player opinions
Fender ‘62 Jaguar
Name: Chris D
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Price Paid: $1200
Performance
Unlike the Japanese models from a few years back, the new ‘62 re-issue from California (year 2000) can handle heavy strings and the pickups do not squeal when the volume is turned up. It is a pleasure to play, especially with flat-wounds. It does not suffer from fret buzz, and you can bend two whole steps without killing the phrase. Also, unlike the nostalgic MIJ models, the string-height adjustment screws do not fall out of their barrels. In fact, the bridge is very solid, and you don’t have to constantly tinker it. The Jaguar certainly does not “perform” like most guitars (because of the floating bridge and lack of sustain) but if you’ve ever played one and know what you’re getting into, this model certainly delivers what it promises!
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
The guitar is ultra clean, and you can get the full range of solid body tones out of it. In fact, this guitar can produce a crystal bright sound that is unmatched by any other model! If you can’t get the sound you want out of this you ought to looking at an arch top instead. I have played it through a Twin Reverb and a Marshall “ValveStat”, both of which have two twelve inch speakers. You can stand in front the speakers with the volume turned up and get it to feedback if you wish, but that’s about the extent of distortion you’re going to hear from it. Very clean and controllable.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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The Jaguar has four switches and four pots. One of the switches got scratchy after owning it for only a few months, very disgraceful. To be fair, I own five other Fender guitars and they have never had this type of problem through the years. Perhaps it is a one in a thousand glitch, I don’t know. I don’t know anyone else that plays Jaguars.
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Construction Rating: 8
Name: Ray Kaminski
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Price Paid: $250
Performance
It was kinda hard to get used to because the neck is 7.25 around unlike the 9 of a Tele or Strat. But now it’s been my 6th month playing it and I think it is one of the best, funnest, fastest, and sleekest guitars ever. I’m planning in buying another one soon.
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Performance Rating: 10
Sound Quality
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The pickups have a little hum to them but it’s probably because of my bad amp. But the tone can go from cystal clean to distoration if you want.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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It was nicely built — my paint cracks off a lot though, I did a lot of damage to it so that probably is why. Either way it’s stable.
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Construction Rating: 8
Name: Stevin Dub
Band: CUBErt
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Price Paid: $600
Performance
This guitar feels just like the original vintage model (with that unmistakable worn in feel.) It is easy to play and is comfortable to the body.
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Performance Rating: 8
Sound Quality
The tone of the guitar is its main attraction. When set into a surf mode, (loads of reverb into both pickups) it has the twangy drip sound and a sweet bouncy sound to it. When put to distortion however, the feedback is daunting and the buzz is enough to drive you nuts. This can be mostly avoided by less distortion or a few flicks of the numerous switches.
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Sound Quality Rating: 10
Construction
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This guitar feels as solid and true as any vintage model is, but the bridge is a pain in the neck to work with! Thick gauge strings slide out of the notches, and thin ones slide around. Intonation adjustment is also cumbersome. But if you overlook these simple problems, you will be satisfied with a guitar that sounds as good as it looks.
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Construction Rating: 8
links
Average Ratings
- Performance: 9.2
- Sound Quality: 10
- Construction: 8
Ratings Key
- 10: Excellent
- 0: Useless
Available At Guitar Center
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Fender '62 Jaguar Electric Guitar 3-Tone Sunburst Brown Shell Pickguard
Company
- Fender