Can I has old Jaguar? I got a '66.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:53 pm

MMPicker wrote:the CP should go? And is that decision just completely personal preference, or is it likely that a preponderance of players, if blindfolded, would almost inevitably pick the vintage guitar?

They are two different guitars. Completely different and i know Mike prefers vintage radius so yes, he would certainly choose the Vintage in some bizarre 'blindfolded' test. This does not mean everyone would, of course personal preference comes into this.

That aside, to cut a long story short, the Jaguar has been chopped and changed a little over the years, so to a Jaguar enthusiast a true Vintage model is the jewel in the crown. It does not get any better and you need to play one to believe it. The feel, the sound, the tremolo, the look, the nostalgia.. its just in a different league as a complete package. Its not just a case of change some hardware and rub the neck with sand paper.
Because of all these things purchasing such a guitar is a cause for celebration. Your posts came across as a bit "sorry to piss on your strawberries but why is this better than your CP"? You maybe should have fired up a new thread asking for opinions on differences.

I hope this explains a few things.

Post by **Mike** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:18 pm

They're not even really comparable to be honest, they play completely differently and bring different things out of my pedals and amps and out of me as a player.

I think just reading through the spec sheets should give you enough of an idea what those things are, but here goes anyway:

- both necks play lovely but have completely different feels. The CP is more modern, obviously glossy as hell and has jumbo frets, it's going to reward the heavy handed and sloppy player. The '66 has the rounder radius and is worn in incredibly, as a result it plays itself, it feels simultaneously familiar and very special indeed. You feel like you're playing a guitar that has always been played, you're just next in the line to do so.

- pickups. The CP pickups are more aggressively voiced in the midrange and are aimed at being able to handle more modern styles of music and gain levels. The vintage pickups (I've checked and they're all original as I was told in the shop) are sweeter in the topend and less brash, they also have a full and hefty bass response. They love a bit of gain also but it's a more classical voicing.

- bridge/trem. Vintage is obviously the Jaguar stock bridge and the CP is a tuneomatic. They both still have the ringing behind the bridge that is a signature sound on the instrument, but the vintage model moreso. However the vintage bridge is great and has been setup well. I don't have a trem arm for the CP to compare them but many people will tell you how superior the trem on the old ones is.

- the looks - there is no contest.

- the feel of playing it - again, it's world's apart, and that's what you pay for.

MMPicker · Post by **MMPicker** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:52 pm

Thanks. Enjoy the guitar.

Did want to know why, did not mean to piss.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:40 pm

That guitar is a beauty! It's mt fave colour AND has dots and binding. I am very envious. Ace score man.

lancer88 · Post by **lancer88** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:17 am

It'll seem like i'm just joining in on the fun - but Really! Major congrats on the new (old) guitar Mike. Great seein a happy man with a happy guitar! although..damnit..i still only have a sunburst CP..o well, i've never played a vintage jag. So, i suppose i dont know what i'm missing

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 1:49 am

I think there is a little magic that the brain inserts that makes it seem even better. The mind plays tricks on top of awesome sound and looks. Thank god, though. You would hate to spend the dough and NOT feel that extra, smug satisfaction. I am still cranky at teh Hurb for snagging Robert's Jag. (Not really, but man it is hot).

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:22 am

Wow!Congrats Mike,what an awesome Jag,really beautiful. The only 66 Jags that I have seen all had big block inlays.When did Fender change from dots to blocks?

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:25 am

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 7:33 am

westtexasred wrote:Wow!Congrats Mike,what an awesome Jag,really beautiful. The only 66 Jags that I have seen all had big block inlays.When did Fender change from dots to blocks?

Yeah it was during '66 itself in the second half of the year apparently. So mine appears to be an early '66 model.

MMPicker · Post by **MMPicker** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 3:38 pm

DGNR8 wrote:I think there is a little magic that the brain inserts that makes it seem even better. The mind plays tricks on top of awesome sound and looks. (Not really, but man it is hot).

Perhaps, but actually I think I know what he means about the vintage neck, as my other guitar is a (modded) 60s Musicmaster II. The neck on mine also is well-worn, no gloss obviously, barely finish left at all, and one can get around on it effortlessly, as he described. The old neck IS better, to me, too bad I prefer to play on the fretboard/frets of the CP, or I might just keep my old guitar as well . Also I would agree the redder pickguard looks better , when his two are put right next to each other that way at least. Can't talk about sound, as I changed my CP pickups, but one is certainly entitled to a preference. And he's not experiencing those problems with the bridge on this particular guitar. So none of that sounds like "magic", more like sound reasoning coupled with personal preferences.

Post by **dots** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 4:48 pm

brilliant! nice grab, mike. you deserve this.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:21 pm

Mike wrote:
westtexasred wrote:Wow!Congrats Mike,what an awesome Jag,really beautiful. The only 66 Jags that I have seen all had big block inlays.When did Fender change from dots to blocks?
Yeah it was during '66 itself in the second half of the year apparently. So mine appears to be an early '66 model.

Hey check it out Mike:

Here is a book that goes with your Jag Ebay Link

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:40 pm

Nice!

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:39 pm

BIG WIN MIKE!

I had a feeling the CP didn't quite scratch the itch, although I trust your opinion that it's great.

I see a 60s Mustang in your future when the lump of this purchase has been digested.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:30 pm

ha! Maybe but probably not. I'm a monogamous muppet when it comes to guitars.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:40 pm

I thought I was. And then the Tele Custom changed that.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:03 am

Mike wrote:ha! Maybe but probably not. I'm a monogamous muppet when it comes to guitars.

i don't see how you'd ever want another after getting that jag. unless, of course, you had a sudden urge to buy a BC Rich, in which case you could sell the jag to me.

CaptainGD · Post by **CaptainGD** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:47 am

Praising this guitar is indubitably redundant, but that's like, really nice.

I love the look of the old, faded burst, as well as all of the other nicks on it. Sounds great, I'm sure it plays like a dream, too.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:18 pm

Congrats on the new Jaguar , Mike!

I know the feeling of dropping a large chunk of change on a guitar like that, but it is definitely worth it.

I started out an acoustic player and I wanted a Taylor guitar so bad. I have never dropped that much on one instrument ($2000) but it's still my favorite and keeps getting better.

My fiance (now wife) bought it for me and I will love her forever for it.

You have really sold me on the Classic Player Jaguars.

I was dead set on the Jaguar CP HH, though your demoes have made me take notice of the Jaguar CP single coils as well.

I want to do a head to head if possible before I decide. My local Guitar Center had both (white Jaguar CP HH and a red Jaguar CP), but sent the HH out for repairs and it has not returned.

Enjoy the Jag and keep the CP if you can.

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:12 am

Belated joys from across the ocean. It sounds absolutely perfect.

Teles must be beckoning about now, with that lovely old flame now residing alongside your shmokin' young CP Latina mistress.