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Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice?

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 10:41 am
by pookeye
So Musicians friends has Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster Special Electric Guitar for sale for 199, is this a good deal? and what do people think about this guitar? I've always wanted a jazzmaster, and am about to bite on this, although I have read on this forum to change a few things, like the bridge for example... any other updates that is recommended?

I dont have really big hands, so I'm really contemplating forgoing the jazzmaster and go with the jaguar, but i am considering the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar HH, any suggestions as to which I should go for?

I also need help with the following, because i noticed that these 2 guitars are for sale for 199, but apparently there are diffences with VM Jazzmaster SPECIAL vs VM not special... and VM Jaguar HH vs VM Jaguar....

and I was wondering if anyone can explain to me the difference between the VM Jazzmaster Special vs not and Jaguar HH vs not...

anyways,

any help would be helpful, im gonna try to go to GC to check the guitars out, if they have it..

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 10:49 am
by HNB
Old VM Jazzmaster (Special?) Has strat jack, strange strat like bridge, no rhythm section, different toggle placement.
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New VM Jazzmaster Basically just like a regular Jazzmaster except the pickups are a little cheaper made and the truss rod adjusts at the headstock.
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Old VM Jaguar HH Similar stuff to the old VM Jazzmaster.
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New VM Jaguar Basically just like a regular Jaguar. Both of the newer VM series are basswood bodies if that makes any difference to you. I am not sure about the older VM's.
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I would try them out and see what you like best. I have big hands and I like Jaguars and Jazzmasters. It is all about what sounds best to you and feels best to you. You are the one who will be playing it. :) I wouldn't worry too much about other people's preferences. They might not like the same thing you do. Different strokes for different folks.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 10:50 am
by HNB
Most people here would probably recommend the newer VM series because they are more traditional in looks and build. :)

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:36 am
by pookeye
yes, thanks to you guys I see what you are talking about.... hmmm... so now to consider investing an additional 100 dollars to get the newer VM instead to get more of the original jazzmaster/jaguar guitar... hmm.. i was all set on paying 200 bucks, but now have to really reconsider at 299, is the price at 299 normally?

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:42 am
by HNB
For new $299 is pretty usual. On ebay the new ones are $299 with free shipping.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:03 pm
by sjperry54
Unless that $200 is really burning a hole in your pocket, I'd wait and look around for a used VM. They normally sell for about $200. Build up 50 posts and you can have access to the For Sale section. There's usually some listed there.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:26 pm
by mkt3000
The $200 clearance VM's are a good modding base.

My Bigsbymaster's body came from one of them.

http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... =6&t=71194" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:46 pm
by tdbajus
I have had pretty bad luck buying guitars on the internet, sight unseen. Even with new guitars, I'd want to kick the tires in person. The first Thurston Moore Jazzmaster I played blew my mind, but I was too slow and someone bought it before I did. I played 4 or 5 after that before I found the one that I have now.

For some people, sometimes you connect with a piece of wood, and sometimes you don't.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 4:09 pm
by rhythmjones
MF is blowing those out for a reason, because no one wants them now that the '12 VMs are out.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 7:32 pm
by DisasterArea
rhythmjones wrote:MF is blowing those out for a reason, because no one wants them now that the '12 VMs are out.
+1. I resisted the urge to buy the old-style Jazzmaster and was glad that I did. They are cool guitars, they're offset, but they were not what I wanted in MY offset.

I would save up a few extra bucks and score a VM with trem, which is a HUGE part of the Jazzmaster experience. Some might say it's the biggest part. I had a '12 VM Jazzmaster with a Warmoth modified Mustang bridge and it did everything I wanted in a JM.

I did eventually trade up to a '66 Jazzmaster RI (Japan) with blocks and binding. The Duncan Designed JM pickups sounded better than the MIJ pickups do.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 4:56 am
by XKE
HNB wrote:For new $299 is pretty usual. On ebay the new ones are $299 with free shipping.
I've seen them on ebay as cheap as $269 w/free shipping!

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 2:26 pm
by Beyer160
If you can sit tight, MF will eventually have a 15% or 20% coupon which brings the price of the VMs down to $255 or $240. It's well worth the extra $100 for the trem IMHO, and $40 is a no-brainer. I'm sure the trem-less "Specials" are nice guitars, but the trem is an integral part of the offset feel and sound.

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:03 am
by pookeye
thanks for all the quick responses here, I've been convinced to get the newer VM models instead of going with the specials. now to go test her out in GC to see if I like jazzmaster or jaguars... thanks again

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:04 am
by patrickviolence
other thing: i'm a little guy and i have a jazzmaster. feels similar to a strat or any 25.5 scale guitar really. i just don't like chunky necks and none of these squiers really have these

Re: Jazzmasters and Jaguars sale at musicians friends Advice

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:55 pm
by pookeye
Well, after you guys convinced me in getting the VM versions, I decided to get it, although I was about to pull the trigger on one with musicians friends cause they gave me a discount and 20 bucks, but at the end of the day I found a used one at guitar center with a REALLY nice case... and total cost walking away was 210 bucks with tax. (VM Jazzmaster) Guitar looks like in new condition... missing tremelo bar, but whatever... ill get it later..

but for a fantastic case and the guitar i wanted, it was a steal in every way. cant wait to start playing!

thanks again you guys