by Jef | 3,6 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 5 Minutes
The Best Value Offset Guitars

The Best Value Offset Guitars  ·  Source: Fender

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The Best Value Offset Guitars contains some of the guitars that you should be checking out. Whether you like Jazzmaster, Jaguars or similar offset designs. These models are all worth taking a look at if you need an offset guitar in your life. 

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The Best Value Offset Guitars

Offset body guitars are normally associated with the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar models, though there are many other makes and brands that also use this design. The name comes from the pushed forwards look of the body design, which often places the top horn a lot further forwards than the lower bout.

This offset design is once again popular with many guitarists and is often associated with the ’80s and ’90s alternative bands like Dinosaur Jr and Sonic Youth, to name but two. I’d also put players like Johnny Marr and Elvis Costello plus bands like Television and The Cure as being associated with the offset design as well.

Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniversary Gold Edition

The Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniversary Gold Edition models are a great place to look for anyone looking for a well-priced and well-specified offset guitar. Available in Olympic White or Lake Placid Blue it is also a good-looking guitar, with a gold anodized aluminium pickguard and matching gold hardware.

Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniversary Gold Edition

Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniversary Gold Edition

Offset Specs

They come with a poplar body paired with a maple C-profile neck, plus an Indian Laurel fretboard with 21 narrow-tall frets and a set of block inlays. Each one comes with a pair of Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil pickups and they have the traditional control layout for a Jazzmaster, including the original Rhythm Circuit on the top horn.

MSRP – From EUR 444/ GBP 385 *

Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniv LPB

Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniv LPB

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Harley Benton JA-60CC

These Harley Benton JA-60CC models come in a wealth of colour options and we recently covered the release here. The price point of this model makes it very affordable. Plus, if you prefer having a hardtail, this could be the model for you.

Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink

Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink

Left Handed

You’ll find a Basswood body with a C profile caramelised Canadian maple neck, plus a Laurel fretboard, again with a set of block inlays and 21 frets. I also appreciate that there’s a left-handed model available as well. You can choose from Seafoam Green, Inca Silver, Shell Pink, Dakota Red and Lake Placid Blue finishes.

Each one comes with a pair of Roswell Alnico-5 P90 pickups. The control layout consists of a single volume and tone, plus a three-way pickup selector switch.

MSRP – EUR 179 / GBP 158 

Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green

Harley Benton JA-60CC Seafoam Green

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Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar

The Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar is a great take on the classic Jaguar design and offers players some nice tones, with plenty of ’60s twang. There are also some nice colour choices here, with Ocean Turquoise and a 3-Colour Sunburst available.

Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar Ocean Turquoise

Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar Ocean Turquoise

Mid 60s

These Jaguars have an alder body and a Mid 60s C-shaped maple neck that has a 7.25”-radius fretboard with 22 vintage-style frets. The Jaguar 24″ scale length offers a different playing experience when compared to a Jazzmaster, and is also perfect for smaller hands.

They have a pair of Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Jaguar pickups and the traditional control layout for this model.

MSRP – From EUR 1039 / GBP 918 

Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar OT

Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar OT

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Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster

These signature Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster models are a nice take on a classic mid-’60s Jazzmaster with a few subtle updates. I actually own one of the Oxblood models myself and have to say it holds up really well against my vintage Jazzmasters.

Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster Oxblood

Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster Oxblood

Oxblood or Copper Age

They now come in two finish options, the original Oxblood or the more recent addition Copper Age, both have an alder body. Each has a C shape maple neck with binding. The Oxblood has a rosewood fretboard and the Copper Age has a maple fretboard. Both fretboards are a vintage 7.25″ radius and have 21 vintage frets, plus block inlays.

Updates include the simplified large toggle switch on the rhythm circuit, which makes it easier to engage and the bridge with Mustang saddles and nylon post inserts for added stability. The Fender Pure Vintage ’65 Single-Coil Jazzmaster pickups are also well-balanced on this model.

MSRP – EUR 1499 / GBP 1325

Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster

Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster

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Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH

Finally, something a little less traditional and also quite affordable These Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH models come with twin humbuckers and a fixed bridge design. Perfect for players that want a bit more output and maybe want to play harder.

Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH

Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH

Humbuckers

They have a poplar body with a sculpted heel joint for better upper fret access and a roasted maple C-shape neck with an Indian Laurel fretboard loaded with 22 jumbo frets.

Powered by twin Squier SQR Atomic humbucking pickups with coil splits plus series/parallel switching on the upper control plate  Three cool colours are available including Shoreline Gold, Lake Placid Blue and Sky Burst Metallic.

Great for players looking for a more modern take on the ’60s Jaguar offset design.

MSRP – From EUR 375 / GBP 325

Squier Contemp Jaguar HH LNSHG

Squier Contemp Jaguar HH LNSHG

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(14)
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* This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!

Image Sources:
  • Squier Jazzmaster 40th Anniversary Gold Edition: Fender
  • Harley Benton JA-60CC Shell Pink: Harley Benton
  • Fender Vintera 60s Jaguar Ocean Turquoise: Fender
  • Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster Oxblood: Fender
  • Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH: Fender
The Best Value Offset Guitars

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