While awaiting a used Contemporary Jag to hit CL under $300 locally, I ran across an MiC Jagmaster for $350. That got me searching around to compare against the Vistas, which at minimum are double or more in price. It appears that the consensus is that the Vista series variants are superior but is that due to specs? Details are somewhat lacking between the two so thought I’d ask here. Thanks in advance!
Jagmaster Vista Vs Later Issue, Is Vista Worth The Extra $$?
- Thread starter Upstater
- Start date
Tamarindo03
Squier-Nut
I have a Vista Jagmaster in my collection. The quality is absolutely great and she is a joy to play. The pickups are okey to my ears, not more not less…
Never played a later one but I think quality wise you can’t go wrong with a MIC from what I’ve heard.
The Vista Jagmaster is short scale, I believe later ones are longer in scale? Someone here probably can tell you.
Better quality and MIJ doesn’t mean it’s gonna feel better in your hands.
Good luck with your search!
Cheers
Never played a later one but I think quality wise you can’t go wrong with a MIC from what I’ve heard.
The Vista Jagmaster is short scale, I believe later ones are longer in scale? Someone here probably can tell you.
Better quality and MIJ doesn’t mean it’s gonna feel better in your hands.
Good luck with your search!
Cheers
Thanks for the details and I am very curious about the scale difference now as I would prefer a 24” neck. I wonder if the later MIC variants are that oddball 24.5” neck length. I believe there is another Fender model that uses that length as opposed to 24”.
I am going to see if I can play the one locally, it’s fairly close so can’t hurt to ask and the price is great. That said, MIJ has never disappointed me, at least FujiGen has never let me down.
GunnyPlaysLoud
Squier-Meister
MIC version came in 24” and 25.5” scale. I had a 24” MIC Jagmaster that I really had no complaints with, it was a well built guitar and well worth the $200 I paid. Sold it after I picked up a contemporary Jag that scratched that itch better for me personally.
Thanks for the insights. That makes me want to steer clear of this side quest and wait for the Contemporary Jag to pop up on CL. Vista is just a bit much more than I’d want to pay and the Contemporary neck is great.
MichaelD
Squier-Meister
Just got 2011 one from GC online for $220! (I think it was miss marked !) I used to have a vista back in the day and I really think this one actually plays better than the one I had. Squires are funny like that to me tho …..some are duds and some are gems !! Don’t get hung up on the whole vista thing !
The hardware is less quality than the vista but I think the neck and pickups are better on the MIC. Tuners are surprisingly fantastic on this one. This one is 24 inch scale.
3 or so left online GC used. You could get one shipped to the store try it out and if you don’t like return it!
I’ve been in 7th heaven this week!!
jjudas
Squier-holic
I had a 2007 MIC sunburst Jagmaster. I bought it from a forum member for $170. It was a nice guitar. IMO I don't think the Vista models are worth the extra money.
Thanks, I had a feeling that the recent CNC upgrades and general improvement in MIC gear near the end of the run would be pretty good as long as I could find one cheap.
Thanks for the details! I checked the others still here and they were all over $300 unfortunately. At $220 I'd have jumped on it too! Hopefully I'll see one in the $250 range soon that I can pick up.
MichaelD
Squier-Meister
Darn! I also saw a cyclone last night for $300 and was gone by morning.
Don’t worry destiny awaits!
Don’t worry destiny awaits!
cka73
Squier-Meister
As someone who has owned both, the vista series is a level up guitar. Those were made as well as or better than anything produced in the U.S.A. at that time (late 90's) with the exception of the electronics. I've owned a bunch of guitars, but that japanese sunburst Vista series Jagmaster I had in my younger days is head and shoulders the leader in those I wish I still had.
cka73
Squier-Meister
When looking at the other versions, consider it a squier quality guitar vs. a U.S.A quality guitar with decent fit and finish, but not the best electronics. If you are looking at a Vista, consider it a japanese custom shop guitar that's probably better than any production U.S. fender of the time, but limited on pickup offerings. The japanese stuff is in a different ballpark than the other imports. I can't stress that enough. Very different level of guitar.
