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Jagmaster '96 vs. '98
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:30 pm
by crammedinabox
I'm trying to decide between two Vista series MIJ JagMasters sight unseen. I've read all the reviews at Harmony central. One reviewer claimed that the earlier version was better because it utilized an actual "made for Jaguar" neck and that this neck is superior to the later necks with the "bullet" truss rod. I'm thinking I prefer the color of the '98 but a good neck is more important to me. Maybe I should buy both and sell one but I'd love to hear opinions. And do you think the Vista series warrants an extra $100 to $150 over a new Chinese model. Thanks for your input.
P.S. I'm brand new here @ shortscale but I've been a fan since I bought a '63 MusicMaster 10 years ago. I love the 22.5 scale for fun playing on the couch but it has it's drawbacks. An American Standard Strat is my main guitar but now I'm thinking a 24 inch scale might just be the sweet spot in between.
Re: Jagmaster '96 vs. '98
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 5:36 pm
by endsjustifymeans
crammedinabox wrote:I'm trying to decide between two Vista series MIJ JagMasters sight unseen. I've read all the reviews at Harmony central. One reviewer claimed that the earlier version was better because it utilized an actual "made for Jaguar" neck and that this neck is superior to the later necks with the "bullet" truss rod. I'm thinking I prefer the color of the '98 but a good neck is more important to me. Maybe I should buy both and sell one but I'd love to hear opinions. And do you think the Vista series warrants an extra $100 to $150 over a new Chinese model. Thanks for your input.
P.S. I'm brand new here @ shortscale but I've been a fan since I bought a '63 MusicMaster 10 years ago. I love the 22.5 scale for fun playing on the couch but it has it's drawbacks. An American Standard Strat is my main guitar but now I'm thinking a 24 inch scale might just be the sweet spot in between.
If it has a bullet truss rod it is not a vista Jagmaster.
Vista Jagmasters did in fact use left over Jaguar necks from the Japanese factory, truss rod access is on the heal of the heck on these. This neck is the primary reason for the vista JM's acclaim, and it's quality certainly warrants an extra $150 over the new Chinese builds.
Between the two, go for the `96.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:19 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
FROM
HERE:
laterallateral wrote:My understanding of it is that bullet truss rods Jagmasters are Late 97 and 98 models. Still proper Vista series. They just started using the same necks as the ones they put on Super-Sonics, instead of dwindling down the stock of Jaguar necks at the FujiJen. This is what I refer to as a second generation Jagmaster. These aren't as desirable as the first generation for obvious reason but are still miles ahead if the two Chinese models I and II.
You can always tell the Chinese from the Japanese appart by looking at the placement of the pots and switch (the japanese are layed out like a Jazzmaster) but the neck is the ultimate giveaway.
No truss rod access - 24", 22 frets - Jaguar headstock = 96 MIJ, sometimes CIJ Vista series Jagmaster
Bullet TR access - 24", 22 frets - Jaguar headstock - (possibly skunk stripe) = 97-98 CIJ Vista series Jagmaster
Truss rod route - 25.5", 21 frets - Fat Strat headstock - skunk stripe = 02-05 CIC Jagmaster
Truss rod route - 24", 21 frets - Fat Strat headstock - skunk stripe = 05+ CIC Jagmaster II
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:21 pm
by endsjustifymeans
Well I just got skooled.
96 still wins though.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:48 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
endsjustifymeans wrote:96 still wins though.
forever.
Thanks - The news is bittersweet
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:17 pm
by crammedinabox
After reading the replies I decided to buy the '96. Alas it sold an hour ago so my decision was made for me. Thanks for your input though. K javascript:emoticon('
')
Just one confusion
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:22 pm
by crammedinabox
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:56 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
he never responded to this thread, that was merely a quote. i don't know if there's any truth to it, but i doubt it.
pics pls of 96.
Here are the guitars in question
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:19 pm
by crammedinabox
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:36 pm
by Shaguar
That red one looks good.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:51 pm
by MaMo
Hey, a vista jagmaster for $362? Not bad at all.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:53 pm
by laterallateral
hotrodperlmutter wrote:he never responded to this thread, that was merely a quote. i don't know if there's any truth to it, but i doubt it.
Hmm... A lefty strat neck would still be a strat neck, no? At any speed, what I said in that quote is clearly incorrect. what I
should have said is that the necks on later Vista Jagmasters were
like the ones on Super-Sonics, in that they have the bullet rod. Super-Sonic and later Vista Jagmaster necks aren't identical, if not only, then at least for the heel and headstock shape.
I highly recommend you keep your bread and wait for another 96 to come along.
')