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scryber
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: guitar for a beginner? |
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It's been 15 years since I played guitar, and even back then I wasn't too serious about it. I had (and still have) a '89 Epiphone, and for whatever reason it just never felt comfortable to play. Maybe it's the 25.5" neck scale, or maybe it's the flat neck radius, maybe I just never gave it a chance, but it's not the guitar I want to re-acquaint myself with.
I love the look of the Jaguar and find its versatility and technical aspects really appealing, but I'm not going to spend that much money on a guitar for a novice.
For an inexpensive guitar I'm basically looking at a Jagmaster or a Telecaster. Advantages of the JM are: the aesthetic look of a Jaguar and 24" neck scale. And it's affordable at $250. But aside from that, how much "Jag" is in the Jagmaster? The JM has humbuckers so I'm wondering just how much of a Jaguar sound it has, if any. Obviously the controls are different as well.
Advantages of the Tele are a solid guitar and a proven performer with a bright clean sound although it does have a 25.5" neck scale, and it is a bit more money.
Obviously it would be helpful to pick them both up and play for a while to get a feel, but again I'm basically starting from zero so I don't think strumming a few open chords for a couple minutes is going to be a very good indicator. Thoughts? |
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More Cowbell
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Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 6206
Location: Jefferson, GA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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Test drive the car before you buy it.  |
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Ninja Mike 808
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Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 1643
Location: DFW
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Go to Guitar Center. Do what that guy says^ |
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luke
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Joined: 29 Sep 2006
Posts: 2201
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| You're going to have to get used to 25.5 eventually. Start now. |
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scryber
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Malik wrote: |
| You're going to have to get used to 25.5 eventually. Start now. |
Certainly not the advice I expected from a website called "Shortscale.org"  |
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Ninja Mike 808
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Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 1643
Location: DFW
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| scryber wrote: |
| Malik wrote: |
| You're going to have to get used to 25.5 eventually. Start now. |
Certainly not the advice I expected from a website called "Shortscale.org" |
You can always convert your Epi with Warmoth... |
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Justin J
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Joined: 22 Aug 2006
Posts: 2224
Location: usa
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| jagmasters don't really sound like jaguars. if you just want the look, then go for it. if you want the sound, save up. |
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markocaster
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Joined: 23 Apr 2008
Posts: 139
Location: Northern CA by way of Durham UK
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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duo sonic
this is new and affordable |
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scryber
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| bubbles_horwitz wrote: |
| jagmasters don't really sound like jaguars. if you just want the look, then go for it. if you want the sound, save up. |
That's what I figured, but just wanted to get confirmation. I guess the other question is, how's the quality of the Jagmaster in general (keeping in mind the price)? |
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Justin J
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Joined: 22 Aug 2006
Posts: 2224
Location: usa
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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i've only played one of the current production jagmasters, so it could've just been a dud, but i didn't like it at all. it sounded like crap and the neck felt terrible.
but other people swear by them. so just try one for yourself, don't listen to me. |
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scryber
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| markocaster wrote: |
duo sonic
this is new and affordable |
Cool, I hadn't seen that one. Anyone play one yet? |
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luke
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Joined: 29 Sep 2006
Posts: 2201
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| scryber wrote: |
| markocaster wrote: |
duo sonic
this is new and affordable |
Cool, I hadn't seen that one. Anyone play one yet? |
No, but I think we all wish we had.
I think most of us here learned to play on 25.5s, then converted/tried shortscales later in life and realised we either prefer them, don't mind them or in some cases, don't actually like them. I had to endure a year of learning on a superstrat style guitar before I found the way of the shortscale, but even so I only own one. |
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scryber
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:42 am Post subject: |
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I went to Guitar Center yesterday. They had a Jagmaster but of course no Duo Sonic. The neck pickup for the Jagmaster was tilted... I don't mean angled from perpendicular from the strings, I mean the top surface sloped. One of my Epiphone's pickups is this way as well and I always thought it was a flaw. Maybe someone can correct me, but it would seem to me that the pickup surface should be parallel to that of the guitar body.
So obviously, I'm looking for something fairly idiot-proof. A stop tailpiece sounds like a good fit. Since I'm considering the Jagmaster, I'm wondering if it's worth also looking at a used Jaguar HH. Both have huckbuckers but I'm guessing the HH would be a bit of an upgrade. I'd expect the Duo Sonic to have a much different sound. Wish I could see/hear one firsthand. |
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Mages
súper crujiente
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 7439
Location: MD
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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the pickup height is adjustable. the screws to each side of the pickup adjust it. you can set them wherever you like, whatever you suits your playing style and personal taste.
I would say it's definitely worth looking at the jaguar HH.
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cogito ergo sum...thing or other... |
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roachello
Cunt Punt
Joined: 26 Dec 2006
Posts: 1354
Location: The LBC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:45 am Post subject: |
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| What's your budget? We just sold our Squier Musicmaster but that guitar would have been perfect! (According to preference of course) |
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scryber
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Joined: 10 Jun 2008
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:54 am Post subject: |
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| roachello wrote: |
| What's your budget? We just sold our Squier Musicmaster but that guitar would have been perfect! (According to preference of course) |
My budget started at $400 for a standard MIM tele, then I researched the Squires (Jagmaster and Duo Sonic) that fall under $300... but then I started pining for a used Jaguar HH, which seems to go for around $500 if you find the right guitar/seller. I'd prefer the HH. Wish I could hear a Duo or read a review. |
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Ninja Mike 808
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Joined: 14 Jan 2008
Posts: 1643
Location: DFW
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:35 am Post subject: |
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| scryber wrote: |
| roachello wrote: |
| What's your budget? We just sold our Squier Musicmaster but that guitar would have been perfect! (According to preference of course) |
My budget started at $400 for a standard MIM tele, then I researched the Squires (Jagmaster and Duo Sonic) that fall under $300... but then I started pining for a used Jaguar HH, which seems to go for around $500 if you find the right guitar/seller. I'd prefer the HH. Wish I could hear a Duo or read a review. |
Oh man, what I could do with 400 bucks...
You're headed in the right direction, tho, Squier and higher end Epiphones (anything but the Specials)... Try craigslist.com
_________________
If you think of god as a pair of pants, a spiritualist thinks he needs pants, in fact he wants pants but none of the conventional types of pants seem to fit just right, so he makes his own pants and is happy that his knees are no longer cold.-fibus |
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Mike
I like EL34s
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 38021
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
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Wilbur
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Joined: 21 Jun 2008
Posts: 267
Location: Diggnation, USA
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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Im in nearly the same boat. I've been playing bass for almost 6 years and I'd love to have a guitar around. I have a similar 400 dollar budget. Any other suggestions?
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http://www.myspace.com/redmorningvoyage
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Justin J
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Joined: 22 Aug 2006
Posts: 2224
Location: usa
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| what kind of sound are you looking for? these days you've got a lot of options in that price range. |
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