Fender Deluxe Jaguar Electric Bass
Jaguar + bass = a fresh Fender with old-school mojo. Dig the thin C-shaped neck, rosewood fretboard with 20 vintage-style frets, and vintage Jazz pickups.
Overall User Ratings (based on 68 ratings)
Submitted July 10, 2011 by a customer from gmail.com
"A worthy 21st Century addition to the Tradition of Great Fender Basses: A HOMERUN for Fender Japan!"
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At this price-point, this bass is a homerun! $750 USD for a Japanese made Fender that is well-constructed, visually appealing, sounds great, tonally flexible, and unique. This bass is not a Japanese re-issue of some American Fender from the '60's - it is a bass conceived of in the 21st century in top quality by Fender Japan with a generous nod to Fender's storied past.
Sound
Sounds essentially like a jazz bass, but due to the series/parallel option, and active electronics, can go far beyond jazz bass tonally. Pickup spacing is wide, a la '70's jazz bass... It sounds "Fender-y"... The bass seems to have no problem going from Motown thump to smooth fingerstyle jazz (bridge p/u solo'ed, passive tone rolled back slightly, and a touch of active bass boost) with no loss of bottom-end, to classic '70's jazz bass slap (both pickups on, passive tone up, active electronics off) to modern gospel slap (active electronics on), to more modern rocking tones (p/u's in parallel, active ON)... Background hum may be an issue in a recording, but live shouldnt be a problem. If too much hum, modifications such as copper shielding and/or pickup change can be done.
Features
Again, this is a jazz bass - well made, with '70's pickup spacing (allowing for more top end on the slap tone, like the Marcus Miller bass). The series/parallel option as well as the passive/active option allow much greater tone options than a typical J- or P-bass would. Some may lament the absence of individual volume knobs for each pickup, but I think this "lack" of flexibility is more than made up for by presence of the active electronics and series/parallel switch.
Ease of Use
The switches may be intimidating at first, but just by playing around with the instrument and exploring its creative possibilities, any fear of complicated electronics layout will be overcome. This is a four-string Fender bass guitar with great flexibility. The neck is feels like a nice, comfortable, thin jazz bass neck. Truss rod adjustments are made at the headstock (like a '70's Fender), allowing the player to make adjustments in neck relief without having to remove the neck.
Quality
Fender Japan is a close second in quality to US made products. In fact, I prefer this bass in terms of construction, aesthetics, and tone to the basses coming out of Fender USA and Mexico. It is a great value - a lot of bass for the money. It is well-constructed, no paint or technical issues that I can find. Frets were level, tuners were smooth, neck fit nicely in the body...
Value
At this price point, we have a Fender bass that is well constructed, looks cool, and sounds fantastic. Resell value of this bass should be high given that it is Japanese-crafted and is unique.
Manufacturer Support
Have not dealt with Fender regarding this instrument.
The Wow Factor
This is totally Fender - looks like a re-issue of a late-60's Fender bass. The colour, the chrome, the matching headstock (hot red red only), and the pearlioid block inlays over dark rosewood make this bass visually appealing. A close look at the vintage-tinted maple neck shows prominent wood grain pattern running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the neck... delectable!
Musical Background:
Active Musician / 20+ years
Musical Style:
Jazz/Funk/R&B/Rock/Blues
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Submitted February 15, 2009 by a customer from hotmail.com
"One Rippin' Kitten!"
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This bass instantly became my main axe, and will continue to be for years to come. I did quite a bit of research on the product and played numerous ones before I brought one home. If it was stolen, I would get another one as soon as I got out of prison for ambushing the jerk that stole it.
Sound
The versatility of this bass is awesome. It's overall tone hovers around a Deluxe (active) Jazz bass, but you can get some pretty convincing P-Bass thump out of it as well. I have two different bands, a country act and a hard rock band. I use this bass for both as I can get a nice hit-you-in-the-chest thump for some simple country licks, or a ballzy grind with some nice mides for my rock act.
Features
As I'm sure you've noticed, this bass has enough knobs and switches to fly a plane with. These features give you the option of truely carving out your sound. If you use an Ampeg or other boutique style head, often you are shorted the option of a lot of knobs to use to dial in that perfect sound. This bass lets you carry every aspect of your tone right under your pickguard.
Ease of Use
Sure, the air-traffic-control interface takes a little while to get used to, but it really is a lot simpler to use than it looks. After owning the bass for about 3 days, I was sweeping knobs and switches on stage with pure confidence. I still find cool new combinations of switches every once in a while that give me all-new inspiration.
Quality
The Japanese sect of Fender is by far the best bang for your buck. I've played them all, from Squiers to AmStands, and the best price point in all of Fender is their Japs. Just a little under the quality of an American, but waay under the price. To me, quality vs. price, it's a no-brainer.
Value
If you're not sure which Fender bass you want, simply because you've tried and love them all, then that should be this bass's biggest selling point. I literally lined up a Fender Jazz, P-Bass, and Marcus Miller's sig model and was able to recreate all those basses using this one. It really is like 3+ basses in one, for less than one of them! This bass will save you from having to buy the other two basses, so by my logic, it's worth 3 times what I payed for it! That's value!
Manufacturer Support
Not concerning this bass, but I've delt with Fender before. Pretty nice chaps, although you can be on hold for a while. Once you get a hold of them, they are very easy to deal with and very pleasant and knowledgable.
The Wow Factor
The bass is super sexy. I've played it live regularly since I've bought it, and other bassists with Music Mans, Specters, Warwicks and the like all come up to me and ask me about it. It's just the right amount of chrome and class with a modern spin. The looks are what first attracted me to this bass, and if I ever decide to stop playing it, it'll simply become a wall ornament so I can continue to marvel at it.
Musical Background:
Sessionist and Live player
Musical Style:
Funk, Country, Rock
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Submitted January 23, 2013 by Matty Bryson in Baltimore, MD
"Stellar Bass!"
Owned it for a bit now; played a few gigs with my band The Thiefs, and done some recording with said band. It's a Jazz bass for all practical purpose, but with those awesome Jag controls. And the body style is quite comfy, and looks awesome. I got the Candy Apple, and it's gorgeous.
High Points: The serial/parallel switch is now a must have feature on any bass I consider - totally changes the sound; makes a Jazz config sound like a P, but with that single coil articulation. Very cool.
The Active/Passive is great for being in a one guitar band - with a little practice, you can hit the switch on the fly, and really add bottom when the guitarist goes to solo; very useful.
The only downside(and it's VERY minor) is the lack of dual volume controls. This would make it completely tone sculpt-able, IMO. But, it's not that big a deal, the tones available with the on/off switches is awesome. This bass recorded excellent as well; I cut our entire EP using many different settings to get the sounds needed for 4 different style tunes. (Rock, Punk, Funk, Blues)
Quality is off the charts. Of course I've played the million dollar American Fender's at the music hut(and their awesome too), and although I may be biased, I really feel that Fender Japan put their best into the craftsmanship with this one. Well done, and arigatou gozaimasu!
Top Tones:
Both pups on, passive, full tone. Both series & (roar!)parallel, given the tune. Great rock and funk tone.
Neck pup, Active on, EQ to song & taste. Bold, articulate, and defined. Hard rock/metal tastiness. Very P-ish, with minimal hum for a straight single coil.
Bridge pup, Active on, full bass & treble. Total spectrum, and good articulation, and again, very little hum for a single. Good for making the right hand fingers sound 'pickish' if plucked back by the bridge.
As usual(seriously, no apple polishing), zZounds was terrific in their customer service. The Pay Plans really help a working musician, and in email, phone, and chat, they go the distance to get you set. Thanks guys!
To sum up, wish it had separate volumes, but completely stoked anyway. Love this bass; it's my main ride now(I own/have played many basses), and would replace it in a heartbeat if lost or stolen. Thanks Fender Japan & zZounds for helping to make it happen. RAWK!
Musical Background:
20 years +, rock, funk, punk - you name it. Gigging musician. Love music.
Musical Style:
The Thiefs play rock and roll with any influence we like. Funk, punk, Alt, you name it. Genres are for sissies!
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Submitted February 8, 2011 by a customer from shaw.ca
"I've had it on stage and I'm champing at the bit to get it back on stage this weekend. I haven't played either of the others thi"
My #1 bass is a 1999 American Deluxe Jazz & my #2 bass is a 2003 American Series Precision...
The Jaguar bass is now my #1, the 'P' is now #3
'Nuff said.
Sound
it starts as a passive jazz bass. It then goes on to be an active jazz bass, passive Precision bass and on past sounding like an Ibanez, Warwick or what ever you want it to sound li8ke.
Features
The Canadian market gets a Fender gig bag with it. I upgraded it to a deluxe tweed gig bag. It seems to suit the classy style of the bass.
Ease of Use
it is easy to learn, if you have an IQ over 75. 2 onn/off switches & a series/parralel switch. Also an active/passive swithc, with treble & bass on the active circuit and the standard volume & tone knobs. It ain't that complex, but it will give what ever sound you want, whenever you want it.
Quality
The fit & finish are OK. The action was standard factory. I immediately had Barry Ewart Guitars shield the cavities with copper foil and dress & crown the frets and roll the fingerboard edges like an american standard. It is now an absolutely amazing bass.
The price point of this bass gives you room to do the final touches. You are already getting a lot for the buck.
Value
In Canada, american standard jazz & 'P' basses run around #1200 > $1300.s At the price point of the Jaguar bass, it is good value.
if you expect the Jaguar bass to be what an american standard is, then expect to pay between $1800 > $2000. All those switches & controls do cost money to engineer & install.
Manufacturer Support
If you have a hum problem when it's new, that's warranty. If the frets stick out the sides of the fretboard, that warranty.
Fender's after sales service is disappointing, but the warranty service through the store, (Long & McQuade Canada) is terrific.
The Wow Factor
I out on a 'P' bass bridge cover. It's a 3 colour sunburst and it looks REALLY CLASSY.
Musical Background:
weekend warriar
Musical Style:
country, rock, R & B, Blues
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Submitted January 27, 2013 by JoeW W in Pittsburgh, PA
"A really well built, and really fun bass."
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When I first saw this, I realized I just had to have one. It plays pretty well out of the box and fit and finish are superb. But I'm fussy about my setup, so I went at it. There was room for improvement in the nut height. It was a cut a bit higher than my American J Deluxe, so I filed it down a bit. ( I also filed the MJD down, but much less). I was falling in love. But, I can't leave well enough alone, so I dove into the electronics. I replaced the pickups with DiMarzio 123s. These are split coils, with each coil having it's own set of leads, like a humbecker. From here, I repurposed the the slide switches to select series/parallel on each pickup, keeping the master series/parallel. The lower controls are now a stacked volume/tone and blend. The thing is a tone monster now. I can dial up at least 8 pickup setting before I even touch the pre, which I replaced with an Aguilar OBP-2.
Out of the box, it ws a very nice bass. With a little setup, it got sweet. With the revamped electronics, it's flat out insane.
Musical Background:
Once and future pro. 40 years
Musical Style:
Jazz, blues, carribean.
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Submitted December 19, 2012 by Bassy T
"Fender's Newest Innovation"
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This bass delivers the goods. You can get anywhere from real thin passive to aggressive active sounds out of this instrument. You really can't go wrong with this bass. This is the first bass I've ever played that sounds just as good in passive or active mode. And you don't have re-set passive tone when switching to active (and vice versa). Once you get used to the controls, you can fly on this baby. I've owned vintage (and modern) jazz basses, and this one is way more flexible. This bass sorta feels like a 60's jazz, too.
Musical Background:
working musician for 30+ years
Musical Style:
rock, jazz, blues, country, gospel, r&b....etc
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Submitted May 24, 2007 by a customer from earthlink.net
"Outrageous Jag Bass!!!"
Wish it were available in more colors.
Sound
Two Jazz Bass pickups in series - huge and deep !! Plus all the usual and unusual Jazz Bass sounds from Jaco to Jones.
Features
Series-parallel switching and active preamp as well !!! Incredible!! Wish more colors were available!
Ease of Use
More switches, but just as easy to use as a standard Jazz Bass.
Quality
right up there with the usual Fender high quality.
Value
Can't believe they can sell this bass for this low of a price.
Manufacturer Support
Needed a manual - they got back to me the same day.
The Wow Factor
This Jag has outrageous sex appeal !! chrome and switches.......
Musical Background:
Active musician, recording engineer
Musical Style:
all but country and opera
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Submitted June 14, 2013 by Ron S in Fort Worth, TX
"The Jag!"
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I just received my Jag yesterday and I've gotta say, I'm in love! This jag is really versatile and depending on what you play you can get the right tone from playing with the knobs and switches on the jag. My only problem with it when i first played it, was probably the strings and how it made a really loud and annoying buzzing noise against my fretboard, but all of that can get fixed and replaced with a new setup! I'm very happy with this bass, and once i'm done with the modifications i'll be doing to it, i know i will be even more happier :)
Musical Background:
6 years of playing. Fender Jazz bass, Sunn Coliseum 300, Ampeg 610.
Musical Style:
Grunge, hardcore, shoegaze, doom
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Submitted July 14, 2008 by a customer from townisp.com
"Fender Jaguar Bass Owners comments"
Sound
I have been using a red Jag Bass for about a year, and the tonal variation is superior to anything else I have tried. It thumps way more than other fender basses that I own, which are all MIJ 60's reissues. I had the bass setup professionally when I got it, and added a chrome bridge cover (more chrome??). The only issue I experienced was the individual string volumes were not equal, the E string was so much more prominent than the other strings. Use .045-.100 strings and lowered the factory-set string heights and it plays like a dream. Highly Recommend this bass.
Musical Background:
playing guitar and bass since 1965, active musician
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Submitted November 19, 2012 by Mike T in Knoxville, TN
"An Excellent Experience!"
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Delivered as promised - very quickly! zZounds is a first-class operation. The Fender Jaguar Bass is everything described. I've been playing for 45 years, and this is the best looking and most versatile bass I've ever owned (and I've owned them all!) Their "Play-As-You-Pay" program is a winner! I will absolutely buy from zZounds again!
Musical Background:
Play professionally for over 45 years. Mainly bass, lead vocals also blues harps
Musical Style:
Rockabilly, blues, funk, classic rock, big band, oldies, doo-wop, etc...
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Submitted September 12, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Mine is a lemon."
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Sound
Brand new the preamp switch or battery contacts
are defective. It snap, crackle, pops like Rice Cripies.
Features
Might be a 10 if they worked!
Ease of Use
I guess I've gotta lemon.
Quality
Great fit and finish looks great .... if it would only play.
Value
If you are fortunate enough to get one that
is non defective.
Manufacturer Support
n/a
The Wow Factor
its a looker, a real hottie, but sound is important too.
Musical Background:
getting active
Musical Style:
surf rock
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Submitted October 18, 2012 by John P in Austin, TX
"Fender Deluxe Jaguar Electric Bass (Candy-Apple Red)"
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I've been a bass player for 30+ years and have always used Fender Jazz and Precision basses. I wanted a Jaguar bass because, first of all, it's a Fender, and I liked the way it looked! It is a well-made instrument and lives up to the high standards of Fender quality. It produces all of the great Fender Jazz and Precision sounds and many more. The only adjustment I have had to make in my playing is due to the slightly different spacing and positioning of the pickups. It's a minor adjustment and is not a big deal. The Jaguar bass gets some really great rock and roll tones.It's everything the product description and reviews say it is. It looks cool, plays well and sounds great.
Musical Background:
I've been playing music all of my adult life, over thirty years. I play bass guitar mostly, semi-professionally.
Musical Style:
Rock, blues, country.
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Submitted November 27, 2008
"Ehh..."
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Sound
There is a buzz from poor grounding. I considered having it fixed but instead returned it within the period of time I had to try it at home.
Features
I gave it a 10 on features because of all the switches and doo-dads. Download the switching diagram if the bass does not ship with a copy of the page that tells you what each switch and knob does.
Ease of Use
The buzz made it hard to get a sound that worked for me.
Quality
It was o.k. but I expected more from a $750 bass.
Value
Better bang for the buck can be had with the new line of Squire basses. I like the Custom Vibe Jazz bass that Squire just released.
Manufacturer Support
I don't know, since I didn't go back to Fender regarding the buzz issue. Online forums I looked at reported similar buzz issues, so rather than trying to deal with it I sent it back before the trial period had run. The only other bass I've had to return was the Epiphone version of the Blackbird bass.
The Wow Factor
It is a cool looking bass. I got the Hot Rod Red one. Looked good, but, again, sound is the more important attribute, and I was disappointed.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Rock
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Submitted October 24, 2006
Fender Deluxe Jaguar Bass Customer Review
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
just so completely enthralled with this instrument. cant say anything else.
Sound
both active and passive give the player a plethera of options for sound, from a sexy, low dub to a punchy punk
Features
great features on the guitar. tons of switches to take you to your hearts content (didn't get a 10 'cause there wasn't a case with it)
Ease of Use
probably the easiest bass to get all the sounds you want. period.
Quality
great, solid construction.
Value
couldn't find anything else in the same price range.
The Wow Factor
love at first sight...
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