Jazzmasters, Jaguars and beyond: the 11 best offset guitars to buy
There are two main reasons why you might have made the excellent decision to start reading this guide. Number one is that you’re seriously considering buying an offset guitar – in which case, 11 of your very best options are coming right up. Number two is that you’re hoping to find out what the hell an offset even is.
Well, the answer to that question is coming up even sooner – in the sentence after this one, in fact – but keep reading to the end and, who knows, you might even be piqued enough to make the jump from the second group into the first.
In simplistically literal terms, what we’re talking about here is guitars with an offset waist – that is, where the top half of the body appears ‘swept forward’ compared to the bottom, so the inward curves don’t line up like they do on a Strat or a Tele. That immediately leads us to Fender’s Jazzmaster, Jaguar and Mustang… but where else it leads us after that is very much up for debate.
You see, the fact is that some offsets are more offset than others. Purists will say the only guitars that qualify are those with a Jazzmaster-style ‘floating’ bridge and vibrato system, and pickups that specialise in bringing out the twinkle-tastic treble. Ultra-purists will say you also need a custom finish that exactly matches the 1962 DuPont paint catalogue, otherwise it just doesn’t sound right. I don’t think we should be bound by any such restrictions here, but we definitely need to keep things broadly Fender-based – which rules out (among numerous others) anything inspired by Gibson’s non-reverse Firebird.
That still leaves plenty of room for the diversity that has helped offsets break out from the lo-fi ghetto in recent years. The guitars chosen here cover a huge amount of tonal ground – from the zingy ker-plink of classic Jaguar types to the smoother, fuller sounds of models with humbucking pickups and hardtail bridges.
At a glance:
Best vintage-style Jazzmaster: Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster
Best vintage-style Jaguar: Fender Player II Jaguar
Best offset for beginners: Squier Sonic Mustang
Best signature offset: Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar
Best relic offset: Fender Vintera II Road Worn 50s Jazzmaster
Best premium offset: Trent Guitars Model 1
Best alternative offset: Eastman Fullertone Offset ’62
Best offset for downtuning: Jackson Lee Malia LM-87
Best offset for surf rock: Guild Surfliner Deluxe
Best custom-spec offset: Gordon Smith Gatsby
Best hardtail offset: Harmony Standard Series Silhouette
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Best vintage-style Jazzmaster: Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster
Image: Adam Gasson/Guitar.com
Traditional offsets are not for everyone – in fact, they fell so far out of favour at the end of the 70s that Fender didn’t produce any American models at all for almost two decades. Now that they’ve swung right back to the top of the hip-o-meter, the challenge for Fender is balancing vintage ‘correctness’ with modern improvements in tone and playability. The AVII Jazzmaster errs on the side of the old school… but it doesn’t err by much.
Those in need of chunkier tones are free to replace the pickups, while those in need of more stability will be rushing to swap out the bridge and maybe the tailpiece too; but if you want to experience a real Jazzmaster – the crisp highs, the complex midrange, the under-appreciated rhythm circuit – then this is a great place to start.
Need more? Read our Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster review.
Best vintage-style Jaguar: Fender Player II Jaguar
There are two key differences between a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar: the pickups and the scale length. A Jag’s narrower pups and shorter scale (24 inches instead of 25.5) give it a tighter, perkier tone – and yes, the difference is big enough that you do need to own both. Sorry.
In terms of electronics, the Player II isn’t really ‘vintage-style’ at all – it lacks the extra knobs and switches that add so many cool points to the 60s specs – but the key here is that it nails the fundamentals. It’s got the right pickups and, to quote our review, sounds like “a proper Jaguar in the most glorious sense of the word”.
Need more? Read our Fender Player II Jaguar review.
Best offset for beginners: Squier Sonic Mustang
Squier Sonic Mustang HH. Image: Adam Gasson
The fact that the Fender Mustang was originally conceived as a student guitar might discourage you from taking it seriously – an issue not helped by the fact that this one looks like a prop from Barbie. But Mustangs can sound great, and the Squier Sonic HH – also available in blue or black, by the way – is not something you’ll grow out of as soon as you’ve mastered your first Nirvana riff.
It’s the short scale and compact body that make a ’Stang such a good choice for noobs, especially those who aren’t yet big enough to grapple with a full-size guitar. This Squier won’t please hardliners with its meaty humbuckers and fixed bridge, but it does the job… at a super-low price.
Need more? Read our Squier Sonic Mustang review.
Best signature offset: Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar
Fender’s designers were messing up Jaguar specs for years until the bloke out of The Smiths came along and showed them how to do it right – which is pretty ironic, seeing as Johnny didn’t even start playing Jags until long after the demise of the band that made him famous.
In terms of the pickups, the bridge and the electronics, the Marr guitar fixed everything – and set the template for later models such as the American Professional Classic, the only other US-made Jaguar in the current range. So as well as being a really good offset, it’s a hugely important one. Shame it’s so expensive, and now only available in white or orange.
Best relic offset: Fender Vintera II Road Worn 50s Jazzmaster
There’s something ever so slightly incongruous in the idea of a relic finish on an offset – at least, there is if you were around in the 90s. The spirit of alt-rock and grunge is all about keeping it real, with no time for the attention-seeking affectations of mainstream guitar heroes. Besides, why fake it when you can create plenty of real damage through the carefree clumsiness of your irreverent slacker lifestyle?
But of course, this is the 2020s and there are no rules any more. Anyway, the relic effect on this Mexican-made JM is more of a subtle ‘wearing in’ than a full hammers-and-spanners job, resulting in an enhanced feel that makes it – to quote our review – “the best all-round Jazzmaster proposition in the Fender range”.
Need more? Read our Fender Vintera II Road Worn 50s Jazzmaster review.
Best premium offset: Trent Guitars Model 1
Indie luthier Elliott Trent was just starting out when this one came in for review in 2021; since then he’s had some big-name endorsements – notably Madison Cunningham and Wet Leg – but is still solo-building each instrument in his workshop in the sleepy south-west of England. And he makes his own JM-style bridges and vibratos now.
Honestly, there are hundreds of boutique builders making luscious offsets these days, some of which will probably offer better value than this if you’re outside of the UK; but the Trent Model 1 is an absolutely top-class guitar that can be specced how you want it, with a healthy focus on sustainable materials.
Need more? Read our Trent Guitars Model 1 review.
Best alternative offset: Eastman Fullertone Offset ’62
If we’re still sticking with the notion that an offset is an ‘alternative’ guitar for people who want something different from the usual Fender and Gibson staples, then what is the alternative to the alternative? In this case, it’s something that takes a step back towards that starting point… but still does its own thing.
The Fullertone Offset ’62 picks up a bonus point right away for having the word ‘offset’ in its name, though the body shape itself is somewhat divisive. Its twin humbuckers pack plenty of jangle, while the Goldo vibrato system is nicely responsive and better than most when it comes to the important business of staying in tune.
Need more? Read our Eastman Fullertone Offset ’62 review.
Best offset for downtuning: Jackson Lee Malia LM-87
Jackson Lee Malia LM-87 guitar. Image: Press
Here’s where the definition of an offset guitar gets pushed to its limits. The LM-87’s silhouette may look Jazzmaster-ish but really this is a direct descendant of the Charvel/Jackson Surfcaster, taken in a distinctly un-surfy direction by the guitarist from Yorkshire alt-metallurgists Bring Me The Horizon.
So you get an all-black finish, a two-piece hardtail bridge, and custom pickups designed for heavy riffing: a humbucker at the bridge and a P-90 at the neck. You also get wide nut slots to accommodate extra-thick strings and fine-tuners on the bridge, making this an ideal choice for those who like to tune down way below standard E to E.
Need more? Read our Jackson Lee Malia LM-87 review.
Best offset for surf rock: Guild Surfliner Deluxe
Photo by Adam Gasson / Guitar.com
Most of the guitars on this list are fairly twangy, and most have a whammy bar – which means most of them are more than ready to go surfing. But if you’re a seaside specialist who cares about looks as well as sounds, you might well pass them all up in favour of Guild’s vintage-styled vamp.
Available in five metallic finishes including this irresistible pink, the Surfliner Deluxe has a Guild-branded floating vibrato and three fresh and peppy pickups. It’s got all the character you need to get an audience of beach bums up on their feet – just watch out for the big bridge humbucker, which you’ll need to avoid while digging in on those extra-spanky surf riffs.
Need more? Read our Guild Surfliner Deluxe review.
Best custom-spec offset: Gordon Smith Gatsby
Cromer finish / Photo: Gordon Smith Guitars
Like tweed jackets, afternoon tea and tutting at people on public transport, Gordon Smith is a Great British institution. Unlike those other things, the Northamptonshire-based guitar brand seems to be almost unknown outside of the UK – which is a pity, because it’s turned out some fine instruments over the past half-century or so.
Launched in 2021, the Gatsby is GS’s only offset, and the first thing to say about it is that it’s stunningly pretty. And you can make it even prettier (subjectively) by choosing from the 31 colours available, on a custom order page that includes every conceivable option – including a fine JM-style Hosco vibrato that doesn’t cost any more than a wraparound bridge. This one’s an underrated gem.
Best hardtail offset: Harmony Standard Series Silhouette
Here’s a guitar that’s got the offset vibe in a big way… without actually having any of the features that normally define it. OK, the body’s the right shape, but it’s not clear how something with two mini-humbuckers and a Telecaster bridge manages to look this cool. Maybe it’s something to do with Harmony’s 60s garage rock heritage?
More importantly, it sounds cool too. Those foil-topped pickups are bright and snappy but not harsh or spiky, and the middle position has lashings of the sweet twinkliness that Jazzmasters and Jaguars do so well. Pity about the hardtail bridge… but for those who insist on wangy wobbles, there is also a version with a Bigsby.
Need more? Read our Harmony Standard Series Silhouette review.
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