Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $440

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Fender has been making high quality, budget priced instruments under the Squier brand since the early 1980s. Essentially, Squier is Fender-sharing its product platforms, trademarks, standards and iconic designs. Squier is the launching pad for beginners, pointing intermediate and advancing musicians toward their ultimate goal of owning a Fender. Squier has tapped into something special with their Vintage Modified series — hot rodded versions of classic Fenders, all sporting top-shelf materials and components.

The Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS puts classic Fender looks into a distinctively sharp-looking, great-sounding, and super-versatile short-scale Squier bass model. It features the sleek offset-waist body and ultra-slim 30"-scale maple neck, making it a highly payable bass, but also gives you the best of both Fender bass worlds, with a combination of a booming split-single-coil Precision Bass middle pickup paired with a growling Jazz Bass single-coil bridge pickup. It might look like a student model, but the Jaguar Bass Special SS is perfect for players of all levels who appreciate the comfort of a short-scale instrument and the versatility of both P and J bass pickups.

Product specs

Brand Squier
Model Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS
Finish Black, Brown Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, Silver
Year 2012 - 2018
Made In China
Categories 4-String Basses, Short Scale Basses
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Color Family Black, Brown, Red, Silver
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Squier Jaguar Bass
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 4-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration Split-Coil / S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Squier Vintage Modified
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

Is the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass is ideal for beginners due to its shorter scale length, which makes it easier to play and more comfortable for those with smaller hands.

What kind of pickups does the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass have?

The Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass features passive pickups with a split-coil configuration, providing a versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres.

What is the neck profile of the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass?

The neck profile of the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass is a "C" shape, offering a comfortable grip and smooth playability for both beginners and experienced players.

How does the short scale of the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special affect its sound?

The short scale of the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Bass tends to produce a warmer, punchier tone with slightly less tension on the strings, making it easier to play and offering a unique sonic character.

What are the finish options available for the Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass?

The Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass is available in several finishes, including Black, Brown Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, and Silver, allowing players to choose a style that suits their preference.

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS (Short Scale)

Video thumbnail for Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS (Short Scale) by Cryptic Mask Guitar

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS (Short Scale)

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS RW Black by TVGuitarCenter

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special SS RW Black

TVGuitarCenter

TVGuitarCenter

Reviews

PROS

  • Ideal for players with smaller hands due to slim neck

  • Lightweight design enhances playability and reduces fatigue

  • Offers great value for the price with impressive sound quality

  • Distinctive style with eye-catching color options and design

  • Excellent for short-scale bass lovers with easy maneuverability

  • Strong community presence for modding and customization

  • Stays in tune well, even with factory setup

  • Versatile sound with pleasing warmth, clarity, and presence

CONS

  • Pickups are low output and may require upgrades

  • Some models experience neck dive requiring hardware modifications

  • Inconsistent build quality, such as control cavity issues

  • Hardware feels cheap and may not be durable long-term

  • Controls and electronics may feel flimsy and could benefit from upgrades

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass.

User experience

  • Owners find the short scale (30") combined with the Jaguar shape makes it exceptionally comfortable for guitar players transitioning to bass.

    Source
  • Short scale basses like the Jaguar may have looser strings unless thicker gauges are used, affecting playability for beginners.

    Source
  • Beginners may find short scale basses easier to learn on due to reduced stretching required for fretting notes.

    Source
  • The bass with Lace Alumitones is noted for achieving a punchy and rich tone.

    Source

Comparisons

  • When compared to the Ibanez Mikro Bass with its 28.5" scale, the Squier Jaguar is noted as more versatile, while the Mikro is described as more of a "couch bass."

    Source
  • The Danelectro Longhorn SS is noted as an upgrade in playability and tone from the VM Jaguar Bass Special SS, suggesting a preference for its current production.

    Source
  • Experienced players often find transitioning between short and full scale basses fairly straightforward, though it requires some initial adjustment.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The short scale length allows players to perform techniques that are more challenging on standard 32-34" scale basses.

    Source
  • The Jaguar's P/J pickup configuration allows users to favor the P pickup for a more classic tone by ignoring the bridge (Jazz) pickup.

    Source
  • Some users dislike the concentric stacked tone knobs and prefer a standard jazz bass Volume-Volume-Tone setup.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend installing Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups or Aguilar Hum-Canceling PJ sets for improved sound quality.

    Source
  • Hipshot Ultralight tuners are a popular upgrade to enhance tuning stability and reduce neck dive.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Using Chromes strings has been noted to complement upgraded pickups for a better tonal outcome.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Review 2023 - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

Squier's Vintage Modified Jaguar Short Scale Bass strikes a solid balance between affordability and quality. With a comfortable neck and attractive design, it delivers impressive tones suitable for various styles. The dual pickup configuration allows for a wide range of sounds, although the tone control's fixed positions limit versatility. The short scale model is particularly beginner-friendly, although some may find the bridge pickup less effective. While it won’t replace high-end models, its superior build and sound quality make it a worthy addition for beginners and seasoned players alike.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
yumenokumo

Punches above its weight.

The quality of this bass surpasses its price. Credit to the builders in Indonesia. I prefer this over some basses that cost double. Sound wise, this has a pleasing combination of warmth, clarity, and presence. The maple neck feels better to me than most other Squiers, and for an agathis body it resonates well. No complaints about the rosewood fingerboard or medium jumbo frets. As for the SS, I enjoy that you can maneuver notes quickly at this length, and in this case without sacrificing tone. For a bass it is on the light side at 5lbs, and has the appearance of an all black MIJ Fender. My only complaint, really, would be about the controls. Perhaps it's because this was built in 2012, but they feel a bit flimsy. I would recommend replacing/upgrading the electronics. (Review based on Model# 0328800506)

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Both pickup volumes at noon / Tone at max

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Fedowitz uses Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass

John Fedowitz

Singer, Guitarist

A Place to Bury Strangers

...
Verified via Photo

John Fedowitz uses a custom Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Short Scale Bass, as seen in a post by ceremonyeastcoast on Instagram.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified Special Short Scale Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

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