Well, I haven’t seen any official announcement from Fender yet, but the company has apparently added three new models to its popular mid-range “Classic” line of guitars––the Jazzmaster Special, Jaguar Special, and Jaguar Special HH.
There’s still a bit of confusion as to what we’re seeing here, though.
At least a few of the major online guitar retailers have the instruments listed as “Classic Player’s” guitars, which in keeping with other Classic Player models would suggest they were designed by the Fender Custom Shop and produced in Mexico.
However, Fender’s new product pages have all three guitars listed only as “Special,” with no mention of a Custom Shop heritage whatsoever… I guess we’ll have to wait and see how this one plays out.
Still, if they share the same quality as the other guitars in the Classic line, all three new models will undoubtedly be popular with those looking for a vintage-styled Jazzmaster or Jaguar at about half the price of an American Vintage instrument.
A Few Standout Features All three guitars have been update with a newly designed Adjusto-Matic bridge with floating Tremolo tailpiece, flatter 9.5“ radius fretboard, and an improved neck pocket with increased back-angle for better sustain and stability.
The Jazzmaster Special and Jaguar Special both feature hotter ”Special Design Hot“ pickups, and the Jaguar Special sports a pair of Enforcer Humbuckers wired with a unique Humbucker/Single Coil Blend switch.
Prices are starting at around $799.00, which includes a Deluxe gig bag.
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May 23rd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Perfect timing, I was just looking around for a Jazzmaster (I’ve wanted once since I saw Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus with one).
The “Arctic White” color is tops.
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Nooooo! The beauty and appeal of these two guitars is that they lacked sustain and had their own charms, feel and sound other than just having different pickups from a Strat.
Ugh, and moving up the tremolo makes the guitars look like shite. Totally throws off the aesthetic balance.
That’s my 2 cents. I got very excited about the prospect of a MIM Jaguar and Jazzmaster till I saw and read what Fender did. Looks like the J Mascis Jazzmaster it is.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:19 am
dbell, your comments are spot on. I own a 66 Jag, and I love it for what it is, with all of its quirks, funky looks, and beautiful (but different) tones. I can understand going with a better bridge, as the original design allows strings to jump out of their saddles once in a while. But the rest? Leave it as is!
Instead of messing with the design, how about bringing out some cool colors (sonic blue? shoreline gold?)
May 26th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Great news (well, bad news for my wallet)! I love the look of the Jazzmaster, but didn’t want to pay the price for the reissue. This fits nicely into my budget. I’m looking forward to hearing what these guitars sound like.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Check out this website:
http://www.jag-stang.com/index.php
May 29th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
dbell and tom l, fender is not ceasing production of the AVRI jags and jazzies! more guitar choices = better. look how many millions of different strats there are. and dude, you have a vintage 66 jag. this guitar is for the rest of us who are not so lucky.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
ben, you’re right — I am very lucky, as I bought that guitar in 83 for $250!
And I know Fender’s still making the Am Vintage guitars. All I’m saying is I agree with dbell’s observation — moving the trem closer to the bridge is aesthetically a negative. I’d rather see Fender release a Classic series Jag/Jazzmaster that keeps the original specs, goes with the improved bridge, and offers a wider range of colors. That would be a really cool guitar.
Having said that, I am curious to hear what the Jag sounds like with Humbuckers…so I guess I’m not TOTALLY against change. ;)
June 13th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Wow, that is an amazing price for the jazzmaster. Defiantly in my budget. It looks quite vintage too!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
i actually just bought the classic player jazzmaster two weeks ago. ive been wanting a jazzmaster for about six years and am so grateful that fender finally put one out that i can afford. i dont have 4 g’s to drop on a vintage one. and i must say that i am completely in love with this guitar. its so different from anything that i have ever played, it sounds huge!!! and the quality of the guitar is incredible!
July 28th, 2008 at 3:06 am
I own one of these beautiful pieces of work and really enjoy it! The sound is slightly hotter because the pickups are hotter. XD
Tom L, the Jaguar sounds amazing with the humbuckers, but overall I thought the Jazzmaster was the best sounding.