. They each have their own good points, though.
Overall, I'm really happy with it. I'll bring it to my next band practice to see how it does in the mix.
Fed ex,dropped mine (silver)off a few hours ago.They tried yesterday but my wife and i threw a 100th birthday party for my grandmother(go granny) anyway ,out of the box first impressions,not bad.No major visable defects and no shipping damage.Closer look, NECK: it is straight,nice dark rosewood fingerboard,nut is cut and spaced properly!,no fret sprout,high frets or other problems here.I'll give them some attention later but no real need to as it's perfectly playable as is.BODY: nice silver finish with one small dark spot near the end of the control plate.I took the plate off and found it was shielding? paint from the control cavity but it seems to be over the silver but under the clearcoat lol.PICKUPS &HARDWARE,when i plugged it in the was no sound oh boy! i found the ground to the jack was broken loose an easy fix.The p-bass p.u. sound wonerful does everything it should,the jazz p.u. i was'nt in love with maybe the narrower string spacing due to the short scale that made E&G string rest over the inner 2 of the ploepeices for each string may have something to do with it.I'm no jazz bass p.u. expert but it must have some effect.I'll fool with the height and see.HARDWARE:tuners and bridge are about what you'd expect at this price level and nothing more,but both are easily replaced if problems show up.OVERALL: I ordered this a few weeks ago after trying a mustang and eb-0 locally
the mustang was too way expensive and the eb-0 didn't do thing for me.this jag is light (6-3/4#) plays and feels great and is able to be cheaply upgraded later.Well played squier well played!
the mustang was too way expensive and the eb-0 didn't do thing for me.this jag is light (6-3/4#) plays and feels great and is able to be cheaply upgraded later.Well played squier well played!
