Newbie buyers dilemma

[Ceylon]

If I were you, I would try to find a japanese one, a CIJ. Last I've checked they could still be had for about the same price used as new Classic Players, and Jaguars are traditionally a bit cheaper than Jazzmasters. If you're willing to spend 150-200 on a new pair of pickups (don't have to be too expensive to be good, Rose Pickups' Magic Dragons look alluring) and a Staytrem bridge and you've got a great guitar. It will end up costing you a bit more than a Classic Player would, but almost certainly still less than an American Pro one, and you'll have something much closer to a traditional Jaguar.

I play a CIJ Jazzmaster with Rose pickups myself. The pickups were the only really weak point on it, the trem might not be as good as on the American ones, but frankly it always worked for me. The quality of the whole thing as an instrument is splendid. I put a Staytrem on my Squier VM Jaguar and it made that guitar come alive in a completely different way, so I'll eventually get one for the Jazzmaster too, but the cheaper, generic Mustang bridge I had on there before worked, so you can always go for one of those. Then throw a shim in the neck pocket and you're golden!

[Larsongs]

If you live in a big City you may be able to go play one of every Fender Jag available. If you don't good luck with that. Most of the GC's carry the lower end models.

Talking New. Once again I would seriously urge you to compare the Classic 60's to the Classic Player if that is your price point. I found the Classic 60's to be the closest you can buy to an AV65, which are Custom Shop level Guitars (IMO), & superior in Build quality, Pickups & other Components to the Classic Players & the other New Jag Offerings with exception to the AV65's.

As far as Luthiers. There many good ones, but in my experience, few that are really good & knowledgeable about Jag's & Jazzmaster's. Particularly, Setting up Locking Tremelo's.

Lars

[pikmin]

And yes, I will go for a shop/luthier who is actually a known/skilled guitar repair and builder. (I'm Belgium based so not that many 'real' specialized shops/guys)

I'm in Belgium too ! I bought a CIJ Jaguar in the beginning of this year . I putt awesome vintage style Q_pickups on it and a Staytrem Bridge . A very good luthier based in Chièvre made a bone nut for the guitar and a good setup for pretty cheap . He knows very well offset guitars . And now, it's really a killer guitar and my favorite one . Where do you live in Belgium ?

[TomBar3]

If you live in a big City you may be able to go play one of every Fender Jag available. If you don't good luck with that. Most of the GC's carry the lower end models.

I could drive to one, but even the stores in our biggest cities (think a couple of 100k inhabitants) only rarely have Jags in stock...

Talking New. Once again I would seriously urge you to compare the Classic 60's to the Classic Player if that is your price point. I found the Classic 60's to be the closest you can buy to an AV65, which are Custom Shop level Guitars (IMO), & superior in Build quality, Pickups & other Components to the Classic Players & the other New Jag Offerings with exception to the AV65's.

Would that be the 60s Lacquer you are referring too?
(CA)R seems popular amongst Jag players, yet this red isn't that sexy to me...
It's indeed odd its quality would be so much better as its prices equals the Classic player...

Some queries on 60s Jag revealed however models no longer on Fender's site like here and here (Japan Humbucker).

[TomBar3]

I'm in Belgium too ! I bought a CIJ Jaguar in the beginning of this year . I putt awesome vintage style Q_pickups on it and a Staytrem Bridge . A very good luthier based in Chièvre made a bone nut for the guitar and a good setup for pretty cheap . He knows very well offset guitars . And now, it's really a killer guitar and my favorite one . Where do you live in Belgium ?

Good to know!
I'm from the Flemish Brabant part

[Larsongs]

If you live in a big City you may be able to go play one of every Fender Jag available. If you don't good luck with that. Most of the GC's carry the lower end models.

I could drive to one, but even the stores in our biggest cities (think a couple of 100k inhabitants) only rarely have Jags in stock...

Talking New. Once again I would seriously urge you to compare the Classic 60's to the Classic Player if that is your price point. I found the Classic 60's to be the closest you can buy to an AV65, which are Custom Shop level Guitars (IMO), & superior in Build quality, Pickups & other Components to the Classic Players & the other New Jag Offerings with exception to the AV65's.

Would that be the 60s Lacquer you are referring too?
(CA)R seems popular amongst Jag players, yet this red isn't that sexy to me...
It's indeed odd its quality would be so much better as its prices equals the Classic player...

Some queries on 60s Jag revealed however models no longer on Fender's site like here and here (Japan Humbucker).

Yes, I meant Lacquer 60's. Pardon. for it's slightly higher price compared to the CP, you get Nitro finish, Fender USA AV65 Jag Pickups, Hard Case & excellent Build Quality. Really the CP should cost much less by comparison.

It does have a Rosewood Neck which is going to be difficult to get Overseas in the near future if not already. If you can find a Lacquer 60's snap it up if you're overseas. Best Value & Quality

[TomBar3]

Yes, I meant Lacquer 60's. Pardon. for it's slightly higher price compared to the CP, you get Nitro finish, Fender USA AV65 Jag Pickups, Hard Case & excellent Build Quality. Really the CP should cost much less by comparison.
It does have a Rosewood Neck which is going to be difficult to get Overseas in the near future if not already. If you can find a Lacquer 60's snap it up if you're overseas. Best Value & Quality

Case included, that's nice indeed :-)
It does feature the less flattened neck (radius 7.25). That would be less comfortable, no?
Are the Classic player pickups (so) much less?
Bridge is also lesser quality.
Lacquer is better yes.
Both are MMI

I'm afraid new orders in the EU might also get the pau fero already...
Moreover, images of the updated C60 shows black instead of metal around the switches
Update: the black is just a lighting effect... See this video

[TomBar3]

Really the CP should cost much less by comparison.

All CPs (Strat, Tele) are about the same price. But yes, I'd expected the 60L to be more towards the Cobain one, price wise.
Is there a catch?

[Larsongs]

Really the CP should cost much less by comparison.

All CPs (Strat, Tele) are about the same price. But yes, I'd expected the 60L to be more towards the Cobain one, price wise.
Is there a catch?

The only catch is it's only available in one color & it's MIM.

[Fiddy]

The only catch is it's only available in one color & it's MIM.

Why is being an MIM a catch?

[otis]

I'd go classic lacquer too.
Descent build quality; not too heavy, good pickups, nitro finished.
The 60's lacquer is 1050 euro in Thomann.
Leo Caerts could get you the same or sometimes a better price(They regularly have days with discounts).
MIM is not a compromise; I had a very good tele that was mim classic 50's.
The color is what it is, I think it works very well on a Jag.
about the radius: it's just a habit. I used to play a Guild acoustic with a 12' or so radius for 15 years before playing electric guitars.
At first playing 7.25' guitars felt a bit strange, but I prefer it now. I wouldn't worry about that.
Go to koln(musicstore) and compare all the options.
You'll know wich one you like afterwards

[Larsongs]

The only catch is it's only available in one color & it's MIM.

Why is being an MIM a catch?

It's not for me. I've played & compared all the newer Jag's & JM's. I would have no problem with a Classic 60's Jag or JM. (I went with a new AV65 Jag because they made me an offer I couldn't resist!)

These Classic 60's are great Guitars. Also a great deal when you consider USA AV65 Pickups, Nitro, Build Quality, Finish Detail & Hard Case.

But to some, when they see the Fender logo, they assume it's built in the USA.

Lars

[BoringPostcards]

Biggest issue with the Classic 60s lineup is the lack of colours. The features are perfect, but 1 colour per model? Craziness.