• 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.

Squier Jaguar Short Scale Club Part 3

#1,401
Jables said:
Sign me up!

I've had mine for a few weeks now, and I love it. You guys weren't kidding about how great these little monsters are.

An outstanding local shop called FIVE STAR GUITAR had two Jaguar SS in stock (CAR and Silver), so I was able to test drive first—and the weight difference between the two of them was noticeable. The Silver's body was much lighter, but the resulting neck dive was a deal-killer. The CAR, on the other hand, balanced almost perfectly. SOLD.

It comes in around 8.5 pounds on the bathroom scale. It had just the slightest bit of neck dive (and I'm picky), but a set of Ultralites cured it. So far the mod list includes:
  • Tuners - Ultralites
  • Magnet-modded the J pickup (thanks, @dewbass4 - huge improvement!)
  • Parchment pickguard
  • Tusq XL nut (on order)
  • Strings - D'Addario nickels 45-100 (short scale)
  • Put a set of chrome knobs on it, but decided I liked the stock plastic ones better and switched back.
The stock P pickup sounds surprisingly great, like most people say, so that's a keeper. I may replace the bridge down the line.

My band plays 1/2 step down, so I'm still tweaking the setup to find the tension/action I like. The plastic nut on this one is junk, so I'm hoping changing that out will help, too. Otherwise, I love this little bass and I can't keep my hands off of it.

May I have a number, please? :)
Click to expand...

I love that place! I've bought a couple of basses there and even traded a couple icon a bass thati was desparate to grab fast. They actually go over and set up everything they sell (new). And they either match or come close to online pricing. Good people too.

Nice bass!
 
#1,402
My Jaguar bas,can i have a nummber please.
 

Attachments

  • Jaguar bass.jpg
    Jaguar bass.jpg
    27.8 KB · Views: 175
#1,404
It was part of a pack ,the owner wass willing to sell it apart.
Hipshot tunners
Gotoh 201 bridge
S D spb 1
Dimarzzio Power jazz
Fender decal
Fender neck plate
Only nieuw pots are on the way
Fender 22 cap
Its mij main bass beside s the Hofner ingniton beatle bass.
 
#1,405
Hi all! I am a recent owner of a Jaguar SS. No picture today because I don't need a number and you know what they look like. ;- )

A music store near me (GuitarWorks in Evanston, IL) has an annual blow-out sale in late March, 'by invitation only'. It's tough to get an invitation...you have to give them your name and email! There is no 'trying out' during a sale, not plugged in anyway, so the day before, I went in to check out the goods and sure enough they had the little Jags in stock, which no GC seems to. I played a nice silver one, actually two, and decided to come back on sale day. They were marked down to $149, and in the back I spotted a black one, which I grabbed.

The short scale is great for my stubby fingers and I enjoy playing it but (of course) immediately felt it needed some attention. First off new strings, as the originals were really 'clanky.' Second, the bass was so light (about 6 1/2 lbs), it had pronounced neck dive, not an unusual problem with this model I know. Then there's the weak neck pickup, but that's less of a priority.

So this week I got my new strings, Chromes .045-.100, and a Fender high mass bridge; I figured adding weight to the body would be cheaper and more effective than trying to take it off the neck, besides the bass is almost *too* light.

The strings are great, love the feel and sound and lack of finger noise. The bridge was not so great. Its weight (about 7oz) is double that of the thinner stock bridge, so it almost counteracted the neck dive. But the baseplate of the bridge was so thick that it lifted the action way high...even with the E string saddle bottomed out. This was way beyond a truss rod adjustment. Also the string spacing seemed to be a tiny bit off from the other bridge and the D string looked close to the edge of the fingerboard. I could have shimmed the neck but I went back to the stock bridge. I guess I believe in doing things as simply as possible.

I am happy with the bass, esp at the price, and it'll encourage me to play more, but I do kinda wish I had snagged one of those SS Jazz models in 2014-early 2015; that body shape is more appealing and comfortable for me.

I have read nearly all the posts in the three threads of this 'club' and have learned from many of you guys so thanks!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jables
#1,408
Chicago Al said:
Hi all! I am a recent owner of a Jaguar SS. No picture today because I don't need a number and you know what they look like. ;- )

A music store near me (GuitarWorks in Evanston, IL) has an annual blow-out sale in late March, 'by invitation only'. It's tough to get an invitation...you have to give them your name and email! There is no 'trying out' during a sale, not plugged in anyway, so the day before, I went in to check out the goods and sure enough they had the little Jags in stock, which no GC seems to. I played a nice silver one, actually two, and decided to come back on sale day. They were marked down to $149, and in the back I spotted a black one, which I grabbed.

The short scale is great for my stubby fingers and I enjoy playing it but (of course) immediately felt it needed some attention. First off new strings, as the originals were really 'clanky.' Second, the bass was so light (about 6 1/2 lbs), it had pronounced neck dive, not an unusual problem with this model I know. Then there's the weak neck pickup, but that's less of a priority.

So this week I got my new strings, Chromes .045-.100, and a Fender high mass bridge; I figured adding weight to the body would be cheaper and more effective than trying to take it off the neck, besides the bass is almost *too* light.

The strings are great, love the feel and sound and lack of finger noise. The bridge was not so great. Its weight (about 7oz) is double that of the thinner stock bridge, so it almost counteracted the neck dive. But the baseplate of the bridge was so thick that it lifted the action way high...even with the E string saddle bottomed out. This was way beyond a truss rod adjustment. Also the string spacing seemed to be a tiny bit off from the other bridge and the D string looked close to the edge of the fingerboard. I could have shimmed the neck but I went back to the stock bridge. I guess I believe in doing things as simply as possible.

I am happy with the bass, esp at the price, and it'll encourage me to play more, but I do kinda wish I had snagged one of those SS Jazz models in 2014-early 2015; that body shape is more appealing and comfortable for me.

I have read nearly all the posts in the three threads of this 'club' and have learned from many of you guys so thanks!
Click to expand...

Couple of years ago the first SS Jag I purchased was the same, 6 1/2 lbs with neck dive, I returned it.
A few months after that while browsing at the same store I noticed another Jag on display, couldn't resist picking it up and right away noticed it was heavier with hardly and neck dive! Took it home and had it now for well over a year.
I did like the stock strings on it (wish I knew what they are) they have a "growly" sound to them but recently I broke down and got the Chromes .045-.100 and I'm glad I did.
BTW, the weak pup... did you mean the bridge pup instead of the neck?
 
#1,409
gip111 said:
BTW, the weak pup... did you mean the bridge pup instead of the neck?
Click to expand...
Can't answer for Chicago Al but in my case the bridge pickup was really quite weak....

I changed all of the pickups for the DiMarzio DP126 set and am very happy with the sound.....

In retrospect though, I'm thinking that I could have got away with just changing out the bridge pickup and leaving the stock neck pickup installed as it really is pretty nice.....
 
#1,413
Jables said:
Sign me up!

I've had mine for a few weeks now, and I love it. You guys weren't kidding about how great these little monsters are.

An outstanding local shop called FIVE STAR GUITAR had two Jaguar SS in stock (CAR and Silver), so I was able to test drive first—and the weight difference between the two of them was noticeable. The Silver's body was much lighter, but the resulting neck dive was a deal-killer. The CAR, on the other hand, balanced almost perfectly. SOLD.

It comes in around 8.5 pounds on the bathroom scale. It had just the slightest bit of neck dive (and I'm picky), but a set of Ultralites cured it. So far the mod list includes:
  • Tuners - Ultralites
  • Magnet-modded the J pickup (thanks, @dewbass4 - huge improvement!)
  • Parchment pickguard
  • Tusq XL nut (on order)
  • Strings - D'Addario nickels 45-100 (short scale)
  • Put a set of chrome knobs on it, but decided I liked the stock plastic ones better and switched back.
The stock P pickup sounds surprisingly great, like most people say, so that's a keeper. I may replace the bridge down the line.

My band plays 1/2 step down, so I'm still tweaking the setup to find the tension/action I like. The plastic nut on this one is junk, so I'm hoping changing that out will help, too. Otherwise, I love this little bass and I can't keep my hands off of it.

May I have a number, please? :)
Click to expand...

Sorry to do this, but I think I'm going to have to copy the look of your bass. I love the parchment guard. I think I might go that route with a white racing stripe...Decisions, decisions....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jables and Short-scale
#1,415
I don't suppose anyone knows if there is a fretless neck that would bolt straight in to the Jag SS? I'm wanting to dip my toe into fretless playing and the Jag hasn't seen too much playing since I got my Godin. Thought I might as well convert the Jag if the pricing is decent.
 
#1,418
Fat Freddy said:
Warmoth???
Click to expand...
I Remember not having much luck finding a replacement neck for a mustang I had and I think they have the same neck heel dimensions as the jag. Your best bet is to find a bronoc, mustang, or music master neck which are often expensive and hard to find. Yiu could always mod the body to accommodate the heel of a warmoth neck but I dont know if the effort would be worth it.

You could also just take out the frets? I have thought about converting my jag into a fretless...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back