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Why aren't Jaguar basses more popular?

#41
Webtroll said:
I see Jazz pickups and I think: Jazz Bass with a different body style. If they'd gone with soapbar style pickups or something new I would have given it a second look, but as it is I'll pass.
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These are my thoughts exactly. I actually DO like the body style and overall look, but I already have a jazz bass, so can't really see where this one would be astoundingly different. A good pair of soapbar pups and I would have had one the day they came out....
 
#43
Relic said:
These are my thoughts exactly. I actually DO like the body style and overall look, but I already have a jazz bass, so can't really see where this one would be astoundingly different. A good pair of soapbar pups and I would have had one the day they came out....
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Most (not all) Jazz basses aren't active. The pups on these are also Vintage as opposed to Standard or Samarium Cobalt and the neck profile is smaller than any Jazz but the Geddy Lee. Think of it as a Geddy without the BAII, with actives and serial/parallel, and a gloss as opposed to satin neck.
 
#46
I think it is a great looking bass. I have yet to actually play one, but I am sure it sounds as good as it looks. I also am a Fender fan, and own a couple of Precisions and a Jazz. However, the older I get the more I like thinks simple, and that thing just has too many knobs for me. I also know it can be played in the passive mode, which I prefer these days, but I already have a Jazz, which that is what it essentially would be.
For those who own them and love'em, that's okay with me. I have nothing bad to say about it. I Pino plays them, they must be good.
 
#47
KPJ said:
the lack of shielding in the body cavity and pickguard as well as the curious placement of the preamp board (right above the neck pickup in an unshielded route) caused a buzz that was unbearable.
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I tried a Jag at my dealer and that was my experience as well. That thing was really, really noisy.
The sound(s) didn´t thrill me either - I´d much rather have a J (and I´m a P bass guy). That, combined with an unusually bad setup (even for a Fender :)), made the Jag the most disappointing Japanese Fender I´ve played to date.
 
#48
Actually, the Jag is shielded but for some reason Fender doesn't connect the pickguard shield with the cavity shield. The common fix is to place a small loop of cooper tape that causes the two to touch when the pickguard is screwed down. A 5 minute fix.
 
#50
The simple answer is...

...wait for it...


...here it comes...

You don't see as many Jags as you do P's and J's, because they haven't been on the market for aproximatly 50 + years.

It's a good bass, and I've seen a few out in action. Seems at least somewhat popular. Not as popular as P's and J's, but then again, NOTHING is as popular as P's and J's. I don't see anything from Fender, or anyone else for that matter dethrowning the two Titans of bassdom any time soon.
Having said that, the Jags seem to be a reasonably popular alternative to the J bass.
 
#56
Yeah, until a bass hero uses one and suddenly it's RADICALLY different and totally cool.
That's all there is to it.
Once your favorite player uses one, total paradigm shift.
T.O.Bass said:
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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#57
jag basses unpopular?

i love my jag! ever since i started playing guitar i thought the jaguar body was cool lookin, than i got a spot in a band playing bass and a mint candy red jag came my way at an amazing price. lucky me!

the jags werent very popular back but ive noticed their increase in popularity. a few short years ago the only jag shaped guitars offered from fender were the jag guitar and jazzmaster guitar. than came the jag bass shortly followed by 2 new jag guitar models than new colors for the jag bass and this year they put out another 2 jag guitars and 3 new jazz guitars. id say popularity is rising since all these guitars and bass seem to sell.

i now ive noticed an increase in jags on tv and amongst other bands i play with. no bass will ever be able to surpass the precisions and the jazz's but the jag is a great alternative with tons of versatility.
 

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