Guitar Dilema

SNAKEBITE

Apologies for what is rather an odd post.......

I am in the position where I have been left a quantity of money from a relative, exact amount unknown but sufficient to allow me to do what I suggest.

I wanted to buy a guitar that would remind me of them every time I picked it up. Now having got 2 Strats, a Tele, A Jagmaster and a Gretsch I was thinking about either a Jaguar or a Jazzmaster. I love surf music so I thought this would fill a hole in my "collection".

I know nothing about Jaguars of Jazzmasters so I'd thought I'd take a look in the local emporium.

I have narrowed it down to 2. The full blown £1500 Jaguar or the £400 Squier Jaguar.

This is the point where I need some sound advice.....

I'm not a talented player and never will be. Can I justify the extra £1100 on what effectively will be wasted on my (lack of) talent?

This purchase is about having something nice, not because I need it, but because I'm in a position that I can

Note: I don't want second hand of other makes, both good options but not in this case.

munckee

What about a classic lacquer Mexican jag around £900 as a good quality mid point which will age well?

GuyR

Go full fat.You will derive more pleasure from playing it and are more likely to play it more often, which is the point of having it, especially if in effect money is no object. If there were a formula for total guitar expense against talent, most of us on here would be in deficit, I suspect......

zepp76

It doesn't matter that you're not a talented guitarist, if you've got the money to do it then go for it. Life is too short, fill it with nice things!

Henrytwang

If you have the money go for the USA Jag. When spending big money on a a good guitar it’s a good idea to try a few if possible. It might cost a bit more to buy from a real bricks and mortar shop but it’s better than the lottery of buying on line.

boogieman

If I’d spent my money on guitars relative to my amount of talent I’d be playing a Chinese Strat copy.  . Go for what looks and feels right....personally I’d get the best I could afford. 

SlopeSoarer

SNAKEBITE said:

Apologies for what is rather an odd post.......

I am in the position where I have been left a quantity of money from a relative, exact amount unknown but sufficient to allow me to do what I suggest.

I wanted to buy a guitar that would remind me of them every time I picked it up. Now having got 2 Strats, a Tele, A Jagmaster and a Gretsch I was thinking about either a Jaguar or a Jazzmaster. I love surf music so I thought this would fill a hole in my "collection".

I know nothing about Jaguars of Jazzmasters so I'd thought I'd take a look in the local emporium.

I have narrowed it down to 2. The full blown £1500 Jaguar or the £400 Squier Jaguar.

This is the point where I need some sound advice.....

I'm not a talented player and never will be. Can I justify the extra £1100 on what effectively will be wasted on my (lack of) talent?

This purchase is about having something nice, not because I need it, but because I'm in a position that I can

Note: I don't want second hand of other makes, both good options but not in this case.

I can understand your dilemma but suspect your relative would like you to have the better guitar and equally I think in the longer term you will feel that you made the better decision. 

It will never be wasted as it sounds like you'll cherish the memories: )

midlifecrisis

In honour of your relative buy the full blown jaguar. everytime you pick it up to play you dont want to think that you cheaped out on them, but went for the best. (no disrespect to squiers which are fine guitars too)

rivercider

I'm a godawful player but I vote full fat on this. As bad as I am, I derive pleasure from the noises I wring out of my guitars, and just because I'm rubbish doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good guitar over a not-so-good version.  Hence I have managed to get myself a couple of nice American guitars to admire, love & appreciate in addition to something cheaper that I can bash about a bit more. Love em all but it feels nice to get something you have aspired to rather than just settling, unless you have a genuine need to use the extra money elsewhere, which it sounds like you currently don't, fortunately. 

axisus

I'm not a good player, but I never thought twice about getting guitars that were wasted on me! Have cash, buy what you like!

dazzajl

If you were looking for the most efficient tool to do the job, I’d say Squier all the way. They’re always impressive, perfectly gig worthy and solid instruments. 

But here, I’d definitely say get the Fender. It won’t give you as much on top of the Squier as you’ll pay but it will look and feel better and in this case, probably make you smile more

ESBlonde

There is always another perspective. The guitars you already own, are they best spec/perfect/with emotionaly investment or might it be better to Upgrade/exchange one that you have and use rather than one you might just buy for a collection.

UnclePsychosis

ESBlonde said:

There is always another perspective. The guitars you already own, are they best spec/perfect/with emotionaly investment or might it be better to Upgrade/exchange one that you have and use rather than one you might just buy for a collection.

This is in line with my thinking. Personally I'm more of a less is more kinda guy. I'd be tempted to get something really special but cut down elsewhere. 

SNAKEBITE

Thanks for all the replies.

The guitars I have I'm not too keen to get rid of. Yet.

In the past I have all too eagerly sold stuff when I have needed money to pay bills etc.

Now I'm more financially stable I don't need to sell any, and it is nice to use a variety.

BloodEagle

Spend the big bux on the the nicer one - if you dont I guarantee you will wish you had a month down the line

skunkwerx

If it was me, and I had the money for the Usa made job. Thats what I'd get. 

N thats without it needing to be a sentimental item. 

As for skill level. Thats moot. 
Look at all the Merc, Bmw, Audi drivers out there with expensive cars, that can't drive.... oops. 

p90fool

I always have two or three cheap Chinese guitars around the place for gigging or recording, and every couple of years I end up giving them away. 

If you want something which means something to you buy the proper one.

chris78

If you get the squier , you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering if the fender was better.

blobb

What would your relative say?

"Ooh that's nice, I left some money and you bought something to remind you of me....

...I'm glad you went for the cheap one"

...I'm glad you bought a cracker for half the cost, that's m'boy"

...I'm glad you got something top of the line that you might not have done if it wasn't for me"

etc...

If it were me, I would try to reflect the values of the relative I was remembering in some way. 

Gerz6558

I've had both (If you're talking about the American Original Jaguar), I actually had the Squier at the same time so I could compare.  Got rid of the Squier pretty sharpish shortly after American Original came in.

The Squier is great, but the American Original is different gravy.  It also saw off the more pricey Johnny Marr Jaguar, and is the best Jag I've owned for sure.

It's difficult circumstances you find yourself in, mark it with the special guitar.

Funkfingers

To the Squier v. Fender re-issue question, I say USA.

To the Surf music comments, I say that a Fender “offset” guitar is not essential. You can probably extract those sounds from your existing guitars, provided that you have a suitable amplifier.

Thus, my suggestion for how to spend a four figure sum on something musical that will see frequent use is to buy an amplifier.