Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 6:15 pm
I have both the Classic Player Jaguar (single coil) and Classic Player Jazzmaster, and both are fantastic instruments. To say I didn't care for the pickups in either guitar is severly understating it, but after replacing both sets with AVRI pickups (and fixing some wiring faults that I likely created on the JM), I could genuinely not be more happy.
I acquired the Jag as new on a trade-in at Elderly just about a year ago and the JM as new just a few weeks ago for $650 -- and even after the pickup replacement, together they cost much less than a single new AVRI version of either. The Classic Player Jag and JM are of outstanding quality and will likely hold their value better than a CIJ/MIJ simply because so many of those instruments have been modified to overcome their faults. I'm not sure what that means to you, but that's my feeling.
Owen has summed up the differences quite nicely. I would agree that if you want to buy an instrument and play, the CP is for you; if you want a more vintage-correct instrument (neck radius and bridge), go for a CIJ/MIJ -- but at the very least, factor in the cost of a new set of pickups.
I acquired the Jag as new on a trade-in at Elderly just about a year ago and the JM as new just a few weeks ago for $650 -- and even after the pickup replacement, together they cost much less than a single new AVRI version of either. The Classic Player Jag and JM are of outstanding quality and will likely hold their value better than a CIJ/MIJ simply because so many of those instruments have been modified to overcome their faults. I'm not sure what that means to you, but that's my feeling.
Owen has summed up the differences quite nicely. I would agree that if you want to buy an instrument and play, the CP is for you; if you want a more vintage-correct instrument (neck radius and bridge), go for a CIJ/MIJ -- but at the very least, factor in the cost of a new set of pickups.