In my endless quest for the ideal (for me - 5ft 6" & small hands) bass, I bought, played for a while, then sold an Epiphone Beatle Bass, then a Rostill Burns, then a Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz. The first was too dull and thuddy, the Burns nearly broke my back and shoulders - sounded great but way too heavy and big. Looked like it was wearing me . . .
The jazz was OK but again too heavy at 11lbs - less than the Burns but still a bit of a lump. I should have considered the weight before but in each case I tried them sitting on a stool in a shop and it's only when subsequently playing standing up for some time that I discovered how heavy they can become and with having to reach my left arm out at almost full stretch for the lower frets, it was my left shoulder and side of neck muscles that started to really hurt.
In my local shop yesterday I tried an Epiphone EB-0 because it was smaller and had a short scale neck. Much better for a 'vertically challenged' old bloke like me but it didn't sound right for the sort of music I like to play - thought it had rather a mundane nondescript tone. Interestingly there were two new ones on display - one cherry and one black and the red one was very slightly longer than the other. Maybe half an inch or so. Also the bouts were sharper tipped on the red one, the black example having more rounded points. Couldn't help but wonder how/why two apparently identical models actually weren't, assuming they're made using standard templates?
However I then spotted one of the new Squier Vintage Modified Jaguars in a clear red finish with black pickguard. Although having quite a long Jazz-type neck it was notably lighter (I think Agathis) than the Jazz and the neck was an absolute dream to play for my small hands. Tempted though I was, they're ordering in the short scale version for me to compare and I'll no doubt buy one or the other soon.
Just wondered if any of you had seen or tried these Jaguars and had any opinions or experiences of such models.
Cheers,
Martyn