Jazzmaster vs Jaguar: What’s the best for 2023?

The Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars from Fender have crossed genre boundaries, but which one is best for you? Time to examine the past and nuances

The two offset guitars from Fender that are most in demand are the Jazzmaster and the Jaguar. The Jazzmaster, as its name suggests, was created specifically for jazz guitarists and debuted in 1958. Although it never fully caught on with its target market, it did well with early 1960s surf-rockers. After hearing players’ opinions on the Jazzmaster, Fender introduced the Jaguar four years later, in 1962. Once more, surfers embraced it, and that body type became ingrained in the genre. Since then, guitarists in the alt-rock, indie, and shoegaze genres as well as some heavy rock musicians have adopted the Jazzmaster and the Jaguar.

Due to their slightly more unconventional body shapes, the Jazzmaster and Jaguar stand out visually among the Fender roster. They also have a different tone from the Strat and Tele, though. Given that their fan bases are very similar and they have a similar appearance,

The Jazzmaster and Jaguar have each spent a considerable amount of time in the spotlight. Before finally ending up in the hands of disaffected alt-rockers, the California surf culture moved from the dimly lit, smokey jazz clubs to the sun-kissed beaches. These two instruments are unquestionably among the most well-liked models to be produced, having solidified their place in the guitar-playing zeitgeist.

product review: jazzmaster

1. Fender American Professional II  

specification

Brand	Fender
Color	Dark NIght
Top Material Type	Alder
Body Material	Rosewood
Back Material Type	Alder Wood
Neck Material Type	Rosewood
Fretboard Material Type	Rosewood
Guitar Pickup Configuration	S
Hand Orientation	Left
Guitar Bridge System	Tremolo

With a variety of player-friendly features, the American Professional II Jazzmaster drags this iconic classic guitar headlong into the present era. The sculpted neck heel addresses the issue of the bulky connection on the original design, while the Deep C neck’s curled edges provide a playing feel not available on vintage specimens. The JM-style vintage tones you’d anticipate from the V-Mod II single-coil pickups are delivered, and the tap function on the bridge position lets you switch to a more contemporary throaty tone.

If you’re seeking for the best Jazzmaster out there, you must look for this ultra-sleek guitar because it represents the height of design potential.

verdict

The guitar that you should have in your collection because of its versatility, especially if you play a variety of musical styles or are simply looking for some fresh sounds and tones to get you inspired. These guitars are made by Fender for musicians who depend on their gear to be reliable and durable night after night and performance after performance. With all of its tonal options, there are so many different sounds to discover that it will probably take you days of playing before you hear them all. You’ll keep a guitar like this forever.

2. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 60’s Jazzmaster

specification

Brand	Fender
Color	Jazzmaster
Body Material	Poplar
Back Material Type	Poplar
Fretboard Material Type	Laurel
Guitar Pickup Configuration	S
String Material Type	Nickel Steel
Hand Orientation	Right
Guitar Bridge System	Tremolo
Number of Strings	6

We at Guitar World adore the Classic Vibe line. The Jazzmaster, Telecaster, and Stratocaster all provide excellent value for the money. The Classic Vibe ’60s guitar provides musicians with period-correct appointments at a fraction of the price of an original guitar, paying homage to the instruments of the past.

This guitar feels and sounds the part thanks to its set of Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups, ergonomic C profile neck, 9.5″ radius fingerboard, and narrow-tall frets. With Sonic Blue, Olympic White, and 3-Color Sunburst as three wildly popular finish options, this guitar is simply impossible to top, especially at this price point.

verdict

You’re a fan of offset guitars? You enjoy independent or alternative music, or shoegaze? You prefer some noise with your distortion, don’t you? You don’t want to shell out more than $1,000 for a Fender? The Jazzmaster from the 1960s by Squier is it. With none of the hefty price tag and all the charm of its Fender sibling.

All of this is to say that the Classic Vibe 60s edition of the Jazzmaster will likely satisfy your needs if you’re considering purchasing one, especially a Squier Jazzmaster.

3. Fender Vintera 60’s Modified

specification

Brand	Fender
Color	Surf Green
Top Material Type	Maple Wood, Alder Wood
Body Material	Alder
Back Material Type	Alder Wood
Neck Material Type	Maple
Fretboard Material Type	Pau Ferro
Guitar Pickup Configuration	S
String Material Type	Nickel Steel
Hand Orientation	Right

Although some players adore the vintage Jazzmasters’ appearance, the low output pickups can’t keep up with their fast-paced playing. Fortunately, Fender has a fresh choice. The Fender Vintera ’60s guitar Modified is a six-string guitar with classic styling and current enhancements to improve performance in a contemporary environment.

The two Hot ’60s Jazzmaster broad single-coil pickups are far more powerful than the pickups used in the original instruments. A degree of comfort that modern players have grown to anticipate is provided by the Modern C-shaped maple neck with satin back finish and 9.5″ radius fingerboard. Therefore, the Fender Vintera ’60s guitar Modified is the ideal Jazzmaster if you like the retro design but want a modern feel.

verdict

An legendary offset electric guitar, the Fender guitar is distinguished by its floating tremolo tailpiece and characteristic soapbar-style pickups. The Fender Vintera ’60s Jazzmaster maintains many vintage fittings and offers vintage enthusiasts classic tones. This guitar is for you if you enjoy the traditional style.

product review: jaguar

1. Fender American Original 60s Stratocaster

specification

Brand	Fender
Color	Olympic White
Top Material Type	Maple
Body Material	Alder
Back Material Type	Alder
Neck Material Type	Maple
Fretboard Material Type	Maple
Guitar Pickup Configuration	FE110120805
Hand Orientation	right
Guitar Bridge System	FE110120805

The Fender American Original ’60s Jaguar condenses all the best qualities from the heyday of the Jaguar into a single instrument. This guitar looks and feels exactly as it should thanks to period-appropriate styling and electronics that were specifically created for it.

Stunning Pure Vintage ’62 pickups have been designed to faithfully capture the classic Fender sound of the swinging ’60s, and the body shape and neck radius have received special attention to ensure that they are as true to the historical originals as possible. The gorgeous deluxe brown hardshell case with a glittering gold interior is included with this guitar.

verdict

You should receive a high-quality instrument manufactured with good materials and outstanding attention to detail if it is made in a nation with strict quality control. The guitar is reasonably playable. Although it has outstanding picks, its adaptability may be inadequate. More chords than solos are preferred. For less money, you can find other models with useful features (locking tuners, stainless steel frets, etc.). An excellent guitar all around for the price.

2. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jaguar

specification

Brand	Fender
Color	Jaguar
Body Material	Poplar
Back Material Type	Poplar
Neck Material Type	Maple
Fretboard Material Type	Laurel
Guitar Pickup Configuration	S
String Material Type	Nickel Steel
Hand Orientation	Right
Guitar Bridge System	Tremolo

When we see a Jaguar with block inlays, we go weak in the knees, and our feelings are only heightened when we learn how expensive they are. The Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jaguar gives vintage mojo at an affordable price, just like the ’60s guitar.

The specifically created Fender alnico single coil pickups produce the high-end sparkle you’ve come to expect from a Jag and do a superb job of faithfully capturing the sound of the past. Additionally, the neck is incredibly comfy thanks to its 9.5″ radius fingerboard and narrow-tall frets, and the 24″ scale length contributes to the instrument’s incredibly slinky feel. Vintage machine heads, a headstock logo that is reminiscent of the 1970s, and period-appropriate finish options complete the appearance.

verdict

the lowest feasible cost. The guitar is reasonably playable. You might want to upgrade the pickups later because they aren’t the greatest that come with it. More chords than solos are preferred. Overall, it provides a nice number of features for the money. If your budget allows, you might wish to look into other guitars with a higher rating.

3. Fender Player Jaguar Electric Guitar

specification

Brand	Fender
Color	Black
Top Material Type	Alder
Body Material	Alder
Back Material Type	Alder
Fretboard Material Type	Alder
Guitar Pickup Configuration	S
String Material Type	Nickel Steel
Hand Orientation	Right
Guitar Bridge System	Tremolo

It’s simple to understand why The Player Series, which debuted a few years ago, was such a smashing hit. These guitars from Mexico give players an excellent-sounding, well-built, and giggable instrument.

Thanks to its powerful humbucking pickup in the bridge position and straightforward control scheme, the Player Jaguar is a grunge lover’s dream. The top horn switch allows you to coil-split the Fender-designed humbucker, allowing you to create vintage Jag tones if necessary. There is a finish to fit your unique taste thanks to its four great colors, including Black, Capri Orange, 3-Color Sunburst, and our personal favorite, Tidepool.

verdict

With a variety of colors and features this a very good guitar for people who want to upgrade performance.

Now let’s finally dissect the differences between these two offset titans since although they are widely recognised, they are frequently misunderstood.

Examining the Variations

Setups and Sound

Let’s begin with what is likely the most significant distinction: the sound of the guitars. Although the pickups on the Jazzmaster and the Jag are both single-coils, they have different tonal qualities. The Jaguar’s single-coil pickups are thin and protected from hum by a metal “claw,” which also makes them a little more focused and brilliant. The pickups sound a little thinner and brighter than those of a Strat, but they aren’t too dissimilar.

The Jazzmaster uses a pickup that is much flatter and wider and creates a full, warm tone. The Jag uses a single-coil that is larger and more conventionally shaped, but it also has a metal claw that adds extra shielding to cut down on hum and buzz, much to the delight of Jazzmaster owners. This variation in pickups gives the Jaguar a narrower and brighter tone.

Both guitars may produce a darker, more mellow tone because they have both the Rhythm circuit and the regular Lead circuit, although the Jaguar is often brighter than the Jazzmaster. This can make it incredibly easy to hear over a band mix. Jazzmasters may be a fantastic option for lone guitarists in a group who still want that Fender sound because of their broader dynamic range and ability to cover a little more sonic space. It’s important to note that both guitars’ middle Lead circuit positions (or both pickup switches on the Jag) produce a really distinctive sound that’s reason enough to fall in love with Fender offsets alone.

Control Scheme

With two distinctly different Rhythm and Lead circuits, the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar each have distinctive control layouts. The Lead circuit on both guitars offers the option of using either the bridge pickup, the neck pickup, or both together, making it the more “normal” circuit. The Rhythm circuit solely uses the neck pickup while activating other circuitry under the pickguard. The resulting sound is significantly mellower and darker. You can switch between the two circuits on the Jazzmaster and Jaguar using a sliding switch, and the Rhythm circuit’s volume and tone are adjusted using two rolling wheel knobs.

The layouts of the two guitars diverge in the Lead circuit. The guitar has three switches: a neck pickup on/off switch, a bridge pickup on/off switch, and a bass-cut/”strangle” switch. As the name implies, this bass-cut switch functions as a kind of high-pass filter, reducing the bottom end and enhancing the brightness and thinness of the tone. Therefore, you can configure your Lead circuit to sound extremely thin and bright and your Rhythm circuit to sound extremely dark, and switch between the two at the flick of a switch.

Aesthetics

The guitars surely have a similar appearance. Both have an eye-catching offset body design and the iconic Fender headstock. However, if you carefully examine the body forms, you’ll notice that the Jazzmaster’s upper bout has a top horn that is slightly larger than the Jaguar’s. It’s important to keep in mind that since these guitars were handcrafted in the 1950s and 1960s, tiny variations were likely common. If you put a Jag and a Jazzmaster side by side, you’ll see that the Jazzmaster stands a little taller, due to its longer scale length. There are also silver panels surrounding the switches on the Jag; the guitar incorporates all its switches within the pickguard.

Due to its greater scale length, the guitar appears to stand a little taller when a Jag and a Jazzmaster are placed side by side. On the Jag, the switches are surrounded by silver panels; on the Jazzmaster, the switches are integrated into the pickguard.

conclusion

The Fender Jaguar and Jazzmaster have some significant distinctions despite appearing to be two guitars that are comparable. Despite the fact that both guitars use single-coil pickups, their sonic qualities are distinct. The Jaguar sounds more concentrated, brighter, and twangier, while the Jazzmaster offers a touch more body and warmth to the sound as well as a wider frequency range and slightly hotter output. With the flick of a switch, the Jag’s bass-cut switch also enables you to get a thinner, even more cutting tone.

Both the Jaguar and the Jazzmaster are adaptable instruments. You can use both pickups separately and simultaneously on the Lead circuit (using various control layout designs), and you also have access to the Rhythm circuit, which has a mellower, darker sound for times when you want a different tone. When compared directly to a strung with the same gauge strings, the Jag’s shorter scale length also alters the playing experience because there is less tension beneath your fretting hand.

However, both guitars will undoubtedly produce a distinctive sound for you—one that is Fender but distinct enough from a Strat or a Tele. And whether you’re just starting or seeking for the last piece in your collection, you can find one that suits you because both the Jaguar and Jazzmaster are offered at different price points. If you’re looking for an actual piece of history, you can also find vintage items.