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Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
VS
Playability
82
Sound
66
Build
57
Value
78
Score
68
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Playability
83
Sound
69
Build
52
Value
78
Score
68
FIND IT ON:
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Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST

Reasons to Get
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale over Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Nut Material
Compensated vs Graphite
Fixes intonation issues
Pickups
HS vs HH
High output with bright neck cleans
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST over Sterling Cutlass Short Scale

Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Pickups
HH vs HS
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Other Key Differences
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST

Bridge Pickup
Sterling Humbucker vs Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Sterling Single Coil vs Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
4-2 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Compensated vs Graphite
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST

Body Wood
Poplar
Same Body Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
24'' (609.6mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 68 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST wins when it comes to sound, playability. On the other hand, the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has the upper hand when it comes to build quality.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Overview

  • From Sterling's 2020 Cutlass series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Hard Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Fulcrum Tremolo bridge
  • Cutlass Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Narrow Tall frets
  • Diecast tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Overview

  • From Fender Squier's 2021 Contemporary series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge Fixed bridge
  • Modern C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts tuners
  • Weight between 7.65lbs (3.5kgs) and 8.3lbs (3.8kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has an HS configuration while the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST has HH pickups.

An HS configuration gives you a bridge pickup with a lot of output for playing distortion parts, but you'll also have the bright sound of a Tele or Strat neck pickup for your clean tones.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

None of these use a specialized pickup brand for their pickups. Some of the best guitars on the market come with pickups from brands like EMG, Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, etc. You might want to replace your pickups eventually if you want to get the best sound out of any of these instruments.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's switch options
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 66
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
Pickups 60
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 69

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale compares to the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale is built in Indonesia while the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST is made in China.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Sterling Cutlass Short Scale

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale has a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST comes with a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

Winner: Sterling Cutlass Short Scale.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's brige is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

On the other hand, the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's are Diecast while the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST's are Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
  • Compensated Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Quality of materials 51
Features 55
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 57
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
Quality of materials 46
Features 55
Quality Control 55
Build Quality 52

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Nut Width
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Nut Width
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 0.1mm (0.004'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale and Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24".

There are advantages and disadvantages to a short scale length like this. This guitar will be very easy to play, especially if you have small hands because the frets will be close to each other. Also, since the distance between the bridge and nut is short, the strings will have less tension, so they'll be really easy to bend. However, this also means that you won't be able to lower the action (lower the saddles and get the strings closer to the fretboard) too much or you will get fret buzz since the strings will be a bit loose.

Also, short scales give less space for the harmonics to 'breath', so this ends up making the tone of the guitar sound more 'bassy' than a loger scale where there's more separation between harmonics, which gives the tone more chime.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Neck Profile
Sterling Cutlass Short Scale's neck profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Neck Profile
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale and the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale and the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Sterling Cutlass Short Scale favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale and Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST Frets Size
Both have a similar Narrow Tall fret size

Both have a Narrow Tall fret size. Their height is very similar to Jumbo frets, but they have a narrower crown. They won't let you feel the fretboard when playing, which will make it easier to get clean notes. However, if you press down too hard you might get the notes out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 82
Fender Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
Bending & Vibrato Ease 100
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 83

Specs Side-by-Side

Sterling Cutlass Short Scale vs Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
General Sterling Cutlass Short Scale Squier Contemporary Jaguar HH ST
Brand: Sterling Fender Squier
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: HS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: Cutlass Contemporary
Colors: Green, Pink Gold, Blue Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Poplar
Bridge: Fulcrum Tremolo 6-Saddle Adjustable Bridge Fixed
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Diecast Sealed Die-Cast with Split Shafts
Fretboard: Maple Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Hard Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Dot Markers Pearloid Dot
Scale Size: 24" 24"
Shape: Cutlass Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.965'' (24.5mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Compensated Graphite
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Sterling Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Sterling Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) Squier SQR Atomic Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1