The Jaguar and Jazz bass look like very similar instruments at first glance, but there are a few key differences between them which affects the look, feel and tone.
In this article, I’ll be directly comparing the Jaguar and Jazz basses from Fender and Squier so you can figure out which bass is best for you.
Quick Comparison
The Jazz bass has a single coil pickup in the middle position whereas the Jaguar bass has a split single-coil pickup. This makes the Jaguar bass sound warmer when using the middle pickup compared to the Jazz bass. Both basses have offset bodies, but the upper and lower horns are more curved on the J-bass.
Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Jaguar Bass
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Body Shape and Size
Both the Jazz and Jaguar bass guitars have offset bodies which means the upper horn tilts towards the neck more and the waist is not symmetrical.
Offset bodies are designed to be more comfortable to play whilst sat down and make the neck tilt upwards more when stood up.
However, despite both having an offset design, the body shapes are different.
Squier Jazz Bass
Squier Jaguar Bass
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The Jaguar bass has a smaller and less pointy lower horn compared to the Jazz bass. The Jaguar’s upper horn is also straighter whilst the J-bass’ is more curved.
The size of the bodies are fairly similar and both basses weigh roughly 9 lbs.
Pickups and Tone
These two guitars have different pickup configurations which impacts the tone. Both guitars have two pickups, and the bridge pickup is a single-coil. However, the middle position pickup is what varies.
The J-Bass has a single-coil pickup in the middle position whereas the Jaguar bass has a split single-coil pickup in the middle position.
The split-coil in the Jaguar bass is designed to reduce background humming to produce a clearer sound. This is because the two coils are arranged in series to cancel out the hum.
However, split-coil pickups tend to sound darker and warmer and have less clarity and note separation compared to the single-coil pickup found in the J-bass.
In short, both basses sound very similar when using the bridge pickup, but when using the middle pickup, the Jaguar bass will sound warmer and darker in comparison to the Jazz bass.
Both basses typically have a volume control for each pickup and a single tone control. However, there are a few model specific variations with the Squier versions where the Jaguar has an extra tone control.
Check out this YouTube video where you can listen to the Jaguar and Jazz basses being played alongside the popular Precision and Mustang bass guitars as well for comparison.
Other Notable Differences
Both the Fender and Squier ranges are split into different “series” which are grouped according to price and some shared features e.g. neck profile and body wood. I’ll be addressing these differences later in the article when I look at each comparable series individually.
However, there are also a couple of notable differences which are carried through all the different series:
- Only the Jazz bass has 5 string models available as well as 4 string models
- Only the Jazz bass offers fretless versions
Squier Jazz Bass
Squier Jaguar Bass
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Similarities
As I mentioned at the start of the article, the J-bass and Jaguar bass share many of the same features and besides the body shape and pickup configuration, the specifications are very similar. Here is a list of the key similarities between the Jazz bass and Jaguar bass.
- 34″ scale on Fender models (On Squier models the Jaguar bass has a 32″ scale)
- Neck profile
- Body, neck and fretboard wood
- 20 frets
- 1.5″ nut width
- 4-saddle bridge design
- Body and neck finishes
Check out this in-depth comparison between the Jazz Bass and Precision Bass.
Comparable Squier and Fender Models
You’ll notice from the table above that there are 3 comparable series that both models can be found in:
- Fender Player
- Squier Classic Vibe
- Squier Affinity
Below you’ll find tables comparing the full specifications of each bass along with links so you can check the current prices.
| Series | Jazz Bass | Jaguar Bass |
| Squier Affinity | 4 and 5 string | 4 string |
| Squier Contemporary | 4 and 5 string | Not available |
| Squier Classic Vibe | 4 and 5 string | 4 string |
| Fender Player | 4 and 5 string | 4 string |
| Fender Player Plus | 4 and 5 string | Not available |
| Fender Vintera | 4 string | Not available |
| Fender American Performer | 4 string | Not available |
| Fender American Professional II | 4 and 5 string | Not available |
| Fender American Original | 4 string | Not available |
| Fender American Ultra | 4 and 5 string | Not available |
Fender Player Jazz vs Jaguar Bass
The main difference between the Fender Player versions of the Jazz and Jaguar basses besides the body shape is that the Jazz bass has a single coil middle pickup whereas the Jaguar bass has a split single-coil pickup. They have the same necks, body wood, bridge pickup, controls, tuning machines and bridge designs.
Guitar Center links:
| Feature | Fender Player Jazz Bass | Fender Player Jaguar Bass |
| Strings | 4 or 5 | 4 |
| Body Wood | Alder | Alder |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyester | Gloss Polyester |
| Neck Wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Satin Polyurethane | Satin Polyurethane |
| Neck Shape | Modern C | Modern C |
| Scale | 34” | 34” |
| Fingerboard Material | Pau Ferro/ Maple | Pau Ferro/ Maple |
| Fret Number | 20 | 20 |
| Fingerboard Radius | 9.5” | 9.5” |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Medium Jumbo |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone | Synthetic Bone |
| Nut Width (4 string) | 1.5” | 1.5” |
| Middle Pickup | Player Series Alnico 5 Single-Coil | Player Series Alnico 5 Split Single-Coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Player Series Alnico 5 Single-Coil | Player Series Alnico 5 Single-Coil |
| Controls | 2 x Vol, 1 x Tone | 2 x Vol, 1 x Tone |
| Bridge | 4-Saddle | 4-Saddle |
| Tuning Machines | Standard Open Gear | Standard Open Gear |
| String Gauge | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| Case | Not Included | Not Included |
| Left-Hand Available | Yes | No |
| Fretless Available | Yes | No |
| Colors | Tidepool Silver Capri Orange 3 Color Sunburst Black Polar White Buttercream | Tidepool Silver Capri Orange |
Squier Classic Vibe Jazz vs Jaguar Bass
The Squier Classic Vibe Jazz bass has a longer 34″ scale length compared to the 32″ scale length of the Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar. The Jaguar has a split single-coil pickup in the middle position whereas the Jazz bass has a single coil. They have the same neck and bridge pickup.
Guitar Center links:
- Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Jazz Bass
- Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass
- Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar Bass
| Feature | Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazz Bass | Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Jazz Bass | Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar Bass |
| Strings | 4 | 4 or 5 | 4 |
| Body Wood | Poplar | Poplar/ Maple | Nyatoh |
| Body Finish | Gloss Urethane | Gloss Polyurethane | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Wood | Maple | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Gloss Urethane | Gloss Urethane | Gloss Urethane |
| Neck Shape | C-Shape | C-Shape | C-Shape |
| Scale | 34” | 34” | 32” |
| Fingerboard Material | Indian Laurel | Maple | Indian Laurel |
| Fret Number | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Fingerboard Radius | 9.5” | 9.5” | 9.5” |
| Fret Size | Narrow Tall | Narrow Tall | Narrow Tall |
| Nut Material | Bone | Bone | Bone |
| Nut Width (4 string) | 1.5” | 1.5” | 1.5” |
| Middle Pickup | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil | Fender Designed Alnico Split Single-Coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil | Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil |
| Controls | 2 x Vol, 1 x Tone | 2 x Vol, 1 x Tone | 2 x Vol, 2 x Tone |
| Bridge | 4-Saddle | 4-Saddle | 4-Saddle |
| Fretboard Inlays | Dot | Block | Block |
| Tuning Machines | Vintage-Style | Vintage-Style | Vintage-Style |
| String Gauge | 0.045 | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| Case | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
| Left-Hand Available | No | Yes | No |
| Fretless Available | Yes | No | No |
| Colors | 3 Color Sunburst Black Daphne Blue | 3 Color Sunburst Black Natural | 3 Color Sunburst Black |
Squier Affinity Jazz vs Jaguar Bass
The Squier Affinity Jaguar bass has a single humbucker pickup in the bridge position whereas the Jazz bass has two single coil pickups. The Jaguar bass also has a shorter scale length of 32″ compared to the Jazz bass which has a 34″ scale length.
Guitar Center links:
| Feature | Squier Affinity Jazz Bass | Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass |
| Strings | 4 or 5 | 4 |
| Body Wood | Poplar | Nyatoh |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane | Satin Urethane |
| Neck Shape | C-Shape | C-Shape |
| Scale | 34” | 32” |
| Fingerboard Material | Indian Laurel | Indian Laurel |
| Fret Number | 20 | 20 |
| Fingerboard Radius | 9.5” | 9.5” |
| Fret Size | Medium Jumbo | Medium Jumbo |
| Nut Material | Synthetic Bone | Synthetic Bone |
| Nut Width (4 string) | 1.5” | 1.5” |
| Middle Pickup | Ceramic Single-Coil Jazz Bass | None |
| Bridge Pickup | Ceramic Single-Coil Jazz Bass | Ceramic Humbucker |
| Controls | 2 x Vol, 1 x Tone | 1 x Vol, 1 x Tone |
| Bridge | 4-Saddle | 4-Saddle |
| Fretboard Inlays | Dot | Dot |
| Tuning Machines | Vintage-Style | Vintage-Style |
| String Gauge | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| Case | Not Included | Not Included |
| Left-Hand Available | No | No |
| Fretless Available | No | No |
| Colors | Black Charcoal Frost Metallic 3 Color Sunburst Burgundy Mist | Black Charcoal Frost Metallic Metallic Orange Shell Pink Lake Placid Blue |
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