However, while seated, the guitar is highly balanced and feels very good. Jaguars are more gain friendly as the modern version comes with a humbucker and a single-coil. The tonal versatility of Jazzmasters is great as they have many controls to shape your sound. As the scales and neck profiles are shorter and thinner, Jaguar and Mustang have more comfortable necks and fretboards, in my opinion. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. He liked the ease of playing Jazzmasters along with the floating tremolo bridge system. With its punchy and aggressive tone, it was a perfect guitar for Nirvana-style grunge tones. Compared to Jaguar and Jazzmaster, Mustang is more suited towards mellow jazzy chords playing or rhythm guitar playing with lots of effects. But with subtle touches, the problem is solved. It also has a tone-cut switch in the lead circuit. Most guitarists who are interested in more conventional styles tend to gravitate towards classic designs like the Les Paul, Stratocaster and Telecaster - or, in the case of metal players, guitars specifically designed for the style, by brands such as Ibanez or Schecter. However, the Jazzmasterwas quickly adopted by some surf-rock bands like The Ventures, and even The Beach Boys. Most Mustangs have a 3-way pickup selector, allowing you to activate either the bridge pickup or neck pickup in isolation, or both together. There are many controls on the body to shape the sound, such as a 2-way slide switch (rhythm/lead), double thumbwheels for neck volume and tone, and a 3-way toggle switch for pickup configuration as well as a master volume and master tone knob. In summary the main differences between the Jazzmaster and the Jaguar come down to the scale length and pickups used. TheMustangwas another offset-waist guitar that Fender produced, and which got quite a few fans. link to Dog Ear vs Soapbar P90 Pickups: Is There a Difference? The guitar also has a pair of three-way pickup selectors, which was not the case with vintage Mustangs. So, it is less versatile but easier to control compared to Jaguars. They have a similar tone to Jaguars, but they do not have a percussive, bell-like attack. The Fender Mustang differs quite a lot to the Fender Jazzmaster and the Fender Jaguar. The lead switch allows you to activate either or both pickups, and sounds brighter. The scale length of the other two models is shorter with 24.5 scales, which makes them easier to play for smaller-handed players. For beginners, the Squier Mustang is usually a better option than any of the Jaguar models, because it is available at a much lower price. Apart from having different Hi my name is Jacob I have been playing guitar since 2004. So check out my article explaining the controls on a Jaguar to learn more. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. Need some extra help with finding the right offset guitar for you? The new wave punk artist saw the guitar in a shop back in the 70s and thought it was a modified Stratocaster. The pickup provides airy, open, and chiming tones, which are great to use with many effects. All guitars have great balance and are quite comfortable to play with bodies, allowing you to reach higher frets easily. For his distinctive Nirvana tone, Cobain sometimes used a Fender Mustang. The innovative bridge, the soap bar pickups, new dual circuit, versatile yet complicated pickups switches, and tone controls were too much to handle for the conservative players of the era. The main difference is that the Mustang has a smaller body so is much lighter than the Jaguar which does have a reasonably large body design. But, it feels very balanced and is highly comfortable to play with, especially seated. Although the models were discontinued in the mid-80s, the offset guitars were starting to revive with some bands and artists using them like Sonic Youth and Elvis Costello, who inspired many alternative rock bands of the later era such as Dinosaur Jr. And in the late 80s and early 90s, the guitar got highly popular again, mainly thanks to the alternative and indie rock scene along with Kurt Cobains choice of Fender Jaguar. This makes the pickup sound warmer and thicker in Gibson 498T vs 500T: Bridge Pickup Comparison. Mustangs have a similar sound to Jaguars, but their sound is slightly brighter with a thinner tone. But, the modern reissues often come with Mustang Dual Yosemite Mustang Single-coil pickups. Broadly speaking, many players feel that the Jazzmaster takes distortion better than the Jaguar, while the Jaguar is great clean - unless you do like Kurt Cobain and choose a humbucker-equipped version, in which case the Jaguar will sound even meatier than the Jazzmaster! You can find out more about this in myarticle on pickup angling. As these are the modern reissues of the vintage guitars, they are slightly upgraded with modern features. I like the Jazzmaster because it sounds like a piano, she says as she explains her affection for the Jazzmasters. You'll notice that the three toggle switches have been removed and replaced with a 3 way pickup selector - this make s it a little easier for players to get the sound they want quickly. The Jaguars sound brighter, more focused, and twangier with percussive, bell-like tones. Today, there are a wide variety of offset guitars available in different price ranges. However, with the modern line, problems are solved, and the floating bridges perform truly great. But, bands like The Ventures and The Beach Boys in the Surf Rock scene loved the guitar and quickly started using them. Many players found practical solutions like replacing saddles that have deeper slots or grooves to hold the strings or changing the bridge completely. Fender Jaguars often featured dual single-coil pickups, but that started to change when Kurt Cobain started using them with humbuckers. Admin. The lower bout controls don't work in this mode. When the switches are facing the same direction, whether towards the bridge or neck, both pickups are on in parallel and in phase. It has a fast pitch-shift taper which is less flexible than Strat or Jazzmaster vibrato. The guitars were designed for jazz and blues tones but ended up being great alternative rock guitars with their deeper tone and large scale length, which is ideal for alternative and indie rock. He has a soft spot for the Jaguars due to the playability and great tonal versatility of the guitar. Jazzmasters often come with soap bar-style pickups, while Jaguars come both with single coils and humbuckers. Fender Jazzmasters are heavy guitars as they are designed for playing while seated. Again, the guitar comes in many colors, and the choices are more pastel, which adds to the vintage look. Guitar Center are always the first place I look at when Im interested in a new electric guitar because have a huge range of models for sale and always have some excellent deals on. It is made of alder, and the guitar weighs around 7.68 lbs (3.48 kg), making it the lightest among the three models. The Mustang angles both pickups so the treble frequencies of the higher strings, and the bass frequencies of the lower strings are enhanced, causing the higher strings to sound bright and the lower strings to sound warmer. Since there are more expensive versions of the Jaguar available, you can usually find more premium finishes on this model compared to the Mustang, which comes in pretty basic colour and finish choices. In summary, the main differences between the original Fender Mustang and the Fender Jaguar/ Jazzmaster come down to the scale length, pickups, pickup switching and bridge used. However, as the prices went down of these guitars before they were discontinued, some new generation guitarists purchased them to play. The Jaguar bridge is the slightly upgraded version of the vintage floating bridges of Jaguars. The upgraded bridge holds the tuning better than the old versions, but the strings are still susceptible to going out of alignment. If you found this article useful you may want to save this pin below to your Guitar board, I have been playing guitar since 2004. When the switches are in opposite positions, they are out of phase the tone sounds thinner with less bass and more treble. When comparing the guitars, the models I am examining are Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster, Fender Player Series Jaguar, and Fender American Performer Mustang. But, the best is to have them both on the same guitar, which takes us to the modern Fender Player Jaguar. Some models such as the Squier Classic Vibe and Fender Vintera Mustang, also have a phase switch for each pickup. The main difference are the 3 bottom switches: Theseswitches are for Neck pickup (on/off), Bridge pickup (on/off) and Bass Cut (on/off). Of course by the end of the decade the surf-music craze was over, and so the sales of both the Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars declined. You have a 3-way switch, so its not too complicated to operate, but you also have the Greasebucket Tone Circuitry which allows you to shape your high frequencies without boosting your lows. The Mustang is the cheapest guitar available so will likely be the most suitable for beginners. Both Pickups On & Out Of Phase (strangled sound), Both Pickups Off (both switches in centre position). The music scene in that era requires fat humbucker tones, more sustain, and adaptability to heavier styles of hard rock, metal, and classic rock. The lighter weight of the Mustang can mean its a bit more comfortable to play if youre standing up for long periods of time. Pictured:Olive Greenalso available inOlympic White. The Jazzmaster often features a 25.5 scale neck while the Jaguars and Mustangs have smaller 24 necks. In summary, the two on-off-on sliding switches found above the Mustang angled pickups turn the neck or bridge pickup on or off. The guitar comes in many different colors that look great and eye-catching. So, this is the reason I wanted to write this article to end the discussion by pinning out the differences and similarities of these 3 offset legends. This is the first thing that you feel when you hold the guitar. The father of the grunge and the iconic Nirvana frontman was a fan of Jaguars and had several left-handed Jaguar models. Both the Mustang and Jaguar have a 22 fret neck, usually with a C-profile. Today, budget-friendly Squier Jaguaroptions are available. The neck pickup is airy and articulate, which is great for jazzy chords and clean tones. Your email address will not be published. For this same reason, Elvis Costello acquired a Jazzmaster back in the seventies, which would eventually became his main guitar for many years. Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Posted on: 10 Mar 2016 This circuit sounds warm and mellow. In the end, all three offset guitars were, well, failures. And the main question is which one to pick. Les Paul Vs Sg - What Is The Best Option For You? These pickups have adjacent on-off-on switches allows you to turn the pickups on or off allowing you to use them in isolation or in parallel. He was often seen with a Mustang on the stage strumming chords, but he used the guitar also in the studio during the recordings of the first two albums of the band, Talking Heads 77 and More Songs About Buildings and Food. The improved electronics allow the single coils to be switched off and run in parallel and out of phase. Kevin Shields often plays a Burgundy Mist Jaguar often, while Belinda Butcher prefers an Olympic White or Lake Placid Blue Jaguar. The C-shaped maple neck is comfortable for all playing styles and the 24 scale adds a slinkier playing feel as you have more string to play with bends are easier and chords are comfortable. Only one American Mustang model is currently produced (Fender American Performer). Whilst both guitars are offset, they are not the exact same shape, as the Jaguar has a more dramatic waist in comparison to the Mustang. She modified the guitar to have a more simplistic setup, with the neck pickup wired directly into the jack with no knobs for volume or tone. The neck has a satin polyurethane finish which feels highly smooth, making it very comfy to play with. He has a vintage 62 Candy Apple Red Jaguar, which he also used on Californication, along with an old Sherwood Green Jaguar for overdubs across the bands 1991 opus Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The top rollers are tone and volume controls for the rhythm circuit, just like the Jazzmaster. This circuit sounds brighter. The major difference comes in the form of the angled single-coil pickups. TheSquier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster IL Olympic Whiteis a great option for those on a budget. Before we jump into some more detail on the design differences, I wanted to take a look at the Fender and Squier ranges. Although priced for beginners, professionals alike will enjoy the high-quality construction Fender-Designed Alnico Pickups and vintage styling. With that being said, these offset guitars are not for everyone. Lat but not least we have theFender American Performer Mustangpictured here in Sonic Blue. I have a huge passion for rock music and I extremely enjoy playing it. Mustang was inspired both by the Jaguar-Jazzmaster lien as well as the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic line, which were the existing student models. When the switches are facing opposite ways the pickups are then out of phase. However, the Mustang and Jaguar are more comfortable playing standing as they are significantly lighter compared to the Jazzmaster. More About Me, Your email address will not be published. The original Fender Mustang bridge saddles had only a single string slot. The overall guitar is also slightly smaller than Jazzmaster due to the shorter scale length. And by the late 70s and early 80s, Fender decded to discontinue the production of all three models one by one. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. The Jaguar works in a similar way: Top switch selects between Rhythm (neck pickup only) andLead (neck/bridge/both) circuit. The fretboards of Jazzmaster and Mustang are Rosewood, while Jaguar has Pau Ferro fretboard. The sound is created due to the bridge style, which sits on two fulcrum points. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. The Mustang was originally designed as a student guitar so is usually a bit cheaper than the Jaguar. Prosoundhq.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk. The guitar has the tones of the surf rock and 90s indie and alternative rock scenes, which are lean in the low-end with complex and shimmery overtones. When you purchase through those links, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The tremolo is also located further back on the Jaguar than the Mustang. As they have a shorter scale, they are lighter and more suited to smaller players than Jazzmasters. Mustangs were a bit different with their dual angled single-coil pickups in the good old days. The weight is lighter than both of the other two offset models, and the neck is similar to the Jaguars neck, making the guitar perfect for small bodies and hands. Fender also created a signature model under his name, and the model features changes in finish rather than major technical alterations. So, this way, the versatility of the guitar is increased as it can provide some great gain tones from 90s grunge scene as well as harmonically rich bass-heavy clean tones that Jaguars are associated with. TheFender Player Jazzmaster PF Buttercreamhails from the all new Made In Mexico series, offering the Fender sound to those who want a performance quality guitar without a massive price tag. Fender already had Telecasters and Stratocasters dominating the rock genres with Gibson, so they wanted to step into the jazz world to compete with Gibson. Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster, guitar perfect for small bodies and hands, Jazzmaster/Jaguar Bridge with Panorama Tremolo, 6-saddle Vintage-style Adjustable bridge with Floating Tremolo, American Performer Mustang Bridge with Tremolo, Dual Fender V-Mod II Jazzmaster Single-coil, Player Series Alnico II Jaguar Single-coil, 2-way slide switch (rhythm/lead)3-way toggle switch, 2-way slide coil-split switch,3-way blade pickup switch, 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone,2 x thumbwheels (neck volume, tone. When the switches are in the same position, they are in-phase produces a balanced tone. The Jaguar sounds warmer compared to the Mustang which has a brighter and thinner tone. It is great for shorter and smaller players as the guitar is also lighter than the Jazzmaster. This is a great way to get that classicSquier Jazzmastersound without having to spend too much. The second "on" position reverses the phase of the selected pickup which lets you play the pickups out of phase resulting in a more "choked" sound. Also, Mustang has a slight offset waist while Jaguars and Jazzmasters have full offset waist designs. Well-known for their sound, they were and still are one of the most recognizable models out there. The Fender Mustang has a different look than the Jaguar-Jazzmaster line as it does not have the full offset waist. Read Jaguar design was very similar to Jazzmasters design but had a smaller and shorter neck and some improvements in the circuitry. TheFender Jaguar,Fender JazzmasterandFender Mustang guitars are just so cool. The way the Jaguars electronics are set up, makes it a pretty versatile guitar. The guitars overall tone can be described as bright, present, and full of air. As I said, it depends on the model youre looking at, and things can get pretty complicated. In addition to that, it also has the coil-split function to use the humbucker as a single-coil, but in my opinion, the guitar sounds too thin that way. The improved idiosyncratic Fender Dynamic Tremolo works well and solves the problems of the older version, holding the tuning well and keeping the strings aligned. Most Jaguars have a rhythm/ lead switch. Although traditionally both guitars have single coil pickups, its not completely uncommon to see humbucker versions of the two models, which sound louder, warmer and darker by comparison to the traditional versions. It was covered with many drawings and words written by Cobain himself. But, without the humbuckers, they are not the best for high-gain tones. The Fender Jazzmaster usually has a 25.5 scale neck while the Jaguar has a 24 scale neck. Most have a rhythm/ lead switch which activates different circuits and controls on the guitar. Thanks for visiting! The Jaguar has a Jaguar style solid body made of alder wood. As he was a small player, the Jaguar fit perfectly with him. And as for surf music let's just say some great tracks were made using a Mosrite! The Mustang and Jaguar are fairly similar in terms of their appearance and feel. The Mustang has two angled single coil pickups with adjacent on-off-on switches. Vintage Fender Jazzmasters typically feature soap bar-style humbucker pickups. "Which one is better? The sonic versatility is also great as the guitar has many tone-shaping controls like the Jazzmaster. The new Fender Mustang from the popular, budget friendly Offset Series allows players of all levels to get hold of a classic guitar for less. There are rhythm and lead circuits, separate volume and tone knobs for both circuits, as well as master volume, tone knobs, and a 3-way toggle switch. A slightly bigger radius adds a great sense of stability, smoothness, and heft to the guitar. They influenced many alt-rock bands who followed, such as Dinosaur Jr. and Nirvana, and thanks to Kurt Cobain, a much wider audience discovered the Fender Jaguar. TheFender Vintera 60s Jazzmaster Ice Blue Metallicis from the all new Vintera series. Here is a link to the article. The Fender Mustang features a 24 inch scale, the same as the Jaguar. The follow-up guitar was going to be the Jaguar. Dog Ear vs Soapbar P90 Pickups: Is There a Difference? Here's how the dual-circuit works. As long as I can remember I always had a huge passion for rock music and I extremely enjoy playing it. With the DiMarzio pickups, Cobain created the iconic gain-heavy Nirvana tones. Some articles may contain affiliate links. This guitar is a breeze to play with its satin finish, short scale length, and smooth Pau Ferro fretboard, along with the floating vibrato. They did not get popular among players, and nobody was using them as Surf Rock was disappearing from the music world. Newly voiced Jaguar Single Coil pickups offer awesome tone that you can manipulate easily whilst the Mid-60s "C"-profiled Maple neck, capped with a 7.25" Radius Pau Ferro fingerboard with 22 Vintage Style frets makes solos, chords and the big riffs a breeze. Lets dive in! More expensive Fender Jaguar models are available than Fender Mustang models. Well, the fact is that both guitars are great - and even though they don't sound the same, many players who like one model also like the other (as was the case with Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine). On the other side, Mustangs have two angled single-coil pickups. Because they have a lot of common ground in terms of their use and fanbase, along with their similar designs, there is often confusion about the differences between these three guitars features. Jazzmaster also has a unique buzzing sound due to the lack of tension on the strings that some players love and others hate. Heres a link to take you directly to Guitar Centers electric guitar range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. It weighs around 7.9 lbs (3.58 kg), half a pound lighter than Jazzmaster as it features a shorter neck. TheSquier Classic Vibeseries is an incredible series of guitars for players of all levels. The final word for the bridge; the improved Dynamic Vibrato feels great and is highly quirky. Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazzmaster IL Olympic White, Fender Vintera 60s Jazzmaster Ice Blue Metallic, Fender American Performer Jazzmaster 3-Colour Sunburst, Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jaguar IL Surf Green, Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar PF Ocean Turquoise, Promotions, Competitions, Events & Offers, PMT Guide to Fender Jaguar, Jazzmaster & Mustang Guitars. The main different between the two pickups, is the angling on the Mustang. For this reason, when Fender releasedtheJaguar - which was designed as an "improved" Jazzmaster - the promotional images were all beach-themed! Rather than high-gain tones, Jazzmasters are better choices for slight overdrive and clean tones. With the Jazzmaster, the dual circuit is fairly simple: Just a simple up-or-down switch. Fender Jazzmaster was the first offset waist model Fender released in the late 50s. He says, I wanted a guitar with a Fender-style tremolo bar. It was designed as an alternative model to hollow body archtop guitars of jazz guitarists at the time. link to The 25 Best Electric Guitars under $1000 In 2022. link to Les Paul Vs Sg - What Is The Best Option For You? The design was created with jazz players in mind to give them a more comfortable playing experience while in a seated position as they mainly played their guitars seated. This hard-working instrument forgoes the on-off-on switches for a simpler toggle switch but keeps the angled single-coil pickups to provide that bell-like sound the Mustang is famous for. Instead, they have a mellow chime tone which is great for jazzy tones and playing with lots of effects. Here is a table comparing the Fender American Performer Mustang and Fender Vintera Jaguar, and the more affordable Squier Classic Vibe models. This means you can isolate the pickups, blend them or turn them both off. It is great for shoegazer pitch wobbling and understated tremolo actions. Jazzmaster Dual Circuit Explained - What do the switches on the Fender Jazzmaster do? The Mustang model comes with American Performer Mustang Bridge with Tremolo, which is the improved vintage Mustang tremolo system. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. They also have a single tone and volume control which adjusts both pickups. This is why it can be a great choice for alternative and indie rock as well as pop genres. He started using them in the late 80s around 1988 with the Fender Greco Mustang and later continued with another 1973 Fender Mustang. But as prices went down, a new generation of guitarists would soon rediscover these instruments New York bandTelevison were the first of a new breed of artists who chose to play Jazzmasters and Jaguars in the mid-Seventies. Heres a video so you can listen to these two guitars being played back-to-back and hear the differences. He tried it and liked it a lot as he thought it was much better than his guitar in terms of playability and sound. The mustang introduced the Fender Dynamic Vibrato tailpiece - different to the Jag/Jazzmaster guitars. But, still, the strings go out of alignment, which does decrease the playability of the guitar. The bridge pickup is pretty bright, present, and full of air and sits somewhere between Stratocaster bridge pickups and Rickenbacker toaster-top. These guitars are available in both Left-Handed (LH) and Right-Handed (RH) variations, each in Sonic Blue or Fiesta Red. The Jazzmaster has a fuller and warmer tone, but the Jaguar can sound more crisp and punchier(andalso quite darker when you use itsrhythm circuit.)

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