NGD!!!!! (Fender CP Jaguar HH)

[Mark From Cincy]

So this was a completely unplanned and, if I'm being honest, somewhat unnecessary purchase. I've been planning on getting a J Mascis JM for awhile now, and was checking GC's used inventory to see if they were any that popped up, when I came across this at a price to good to pass it up.

Do I need it? Probably not. Will it see a ton of use? Not likely. Do I have an addiction? Most definitely. But for a kid (now 38)who grew up longing after an offset I had to pull the trigger. I've always wanted a Jag since pretty much the Under the Bridge video was on heavy rotation. When I started playing at 14 there were a lot of guys playing offsets. Cobain, Fruciante, Mascis, dude from Mudhoney... And you just couldn't get them at a manageable price for a high school kid. There were no imports, and even seeing them at guitar shows at atuff was pretty cool. The options back then, if you wanted something a little quirky/"grunge-y" were Mustangs and later, maybe a Jag-Stang or an Ibanez Talaman.

Anyhoo, this thing looks pretty much as cool as the old ones I used to drool over, and I've been so happy with my Baja Tele and CP 60's strat I figured why not. Snagged it for $379, which I'm guessing maybe they had it confused with the one with the stop tail. Maybe not as good as a deal as some I see on here, but cheap nonetheless. I can always flip it for a small profit if need be. On to the pics (the flame on the neck was a pleasant surprise)...

About $1500 of good 'ol MIM bang for the buck...

 

[monty]

Looks lovely!

 

[sshan25]

I have a similar CP Jag in candy apple red with SD Hot Jag single coils. The quality of these guitars is on a par with any mass produced model I own, US made or otherwise. For a time, I had trouble getting used to the “ghost notes” heard as a result of the shallow string break angle, but the neck was so nice, I kept going back to it. I eventually added a buzz stop and now it plays and sounds as good as anything I own. I avoided Jags and short scale Fenders in general for years because of what I had read about them being inferior to “real” Fenders like Teles and Strats. I realize now how unfairly maligned they are. With the right pickups and a good set up, I can use mine for almost anything I play. The blues snobs looked at me like I had three heads when I showed up at a jam with the Jag. After they heard it, they were all about telling me how cool it was.

 

[poolshark]

Nice! Sounds like a good deal to me. Swap that bridge for a Wilkinson roller and wiggle on.

 

[tommygunn1986]

About $1500 of good 'ol MIM bang for the buck...

Nice! Looks a lot like my collection.

Baja Tele, 60s Lacquer Jag, Classic Series 50s Strat

 

[Mark From Cincy]

So what are my options pickups wise that work well with this? I havent really looked into the wiring if I switch to single coils or P90s. I just want to use this for a different vibe than typical HH sounds. Not loving the stock pickups, but I expected that.

 

[sshan25]

Nice! Sounds like a good deal to me. Swap that bridge for a Wilkinson roller and wiggle on.

The Wilkinsons that fit this model are good bridges but I believe they are 12" radius. This Jag is 9.5" It might not be a big deal for some but be aware of the fact.

 

[poolshark]

The Wilkinsons that fit this model are good bridges but I believe they are 12" radius. This Jag is 9.5" It might not be a big deal for some but be aware of the fact.

While the difference isn't huge, the marginally larger bridge radius lets you accommodate more room on the high strings. Many Gibsons - particularly golden era Gibsons - have bridges with radii larger than the fretboard. Big contributor to the feel. I'd bet the stock bridge on that Jag measures larger than 9.5".

 

[sshan25]

So what are my options pickups wise that work well with this? I havent really looked into the wiring if I switch to single coils or P90s. I just want to use this for a different vibe than typical HH sounds. Not loving the stock pickups, but I expected that.

Look into Fralin "Big Singles". They will drop right in. I have them in a Waterslide and they sound amazing. I've always thought that they'd be perfect in a Jag. Also, D'armond or Teisco type gold foils in a HB enclosure might be cool. The Mojotones (UK) are excellent.

 

[sshan25]

While the difference isn't huge, the marginally larger bridge radius lets you accommodate more room on the high strings. Many Gibsons - particularly golden era Gibsons - have bridges with radii larger than the fretboard. Big contributor to the feel. I'd bet the stock bridge on that Jag measures larger than 9.5".

You may be right. I have not measured the radius. I have read that Fender's Adjustomatic is 9.5".