Jag-Stang Review

The Jag-Stang® guitars have one humbucker, a vintage-style single coil and a Fender® floating vibrato, three-position slide on/off switch. Available in Fiesta Red and Sonic Blue.

Features:	8.5
Sound:	8.4
Action:	8.6
Reliability:	8.9
Impression:	9.1
Overall rating:	8.7
Users rating:	8.6
Comments:	29

overall: 9

Featured review by: Pontius, on november 26, 2005

Price paid: $ 520

Purchased from: Music Go Round

Features: I bought a used 1996 Sonic Blue Jag-Stang. Apparently this was Fender's 50th anniversary, if that counts as anything. Basswood with a 22 fret rosewood neck, floating bridge with a "dynamic" vibrato, "special" Fender pickups (1 single at the neck and a humbucker at the bridge) with an on/off/phase slider, volume, and tone controls. I got it with a gig bag, but I don't think it's the one that originally came with the guitar. It's a bit beat up, and the funbar's missing, but neither really makes much of a difference in the long run. Dents give character anyway. // 9

Sound: Don't let most of the other people fool you, the play of this guitar is great. The neck pickup is pretty good, giving a nice full sound (kind of suprised me coming from a single), but the humbucker is merely pleh. The single actually generates more sound than the humbucker. I'm planning on replacing the stock humbucker with a Dimarzio Evolution DP158 or 159, so it's not really a big deal. The phase really only generates a lower tone unless you phase both pickups, which gets you twangier, lower sound. It suits my music style amazingly well (mixture of grunge, alternative, punk, blues, ect) and never really fails to dissapoint. I play it through an old 12" tube amp (the only brand name I could find is REX, but it's made of wood if that gives any clue to the age) with a Dunlop Original Crybaby wah as my only effect. Sounds great, but I'm knocking it down to an 8 because of the weak stock humbucker. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: I have absolutely no idea how well the guitar was set up originally, but the action is ok on mine. I'd like to lower it, but all of my guitars before this one had Tune-O-Matic bridges, so I never learned how to lower the action on one of these. Eh, it's not too bad anyway. I expected to have a beat up guitar on my hands seeing as how it was made almost 10 years ago, so I was prepared for large dents 'n such. But a few dents and only one real scratch was all that was wrong. The pickup selectors are still holding up, everything was routed pretty well, the input wasn't loose at all, and everything seems fine. I especially like the way that the bridge saddles are rounded instead of cut... it saves a lot of strings in the long run. The e string will occasionaly slip out, but it's only happened to me once when I plucked the string close to the bridge. It'd probably happen on the Tune-O-Matics too though. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will definitely withstand live playing. Don't let anybody tell you differently. Over a long period of time you may have to replace the selector switches, but that's just because plastic will eventually wear down. Same thing happens with a car's standard gearbox. Wears down over time. The strap buttons are nice and solid, though I know that a lot of people will never trust buttons. I can depend on it... never had the trouble with the vibrato throwing the guitar out of tune like a lot of people apparently have. And yes, I do use it. Nothing can go completely wrong with a guitar or two to back you up, so I'd take a backup to any larger gig just because. The finish is pretty good, though basswood is generally easy to dent. // 9

Impression: As I've said, I play a varied amount of chunky music with rock or bluesy time influences and this guitar is a great match. I've been playing for one and a half to two years, depending on whenever I decided to play seriously, and this is probably the most expensive musical piece of equipment I've bought. It easily beats the Epi Les Pauls and Strats that I've played from other people in my opinion. Great guitar for it's price range. I just hate how Fender decided to put cheap, crappy electronics in to imitate the great ones Cobain had in the original, a Texas Special Single and a Dimarzio H3 but I love the shape and sound this thing creates. The 24" scale neck takes a little getting used to, but the 14-22 fret range is very playable. Early on I compared this to the Jackson DKMG (or DXMG, whichever is around $500), the Epiphone standard Les Paul, the Standard and Highway One Strats, the Fender Cyclone, and the Fender reissue '69 Mustang. If I hadn't found one of these I probably would have gone with the Mustang or the Cyclone. And no, I'm not a Kurt Cobain fanatic, I just like the guitars. I chose this because it has a single and a humbucker instead of the Strat's 3 singles and the paul's 2 humbuckers, the shape and color were both very cool and different, the 24" scale, and the switches as opposed to the selector stick thing. If it were lost I'd find it, and if it were stolen I'd create an elaborate and overly dramatic scheme to behead whoever decided to make off with it. // 10

overall: 8.6

Reviewed by: aboutagirl, on october 15, 2005

Purchased from: AXE music

Features: The guitar came with a strap, cable, and a gig bag. Not to shabby. // 8

Sound: The sound quality of guitar is pretty good. I say this because if your using the sing coil pickup the sound is great. Clear, beautiful tones, and a nice hammering distortion. However, I think Fender probally put the worst humbucker in history in this guitar. It's unfortunate but true. The guitar is very versatile though, and for a guy like me, who cannot pick one sound, it's great! Even though I use it primarily with a digital amp, complete with effects, it still sounds good. For the money, I could not recommand a better starting guitar for a peson who wnats to become serious about music. // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: When considering the action of this guitar, I would have to say that is perfect! The guitar came in great shape, absolutely wonderful. I didn't have to adjust a thing! Not only this, but the instrument plays like a dream, the design works really well, especially the thin neck, if you have small or very unflexible fingers. Not much to say here, but that this guitar is definetly a 10 in this category. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I have had this guiatr for about a year now, and I play I regularly (almost everyday depending on my mood) and I must say I have not had a problem. The finish is pretty tough, I've knocked this thing around quite a bit, and it still looks great. I think overall this is a solid guitar and you wouldn't have any problems with it. I would depend on it solely for a gig for sure. // 9

Impression: I like to play all over the board musically, and this guitar plays pretty well for most sounds. I have had this guitar for about 1 year and I have been playing for 2, since the purchase I have bought a Jaguar (amasing) and a Washburn acoustic (also amasing). To me this guitar will always be kind of special, it was my 1st electric. Thus, if it were gone, I'd want another. My favorite feature about this guiatr is its style, it's ackwardly feminine, and I love that. I think that's the way its designer (Kurt Cobain) would of wanted it. Especially in the sonic blue color. My most hated thing about this guitar is the humbucker, I can't wait to replace it. I don't think there much else I could say about this guitar, except change the humbucker and it will amaze you. // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on may 07, 2005

Price paid: $ 559.44

Purchased from: Thomann

Features: This is a 2004 re-issue from Fender. Made in USA. It's got 22 medium jumbo frets, 24" scale with rosewood fingerboard and maple neck and Vintage machine heads so they won't rust. Basewood body with chrome hardware, a Fender Floating with "Dynamic" vibrato tail piece, Vintage Strat single coil pickup and specially designed "Hot Humbucker." It's just quality! // 10

Sound: This sounds great for me because I have such a wide range of sound to play from easy listening to real heavy metal. I can get a class sound for Chili Peppers songs and then when I'm with my hevy metal band I can get a great crunch sound from the Seymour Duncan style humbucker. And then I have a Boss GT-6 which gives me an even bigger variety of sound. It's great! // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar came with a gig bag and everything was fine, the action is really really low and the neck is very thin so its great for shredding, the bridge was well put in place and is great for those Randy Rhoads songs. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I have this guitar for nearly a year and I've gigged in many venues with it, it's great, the hardware will last a lifetime. It's chrome, you put that stuff on cars couse its gonna last. I have strap locks on the guitar and because its a Kurt Cobain designed guitar your expected to go mad on stage and you can really depend on it. The finish is an aqua blue and the guitar looks like its brand new. Love it! // 10

Impression: I've been playing guitar for about 6 years, I've a wide range of guitar styles and sounds, its the right guitar for different types of sound from funky stuff to heavy shit, I used to play Duality by Slipknot on it at a few gigs, went down really well, specially with the pinched harmonics. // 10

overall: 8

Reviewed by: ilovepixies, on august 08, 2005

Price paid: $ 732

Purchased from: GAK

Features: This is a 2003 Fender Jag-Stang. It has 22 frets and is 'crafted' in Japan. It has a very skinny neck perfect for my smaller hands. It is solid body and is quite a small guitar in general. It is made from a big slab of basswood which gives it a deep unplugged sound. It also come with Tune-O-Matic bridge that Fender calls a 'dynamic vibrato' there are two pickup switches to turn the pickups on and off. It also has a volume and tone control. It has non locking tuners and came with a gig bag. // 8

Sound: I play punk such as Black Flag, Circle Jerks and Minor Threat so this guitar gives it quite a good sludgy sound. I play this guitar through a Marshall AVT150 and a Boss CE-5. The bridge pick up is very beefy and full sounding and also not too noisy when not playing. In a way it is a versatile guitar and not miles away from a Strat feel and sound. Altough the neck pickup sounds very tinny and weak so I do not use it much. This guitar sounds good in the players own opinion this is very much a guitar that needs an aqquired taste. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up nicley with Fender 10 gauge strings. The pickups on the neck were wonky and I thought this was a flaw but I saw this on other guitars done in the same way so it is not a mistake. All in all the guitar had a good set up and I am happy with it. // 6

Reliability & Durability: One very good thing about this guitar is that it is extremly sturdy and can take a beating. I play in a punk band and I thrash this guitar but I still take it to gigs with no back up and it withstands anything thrown at it (including bottles). // 10

Impression: This guitar is a guitar for people looking for a filthy sound if you are into Led Zepplin or Guns N' Roses or any other classic rock bands buy a Les Paul Copy. I bought this guitar to fufil my lust for pricey Jaguars and Jazzmasters so If this was stolen now I would claim insurance and put more cash towards it and buy a Jaguar. This is a good midrange guitar and is definatly gig and tour worthy and I would reccomend it to someone who wants something different. I have tried to be as honest as possible in this reveiw because all of the reveiws of this guitar all seem to be to one extreme either love or hate. So quite simply if you play dirty music this is for you. // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on february 21, 2005

Price paid: $ 530

Purchased from: Musician's Friend

Features: This guitar is a reissue of the original Jag-Stang designed but Kurt Cobain. The best feature of this guitar is the action, in my opion, because it is set really low, just how I like it. It has one single coil and one humbucker. The single coil is a custom, if I'm not mistaken, and I know that the humbucker was specially designed with Cobain and Fender. It has a Fiesta red finish, and in other words, it is a reddish-orange colour. The pickguard is pearloid, which I find beautiful. The two three way switches that the guitar has are good, but I find that they are situated in a rather stupid place, because I have rubbed my wrist raw from them, as they are directly above the pickguard and where I strum. Altogether, it is a great guitar, I just wish the switches were in a different place. // 8

Sound: The Jagstang has beautiful sound, really rich and deep, but the low strings are louder than the high strings. I use a Peavey 25 watt with lots of effects, and it works beautifully. I have to use a Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal, because the amp doesn't have all that great distortion, and it also is great. I play a lot of classic rock and metal, and this is perfect. I also play grunge, and this is Kurt Cobain's guitar, so of course it's good for grunge. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: It really does not have any real flaws in the setup. The action is beautiful, and the pickups and everything work excellent. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will outlive me, probably. The finish is tough, and won't wear. I'm too poor to have a backup, so I have to play without one. Everything is moderately good. // 8

Impression: Okay I've wanted this guitar before I listened to nirvana or anything I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. I chose this because I love humbuckers and hate single coils, and it only has one single coil that you can turn off. I considered getting an Epiphone Les Paul Gold Top, and find that this fits my playing better. Not that I'm dissing les pauls or anything, but I like this guitar better. // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on may 23, 2005

Purchased from: Electro Music

Features: 2004 re-issue. Made in Japan. 22 medium frets. Solid-top. Tune-O-Matic bridge, volume, tone, and two pickup switches. One single coil and one humbucker pickups. Came with a gig bag. Overall a great amount of features for the price, although the strap on the bag is a bugger to work. None of the controls get in the way, either. // 10

Sound: I play a large amount of music and the Jag-Stang has coped with everything. From blues to metal, it makes everything sound great. I used to play with a crappy 10W Jay Turser amp, and it still sounded awesome. Then I upgraded to a 80W Peavey Bandit 112, and it blows my mind. It perhaps deals with distortion a little better, but the sound is so varied I could recommend it to anyone. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was in perfect condition when I bought it, there was literally nothing wrong or out of place. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I can't count the number of times I've accidentally smashed the headstock into a wall, and you can't even see a scratch. Live playing is a cinch, and I would easily use it live with no backup. The part where you put the lead in can get a little loose after a few months, but it takes a couple of seconds to tighten it up and it doesn't affect your sound in any way. // 10

Impression: Occasionally I pine over a Highway 1 Strat, or a Les Paul Studio, but then I wonder "Why? I've already got the best." Personally this is my dream guitar, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. My favourite feature is quite easily the variety of sounds you can get from it, from riffing along with Metallica to soloing over Chuck Berry, the Jag-Stang knows what to do. If you have a wide taste in music and need a guitar to play all of them with a high quality, the Jag-Stang is exactly your guitar. Being designed by Kurt Cobain and played by Billie Joe Armstrong never hurts, either. // 10

overall: 9.6

Reviewed by: UG Team, on october 24, 2003

Price paid: $ 335

Features: 1996 Japan 22 frets RH,single coil and modified jb seymor humbucker, rosewood neck, Fiesta Red, White Pearl pickguard bridge.. dynamic vibrato do not have the trem bar, nor do I have the hardcase it came with new. // 8

Sound: I used to be in a Nirvana cover band, but have expanded to late ninety's rock as well, but now mostly jam to original tunes written by bandmates and self. The sound I get from this inspires me to go in directions I thought never were possible with one guitar..the Jagstang is very versitile in range on sensitivity on hitting hard or soft and it seems to adjust to any style or clarity. I am using a Fender princeton chorus amp. piggybacked to a Peavey 212 chorus as a cabinet and surprisingly it's sound is like no other! I occasionally swith on the chorus while in overdrive and it boost the distortion to an awesome ambience, that fills any space. A very cool sound! I have modified the humbucker but the rest is orig.stock. For my taste, adding the jb seymor makes all the difference in the world. Also add some Elxir strings, They last! // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: N/A bought from music store and has most likely been set-up to some extent I made a few changes : I raised the humbucker on top side toward the low E sting. raised the action on E, A, B and low E
The weight is perfect and the finish is very attractive, I love the neck and the shape of the fretboard. I have had to solder the wire/s under the volume and tone controls that had shaken loose. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Yes! This Guitar can stand live gigs, I have used this thing countless times and has never failed, only like any other guitar it will go out of tune slightly after about 12-15 songs ..but that is only from me playing so hard on some songs, very natural to go out at some point but very average along with my Stratocaster as well as others. very durable! I have had my strap come off a few times and the butt of the guitar had hit the ground very hard at times, but you could never tell looking at it, that it had been in some accidents. Other than a few dings on the finish(what guitar doesn't have dings?)the guitar is made very well. If you treat something special it will stay special! If you punk it on the ground or smash microphones with it, it will damage and break! Just like a hot rodder paying for expensive tires, then peeling out at every stop sign burning the rubber off. I never understood that! // 10

Impression: I originaly bought this guitar for nostalgic reasons, and did not expect such a fine crafted piece of work. However it was instantly my main axe.I have been playing my Jagstang since early 1998 I own a few other Fender Guitars and amps and have been playing seriously for15 + years.

The Jagstang is a Favorite of mine, it never collects dust! I am now in search of a sonic blue jagstang I would love to have the pair, So I can modify one just a bit different for a back-up. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on december 06, 2004

Price paid: $ 640.5

Purchased from: 3 FEATHERS GALLERY

Features: It has an American Strat single coil pickup, which has the trademark Jangle. It features its own hot humbucker which has plenty beef. I'm not sure of when it was made, but it was crafted in Japan. I'm still not sure of the Fender vibrato though. It's made all of maple I've been told. It has Vintage Schaller tuning locks and an unusual selector Switch. // 8

Sound: I'm sure you'll never be dissapointed with the sound, as it has that expensive Strat single-coil tone, plus the hot humbucker I mentioned earlier. I'm currently using it with a small tube amp and a Korg effects board. Its sounding great! // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar was set up nicely when I got it, but I've lowered the action considerably - and got away with it without any rattle. The sonic blue finish looks great and I love the pearl pickguard. Everything feels well finished and solid. My friends all envy me now! // 10

Reliability & Durability: The finish looks extremely durable, all the hardware looks strong so far. I've only gigged once with it, and it handled it superbly. I have fitted strap locks just to be sure, but the original buttons seemed alright. The pickguard seems completely scratchproof! I would definetely feel confident at future gigs with this guitar. // 10

Impression: I'm currently into Vintage Rock, and I love Joe Perry's style. The humbucker suits Perry and Slash riffs to a tee. I like playing long, relaxed lead solos and the Jag-Stangs playability aids me in this. I would recommend it to any intermediate lead player. My other guitar (unsurprisingly) is an Epiphone 'Joe Perry' LP. I chose the Jag-Stang due to its unparalleled value for money. // 10

overall: 7.8

Reviewed by: Banzai, on july 25, 2006

Price paid: $ 640.5

Purchased from: Soundcontrol @ Manchester

Features: It's a 2004 Japanese reissue, in sonic blue. It has 22 frets, a rosewood fretboard and a maple neck. It has a solid basswood body, with a body type which is a blend of the Mustang and Jaguar (as indicated by the name). The basswood makes it a lot lighter than other guitars, and the pickup controls (two on-off-phase switches, one for each pickup) are easy to use. It also has master volume and tone controls, for the sigle coil and humbucker pickups. The Stratocaster style headstock is laminated, and has the "designed by Kurt Cobain" mark on the back. The only bad feature is the floating tremolo, which makes the whole thing go out of tune if it is so much as breathed on. Also, the body has no contours, which is annoying, but scarcely a serious problem. // 7

Sound: I play a wide variety of musical styles, and it fits most of them very well. As you might expect, it's good for distorion, however the stock pickups are not particularly high quality, and so hamper its sound. The single coil does give a fairly good low-level distortion, but I would still recommend changing the pickups. It is primarily a guitar for rhythm playing, as it is very difficlt to bend the strings a lot, has a shorter scale neck and the basswood body gives it very little sustain. But chords played on it sound wonderful, and you can Switch from powerful and meaty, to gentle and resounding with relative ease. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: When I bought the guitar, it was almost perfectly set up; the only problem I encountered was that the action was too low, causing a sizable amount of string buzz. Other than that it was completely fine, though as mentioned earlier the floating tremolo bridge winds me up endlessly. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I have played it live several times, and it has suffered a few knocks which are only visable upon close inspection. It does have an annoying tendancy to suddenly drop out of tune, but as long as the bridge is left alone, I have found it not to be a problem. // 8

Impression: I think this is a good all round guitar, though as I said, not for lead playing. I have had it for two years, and I am very happy with it, the wonderful tone I can get from it quickly cancels out any of the flaws. If it were stolen, I would be forced to hunt down the theif and subject him/her to a horrifically painful death, as Fender have stopped production. The only thing I wish was different, is a Tune-O-Matic bridge instead of the God awful floating trem. // 8

overall: 8

Reviewed by: joe_lol, on august 13, 2007

Purchased from: ebay

Features: I have one of the new Fender jagstangs the sonic blue one. Made in japan, of course. It has a Basswood body with a 22 fret rosewood neck, floating bridge with a "dynamic" vibrato, "special" Fender pickups (1 single at the neck and a humbucker at the bridge) with an on/off/phase slider, volume, and tone controls. though sometimes when strumming the slider switches catch your hand, which is a pain in the ass. Though I might say the thin neck profile on these guitars are the best I've played on any Fender. // 8

Sound: Plays punk rock and screaming metal well. However, the single coil sucks mostly so I Switch it off and just use tht humbucker. The "special" humbucker is okay. nothing special but does it's job. I use this guitar through my Vox AD50VT, and it can do pretty much anything. I played everything from Green Day and Blink 182 on it to Metallica and Slayer. // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: When I first got this guitar I was basically a noob. Now I play a ESP MH400NT. The action was pretty high so I had to lower it, but that's okay seen as these guitars aren't in production anymore. The "dynamic" vibrato is quit good you can atler the action fairly easily. I bought it new off ebay and it arrived from japan with no faults. It's comfortable to play standing up. But for me the main feature that is quite excellent on theis guitar is the neck. So thin and easy to play so you can have the guitar quite low and have no problems accessing frets. // 8

Reliability & Durability: Mine is fitted with strap locks so no danger of being dropped to stage but at home has been dropped a few thimes though finish has not been damaged. Had this guitar for 2 years and all hardware still works perfectly. Have never used as prime guitar at a gig always back up, my main guitar used to be a Fender tom delonge. I prefer playing the jagstang the Seymour Duncan invader in the tom delonge is awesome. In the past I ahve considered putting one in the jag stang. // 9

Impression: This guitar is perfect for grunge (obiviously) and punk. But for me the main feature that is quite excellent on theis guitar is the neck. So thin and easy to play so you can have the guitar quite low and have no problems accessing frets. Overall I would give it a 8/10. Since this guitar cannot be bought any longer new, it will become a rare find. Though I recomend not paying more than £300 unless you are a hardcore nirvana fan. // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on january 19, 2009

Price paid: $ 500

Purchased from: Roxy Music

Features: I'm not sure what year I bought, but I got this guitar brand-new. It has 22 frets, I'm pretty sure it's a slightly short scale. The neck is Rosewood and it is very thin, both ways. The body is basswood, which I like. Mine came with an Orange finish, which is just o.k. The body style looks like a Mustang and a Jaguar collided at high speed. Overall, it's pretty small, which I like. My model has a dynamic vibrato bridge, which I hate. It has all the annoyances of a Floyd-Rose, with none of the tuning stability. It has a goofy two switches which are double-throw. I think they have somethin to do with in- and out-of-phasing the pickups. The pickups are a single coil in the neck, and the bridge is a humbucker. Mine only came with the gig bag and the whammy bar. // 8

Sound: The single coil up front is actually very well-suited for blues music, it is very rich and melodic. The humbucker is awesome, you can literally play any style from B.B. King to Slipknot and Slayer. Seriously. I've played them all, and they all come out excellently. The neck pickup is the only one that is noisy, but duh, it's a single coil. I don't think there's any amp & pedal setup that I haven't used it with. I've used it on my Fender Vibroverb, Super Amp(at the same time), Princeton Reverb, and my Hot Rod DeVille 212. No amp can make this guitar sound bad. My main pedal is a Distortion Factory, but I've used my Vox Wah, Morely Fuzz-Wah, and my Peavey Effects Processor with it. All with excellent results. I was truly amazed at the humbucker's versatility; you play it through a Metal Zone pedal, and you've got a near-perfect Slipknot tone, with awesome pinch harmonics and everything. I had to take it one step further, though, so I installed an EMG-81 in the bridge and disabled the neck pup. Metal heaven! // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: This instrument was set up very well from the factory. Because I tune to Drop-C and sometimes Drop-B, I use heavy bottom-skinny top strings. My only complaint is that, because of the short scale, when you drop-tune, the strings buzz, so you have to set the action uncomfortably high to stop this. The pickups were adjusted perfectly, but I made the mistake of trying to increase the gain by setting the 'bucker really close to the strings. My mistake. That resulted in a sickly, over-trebeled tone. Set it back to factory, and it was perfect. My only gripe is the high action, which is really annoying when I'm trying to play fast metal riffs. // 6

Reliability & Durability: Oh god. This guitar could take a Live show, and then some. I have: thrown this guitar around a room, onto concrete, against my amps, pulled a Vaughan and stood on the horns and yanked up on the headstock, dropped it while playing behind my head; all to be met with with only minor tuning issues. This guitar is truly built like a brick s#ithouse. The hardware is top-notch. My only recommendation is that you use cords with the 90-degree angle on the end. If you *drop* the guitar on it's face with a straight plug, you will sever your cord, quickly ending your reign of terror. Also, I have never broken a string while playing. Something about the dynamic bridge, just keeps 'em together. I would never use a backup. // 10

Impression: My style has ranged from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan to Slipknot and Job for a Cowboy. The guitar simply suits every style. I've been playing for about 3 years now. If it were stolen, I would find and kill the motherfxcker that stole it. It is my only good metal guitar right now. I love the sound and look of it. I hate the action. My favorite feature is the EMG-81 that I dropped in it. I just wish it had a regular scale, fast, Ibanez-like neck. That would be the perfect guitar. // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 07, 2004

Price paid: $ 450

Purchased from: local dealer

Features: I bought my 2003 Japan reissue - Fender Jag-Stang yesterday and just made a brake playing it while I was asleep. It has a basswood body/rosewood fretboard, a Vintage Strat pickup in the neckposition and a special designed humbucker near the Fender faked tune-o-matic bridge wich is installed onto the dynamic Fender vibrato. The body is a dream a new but Vintage styled body wich is formed after the form A+B=C of Jaguar+Mustang. The edges are good an' round and the body is general well formed and with his original fiesta red nice looking. I couldn't imagine a better shaping (after the Strat of course) of the body.
The tuners are non-locking ones- Vintage style -like to see in the new Fender catalog!they look nice because they're thin.
you got two - phase switches - for the pickups ( one for each- seperatly)
I didn'T have fitting case - damn' it // 8

Sound: The guitar fits me perfectly. It sounds a lil bit like a cheap Strat but otherwise simply like a Jag-Stang! I love the sound (I'm playing punk/grunge rock) and you got lots a choices because of the 3-way switches for each pickup. It just has a little noise like every other guitar has in this price range and your flexible with it with the Vintage single coil Strat pickup you're sounding warm and bluesy just like slowhand! The humbucker could be better but is fine with distortion what this guitar is made for! // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: I in the lucky to say I have a very good specialist guitar dealer in my city he takes the best even out of cheap Yamaha pac's! So that they sounding better than strats and stuff he tuned off the 'low e buzz' and figured out the best wich is a good thing. And I heard a lot of bad thins about this guitar but what can you expect of guitar wich is made for cobain what means to be crushed after every second concert? // 8

Reliability & Durability: Dunno yet. // 6

Impression: A nice guitar - well crafted even in japan and a pleasure to play! // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 24, 2003

Price paid: $ 686.7

Purchased from: Music Maker, Dublin

Features: The Jag-Stang I bought is a reissue of the original. There is 22 frets on it its a solid top all the usual 1 tone and 1 volume control and phase switches to change to singecoils or humbuckers. But these switches tend to get in your way but dont cause too much trouble. // 10

Sound: It suits my music style well because I play in a Nirvana tribute band which suits me perfectly and you can get a really good cobain sound out of it. At the moment I am using 1 Marshall 1960 b cabinet and im using a mesa boogie preamp to Drive it. In terms of effects im using an e/harmonix small clone a Boss DS1 and a Boss DS2. This guitar gives a very rich sound and can numerous sounds thanks to the switches. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: The action was very good I was well impressed the pickups are adjusted ok but I didn't like them that much and put them in a different position. Everything was done and it was a bookmatched top, but the bridge is similar to a Mustang which have a tendency to go out of tune but I've had no problems with it yet and i'm happy to say the guitar had no flaws. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Absolutely this guitar can definately withstand live playing. Yes I'm pretty sure that the hardware will last the finish is good enough to last I dont think it will wear off. The strap buttons are very solid and have gave me no problems at all. I can depend on this guitar for any show. Yes I would use it on a gig without backup. // 10

Impression: I play grunge and this guitar is an exellent match for my style. I have been playing about two years and I own a Fender Standard Strat and a Fender Telecaster. There is nothing I wished I should of asked because I had tested it out before I bought it. I would buy it again if it was stolen. I love the sound of it, I hate the switches and my favourite feature is the neck of the guitar. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on may 30, 2005

Price paid: $ 638.67

Purchased from: Back Alley Music

Features: Made in Japan 2003, 22 frets (I think) and an extremely thin neck. One single coil and one humbucker, 3 settings on each. 1 volume control and one tone. Looks like a Strat been run over and stretched out that my personal impression. // 8

Sound: This guitar suits half my style of music. It is amazing for grunge style and rock rhythm, but useless for emo. The bottom frets fail to work, and the bottom string is impossible to bend without the sound cutting out. There is no variety in the sounds, all settings seem to sound very similar, exept, the single coil sounds very 'twangy', but very similar to the humbucker. // 4

Action, Fit & Finish: I think I may have just got a badly set up model of this guitar, after reading other reviews, though it is nice to play, it sounds aweful. The volume control and jack socket make an aweful fuzz if touched. // 4

Reliability & Durability: I would not use the Jag-Stang in a gig with, or without backup, simply because is lacks the ability to use heavy distortion and the pickups have a tendancy to crackle. The finish is good, would last a long while. // 6

Impression: I have been playing for three years, and play mostly emo style music, this guitar is useless for this. I origionally bought the guitar due to my ex-obsession with Kurt Cobain, and this guitar is perfect for Nirvana style playing. I currenly run it through either a Roland 30watt effects amp, or a powersound pa with a Zoom 1010 pedal. If this guitar were stolen, I would scream with joy, collect the insurance, then go on eBay, and bid on a Gibson SG if I could change anything about the guitar I would change everything to mach the specs of Angus Young's Signature SG. Overall, I was not impressed with this guitar. // 6

Reviewed by: unregistered, on july 08, 2004

Purchased from: dunno, birthday presant

Features: 22 medium-jumbo frets (perfect for big hands like mine!), one humbucker, one single coil, non-locking tuners, 1 volume and 1 tone knob, one 3-way selecter Switch for each pickup, and a Fender floating vibrato. 2003 made in Japan. // 10

Sound: It suits my music very well, I'm playing rock a lot right now and the humbucker at the bridge is great! The single and the neck sounds great in combination with the humbucker, it gives the guitar a very punkish sound. I'm using a 15 watt Peavey amp with a DOD Grunge Pedal and they all sound great together. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: My Jag-Stang was set up almost perfectly at the factory. The action is very low and it is easier to play than a tele-caster. The strap holders could be a little bigger or less slanted on the sides because my strap keeps coming off sometimes. But otherwise, it was set up really great! // 10

Reliability & Durability: The finish is great and probably won't wear off in the near future. But as I said before, the strap buttons could be a little flatter than slanted on the sides. I could probably not take a back up for it at a gig but it's better to be save than sorry. // 8

Impression: It's a great guitar and I probably buy another Jag-Stang if mine was stolen or broken. I've been playing for almost 2 years now and only one other guitar (a Hohner acoustic, also a great guitar!). I love how it sounds. I chose this guitar because I had originally wanted a Fender Mustang just like my dad had but they have been discontinued and this was the closest thing to one so I chose this and I don't regret anything. // 10

Comments

[StratMaster101]

What in the world? That thing looks like crap.

[In Your Honour]

StratMaster101 wrote:

What in the world? That thing looks like crap.

guessing by ur name the only guitars u think arnt crap r stratocasters who cares about ur opinion i think strats look like crap but thats just my opinion so it doesnt matter what i say so if u hate a guitar dont bother tellin us

[Zwart]

but he is right! that thing looks like crap!

[honzo01]

hes right also, it does look like crap and ugly

[RadioMuse]

hmm... Personally I like the normal Jags and Jazzmasters better, them things are HOT. This is okay, unique, not really ugly imo, just nothing real pretty either. Bet it plays great though.

[mikecappa]

if you hadnt known already, Kurt Cobain designed this guitar for HIM, HE wanted it to look that way and sound a certain way so if you dont like it dont ****in say anything

[Zwart]

Ooow that explains a lot! Kurt looks like crap and ugly so his guitar must look ugly too

[Gibson-SG-14]

Zwart wrote:

Ooow that explains a lot! Kurt looks like crap and ugly so his guitar must look ugly too

is that realy the best insult you can come up with? plus the guitar does look like shit in pictures like alot of guitars do its a good guitar for sound yea my Fiesta Red jag-stang does look a bit orange or pink at times but its a good sounding guitar

[Pontius]

Ok, first off, let's get one thing straight. The Jag-stang is an UNFINISHED guitar...that is, Cobain died before he ever actually had it made as well as it could have been. He wasn't satisfied with the blockiness of the guitar and wanted it routed more at the sides with the distinct Fender "taper" at the bottom edge. Also, his guitar contained a Texas Special single coil pickup in the neck position and a Dimarzio H-3 humbucker at the bridge, which was eventually swapped out for a Duncan JB (awesome, and cheap, humbucker btw . Fender wanted to have him endorse it as a signature model, but he either died before he could or just didn't want to. Anyway, the guitar has a lot of potential as long as you're willing to put enough time in it. He swapped the "cigar" bridge for a more stable Tune-o-Matic one as well. The reason I bought it? 24" scale with a single coil pickup and a double coil, and the funky cool shape. It's unique, and when used right sounds really, really good depending on what kind of music you play. And yes, if you practice enough, you CAN play metal on it.

[E V H 5150]

I'm sure it's possible to play metal on any guitar, depending on your amp and pedals, and how well you are with EQ.

[SublimeGuitar]

kurdt (or kurt)wanted the guitar to have a mustang pickup in the neck position and a double rail in the bridge position. Also he wanted it to have contours and found it very uncomfortable to play. He rarly played it.

[sigma69]

i agree with pontius the guitar uf used properly can sound really good

[travman_401]

Zwart wrote:

Ooow that explains a lot! Kurt looks like crap and ugly so his guitar must look ugly too

You sound like my 4 yr old bro. Ill admit I dont care much for this guitar. But you sir, are pathetic.

[kickass13]

Zwart you sound like a right faggot, shut the **** up. Your 4 year old brothers probably more mature than you, by writing those coments shows how much you dont know about music. Fuck off!!!

[KurtCobain23]

the dude frigin shoot his head of withh shootgun and all u can come up with is he looks like crap, and kurt died before the guitar was finished so fender used cheap pickups.

[Hart_Attack]

KurtCobain23 wrote:

the dude frigin shoot his head of withh shootgun and all u can come up with is he looks like crap, and kurt died before the guitar was finished so fender used cheap pickups.

...stay in school kid

[saad_nirvana]

i love the fact that kurt designed it!


i HATE the fact that Billie Joe Armstrong plays it



Punk is indeed Dead

[benkarton]

i have a gibson sg standard and a fender jagstang. they are both good. the jagstang has that cool twang and versatile sound. the sg can f***ing rock my socks of with its warm sound and easy playability. so yea they are both awesome guitars. YEAAA!

[benkarton]

jag-stang rules

[troykeenan]

the other guitarist in my band plays a jag-stang. i think it sounds amazing and i love playing it but i also think its one ugly guitar

[nirvanapwns]

KurtCobain23 wrote:

the dude frigin shoot his head of withh shootgun and all u can come up with is he looks like crap, and kurt died before the guitar was finished so fender used cheap pickups.

he did get to play one before his death and he was disapointed by it and saad_nirvana i agree punk is death green day killed it

[urkittenpoo]

Why is everyone saying it's ugly? Let me guess, Jag-stang bad, Stratocaster good, Gibson good, different bad. It's different--that's it. I think Les Paul's look like kitten poo. (yes I think kitten poo is funny) If you think it sucks you design a better one.

[benthegrunge]

y r u all talkin about looks?

[PsYkOcHiPmUnK92]

god, this went from a guitar review to an insult contest. this defeats the purpose of this small board. can we keep on topic please?

as for the guitar; i am a fan of nirvana. i really havent gotten a chance to pick up one of these. but i cant judge on looks either. i do like the unique look that it has. i hope to pick one up sooner or later.

keep rockin' guys,
Peace

[acoustielectric]

saad_nirvana wrote:

i love the fact that kurt designed it!

i HATE the fact that Billie Joe Armstrong plays it

Punk is indeed Dead

Music is dead...

[IRISH_PUNK13]

ok you all need to stop bitching about the looks. its more important how it sounds and feels when you play, not how cool it looks. those of you who think looks are more important than tone are idiots.

[sigma69]

I own one of these and its amzing the kind of ignorant comments you can read in these pages
this guitar is INCREDIBLY VERSATILE i haven't found any sound sound i can't nail with it from clean glassy to heavy grunge and i didn't even need to change the pickups the only bad thing about this guitar is the poor sustain probably due to the short scale length but that just makes it easyer to play in my opinion

KURT DESIGNED AN AWESOME GUITAR

[PunkyJunky]

First Of All Billie Joe Plays A Blue Fernandes Stratocaster. And Stop Fighting About Looks?
Does That Really Matter?
Im Saving Up For One By The Way.
Its About 400Bucks...
Is That A Good Price

['93]

i dont really like it, never tried one but i dont really like the shape and there are no contours (like other fenders) wnhich imo would make it a bit uncomfortable (dont like guitars withough countours)