AVRI vs. CIJ/MIJ only on PAY PER VIEW!!!!
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:44 pm
The Short:
First off, let me say this: both guitars are great and whichever you choose will be the right decision. This isn’t meant to steer you towards either direction, just to help inform you so you can make up your own mind. To say one guitar is better than the other would be wrong, since they are both different versions of the same model (it's like saying Oranges are better than Tangerines). The AVRI is from the American Vintage Series which attempted to replicate all the physical and tonal aspects of the originals, and they came very close. The CIJ/MIJ Reissues are just remakes of the model. They are made with metric parts, not to historically accurate specifications, but they are professional quality remakes. I might also add that neither is hand made, like the original vintage guitars.
The Long:
Reasons one might choose AVRI over CIJ/MIJ
1. The finish. AVRI’s have a Nitrocellulose finish on the body and more importantly the neck (which affects playability). Although more fragile, the nitro finish will age and check like a vintage guitar.
Note: The base coat on the metallic finishes may be polyurethane.
2. The neck. Though both claim the same C shape, AVRI’s necks are said to feel “beefier” than their Japanese counterpart.
3. The Electronics. The Japanese versions have much lower quality pots, wiring, and most CIJ’s have the shielding inside is sprayed in, rather than using shielding plates. Most importantly, the AVRI stock pickups are closer to vintage specifications; this difference is greater with the Jazzmaster. You can see a comparison of the two pups here: http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/v2/index ... ow=jm_pups
4. The Hardware: AVRI’s are purported to have sturdier springs in the floating tremolo, and the piece that holds the trem bar in place is of a sturdier tighter construction. Also, the bridge seems a bit more stable. As far as Jaguars are concerned they have the Mute assembly where as the CIJ does not.
5. The case: it comes with a Fender hardshell case.
6. The cost: although it costs more, it retains its value rather well. Also, since Fender no longer allows Jaguar/Jazzmaster shipping to U.S. distributors, Japanese values have gone up, closing the gap quite a bit.
Reasons one might choose CIJ/MIJ over AVRI
1. The finish. CIJ/MIJ has a lot more options available for finish. Although they have Polyurethane Gloss paint on them, this may be preferred for its greater reliability, lower maintenance requirements, and feel. Some have found the thick coating on the back of the neck to be undesirable, and use 0000 steel wool to take some of the finish off.
Note: some early MIJ had basswood bodies; this is no longer the case. All CIJ’s are alder.
2. The neck. CIJ necks seem to be a bit smaller, though this varies a bit. Also some have blocks and binding, and matching headstocks.
3. The electronics: you may prefer the stock pups, they typically sound more like a Stratocaster, and pots, jacks, and wiring are cheaply replaced. Also the switches in Japanese are Double Pole Double Throw, which opens up more mod possibilities.
4. The cost: If you bought a used CIJ, replaced some of the hardware, the pickups, and the electronics yourself (paying a tech to do this would raise the cost), you would have a guitar that (arguably) looks, sounds, and plays as good as its American counter part for less money, and you could do it as you could afford it. You may prefer to experiment and put humbuckers in or some handwound boutique pups. You may decide that you want to route out the guitar add a 3rd and a 4th pickup. Who care’s right, “it’s a CIJ.” I'm not saying this in a negative way, but the lower cost makes it easier to say, "yes, lets mod it."
***I am not an expert in anything, nor do I claim to be, if there are in fallacies or this is inadequate please comment, and we’ll edit it. Please keep the comments pertaining to the topic, and based on fact. No grammar policing, or snide comments. If you are a mod, and you see something wrong, please feel free to change it. ***
First off, let me say this: both guitars are great and whichever you choose will be the right decision. This isn’t meant to steer you towards either direction, just to help inform you so you can make up your own mind. To say one guitar is better than the other would be wrong, since they are both different versions of the same model (it's like saying Oranges are better than Tangerines). The AVRI is from the American Vintage Series which attempted to replicate all the physical and tonal aspects of the originals, and they came very close. The CIJ/MIJ Reissues are just remakes of the model. They are made with metric parts, not to historically accurate specifications, but they are professional quality remakes. I might also add that neither is hand made, like the original vintage guitars.
The Long:
Reasons one might choose AVRI over CIJ/MIJ
1. The finish. AVRI’s have a Nitrocellulose finish on the body and more importantly the neck (which affects playability). Although more fragile, the nitro finish will age and check like a vintage guitar.
Note: The base coat on the metallic finishes may be polyurethane.
2. The neck. Though both claim the same C shape, AVRI’s necks are said to feel “beefier” than their Japanese counterpart.
3. The Electronics. The Japanese versions have much lower quality pots, wiring, and most CIJ’s have the shielding inside is sprayed in, rather than using shielding plates. Most importantly, the AVRI stock pickups are closer to vintage specifications; this difference is greater with the Jazzmaster. You can see a comparison of the two pups here: http://www.webrocker.de/jaguar/v2/index ... ow=jm_pups
4. The Hardware: AVRI’s are purported to have sturdier springs in the floating tremolo, and the piece that holds the trem bar in place is of a sturdier tighter construction. Also, the bridge seems a bit more stable. As far as Jaguars are concerned they have the Mute assembly where as the CIJ does not.
5. The case: it comes with a Fender hardshell case.
6. The cost: although it costs more, it retains its value rather well. Also, since Fender no longer allows Jaguar/Jazzmaster shipping to U.S. distributors, Japanese values have gone up, closing the gap quite a bit.
Reasons one might choose CIJ/MIJ over AVRI
1. The finish. CIJ/MIJ has a lot more options available for finish. Although they have Polyurethane Gloss paint on them, this may be preferred for its greater reliability, lower maintenance requirements, and feel. Some have found the thick coating on the back of the neck to be undesirable, and use 0000 steel wool to take some of the finish off.
Note: some early MIJ had basswood bodies; this is no longer the case. All CIJ’s are alder.
2. The neck. CIJ necks seem to be a bit smaller, though this varies a bit. Also some have blocks and binding, and matching headstocks.
3. The electronics: you may prefer the stock pups, they typically sound more like a Stratocaster, and pots, jacks, and wiring are cheaply replaced. Also the switches in Japanese are Double Pole Double Throw, which opens up more mod possibilities.
4. The cost: If you bought a used CIJ, replaced some of the hardware, the pickups, and the electronics yourself (paying a tech to do this would raise the cost), you would have a guitar that (arguably) looks, sounds, and plays as good as its American counter part for less money, and you could do it as you could afford it. You may prefer to experiment and put humbuckers in or some handwound boutique pups. You may decide that you want to route out the guitar add a 3rd and a 4th pickup. Who care’s right, “it’s a CIJ.” I'm not saying this in a negative way, but the lower cost makes it easier to say, "yes, lets mod it."
***I am not an expert in anything, nor do I claim to be, if there are in fallacies or this is inadequate please comment, and we’ll edit it. Please keep the comments pertaining to the topic, and based on fact. No grammar policing, or snide comments. If you are a mod, and you see something wrong, please feel free to change it. ***
