Fender Player Jaguar is one of the most popular offset guitars made by this legendary guitar manufacturer. Many guitarists consider it as one of the best guitars of this type. But is it actually that good? Well, today’s review will answer all of your questions!
The truth is that Fender Player Jaguar offers a really good quality. It’s not the best guitar in the world, it is certainly worth the money. Still, there’s a few things that differentiate it from more expensive Fender Jaguars.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Fender Player Jaguar so cool and popular. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specs and the main advantages of that model. We’ll also see if it has any cons. Hopefully, this guide will help you to figure out if this particular model is a good fit for you and your style of playing.
Specs & Pricing
Fender Player Jaguar is a popular and affordable offset guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there.
This particular model features an alder body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck with the Pau Ferro fingerboard. The guitar has a 24″ scale length, which means that it’s a bit shorter than in the Stratocasters, Jazzmasters and Telecasters. As a result, it’s really comfortable to play for players with small hands and short fingers.
When it comes to sound, this is one of the most versatile Fender guitars out there. The manufacturer equipped this model with a really interesting combination of pickups: Player Series Alnico II Jaguar Single-coil and Player Series Alnico III Jaguar Humbucker.
Of course, the guitar also has a floating vibrato tailpiece which is an essential part of any Jag guitar. This makes this guitar even more versatile and it allows you to experiment more with various different guitar tones.
Although it’s not the cheapest electric guitar in the world, it’s actually the cheapest Jaguar with the Fender logo on the headstock. That being said, if you’re looking specifically for a Fender Jag, this is the most affordable option out there.
What’s interesting, the Player Jaguar is also available in a few different color versions: Black, 3-Tone Sunburst, Capri Orange and Tidepool. Surely, anyone will be able to find a model that suits their own personal preferences!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Fender Player Jaguar is suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitarists who are looking for a great sounding and versatile electric guitar.
As I mentioned earlier, the versatility of that guitar is absolutely amazing. Whether you’re into heavy grunge riffs or more chilled clean tones, this Jaguar will never let you down. As a result, it can be used in a really wide range of different music genres – from blues and country up to indie, rock and metal.
It is also worth mentioning that this is one of the most affordable Jaguar guitars available on the market right now. The only cheaper alternative is the Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar – it’s an another great guitar, but in the end – it’s not a Fender.
The Player Jaguar can also be efficiently for gigging and studio performances. It’s a really solid instrument that can be used more professionally as well.
Overall, the vast majority of guitarists will appreciate the high quality of Fender Player Jaguar. Honestly, there’s not much to complain about! Not matter how advanced you are, you will definitely enjoy playing on that guitar.
Here’s an another sound demo.
Disadvantages Of Fender Player Jaguar
Although Fender Player Jaguar is a fantastic electric guitar, like I said before – it’s not the best guitar in the world. It has a few disadvantages, but don’t worry! These issues aren’t too serious.
The main cons of the Player Jaguar are:
- it has a bit different controls than all other Fender Jaguars
- there are models that have problems with the initial setup
- some models have sharp frets, but it doesn’t occur very often
Firstly, the Fender Player Jaguar has really basic controls. As a result, it’s very easy to use, but the truth is that the original Jaguars are a bit more complex. Hence, if you’re searching for a classic Jaguar with the classic Jaguar switches, you should probably check out the Fender Vintera Jag.
Additionally, some guitarists report that the Player Jaguar comes with a poor initial setup. Of course, it all depends on where you get your guitar from – some models are already adjusted. Still, if you experience problems with the string action, you can still easily fix it by yourself. Alternatively, you can just bring the guitar to your local luthier to set it up correctly.
In general, Mexican-made Fenders offer a great quality and they’re considered better as Chinese and Indonesian-made Squiers. Nevertheless, sometimes the quality check fails and it’s possible to find a guitar which is not perfect. It’s not a common thing, but be aware that some quality issues (like sharp frets) can potentially occur in your model too.
Summing up, the Player Jag has its own flaws, but it’s a really good electric guitar. Considering the fact that this is not a high-end American-made, it’s definitely one of the best guitars of this type available on the market right now.
My Verdict
Would I get this Jag for myself? Absolutely!
I think that the Fender Player Jaguar is a particularly good choice for all amateur musicians who are searching for their first electric guitar. This fantastic model will last you for years to come and it will definitely inspire you to become a much better guitarist.
At the same time, even more intermediate guitarists will benefit from adding this guitar to their collection. The Player Series is really popular among the touring musicians, so it will definitely work fine during live shows.
I don’t like the fact that this Jag doesn’t have to original Jaguar controls, but it’s not a massive problem. Undoubtedly, a lot of guitarists will fall in love with that guitar anyway. That’s for sure!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Fender Player Jaguar, don’t worry! There’s still quite a lot of other great guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on your budget and your own personal preferences.
Here’s a few other electric guitars that are also worth checking out.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar. This is a great alternative option for guitarists who don’t want to pay too much for a new electric guitar. Although it doesn’t have the Fender logo on the headstock, it’s still the cheapest Jaguar out there.
There’s also the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster. It’s a really beautiful model! I have this model in my collection and in my opinion, it’s one of the best looking offset guitars made by Squier. And what’s important, it’s far more affordable than the Player Jag.
Additionally, you can also check out the Ibanez AS-53. This a semi-hollow body guitar, so it’s slightly different than the Jaguar, but it’s definitely one of the best cheap guitars of this type available on the market. I personally own that model and I can confirm that it certainly looks and feels like a much more expensive guitar.
Alternatively, guitarists on a really tight budget should also check out the Squier Affinity Jazzmaster. This is an another great and inexpensive guitar which is definitely worth the money. The only disadvantage of that model is that it doesn’t have the floating tremolo tailpiece like the Player Jag.
But overall, Fender Player Jaguar has everything you really need from a guitar at this price level. It sounds great, it looks great and it’s not overly expensive. Who needs anything else? That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
FAQ
Where is Fender Player Jaguar manufactured?
All instruments from Fender Player Series are made in Mexico.
Are Fender Player Series guitars good for beginners?
Yes, all guitars from Fender Player Series are great for beginners. They’re comfortable to play and they’re pretty affordable, so that’s why they’re really popular among the amateur musicians.
Is Jaguar same as Jazzmaster?
No, Jaguars and Jazzmasters are not the same. The Jaguars usually have a 24″ scale length, while the Jazzmasters have the 25.5″ scale length. On top of that, the Jaguars have a bit different controls. Still, both of these guitars look really similar!
Where can I find out more about Fender?
If you want to find out more about Fender guitars, make sure to check out their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Fender Player Jaguar is a really interesting electric guitar. Considering how versatile and affordable it actually is, it’s definitely one of the best offset guitars made by Fender. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all musicians who are searching for a great sounding and reliable piece of gear.
What do you think about this Jaguar? Would you add it to your own guitar collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!
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