Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar VS Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar 

At the age of 50, I've decided to get my very first electric guitar. After many weeks of research and seeing the great reviews, I've decided. This is the ONE! The Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar in black. I am ordering it now. I am so excited! Thanks for the awesome video. It helped me to decide :)

Dude your videos are so insanely underrated-the cinematography and production is soooo good. Keep up the good work dude damn!

The squire sounds deeper but still amazing. Man I love the lighting and cinematography in your videos. Excellent

I thought the kurt jag sounded better , but each to there own. Cool vid man

You honestly deserve WAY more subs and viewers you are an awesome guy and so fun to watch. Your series is awesome keep it up dude

This is just great! Awesome content! This is really important to share, specially in this moment with sky rocketing prices and the "Cobain Tax" in every piece of gear related to him. I would love to see a comparison between the "original vs reissue" Polychorus and Sansamp. There's a lot of people paying extra for the vintage stuff. Thanks for doing it!

I just bought a CV Jag. Upgraded with Fender ‘65 vintage pups, hip shot lockers and Fender Vibrato plus setup and that guitar is awesome. Fantastic tone, playability. Great video.

That footage is amazing. Really captured the beauty of these guitars

Great video as always!

The comparison video we all needed your truley doing gods work keep up the amazing content

I got a Kurt Jag and I love it, it was a floor model with some damage though so I got it for a lot cheaper. You’re right about the heavy finish on it though, but I love the neck, might be the size of my hands. But I’m for sure going to get a Squire Mustang and mod the hell out of it, new paint job and everything. Great videos, really enjoy them!

Absolutely love your videos!!! Your playing style is insane love it

The CV bridge pickup sounded a bit harsh compared to the KC one. I think I preferred the KC Jag.

The Squier Classic Vibe has a more defined and noticeable tone and ironically sounded more like Cobain than his signature guitar. Hats off to your playing! Take care.

I have the squire classic vibe put a hot rail in the bridge sounds amazingg i love the classic vibe series.But i really want a jaguar and was tempted to get the kc signature but i think im better of getting the classic vibe jag putting humbuckers in it tbh!.I love your channel you deserve more subs and your tone vids are spot on keep it up:).

I love my squiers but despite this review, I’m still gonna purchase a Kurt jag in the future haha I think both sound incredible and considering I still have single coils in my cv it’ll be nice to have a different sounding guitar! Great video though!

Please give me the name of songs you play in 2:57 and 3:36 , they are amazing , i need to learn that !

That's my experience as well! I bought a 2012 second-hand Squier Jazzmaster (you have to try one, for me are so much better than Jaguars) for around 200€ and it sounds so much better than any Fender I played at a store that costed more than 1200€. I put a DiMarzio super distortion in the bridge and it sound like home. Someday I will upgrade some parts like the tuners or the tremolo, but still... Nice videos! I just discovered your chanel and I love it. Keep rocking!

I had 1 of those squier jags in surf green. Once I'd set it up i was impressed with it standard,dunno why I sold it actually? I have one of their mustangs,the same colour as the one you show at the end,I love it,it's a little beast. Great vid dude🤟

Great video man! I actually think the classic vibe looks really nice in that daphne blue finish and with humbuckers I think with the CV jag sounding louder is that it has the stock bridge and kc one has the TOM, and the pickup spacing is different too the CV has accurate spacing not the kc jag though I don’t know if that makes a difference though? I think pickup height could matter too? And heart shaped box sounds so good with that squier it’s amazing

And I have a CV Mustang on back order from GC right now -- I'm glad you have nice things to say about it!

I love your videos man, Just got a second classic vibe (A mustang this time, I already have a jaguar that I modded to be like kurts) Keep up the good stuff B)

I prefer the Squier. It’s brighter.

Another great Video man! I have the classic vibes mustang as well. It’s such an awesome sounding guitar and the build quality is amazing. Only thing I dislike is that the Sonic Blue finish looks almost white.. especially in photos or videos. But none the less squier is making quality guitars these days.

thank you awesome video, made me feel better about my jaguar Classic Vibe.

So happy this is out ive been wating

Came for the guitars , stayed for the riffs! Great tunes! Big love for the tshirt as well!!

Playing it first is the key. I have a 2017 Duo-Sonic HS. Dropped a JB at bridge and Dimarzio SDS-1 at neck. They combine super well. This model has coil split for the humbucker and string-through hard tail. Go check it out. Neck and finish are perfect. Good video by the way ! Thanks

Your videos are extremely fun to watch. Even if I wasn't a Nirvana obsessed freak or guitar nerd, I would still like you channel. Great quality great videos, cheers.

Hope your channel grows. All the best. Edit: The kurt sounds clearer, more articulate perhaps.. The squire sounds fatter.. very nice actually...

Hey man super big fan, love all your videos. Im thinking about recreating the jag out of a classic vibe too (ofc different colors). I don’t want to pay for someone else to do the electronics though. I also can’t find any tutorials online, this would be my first time time modding anything especially my dream guitar. Your the only person I know that could give me a full tutorial. I want to mod it to the exact specs of yours, with the SH-1 in the neck, super distortion in the bridge, and with the 500k pots. Could you make a video showing how to do the wiring for the jag? It would be very appreciated!!! If possible, in the video could you also recommend some good cheap amps (500$ and below) for some good general nirvana tones. Love the videos man!!! Keep it up!

Hey man I’ve been loving your content so much started following you a couple weeks back after I saw your sappy vid, Nirvana has been my favorite band for the past 6 years I simply can’t believe how close you get to kurts tone… And I’m curious if you are gonna do Aneurysm at some point, I’ve been trying to get that intro tone with what I’m guessing is an overdriven quad with the small clone but it just doesn’t sound right

Finished the video and wanted to add that I have a squier toronado and the thing is perfect. I planned on switching out the pickups but they're great, great frets too. I personally love jumbo frets but I can get used to any size fret really. I also have a MIM jazzmaster and that thing is my most expensive guitar and has the SHARPEST frets. I have a MIM tele, a Chinese fender and an American made custom guitar and the MIM jazzmaster has the worst frets, super super sharp. The Chinese made fender was actually my cheapest guitar and is my number one, has the best frets and neck I've ever played, second up would be that squier toronado. I've played the squier you have too but, they are set up so badly in store that I haven't been able to pull the trigger, guess I gotta now though. ( Also just a preference but I hate the sonic blue squier mustang it looks white, it's not sonic blue.)

Hey Aaron! What kind of pickup did you decide to put in your Classic Vibe Mustang? Was it a Hot Rail?? I think I need to start investing in these Classic Vibes man… I’ve had all of the same issues you’ve had with my Cobain Jag and ‘65 Reissue Mustang. I even had the “gulpy” sound in my Mustang when I put a Gotoh TOM Bridge in it. I hated it lol

I always wanted this Squier classic vibe sound and i saw one on Reverb with a small Humbucker instead of a single coil. Do you think it could be a good sound ?

Hell yeah! My two favourite Nirvana related RU-vid channels working together, nice!

Were you using the stock bridge in the Squier? It’s been a nitghmare to set it up proberly. And yes, i took it to a luthier, have the neck shimmed and 11-52 strings on it. He supposedly to put loctite on the screws but after a while the buzz gets back again

I also had Squire classic Vibe but Jazzmaster type and it sound amazing, Squire did great job.

You should see if you can find the roadworn version of the Kurt Jag, I have that version and it doesn't have the heavy gloss finish on the body, it was made to be a "perfect" replica of the actual thing with all the dings and scratches. It's rare though as it was only in production for the first year or 2 of its release in 2011. Would be interesting to see if it sounds different to the NOS version. It certainly looks 100% better

Great review, thank you! I have two classic vibe 50s, a blonde pine telecaster and a tan alder strat. I love them both but the tele is outstanding! Just awesome with a great tone. I have a cv 70s jaguar on order waiting for it to be delivered and can't wait. The Squier Classic Vibe series are way under valued, under priced and unknown. Most everyone automatically think because it's a Squier it won't be as good as a regular fender but I'd put mine up against any fender USA, MIM or even custom shop. Squier has really hit these out of the ballpark so to speak!

Great video, I have a squier classic vibe mustang and I have to agree that they are really great guitars. I just wish that squier would of contoured the body.

I liked the Fender neck pickup, but the bridge... Which pickups did you put in the Squier? I've considering modding one. Thanks a lot for sharing!

Vergusima Me encanto, estaba ahorrando para comprar una jaguar kurtcobain edition justo por Las pastillas y demás modificaciones, y este video me convenció totalmente en dejar de prestarle tanta atención a lo que el cabezal de la guitarra diga “Fender” y concentrarme más en el sonido y es excelente saber que squier está haciendo cosas de gran calidad y aun precio verdaderamente accesible. Estoy seguro de que kurt no estaría tan de acuerdo con que una guitarra con su nombre fuera tan inaccesible, cuando precisamente el compraba sus guitarras de segunda mano porque eran más baratas.

This video has inspired to start my own project THANKS AARON!! I have a Squire jag VM and wanted to put a Super distortion in the bridge but came across a problem bc there’s Fspace and reg not sure which one to get any help would be cool. For the bridge I have a staytrem 9.5 if that helps! 🤘

Such a sick video amazing quality as always!! Surely do a bullet mustang modded for us broke ppl hahah

Another awesome episode, thanks! I agree, I have both, I play my Squier CV jag more. ....the tremolo alone is a huge difference, the KC screws in, is all loose and weird (no mom jokes), the Squier is nice and tight, responsive action...nice HB mod too there 🤟🤟🤟🤘🤘🤘🤙🤙🤙

really like your stuff! hey did you have it set up also? and what gauge strings are you using? thx man

Did u do something for Squier electrics? Pots etc? Nice video btw!

Hey Aaron, what reverb plugin or fx are using on the guitars for “reaper”? Thx!

Awesome comparison man!

Hey man, great video, sometimes I really want a KC jaguar, but I think it dosn't worth it, Im thinking of getting a vintera in Ocean Turquoise and modded, what do you think of that guitar, do you think is a good option? I dont have the possibility to try it bc of where I live there are no music stores

It's shocking to hear the difference in Tone between the 2 ! Like you, I've had a lot of fenders these last years and came up with the same idea : Some (and I am tempted to say, a LOT) are completely lifeless and unusable. Price and tags are a thing, but sound doesn't care :) Thanks for the video ! Have a good one with the nice Squiers ;)

What song are you playing at 3:00 I recognise the riff but I can’t place my finger on what it’s from

Hey man great Video keep going✌🏻 just a small question, maybe someone here in comment section can help me out? Which CV is it particular? 60s or 70s or is there no difference?

The Cobain jag seems to be a lot more spiky. I’ve been looking at buying a squier jag to mod out and you’ve sold me, cheers

Hey Aaron! I loved the video and you’re right, the fender model sounds dead. Is there any difference in the wood that your squier is made of or does the fender sounds so bad because of the thin laquer?

cool mellon collie shirt!! great video.

I got my Cobain replica when it came out in 2012 and I feel they are much different now then when they first came out. I also wanted to know your thoughts on his Jag-stang, do you like that?

Were the pickup heights the same in this comparison, because to be honest there is more distortion on the squire, just sounds like more output.

wow, i agree - i have a squier vintage modern jag -red - 2012 with fender pure vintage '65 and it rips - it replaced a 65 reissue i had that was much heavier and lacking in tone - i never want another jag. however, i also have a 68 mustang and i haven't compared it to a squier yet. but well done on the comparison as it reinforces my bias. squier rules.

Idk the low tones sound better on the KC jag. Some of your problems with the dead sounds on mids and highs might be related to bridge and trem placement/break angle--newer model jags moved the trem up to increase break angle which may be what's happening on the Squire (idk for sure though), where as the KC jag has the trem in the original location (further back--decreasing break angle). I fixed all these issues on my KC jag by putting .75° of shims in the neck (all jags and jmasters need shims), putting a mastery bridge on it, and replacing the nut. I know that's a lot, but it's a whole different animal now and I love it

Fair.. Make a lot of points worth mentioning & the diff in tone was night and day. I feel the same way with the squire classic vibes over the player series ive played.

What's the first song you played? Great riffs and tone!

HEY I DID THE SAME THING TO MINE!!!! I almost ruined it, but I have recently fixed it up. Needs to be routed better and I'm going to redo the wiring soon, but I love the classic vibe!

I would be curious how the sound varies from the mustang with a hot rail and a mustang with a jb jr (the Roseland ballroom mustang) with your amp and how different or similar the sounds may be.

Are both the bridge pickups the same distance from the strings? To my ear it sounds like the pickup in the CV Jag is a good bit closer to the strings than the one in the KC jag.

Just started watching this channel yesterday lol i got a kc model and im a lefty woohoo only lefty jag i can find at a good price at first i had hard timr to enjoy the sounds so first thing i did was change the pots the guitar and i love it so much then whole nut thing i will definitely be changing out the nut soon but ive had the guitar for almost 2 years i absolutely adore it espcially here as a music major. Just messing with pickup heights and i put a 250k in the neck and 500k in bridge and tone and i really enjoy it. I have a huge love for nirvana as a songwriter but doesnt really reflect on my process. But yeah fender just doesnt really seem to excited about properly giving kurt some justice

I have a Fender Kurt cobain jagar and totally agree. Doesn't sound very good! However, I will continue to use this. My dream is to one day hear the sound of a complete KC jagar that has been refinished to lacquer and turned into a mastery bridge! I'm rooting for you from Japan!

02:41 Dude, did you write that? that sounds amazing, I even ear a cello part and drums in my head 😁

funny I actually thought the KC sounded a lot better, and the Squier sounded like the pickup was too high up.

So based on other videos of a similar subject matter, if you didn't change the bridge of the Classic Vibe to a TOM, it's not gonna have the same "plink" as the KC Jag. I forget exactly which video I watched, but someone doing a similar shootout described the TOM as giving it a more metallic tone. Regardless, loving your videos and channel overall!

You've been playing for less than a year?! I have been playing my whole childhood and only got serious around August last year and I still can't play as good as you XD

Did you keep the stock bridge on either one of these two? Mastery? Gotoh?

Thanks. This video helped me decide to buy the Cobain jag. It sounds better to me. I’m not a Cobain or Nirvana fan. Just like how the guitar looks and it sounds like a beast.

Wait a minute. Did Kurt's guitar have the tremolo there or was closer to the bottom of the guitar? If it was closer to the bottom, doesn't that have a pretty big effect on how the guitar sounds? Puisheens vid sure showed that it did. So I immediately wondered whether you had considered that when doing tone recreation of Jags with vintage trem locations.

How did your Squier Jaguar sound with the single coils? Does it only sound good with the humbuckers? Just curious your take on this as I am more into the humbucker sound, unless it is a 3 pickup guitar, like a Strat, which I do like as well....Thanks and great info on your video. Phil NYC-Jersey Shore Area

Great comparison, just goes to show that spending alot of money doesn't always buy the best quality.

I’m wondering, after you finish all the in utero songs, what would you do with this channel? because i’m really enjoying the content here

I've heard good things about the classic vibe squire guitars. I hoping to get a 60s classic vibe jazzmaster after I sell some of my other guitars.

Did you change de pots on the squire ? Because that makes a big difference..

What’s the song played at 2:42?

What riff did you play at 2:46 ?

Frankly not surprised you liked the Squier more. I just picked up a vintera Jag to "upgrade" from my CV and you'd never tell the difference blindfolded. The Squier absolutely holds its own against the current top level production standard fender Jag, it's ridiculous. Kinda disappointed I spent as much as I did on the vintera, even though I got a stupidly killer deal on it. Still, the ocean turquoise with matching headstock and 7.25" fretboard is worth the price of admission for me.

Very interesting video. All your video are so cool, i really like them sooo sooooo much. When you talk about Squier Classic Vibe Mustang, is that the recent Indonesia version or older models ? I really want to have a Mustang, and when i see those type of feedbacks, i really ask me about the necessity to find a vintage model or the classic vibe model. Thank you :)

the road worn jag seems to be color accurate, has a nitro finish and sounds absolutely fantastic

Does anyone know what those lil noises are at 3:44? Idk if it's just because of the reverb but they sound sick.

What pick up did you use the squier's bridge ?

damn. the KC jag sounds crisp asf. i wanted to like the squier but my ears dont lie. i have to get the KC one

I was honestly really surprised that you preferred the CV one at the end after hearing the comparisons since I felt it sounded miles better on the KC Jag.

I'm really surprised how different the tone is even just from my computer speakers through RU-vid. I don't know which one I prefer off just this demo without headphones, but the sound was very different to me.

Hey mate, what is the song at 1:35 and also what is the song at 2:41?

Look at the pickup alignment, it's way more closer to the neck and the bridge. As Kurt's Jag (not the signature one).

I have the exact same squier. I fitted a dimarzio super disortion S into it so didn't need any routing. Doesn't sound quite as beefy as a full size humbucker does the trick. Only thing I dislike is that the low E string seems to have an annoying rattle when it vibrates against the frets

That a song you play with 2.42? Tell me please

How's that quad reverb for low volume lol?

Did you replace the bridge on the Squier?

As you're playing BOC's Don't Fear the Reaper, I'm preferring the Fender. In fact, I listened to all of them with my open-back Sennheiser 598 headphones, and this time around I do actually prefer the tone of the Fender. It's less muddy on my laptop. I really need to hear this through a good receiver. You have to factor in ROI: cost vs tone quality. If you're chasing tone, you can't order online... Since you're wearing a Pumpkins shirt, you must know how Corgan was forever looking for another Gish for decades and couldn't find the tone until the Gish guitar was finally returned to him.

Rad vid homie!

i think i’m going to try to get one of the classic vibe jaguars. i’ll probably sell my hagstrom swede (which is way too heavy anyways) and use the money for the jag

Couldn't disagree more. I love my kurt cobain jag, the chunky neck, the thick jumbo frets, the finish... And obviously the sound. Very versatile