The Delta Snake Review: Musical Gear Review and Music Article Archive: Review: 2007 MIM Fender Jaguar HH

Review: Fender Jaguar HH

As one peruses the various Fender reissues based on vintage models, this one catches the eye immediately for two reasons. At first glance, it seems to be an exact replica of a Fender Jaguar for only 630.00 instead of the extortionate collector price of 3000.00 (on up).

At second glance, you realize it isn't an exact replica after all. It has two “special design” humbuckers, and what looks suspiciously like a tune-a-matic bridge. Fender prefers to call it an adjusto-matic (but a rose is a rose).

I'd have preferred it the other way around. Keep the old-style pickups, keep that kooky tremolo bar and bridge (and thus capable of making some pretty cool sounds) and get rid of the vintage tone and volume controls. It's a simple, yet obtuse switching system, with switches to turn off pickups, cut treble, etc. and it's an obscure system for a reason. People didn't like it. However, the chrome panels the switches are mounted on do add a vintage cool to the look, and this is guitar is all about the look (aren’t they all, though).

It sports a rakish black and chrome look, with that famous speedy looking body, and a short scale “C” neck that is as easy to play as any Gibson. The humbuckers are Fender design, and aren't as full sounding as the competition, but has a fine cutting edge. Closer to P-90 thickness than a Gibson 490 series humbucker.

One thing you should be aware of is that it will not sound like a Strat even if it has some similarity. It has its own sound, accentuated by the use of humbuckers. It's not as sweet in high gain mode with a tougher sound. In clean mode, however, it’s as warm as a Strat.

Jaguars were always underrated blues and jazz guitars (due to the main celebrity players being alternative artists), but you will have a lot of sound at your fingertips. The tuners are small and easy to tune, and the headstock is the original classic large type. The rosewood fretboard is of decent quality, and the alder body ensures that you have a durable workhorse underneath the hood.

Up to about a couple of years ago, The Fender line was starting to get a bit dull and added a few wrong turns in direction (the “Tele-Acoustic” being the oddest). But one can now look at the Fender line from bottom to top and find a full array of exciting new guitars, most in an affordable price range.

Fender has done a great job with this Jaguar, and you'll have a lot more fun with your's than some collectors will, staring at a 4000.00 mint original displayed in some glass case like a precious jewel or zoo animal.

- Al Handa

2007

Note: This review first appeared on the ePinions.com site in 2007. This and other reviews were short takes that accompanied the link to a business that sold the guitar. As a rule, the guitar had to be at least examined and played by the reviewer (and ideally owned). In my case, a severe case of GAS made it possible to have at least owned the reviewed instrument for a short while. I'm reprinting these as having another source on a guitar never hurts, even if the reviews aren't definitive. Other than minor corrections, these short takes are unchanged from the original text. I figure that it might be helpful to keep the older perspective.

The Quitturz by Al Handa