Mustang vs Jaguar trem sounds

George · Post by **George** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:17 pm

Is there a real difference between the tone of a Jaguar and Mustang trem created by the string break angle or anything? I like using trems on a Jaguar but don't like the plink so was wondering if there's a bit more heft with the sharper break angle of a Stang. Every music shop I have tried to use a Mustang in never has a trem arm so it's hard for me to really say if I even like using theirs yet.

Inb4 trying to school me on shit like Jaguar having 1meg pots. Obvious.

Aeon · Post by **Aeon** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:37 pm

All things being equal, the guitars sound VERY similar, even without modifications. If you are trying to get away from 'plinkiness' of the Jaguar, the Mustang is probably the *last* guitar I'd look into.

However, things generally aren't equal. With both guitars stock, there are differences in the pickups (not just construction, but also placement), wiring (as you pointed out), bridge, body-wood and overall depth, neck thickness (usually), and then just generally speaking quality control -- Jags for the most part have more attention to detail during the construction process which tends to yield an overall better, more solid-sounding and playing guitar.

Let's assume you used the same exact pickups, bridge, wiring, and perhaps also let's assume you have a custom built Alder body with full-depth construction and a neck with similar specs as a Jaguar. Then the only difference should be the break angle of the strings. Yeah, I'd say you'd achieve a bit more sustain and a bit less plink. But it won't be a world of dramatic difference.

Oh, and Mustang trems suck. Absolutely horrible in comparison to the Jaguar's, at least in my opinion. And in pretty much every other regard, you are downgrading by going from a Jag to a Mustang. The only reason I could see someone doing this is if they *really* prefer the body and neck shape. I owned both styles of guitar for a period of time, and vastly preferred the Jag in every regard.

My suggestion for you would be to look into getting a buzz stop to increase the break angle of the strings, and perhaps look into getting the Mastery Bridge if you want a bit more sustain and heft with your Jaguar. Or perhaps just try increasing the gauge of strings you use -- anything below 11s on a 24"-scale guitar seems like a poor decision.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:42 pm

Stangs are plinkier sounding than Jags in my experience, no matter where the tailpiece is on the Jag or whether you're using a buzzstop or whatever.

Aeon wrote:Oh, and Mustang trems suck. Absolutely horrible in comparison to the Jaguar's, at least in my opinion. And in pretty much every other regard, you are downgrading by going from a Jag to a Mustang. The only reason I could see someone doing this is if they *really* prefer the body and neck shape. I owned both styles of guitar for a period of time, and vastly preferred the Jag in every regard.

I agree with all of this. To each their own and that, but the Jaguar has always been a much more stable and universally appealing guitar to me (as I've shifted through different phases of musical tastes).
I've never NOT had the trem arm on my Jag... I love using that trem, and for awhile it dictated that all my new guitars would also have trems (a practice which lasted precisely one Stratocaster).
I don't even know where the one for my Jag-Stang is anymore. Utterly useless.... and I DO fiddle with things to no end to get them working. As far as reliability and tuning stability: Jag trem, no problem. Vintage 6-screw strat trem, no problem. Stang trem... ugh.

George · Post by **George** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:52 pm

This is my dilemma, I'd like to drop money on a Mustang so I can play alt tunings and still have a working tremolo - hence trem is very important. I once owned a Jaguar and loved the trem but couldn't handle the size and weight, and other quirks. I thought the Mustang might fair somewhat similarly in performance but have a smaller more manageable body.

God knows then, maybe see if Warmoth can knock a Mustang together with a Jaguar trem if I can get that kind of cash (I once even had a sketch of a custom job like this)

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:53 pm

As a huge Mustang fanboy...

If stability of trem matters to you, get a Jag/Jazz trem. Mustang trems work, but you have to work with it a bit until it works right, it's hard to describe, but yeah. Jag trems just sort of always work and they're very tasteful as well. I wouldn't say it sucks, though.

George · Post by **George** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:58 pm

FYI

My old sketch - the Jaguarillo has rekindled my interest.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:17 pm

If you want a Jag trem but not a Jag how about something like the Hofner Galaxie? Viljami just got one and likes his.

Personally i never got on with the Mustang trem, the Jag trem is way superior imo.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:24 pm

Fran wrote:Personally i never got on with the Mustang trem, the Jag trem is way superior imo.

Arr, me too. I liked the action of the Mustang trem, but it annoyed the fuck out of me, since I bend strings a lot and it sent the whole thing out (during the bend).

George · Post by **George** » Thu May 24, 2012 9:32 pm

Fran wrote:If you want a Jag trem but not a Jag how about something like the Hofner Galaxie? Viljami just got one and likes his.

Personally i never got on with the Mustang trem, the Jag trem is way superior imo.

I like the Fender single coil setup too much though - the sound, feel, neck etc and what I've played of Stangs (albeit without trem arms). Plus that body looks pretty huge. I've sent Warmoth an email about whether they'd do a custom job but the cost and resale value of them puts me off.

Probably give it a miss I expect. A small guitar with a decent floating trem that you can alt tune on would be sweet though.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu May 24, 2012 10:57 pm

*ahem*

http://www.shortscale.org/forum/viewtop ... highlight=

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu May 24, 2012 11:01 pm

Aeon wrote:Jags for the most part have more attention to detail during the construction process which tends to yield an overall better, more solid-sounding and playing guitar.

having owned a couple of vintage mustangs and a jag, this doesn't fit with my experience at all. however, i'll agree that mustang trems are fairly shit in general, and i never used the bar on either of mine. heel of the palm if i ever needed a bit of bending.

Phil O'Keefe · Post by **Phil O'Keefe** » Fri May 25, 2012 3:49 am

My Mustang's vibrato is very stable and stays in tune great... but it's far more "sensitive" than a JM / Jag tremolo; a small press on the bar has a bigger affect on pitch with a Mustang trem compared to a Jaguar trem.

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Fri May 25, 2012 1:42 pm

i think the two guitars sound completely different

mustang is thud thud
jaguar is ring ring

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri May 25, 2012 2:51 pm

Migth be worth having a word with AddamInsane (?) as I think he might be UK based and was knocking up some stang bodies with jag trem cavities. I think it was him anyway...

George · Post by **George** » Fri May 25, 2012 3:26 pm

Dave wrote:Migth be worth having a word with AddamInsane (?) as I think he might be UK based and was knocking up some stang bodies with jag trem cavities. I think it was him anyway...

Trouble is whether the builder will put a finish on or not. I'm unskilled and not willing. Looks like HNB had an offer on his too, which would have been lovely. That said, would need to sell some shiz first in any case (CV 50s Strat, Nick's old DC12 and a line 6 DL6 would probably get enough scratch to even get a second hand RI, in fact).

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Fri May 25, 2012 6:37 pm

George wrote:
Dave wrote:Migth be worth having a word with AddamInsane (?) as I think he might be UK based and was knocking up some stang bodies with jag trem cavities. I think it was him anyway...
Trouble is whether the builder will put a finish on or not. I'm unskilled and not willing. Looks like HNB had an offer on his too, which would have been lovely. That said, would need to sell some shiz first in any case (CV 50s Strat, Nick's old DC12 and a line 6 DL6 would probably get enough scratch to even get a second hand RI, in fact).

I hope you don't mind me jumping in?

At some point in the future when funds allow, I will be buying a spray gun set up.
I'm planning on using 2pack paint (poly) for my own future builds.
So in the future I could do that for you.

George · Post by **George** » Fri May 25, 2012 7:45 pm

AddamInsane wrote:
George wrote:
Dave wrote:Migth be worth having a word with AddamInsane (?) as I think he might be UK based and was knocking up some stang bodies with jag trem cavities. I think it was him anyway...
Trouble is whether the builder will put a finish on or not. I'm unskilled and not willing. Looks like HNB had an offer on his too, which would have been lovely. That said, would need to sell some shiz first in any case (CV 50s Strat, Nick's old DC12 and a line 6 DL6 would probably get enough scratch to even get a second hand RI, in fact).
I hope you don't mind me jumping in?
At some point in the future when funds allow, I will be buying a spray gun set up.
I'm planning on using 2pack paint (poly) for my own future builds.
So in the future I could do that for you.

Can I take a ticket and be first in line for when u take orders?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun May 27, 2012 1:32 pm

Aye I'll be on board for one in the future.

iCEByTes · Post by **iCEByTes** » Wed May 30, 2012 2:08 am

mustang bridges are exotic creatures.

but once you manage put in tune and learn how setup that monster itÂ´s stay all time in tune.