Need some advice on shortscale guitars

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:46 pm

Hi everybody. This is my first post here. I've been debating getting a shortscale Fender as a change of pace from my usual longer scale (25.5 and 24.75") guitars. I'm not a complete newbie to shortscale guitars. I briefly owned and played an MIJ Jaguar in 1990 (it was a great guitar looks and playbilitywise - except that it had such horribly uncontrollable feedback [even after I installed Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders in it] that I ended up selling it). Also I see that for some reason Cyclones and Toronados with their 24.75" scale lengths are considered short scale on this forum. I used to own a Toronado (another decent guitar - I ended up having to sell mine during a money crunch). Could somebody answer a couple of questions for me?

1. Are the Cyclones and Toronados considered legitimate short scale gutars (after all, their scale length of 24.75" is longer than the typical 24" or shorter scale length short scale guitars, and is no different than a typical Gibson's scale length)?

2. I have a line on a Jagmaster, and a Duo Sonic. I've briefly played a Jagmaster, but I've never played a Duo Sonic. I have my metal guitars, so a Jagmaster or Duo Sonic would be more for indie and alternative rock. Which in your opinion is the better guitar of these two?

Thanks for any input,
Ellen

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:54 pm

Fender DuoSonic or Squier? Vista series Jagmaster ? These facts could make a difference

WELCOME!

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:03 pm

duo's have their own twang and, with the right pickup, can have some bite aswell that can reach up to heavy punk stuff. Duo's can also be pretty "plunky" guitars which have their own market i guess. i use my duo for punk stuff and it's authentic tone
jagmasters are great for crunchy tones. the vista series are VERY well made for a squire guitar. Jagmasters are also a lot larger than duo's
play both and see which one 'fits'

i say duo though

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:09 pm

Yeah, I'd heard the Vista series Jagmasters are a cut above the present models. I just don't know if I want to do my usual humbucker thing. Lately I've been getting into single coils. What about the Supersonics? I'm looking for something a little different from my present Tele, and Gretsch, or the Gibsons I used to run through Mesa Boogies and Marshalls (yeah I want to run this guitar through my Marshall)?

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:12 pm

Fender Mustang.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:20 pm

do an this.

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:26 pm

HOLY SHIT YOU'RE FROM GREENFIELD. Did you go to Whitnall High?

Anyway, if you're really looking for something different I'd go for the Duo-Sonic. Do you have a guitar with humbuckers?

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:21 pm

timhulio wrote:Fender Mustang.

'bout time somebody said it

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:37 pm

timhulio wrote:Fender Mustang.

+1

Ty · Post by Ty » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:32 pm

timhulio wrote:Fender Mustang.

A NUMBER #1 BABY!!!!

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:33 am

laterallateral wrote:do an this.

What a trip!! Replacing the humbucers with Jag pickups! VERY cool!

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:40 am

DuoSonicBoy wrote:HOLY SHIT YOU'RE FROM GREENFIELD. Did you go to Whitnall High?

Anyway, if you're really looking for something different I'd go for the Duo-Sonic. Do you have a guitar with humbuckers?

Nope, I'm originally from Manitowoc - 80 miles to the north. I went to Manitowoc Lincoln High (Class of '82). BUT, I do vote at Whitnall High. I moved down here 4 1/2 years ago for my present job. An yes, I'm definitely considering a Duo Sonic, since I want some single coil variety from the more typical humbucker fare I've been playing for the past 30 years or so (although I will settle for humbuckers if I'm having a hard time finding something shortscale). Unfortunately, there 'taint jack around here for shortscales. I tried out a beat up Vista Jagmaster at the Kenosha Music Go Round after I was done at work in Racine, but at $500 it was a wee bit overpriced for the shape it was in. I also checked the Greenfield Music Go Round, Cascio Music, and Guitar Center in Brookfield (why do they always have a sucky selection there?

). It's looking like online time for moi.

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:20 am

timhulio wrote:Fender Mustang.

I'd love to, but at this time, unless I can find one for about $350 (they all seem to be going for over $500), I'm out of luck in the Mustang department. So yes, I'm kind of budgetarily constrained at the present time. I'm also open for other suggestions beyond the Fender and Squier guitars I mentioned. It's just that hardly anybody makes shortscale guitars.

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:20 am

What species of Duo-Sonic? The Squier Classic Vibe is great. I'm less fond of the late 90s Squier, but some here like them. I have a '67 DSII which, save for some recent intonation woahs, is pretty much an Axis: Bold as Love machine.

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:22 am

DuoSonicBoy wrote:What species of Duo-Sonic? The Squier Classic Vibe is great. I'm less fond of the late 90s Squier, but some here like them. I have a '67 DSII which, save for some recent intonation woahs, is pretty much an Axis: Bold as Love machine.

I'm not picky ('ve been playing for 30 years - part of that time semi-pro, so I think I can deal with most guitars playbilitywise), although I've read good things about the Classic Vibes (including the Duo Sonics). One of the reasons I'm considering Duo Sonics, is price.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:35 am

save up for a jag or mustang, you'll be happier in the long run. but very, VERY sad not having a shortscale fender in the meantime

Will · Post by **Will** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:38 am

The CV-DS is an amazing guitar, not just for the price. Sounds great, lightweight, plays great. I've been close to buying one several times.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:41 am

And I will vouch for the Vista series. if you find a cheap one, get yr mitts on it.

ellengtrgrl · Post by **ellengtrgrl** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:42 am

Thanks for the advice guys!

kim · Post by **kim** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:33 am

everyone knows mustangs increase your rawk by 100%