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Why aren't Jaguar basses more popular?

#21
KJung said:
That pretty much sums up my feeling about them. I had a good buddy who had one back in the day, and it always felt 'cheap' compared to the more traditional J or P (maybe due to all those little switches that always felt like they were going to fail at any moment!). Unique instrument, but definitely a niche product to me.
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Back in what day? The Jag Bass is a very recent model that never existed until this century. Did your buddy own a Jaguar guitar instead? I have friends who've been gigging both Jaguar and Jazz Master guitars scince the 60's and they've held up nicely for decades. As for the Jag Bass I agree that it's polarizing as to one thinking either it's fantastic or junk when one is confronted by one for the first time.
 
#22
They seem like they're plenty popular to me. I bet Fender sells more of them than MusicMan sells Stingrays per year. The Stingray's bee around for 30 years so there are a lot more of them out there, but I see a lot of Jags out there.

I don't like them strictly because of all of the switches and knobs. It seems very convoluted, especially the ones by the upper horn. It feels "gimmicky" to me. The body shape is fine by me, but I don't really think that the electronics are all that well thought out.

In the 60's there was a "more switches = more tones which is always better" mentality. This bass pays homage to that era. Useful and distinct tones are good, but many basses have a fair number of unusable tones or tones that are very similar to other tones that the instrument provides. In my mind, this bass is their king.

KO
 
#24
The Jag is one of those basses that I just never gave a second thought to. I'd see them around, and for whatever reason never felt like trying out. I can't really say why. Maybe because I always sort of saw it as a poor update on the Jazz bass.

But seeing Pino play one has made me curious.
 
#25
I actually really like the look of them, but when I tried one out it sounded unexpectedly "blah" to me (and that buzz was horrible). I see them as Fender's approximation of a G&L L2000 (active/passive switch, series/parallel switch), but they don't have the G&L's mighty voice.
 
#26
I wanted one for a while and still kinda do. My initial impression is 'What do all the knobs,wheels and switches do?"
It isn't immediately obvious since there scattered around. Shouldn't have to keep an instruction sheet handy to figure it out. I'd like to see a hrr with the black hardware treatment all around.:bassist:
 
#27
I built my own 5 string version of a Jag bass ... Alder body with a quilted maple top, tung oil and mineral spirits finish, SD 1/4 pound pickups, a 4 band audere preamp, and a 4 string p-bass neck.

jag0003.jpg


jag0011.jpg


jag0014.jpg
 
#28
Quote:
Originally Posted by vin*tone
Their electronics don't get rave reviews and some people don't like their looks.

I'm not one of those people.

Love my Jag- great feel. I've slapped some flats on mine and its pure joy to play.
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Quote:
originally Posted by thumpbass1
Actually Bass Player Magazine and Vintage Guitar Magazine gave really good reviews to the Jaguar Bass complimenting it's blend of active and old school tones because of the electronics package that Fender came up with for this bass. The only thing missing was the in between tonal spots that a vintage J-Bass has to offer with the separate volume pot for each pickup, given the Jag-Bass has two J-single coils. This is what some players missed.

I did try a couple out and I liked them. I may consider getting a Jag-Bass in the future. As an old geezer Fender lover I also like the look.
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They do have more appeal than the rather large number of people who've never tried one but just dismiss the looks or some other poorly understood difference as "not up to par with a J or P" would like to assume. The "technical" complaints are largely inaccurate. Having played a few Jags, they are far more versatile than standard Fender designs, play like butter and (at least those I've seen or played) are superbly built (not as consistently the case for MIA and MIM Fenders).
Quote:
Originally posted by T.O.Bass
They look like the jazz bass' stupid, ugly twin, separated at birth and reuinted only to discover it is unloved and unwanted so it gets a bunch of ridiculous body modifications in an attempt to find its own identity, and sadly, fails.
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Quote:
Originally posted by lug
I'd be willing to bet it's had one of the more successful launches in Fender history.
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If not mistaken, I think Fender has had the most successful bass model launch with the Jag since the P and J were rolled out. Based on the bucks Fender is putting into marketing the model, I have to assume it's taken hold (in other words, somebody must like them - LOL). I think the resistance and negativity toward the Jag is one of the paradoxes about musicians -- how come a bunch of folks who are supposed to be involved in a creative endeavor are so stuck on traditional instrument designs? :hmm:
 
#30
bassman10096 said:
how come a bunch of folks who are supposed to be involved in a creative endeavor are so stuck on traditional instrument designs? :hmm:
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Does work to explain my dislike. I like active and passive, wood and graphite, chrome, gold and black hardware, and a host of body shapes. I think the Warwick Fortress is one of the coolest basses out there, but it's a matter of taste; not every design is going to appeal to everybody. Besides, the design is supposed to appeal to the traditional, not redefine it.
 
#40
To answer the OP accurately one would have to question everyone who doesn't care for the Jag.
That said, I'd like one but it's enough of a kind of *works here but doesn't work so well there* type of an ax that I can't justify it. If it came in seafoam or surf green I'd be much more tempted*.

That said, whenever I catch myself using the word 'tempted' describing a choice, I usually decline. I see it as my subconscious' way of telling me I don't think it would be right. Unless I happened upon a screaming deal...
 

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