Page 1 of 1

A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:13 pm
by enormous
I have heard some people say that the early Jaguar RIs are awesome, and I have heard some people say they are horrible, does anyone have any comments?  Will US hardware (bridge, tremolo, control covers, etc) fit them?  And finally, what body wood were they using back then, alder or basswood?  Thanks.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:40 pm
by Orang Goreng
I have an E-series (that's '86 or '87, the first RIs made) jag, bought it new around '89. The build quality is terrific (I rate it close to the build quality of my '64 JM, and several notches above the quality of my CBS fenders). I've frankensteined it into a partsguar, with an original '62 neck and various old hardware, and those parts all fit. The wood on mine is a very heavy, highly grainy (think swamp ash-like) alder. I have no doubt that this is a different species of alder than what was used on American fenders. AFAIK, all those early sunburst ones show that heavy grain. Basswood came later in time.

Edit: Forgot to mention the pickups. They were bad. So bad I considered them defective.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 4:51 pm
by fullerplast
Yes!

The E-series are the best MIJ offset ever, IMO.  I agree they are alder.  Basswood came in with the second MIJ run in 1994, after a hiatus of a few years. The second run was ushered in with the LE-series, and began the 90s MIJ era of basswood bodies and bright red pickguards. Those are nice too, but not as great as the E-series IMO.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:54 pm
by i love sharin foo
I don't have any experience with the mid 80s ones, but I agree that the LE models from '94 are excellent instruments. I have a Jaguar from that run. You always hear mixed things about all these guitars. What I try to do is just buy one and then decide what i think of it after I have it in my hands. On paper, some of my favorite ones would have been looked over.

Justin

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:21 pm
by enormous
Thanks a lot for the replies, I just wish I had a chance to play the damn thing before I buy it.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:26 pm
by FireAarro
fullerplast wrote: Yes!

The E-series are the best MIJ offset ever, IMO.  I agree they are alder.  Basswood came in with the second MIJ run in 1994, after a hiatus of a few years. The second run was ushered in with the LE-series, and began the 90s MIJ era of basswood bodies and bright red pickguards. Those are nice too, but not as great as the E-series IMO.
How do both compare to the current models?

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:20 am
by enormous
Here's another Jaguar question (if you guys don't mind).  I am probably going to wire the Jaguar up without the rhythm circuit, are there any wiring diagrams floating around for that? 

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:26 am
by Orang Goreng
Don't know, but it would be easy to do. Just wire the PUs to the on/off switches directly.

One thing you might want to add is the serial mod (to switch both pickups in series). It's a very useful addition.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:04 am
by FireAarro
Orang Goreng wrote: Don't know, but it would be easy to do. Just wire the PUs to the on/off switches directly.

One thing you might want to add is the serial mod (to switch both pickups in series). It's a very useful addition.
Can you explain how to do this? It's something i've been thinking of for my Jag.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:12 am
by Orang Goreng
I must still have the schematic on my other computer. I'll try to dig it up.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:30 am
by enormous
I might start a new post in the Tech/Setup section, but I was also curious about wiring a Jazzmaster or Jaguar with no shielding plates.  Where do you ground it?  I've had a few JM's with no shielding plates, but I never bothered to see how it was wired.

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:35 am
by Orang Goreng
FireAarro wrote: Can you explain how to do this? It's something i've been thinking of for my Jag.
Here's the schematic... It was posted by someone on the FDP once.

Image

Re: A Few Questions About Mid-80's Jaguar RI's

Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:30 pm
by zhivago
I onwed an olympic white 80s MIJ Jaguar and it was a spectacular guitar....very well made and sturdy...had to sell it in order to get my first vintage Jazzmaster....