Are Jags Teles for the Asian guitarist?

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 12:58 am

Okay, yeah, it's a Jazzmaster. But you have no idea how long it took me to find a decent picture of an Asian guy playing an offset guitar, let alone a Jaguar specifically. And the thread title was funny, right?

Rox · Post by **Rox** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:17 am

Is that a Jazzmaster with a Tele neck?

Cool..

Concretebadger · Post by **Concretebadger** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:18 am

There's probably a lot of historical context to this, but I can think of at least two examples off the top of my head. iirc there's a dude called Hisato 'Char' Takenaka, who's apparently the 'Japanese Jeff Beck' and popularised the Mustang (among other Fender models, I expect). Fender Japan probably did well off the exposure his career gave them.

There's also the issue of the Ventures having a cult status over there, which may be why Jazzmasters re so popular because one of the members of that band used to play one.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:21 pm

So "post rock" (a la explosions in the sky, etc.) is quite popular in Taiwan.

I really like this Taiwanese post rock band called Aphasia.

They have two guitarists... One plays a Tele, the other plays a Jag!

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:28 pm

singlepickup24 wrote:One plays a Tele, the other plays a Jag!

But which one is older?

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:16 pm

Here's the chick from Mono. Of course, that's another JM but it's pretty sweet. Also, I seem to recall them whipping out a Jag, when I saw them live but that was quite a long time ago...

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:25 pm

Here's the dude from The Pillows (?) with a weird Cyclone looking thing.

This one gets bonus offset points cause of peanutbutta weilding PANK JAZZMASTER in the background.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:39 pm

successful parody thread!

BearBoy · Post by **BearBoy** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:41 pm

10/10 for thrad title but somewhat disappointing that no-one's managed to rustle up a picture of an Asian playing a Jaguar.

sunshiner · Post by **sunshiner** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:50 pm

Ha-ha, Asia is so fucking big and populated with drastically different folks. Being an asian I play mostly my acoustic, which is Yamaha. Check James Iha, he might have played both guitars during his career.

71Smallbox · Post by **71Smallbox** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:34 pm

SCORE!!!

Concretebadger · Post by **Concretebadger** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:41 pm

BearBoy wrote:10/10 for thrad title but somewhat disappointing that no-one's managed to rustle up a picture of an Asian playing a Jaguar.

The dude from White White Sisters:

Chiemi from MotfD used to play a Jag in CAR. I miss that band; they were great.

[youtube][/youtube]
Tamaki from MONO almost always plays a Gibson bass but I guess they swap instruments around live on occasion. Taka's the JM guy; his is a beat-up mid-60s model iirc.

I'm still not sure what the Japanese obsession with offsets is, especially in the indie scene - the likes of Number Girl and Bloodthirsty Butchers are/were avid JM fans as well.

jagsonic · Post by **jagsonic** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:10 am

laterallateral wrote:Here's the dude from The Pillows (?) with a weird Cyclone looking thing.

This one gets bonus offset points cause of peanutbutta weilding PANK JAZZMASTER in the background.

I think this was a signature cyclone...

we had discussed it...

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:24 pm

BearBoy wrote:
singlepickup24 wrote:One plays a Tele, the other plays a Jag!
But which one is older?

You tell me! Looks like the JM comes into play too...

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 1:27 pm

sunshiner wrote:Ha-ha, Asia is so fucking big and populated with drastically different folks. Being an asian I play mostly my acoustic, which is Yamaha. Check James Iha, he might have played both guitars during his career.

Very good point... Us Westerners are clearly thinking of East Asia rather than Central Asia...

James Iha is a good call! Love me some Pumpkins

leicaboss · Post by **leicaboss** » Wed May 07, 2014 11:45 pm

I'm Taiwanese-American!

I feel like most of the offset-lovin' comes from Japan, they're definitely into the quirky, offbeat American stuff over there. Fender Japan's definitely done a great job keeping it alive there.

For me, I've always liked the Jaguar because it:

* Is short scale; I've got smaller hands for an Asian guy who is also on the tall side (6'2")
* Comfortable body; I love playing sitting down or with the guitar worn higher
* Chrome and just looks different!

honeyiscool · Post by **honeyiscool** » Thu May 22, 2014 3:58 pm

Hyde has a sunburst Mustang and a matched headstock black one he plays a lot.

singlepup · Post by **singlepup** » Fri May 23, 2014 2:04 am

leicaboss wrote:I'm Taiwanese-American!

I feel like most of the offset-lovin' comes from Japan, they're definitely into the quirky, offbeat American stuff over there. Fender Japan's definitely done a great job keeping it alive there.

For me, I've always liked the Jaguar because it:

* Is short scale; I've got smaller hands for an Asian guy who is also on the tall side (6'2")
* Comfortable body; I love playing sitting down or with the guitar worn higher
* Chrome and just looks different!

Have you lived or spent much time in Taiwan? I'm moving to Taipei soon and am worried I'll have a tough time finding gear. I'm just bringing one guitar with me (Squier Jazzmaster).

leicaboss · Post by **leicaboss** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:27 pm

singlepickup24 wrote:
leicaboss wrote:I'm Taiwanese-American!

I feel like most of the offset-lovin' comes from Japan, they're definitely into the quirky, offbeat American stuff over there. Fender Japan's definitely done a great job keeping it alive there.

For me, I've always liked the Jaguar because it:

* Is short scale; I've got smaller hands for an Asian guy who is also on the tall side (6'2")
* Comfortable body; I love playing sitting down or with the guitar worn higher
* Chrome and just looks different!
Have you lived or spent much time in Taiwan? I'm moving to Taipei soon and am worried I'll have a tough time finding gear. I'm just bringing one guitar with me (Squier Jazzmaster).

Funny you should ask considering I live in SF as well (near Dolores Park) - I have definitely spent quite a bit of time there, but I can't say the "gear" will be looking too good. The nice thing is that it's pretty easy to buy stuff from Japan when you're in Taipei and living is hell of a lot cheaper than SF. It certainly isn't dirt cheap, but at least average rent and getting food in your mouth isn't nearly as bad.

leicaboss · Post by **leicaboss** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:27 pm

singlepickup24 wrote:
leicaboss wrote:I'm Taiwanese-American!

I feel like most of the offset-lovin' comes from Japan, they're definitely into the quirky, offbeat American stuff over there. Fender Japan's definitely done a great job keeping it alive there.

For me, I've always liked the Jaguar because it:

* Is short scale; I've got smaller hands for an Asian guy who is also on the tall side (6'2")
* Comfortable body; I love playing sitting down or with the guitar worn higher
* Chrome and just looks different!
Have you lived or spent much time in Taiwan? I'm moving to Taipei soon and am worried I'll have a tough time finding gear. I'm just bringing one guitar with me (Squier Jazzmaster).

Funny you should ask considering I live in SF as well (near Dolores Park) - I have definitely spent quite a bit of time there, but I can't say the "gear" will be looking too good. The nice thing is that it's pretty easy to buy stuff from Japan when you're in Taipei and living is hell of a lot cheaper than SF. It certainly isn't dirt cheap, but at least average rent and getting food in your mouth isn't nearly as bad.