Getting a Jag in a few weeks and after some input and advice

[B-Side Alex]

First and foremost Hello!!

As per the title I'm getting a Jag soon and have been weighing up the options.

The various shops I have spoken to are all very keen to get me to go for a MIM, because apparently it is better quality all round. However from what I've already read on here and at other places I'm inclined to think that the decision of either a CIJ and MIM (as I had already thought) is more to do with what you want it to sound like and less to do with quality. Am I right that those shops are just trying to get me to part with the extra cash?

What interested me about the MIM is the added sustain due to the altered bridge placement and the better quality pups. But I've read that despite those being positive and perfect if that's what you're after, it's not such a positive thing if you want to keep true to that Jag sound as you loose that weird resonance that the original bridge placement provided. Some have been harsh enough to say that the MIM version of the Jag is more like a strat.

I've been playing acoustic for a fair few years now, which has afforded me the opportunity to work on my songwriting skills and develop a deeper appreciation for tone and depth. And this is why I'm not completely sure what option to go for. I've ruled out the HH because personally, when I go for a clean or cleaner tone I want my guitar to sound sweet and especially after playing acoustic I find that humbuckers just don't do it right.

To break it down, I want my Jag to have plenty of tone (especially clean), I want a Jag that sound like a Jag, I want it to have some real kick when it's needed and not sound too thin and I want to have a little more sustain than the CIJ Jag apparently has.

So to get most of my requirements am I right in thinking my best bet would be to get the CIJ which means I'll keep the true Jag sound, replace the bridge pup with the SD SJAG-3 to deal with the thin sound, add sustain and continue to keep the Jag sound at the same time. Leave the neck pup for the time being and maybe replace it for the SJAG-1 or the Antiquity II if needed.

Does that sound about right?

Also I've never had a problem with the tone of the Jag, but if I did are there any recomendations you guys have?

As for type of music I'm playing with the new band, the stuff we're writing seems to be taking its main influence from Alt rock and Punk, with dashes of folk, psychadelic, funk and others thrown into the mix.

As for gear I'll be running into a 60's Marsahll JMP and using fuzz, chorus and some overdrive and distortion where needed.

Well thanks for taking the time to read and thanks for the help you've been already, it's really helped reading your posts.

[robert(original)]

they want you to get an MIM becuz its the only thing that they can carry, besides an avri.
if you have the cash, just get an american vintage re-issue, they are awsome and are very true to the vintage jags(besides some minor changes)

[Sloan]

you gotta get some laser gloves for when you play it. srsly.

[Reece]

His eyes scare me.

[MMPicker]

I think the MIM sounds in the same vein as other Jags I hear, family resemblance if you will,but I could be wrong, YMMV and all that. Never played it back to back with another.

Sorry if this sounds trite, but:
Go in the shop, play it, decide for yourself if you like the sound???

[ultraviolence]

Isn't the CIJ jag the one with humbuckers? I didn't thin Japan sold any of their others to anywhere west of Japan.

[suede]

ebay

[Will]

It sounds like your main concern with the CIJ would be limited sustain. If that's the case, I wouldn't let it bother you. In my experience, the CIJs have always had as much sustain as you would reasonably need.
I personally think the CIJ is better made and a bit higher quality then the MIM. Not to say that either of them are low quality, just that the CIJ seems to be a tiny bit better. Lighter weight as well.

I'd take the CIJ.

[Mike]

I think you would be happy with either version to be honest, they're both Jaguars and they're both nice guitars.

I have an MIM Classic Player and I've owned several Strats before. It sounds nothing like a Strat. It is a Jaguar all over, and one that is perfectly suited to my needs. I like the higher break angle and the new bridge, and the pickups are a whole heap better than CIJ Stock pickups.

Hear it here:
[youtube][/youtube]
[youtube][/youtube]

Basically anyone who would tell you the MIM Jags are "like Strats" is going to be some internet-superstar-corksniffer idiot who needs ignoring.

[Mike]

I personally think the CIJ is better made and a bit higher quality then the MIM.

Not true, and I have experience with both. Doog owned a CIJ and said my MIM was streets ahead of his guitar in all aspects. Better pickups, the Hardware, Electronics and Wiring are all to the high standard I've seen on my other MIM Guitars (Telecaster Deluxe, Baja Telecaster). And the neck is like butter.

[Thomas]

If I had to buy one tomorrow I'd probably go for any one with the regular bridge as I'm not a TOM fan. I do prefer the oldschool radius too, but some people don't seem to really notice the difference.

So I'd probably buy a second hand Japanese and do some wiring upgrades etc, like Mike says it could be better. If you're buying straight from a shop and don't want to faff around with it the MIM is probably the way to go.

[B-Side Alex]

Yeah none of the shops have had the CIJ in, but have said they can order it. So I've not been able to test both out. A friend did have one of the earlier CIJ (or MIJ as it may have been then) and I remember thinking it sounded great. The MIMs I've tested out, didn't impress me as much, but it has been a while since I heard my friend messing aout with his CIJ and I don't want to base my evaluation on a memory. Which is one of the reasons for asking on here - see which way you guys lean more towards.

As for the sustain I'm not too worried about it because I've always thought they've had just enough when I've heard various bands using them, but it is something Ive been thinking about. Not being able to try both is a right pain. But like I said I'll get a SD quarter pounder and that should give the extra sustain if it's needed.

Also I've read all the stuff in various places about problems with the bridge - I just plan to take the time to set her up properly each time, so don't worry I' not trying to open up that can of worms. But out of curiosity what's the difference in sound if I put a mustang bridge on?

[B-Side Alex]

If I had to buy one tomorrow I'd probably go for any one with the regular bridge as I'm not a TOM fan. I do prefer the oldschool radius too, but some people don't seem to really notice the difference.

So I'd probably buy a second hand Japanese and do some wiring upgrades etc, like Mike says it could be better. If you're buying straight from a shop and don't want to faff around with it the MIM is probably the way to go.

No I' cool with the faffing, to get what you want it usually takes time and work - if you're serious about your music, why should the sound of your guitar be any different IMO.

other than pups, is there anything else you'd recommend doing?

and as for the pups, like I've said I' going to just change the bridge initially for an SD quarter pounder and eave the stock one in the neck and if needed change the neck one later for the Antiquity II. What do you think of the Quarter Pounder, Antiquity combo?

[BobArsecake]

For me the big difference is the placing of the vibrato, as I've not played a MIM plugged in. I prefer the CIJ because I use the trem and found it uncomfortable to use on the MIM 'cause of the vibrato being closer to the bridge, and I'm also not too keen on TOMs, though the CIJ would require a more careful setup around the bridge. Pickup wise I can't really comment but I hear they're higher quality, and to be frank the CIJ pickups aren't amazing unless you're just playing clean (in my opinion), they seem to sound a little thin overdriven for my tastes. If however, you don't use the trem (or often) I'd go for the MIM.

[Mike]

Indeed. I think the Classic Player is much more suited to the nonTrem using Rhythm Player.

[Thomas]

No I' cool with the faffing, to get what you want it usually takes time and work - if you're serious about your music, why should the sound of your guitar be any different IMO.

other than pups, is there anything else you'd recommend doing?

and as for the pups, like I've said I' going to just change the bridge initially for an SD quarter pounder and eave the stock one in the neck and if needed change the neck one later for the Antiquity II. What do you think of the Quarter Pounder, Antiquity combo?

I have a set of QPs in a Jag but not a mixed set. As far as I know the bridge pup is normally higher output than the neck anyway but you might have to be carefull that you don't totally overpower the neck PU if you swith during a song. Check their output. If you're going for a totally different kind of sound in each position then you're probably heading down the right track. There's bound to be someone on here thats tried it at some point who can give you a proper answer.

As you can see from everyone's replies Jags are a very individial thing. I keep the parts regular Jag (US upgrades and different PU sets) I haven't done any "mods" as such, though my 66 ri came with a mustang bridge but I might change it back to a regular one.

[Thomas]

Indeed. I think the Classic Player is much more suited to the nonTrem using Rhythm Player.

I'm a non trem user - TOM hater The only reason I wouldn't go for a MIM is the TOM/radius.

All these replies just show you versatile the Jaguar can be with just a few changes. It's great that they've incorporated some of the most used mods on these models and there's still the Japanese and AVRI for those that prefer the oldschool style. Now if only they offered all the Japanese models worldwide.,...

[Mike]

Have you played an MIM? Hurb is a Jag aficionado and has owned tones of CIJs and a Vintage model, and he said he couldn't even feel the radius difference. Sometimes these things seem a lot more important on paper than in real life. I think the Medium Jumbo frets is a more noticeable change. I don't understand the hate for the TOM either, it's pretty much one of the best bridge designs ever.

[Thomas]

I can't really explain the TOM hate, I just don't like the feel of it. It's been the big stumbling point with me and my HH Special. In the last 10 years I've only played my Jazzmaster at first followed by the Jaguars so there's a good chance that I'm stuck in my ways due to playing nowt else for so long. Hopefully one of my cohorts will pick up a MIM so that I can have a prolonged go at one.

BTW I'm in no way dissing the design of the TOM I don't think it's a bad design, just not my preferance.

[Mike]

Can't you just drop in a taped Jaguar bridge?