Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

[jrbowen81]

Hey guys, I haven't posted in a while, but I was wondering, what are the pros and cons of guitars such as the Jazzmaster or Jaguar? I've been eyeing the newer HH Standard series Jazzmaster and the Blacktop Jaguar lately. The main things I'm hearing about the Jazzmaster is that the bridge & tremolo system are a royal pain.



Secondly, the thing that throws me off about the Blacktop Jaguar is that even though it doesn't have the old school bridge and tremolo like the regular ones, it still has the 24" scale length. I'm used to the 24-3/4" scale of a Les Paul, but I'm afraid 24" would just be too slinky. I think this Jag is beautiful, but if it's gonna be a pain, I don't want to waste much more time thinking about it.




If that's the case, I might have to go for the Blacktop or Standard HH Tele so that I can have the tension of a "regular" 25-1/2" Fender scale. Plus, I like Teles a lot and the Standard HH has coil-splitting.



Whatever I end up with, I will most likely be stringing up with either 10s or 11s. I just need a dependable guitar that I can play in standard tuning so that I can teach guitar lessons with it, possibly record and gig with it as well. I like the versatility on some of these that have coil-splitting so I can get my humbucker sounds along with the single coil tones.

Sorry if I'm rambling. I'm a bit tired at the moment. Lol.

Anyone with experience with any of these guitars? Please tell me what you like or dislike about the different features: scale length, tremolo system vs tuneomatic/stop tail, etc. Your advice is much appreciated!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

If you want some good advice, stay away from the Blacktop series entirely. They are sub par to other MIM Fenders, if you want a Tele then just get one of the new H/H MIM Standards and drop in some new puppies. You're going to end up with a much better guitar by the time you're done & it will be a lot cheaper....

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

Really?! Oh, wow. I didn't realize that. I don't really have access to trying out any of these locally, so I'm thankful for this forum. Might save me a lot of grief.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

I guess I was kind of enamored by the thought of putting a Bigsby on the Blacktop Jaguar later on, but if it's possibly a crap guitar, then maybe not.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

Never heard that about the Blacktop models. And never really noticed anything especially lower quality about them in stores.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

yes the regular jazzmaster bridge is a pain! I have a squier jazzmaster. I think the bridge helps it have a distinctive sound though. It's close to useless with the wang bar, you can get a sweet, light flutter but it's a rocking bridge and seldom returns to just where it started. Palm mutes can rock your bridge back, causing the front lip to touch the strings, deadening your strings or raising the pitch. Most of the time I find it not to be a problem but initial set up is a pain and I just gotta check the bridge's position now and then.

The 24" scale length of the jaguar is cool, but at that point my personal preference is single coils at that point. I think humbuckers (esp. cheap fender ones) are just mud on a guitar with 24", especially if one's been used to regular low output fender single coils in 25.5" guitars.

I second the idea of a H-H tele of some kind. I think they're about as bare-bones, easy-to-play, and good-looking as you can get.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

Jags feel very short to me, I had one for a couple of years when I was in my teens, never could get in sync with it. The Jazzmaster is just a lot more comfortable to me.

I have the Squier J Mascis sig with the TOM and the trem that is slightly forward of the traditional Jazzer. It makes a big difference in usability. I'd recommend looking at one of those and consider dropping in whatever pickups you like as opposed to the Blacktop. It may have the Squier name on the headstock but it fights way out of its class. I changed the stock string tree to a Graphtech and upgraded the pots and 3-way switch.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

yes the regular jazzmaster bridge is a pain! I have a squier jazzmaster. I think the bridge helps it have a distinctive sound though. It's close to useless with the wang bar, you can get a sweet, light flutter but it's a rocking bridge and seldom returns to just where it started. Palm mutes can rock your bridge back, causing the front lip to touch the strings, deadening your strings or raising the pitch. Most of the time I find it not to be a problem but initial set up is a pain and I just gotta check the bridge's position now and then.

The 24" scale length of the jaguar is cool, but at that point my personal preference is single coils at that point. I think humbuckers (esp. cheap fender ones) are just mud on a guitar with 24", especially if one's been used to regular low output fender single coils in 25.5" guitars.

I second the idea of a H-H tele of some kind. I think they're about as bare-bones, easy-to-play, and good-looking as you can get.

I keep hearing that about Jazzmasters. As charming as they seem, I don't have the time or money to put into making one into what I'd envision as a "perfect" Jazzmaster.

The short scale thing is really starting to be a turn-off as well. I'm thinking chords would be too boomy and all that.

As far as a Tele goes, I'm really starting to lean that way. I really appreciate the "snap" that you can get from the 25-1/2" scale.

The only thing other than that is the fact that while I love a good solid hardtail bridge, I really want to do some subtle flutters like with either a vintage 6-point Strat-style trem or a Bigsby. The Tele Deluxe has always been something I've been gassing for. I'm starting to think one of those with the Strat tremolo bridge could be a great idea. Hmmm...



That is too sexy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

The ORIGINAL Blacktop. Amirite? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

I think the tele deluxe you posted would be great.
People diss on the stock WR humbuckers in those but I like em. I've never played the originals but the new ones have a very nice "fender" sound regardless of no CuNiFe magnets etc.
I like those big 70s headstocks too. Some claim the big headstock necks change the sound of the guitar, enough that they strongly prefer the big headstock. Dunno if I buy it but the look is sweet.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

I think the tele deluxe you posted would be great.
People diss on the stock WR humbuckers in those but I like em. I've never played the originals but the new ones have a very nice "fender" sound regardless of no CuNiFe magnets etc.
I like those big 70s headstocks too. Some claim the big headstock necks change the sound of the guitar, enough that they strongly prefer the big headstock. Dunno if I buy it but the look is sweet.

I've had nothing but good experiences trying them out in shops years ago.

And those humbuckers are nice. I like them! They're nice and chimey (is that a word? Lol). I plugged one (with the tremolo bridge) into a Marshall JVM when they first came out at my local music store and... Let's just say I don't know which I liked more- the amp or the guitar- but there was some magic going on there. So I know they play very nicely with high gain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

This thread is the first time I've ever heard a complaint about a Blacktop. They're solid no bull**** rocknroll guitars. Lots of pro touring musicians use them. Just be smart and play before you buy.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

This thread is the first time I've ever heard a complaint about a Blacktop. They're solid no bull**** rocknroll guitars. Lots of pro touring musicians use them. Just be smart and play before you buy.

I wish I had the opportunity to try stuff out around here before buying, but currently that's usually not the case unless I'm buying from an individual seller rather than a retailer. I'm always at work during music store hours.

The Blacktop series has always looked cool to me, but I know I can't judge any instrument based purely on looks. The Tele Deluxes, however, have never been a letdown to me so far when I've tried them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IMENATOR]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

This thread is the first time I've ever heard a complaint about a Blacktop. They're solid no bull**** rocknroll guitars. Lots of pro touring musicians use them. Just be smart and play before you buy.

The only Blacktop I did not like was the one with Floyd Rose and Metalic Silver, the problem was at how it was built. But the other HH Strats with vintage were all good built and good looking. So you are right, play before buy is the way to go, specially now that the blacktop has been discontinued and just some stock out there.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

They're not bad guitars... if you're referring to issues such as buzzing frets, poorly cut nut.. etc... just remember that you can pick up a Gibson Les Paul for like $2500 and have the same chance of having these issues with that.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

They're not bad guitars... if you're referring to issues such as buzzing frets, poorly cut nut.. etc... just remember that you can pick up a Gibson Les Paul for like $2500 and have the same chance of having these issues with that.

I agree.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Drewsky7170]

Re: Question: Fender Blacktop/HH Content

I always loved the Blacktop Teles, and the reverse control plate was nice. Quick access to the volume control, the ones I've played at the local shops were always set up nicely and very easy to play. Shoulda picked one up when I had the chance.