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I'm in the market for a new Jaguar and I've been looking over the Classic Player Jaguar Special HH and the Special Edition Jaguar HH.

I'm aware of the differences in specs, looks, etc. but one thing I can't find much information on is how the build quality compares. I believe the CP Jag is made in Mexico and the Special Edition is made in Japan. Any big differences in quality / defect rate / etc? I'm tempted to think they're about the same (since the list for the same price) but then again I've never owned a Fender.

afaik, the main difference is the specials are hard tail with tune-o-matic style bridges while the classic players have an updated spacing to the standard jag bridge. the hh special also has chrome knobs and chrome pickup covers.

Build quality is great on both of them, but not necessarily uniform, as with any guitar, so try before you buy. I'd expect the Japanese jobs to be slightly better if only for the fact that they've been at it longer. The thing is, the CP is a marked improvement over your average Jaguar due to some much-needed updates to the design, but the Japanese HH model has all of the same upgrades that are relevant anyway due to being a bit more of a departure than even the CP. From what I've seen, the prices are also pretty much identical on the high street, so it comes down to your personal preference. I have no idea what the pickups are like in each, though, so hopefully somebody else might be able to enlighten you in that area.

But personally, I wouldn't be too worried about the build quality at all.

Not too sure about the specials but the other guitarist in my band plays one of the Classic Player HH Jags and the few times i've played it it's felt fantastic. As far as I know he's never had any problems with it and has had it pretty much since they first got released in the UK (since early 2008 i think). If I remember correctly the pick-ups on my friends CP were coil tapped, not sure if this was a mod or not, but they sounded good either way. We play fuzzy/psychedelic stuff and they're great for some heavy riffs. I've not played the special but i'd deffinately recommend the Classic Player, guess it all depends on what bridge you like.

The necks on the japanese jags feel better to me... The mex fret ends have felt a little rough on the 5-6 I've tried, so not a complaint over the radius. An easy fix I guess. All else I would probably go for the mexi jag.

The finish especially is nicer & not so toy-like on the mex jags. The finish just glistens better. I love the blendable coil tap as well.. makes for a really versatile instrument, and imo the buckers sound pretty decent.

Regarding the buzzing issues, I've seen just as much buzzing on the mex guitars than the japanese jags.... & with a little TLC I reckon both could be fine.

I own a standard japanese jaguar but have never tried the japanese HH version so take that into consideration.

yeah, i forgot they wired the CP's up differently. this wouldn't work for my tastes since i swapped the humbuckers out in favor of p90's. . . and even if i hadn't, having a played the avri beforehand, i think i'd still prefer the standard switching. maybe add a push/pull pot for that instead.