Fender Jag '62 reissue VS. vintage Jag

DanGo · 3rd August 2011

I'm selling off some equipment and looking to invest in a guitar which will appreciate in value over time. I'm really liking the Fender Jag.

Several questions for those who know (and I know a lot of you do or at least have opinions!):

1. Vintage vs. the American-made '62 reissue? Will both appreciate in value, do you think? I do not plan to store it--it will be used.

2. If I play the guitar a lot in the studio (just me--it's a composer studio), is that gonna devalue a vintage guitar too much?

3. Is the Fender Jag any kind of investment? Or are valuable vintage guitars still really only Strats and Les Pauls?

If it's not much of an investment, I might as well go with the Mexican made Classic Player (Japanese style switches and splittable humbuckers) for variety in the studio... Or is that a mistake for a guy who appreciates good guitars (I've got several really nice ones)?

Thanks, gang.

Fisticuffs · 3rd August 2011

The vintage is the better investment but a worse option if you plan to use it a lot. Using it won;t hurt its value it'll just be a bit more finnicky. The Reissue might appreciate... in 50 years or so.... maybe.

Ron Vogel · 3rd August 2011

By all means the actual vintage. The re-issue MAY appreciate, but it will be very little and depending on econimic times may actually go down.

Jags are harder to sell than a strat, and values won't appreciate much either way.

Want a good guitar that's inexpensive AND will appreciate? Buy a vintage lawsuit guitar from the mid to late 70's, or one of the Japanese fenders from the late 80's/early '90s.

DanGo · 3rd August 2011

Thanks, Ron and Fisticuffs!

Ron, are you talking about Jags from those periods? Or just Fenders generally?

Dan

Ron Vogel · 4th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanGo

Thanks, Ron and Fisticuffs!

Ron, are you talking about Jags from those periods? Or just Fenders generally?

Dan

Just Fenders generally. The Jag is a nice guitar, just not for everybody...market is much smaller for it unlike a strat/tele or les paul. Only reason for it. I don't have much playing time on the reissues so I can't comment on quality; however, the resale isn't there (at least for now) until Fender screws up big again, and everyone waxes poetic on how good they were until xxx happened.

If you are just looking for a good Fender that's recent, around the mid 90's they were at the top of their game with the american standards. Values have held steady on them, so at least you'll get back out of it what you put in, it'll take forever to get your money out of one off the shelf.

FFTT · 6th August 2011

Unless you can score pre CBS vintage, I'd go for a clean used USA
Fender as your workhorse guitar.

Security becomes a serious issue with any vintage guitar, especially
if you're playing out.

It can become a burden when you simply can not take your eyes off of it
for a moment at the clubs, hotels etc.

For home and studio, sure if you can weed through all the vintage offerings
to find something special.

eyeball_kid · 7th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFTT

Security becomes a serious issue with any vintage guitar, especially
if you're playing out.

It can become a burden when you simply can not take your eyes off of it
for a moment at the clubs, hotels etc.

For home and studio, sure if you can weed through all the vintage offerings
to find something special.

No kidding. Even when you're a big band it happens. I still remember when all of Sonic Youth's guitars/gear got stolen at the This Ain't No Picnic festival a few years ago. And those weren't mostly even vintage...but in a way even more irreplaceable because they had customized the hell out of them.

I have an original '58 Gretsch Duojet that I would never ever think of doing a show with for exactly that reason. Just not worth it. I mean, you don't see singers bringing vintage U47s to sing through at shows (it is interesting to wonder why most everyone sings out of the house SM58s even when the mic may not suit their voice).

Musiclab · 7th August 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fisticuffs

The vintage is the better investment but a worse option if you plan to use it a lot. Using it won;t hurt its value it'll just be a bit more finnicky. The Reissue might appreciate... in 50 years or so.... maybe.

so long as you don't bang it up

FFTT · 7th August 2011

I agree that the early-mid 90's USA Fenders were some of the best
I had played in decades.

My '93 Strat Plus with all Gold Lace Sensors is an absolute keeper.

The hard work is taking the time to hunt down a well kept guitar
that feels right and plays right for your needs.

It's hard to believe this guitar is 18 years old now, well seasoned
with everything settled in, perfect neck, perfect intonation.

DanGo · 9th August 2011

Yeah, these are all good points and increasingly, I'm reminded of why I was considering getting a reissue. I don't really like strats and since those are the money guitars, I think I'd need to get one if I wanted an investment... No point. I recently bought a Hagstrom Swede as a Les Paul style metal guitar. It's perfect for that and makes me happy enough that I don't care about resale. I think probably the same goes for the MIM Jag: if it feels and sounds good, it is good (enough for my purposes).

skylabfilmpop · 21st August 2011

Id look for a refinned, stripped or minor issues pre 65 Jag. IMO its night and day compared to a reissue just based on the effect of the wood (naturally aged old growth) and finish (nitro). The fact that someons been strummin it for 50 years will help immensely too. I think an issues Jag from 59-64 will probably run you about $2500 not a lot of $$

drbob1 · 21st August 2011

This^

A well-loved Jag shouldn't cost you any more than $2k in today's market. There is something about that old wood and aged magnets that just sounds better to my ears than most modern guitars. That said, consider the Jazzmaster, too. With the longer scale it's got more of the snap that Fender's are known for, and the overwound pickups have more guts, sorta like a P90 Gibson. Prices are a little higher, maybe another $500-1000 for a well loved Jazzmaster.

As to playing them out, a $2k guitar isn't at all unusual in todays world. Heck, most USA Gibsons and all custom shop guitars are more than that, I wouldn't hesitate to take it out. A worn and naturally relic'd guitar is NOT going to be devalued by playing. You might need a refret eventually, not a problem for a road warrior. As for stability, the old guitar has done all the twisting it's going to, get a decent setup twice yearly (when the humidity changes) and you're done. Who knows what a reissue will play like in 5 years!

3rd August 2011	#1
DanGo Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 518 Thread Starter	Fender Jag '62 reissue VS. vintage Jag I'm selling off some equipment and looking to invest in a guitar which will appreciate in value over time. I'm really liking the Fender Jag. Several questions for those who know (and I know a lot of you do or at least have opinions!): 1. Vintage vs. the American-made '62 reissue? Will both appreciate in value, do you think? I do not plan to store it--it will be used. 2. If I play the guitar a lot in the studio (just me--it's a composer studio), is that gonna devalue a vintage guitar too much? 3. Is the Fender Jag any kind of investment? Or are valuable vintage guitars still really only Strats and Les Pauls? If it's not much of an investment, I might as well go with the Mexican made Classic Player (Japanese style switches and splittable humbuckers) for variety in the studio... Or is that a mistake for a guy who appreciates good guitars (I've got several really nice ones)? Thanks, gang. __________________ composer/producer www.FutureTenseMusic.com

3rd August 2011	#3
Ron Vogel cork sniffer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,413	By all means the actual vintage. The re-issue MAY appreciate, but it will be very little and depending on econimic times may actually go down. Jags are harder to sell than a strat, and values won't appreciate much either way. Want a good guitar that's inexpensive AND will appreciate? Buy a vintage lawsuit guitar from the mid to late 70's, or one of the Japanese fenders from the late 80's/early '90s. __________________ my music:http://soundcloud.com/ron-vogel

6th August 2011	#6
FFTT Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,766	Unless you can score pre CBS vintage, I'd go for a clean used USA Fender as your workhorse guitar. Security becomes a serious issue with any vintage guitar, especially if you're playing out. It can become a burden when you simply can not take your eyes off of it for a moment at the clubs, hotels etc. For home and studio, sure if you can weed through all the vintage offerings to find something special. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice Put music in your heart and heart in your music

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3rd August 2011	#2
Fisticuffs Gear Head Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 43	The vintage is the better investment but a worse option if you plan to use it a lot. Using it won;t hurt its value it'll just be a bit more finnicky. The Reissue might appreciate... in 50 years or so.... maybe.

7th August 2011	#9
FFTT Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 5,766	I agree that the early-mid 90's USA Fenders were some of the best I had played in decades. My '93 Strat Plus with all Gold Lace Sensors is an absolute keeper. The hard work is taking the time to hunt down a well kept guitar that feels right and plays right for your needs. It's hard to believe this guitar is 18 years old now, well seasoned with everything settled in, perfect neck, perfect intonation.

9th August 2011	#10
DanGo Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 518 Thread Starter	Yeah, these are all good points and increasingly, I'm reminded of why I was considering getting a reissue. I don't really like strats and since those are the money guitars, I think I'd need to get one if I wanted an investment... No point. I recently bought a Hagstrom Swede as a Les Paul style metal guitar. It's perfect for that and makes me happy enough that I don't care about resale. I think probably the same goes for the MIM Jag: if it feels and sounds good, it is good (enough for my purposes).

21st August 2011	#11
skylabfilmpop Gear addict Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 480	Id look for a refinned, stripped or minor issues pre 65 Jag. IMO its night and day compared to a reissue just based on the effect of the wood (naturally aged old growth) and finish (nitro). The fact that someons been strummin it for 50 years will help immensely too. I think an issues Jag from 59-64 will probably run you about $2500 not a lot of $$

21st August 2011	#12
drbob1 Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,420 3 Reviews written	This^ A well-loved Jag shouldn't cost you any more than $2k in today's market. There is something about that old wood and aged magnets that just sounds better to my ears than most modern guitars. That said, consider the Jazzmaster, too. With the longer scale it's got more of the snap that Fender's are known for, and the overwound pickups have more guts, sorta like a P90 Gibson. Prices are a little higher, maybe another $500-1000 for a well loved Jazzmaster. As to playing them out, a $2k guitar isn't at all unusual in todays world. Heck, most USA Gibsons and all custom shop guitars are more than that, I wouldn't hesitate to take it out. A worn and naturally relic'd guitar is NOT going to be devalued by playing. You might need a refret eventually, not a problem for a road warrior. As for stability, the old guitar has done all the twisting it's going to, get a decent setup twice yearly (when the humidity changes) and you're done. Who knows what a reissue will play like in 5 years!