1964 FENDER JAGUAR

1964 Fender Jaguar, in a non-original but superbly aged black refinish .

The Jaguar is one of the most iconic instruments of the first half of the 1960s: introduced in 1962 as a new top-of-the-range model, it supplanted the Jazzmaster and Stratocaster as an instrument with innovative features, designed by Fender to optimize playability and expand sonic possibilities.

Thus, the first listing of the Jaguar in the 1962 catalog mentions a reduced scale length of 24 inches (compared to 25.5 inches for other professional models) allowing easier access to the entire neck, as well as the new Off-set body, re-imagining the shape of the guitar with an asymmetrical shape to allow the right arm to rest more naturally above the strings and thus facilitate playing with fingers or a pick. Finally, the catalogue boasts another Fender-first (sic), the addition of a mute, fixed under the bridge and activated by a simple push of a lever – thus producing the dry and snapping sound immediately reminiscent of surf music!

On the other hand, the Jaguar features pickups and electronics that differ from what is usually found on Fenders: the single-coil pickups are equipped with metal “claws” whose function (as declared in the patent granted to Leo Fender 4 years later) is to concentrate the magnetic flux to allow a longer sustain of the note and increase low-frequency response, as well as to reduce the sensitivity of the pickup to external electromagnetic interference. The pickups are associated with a network of switches to activate or deactivate them, or to filter the low frequencies by means of a capacitor, as well as the standard volume and tone controls. Furthermore, the player has the choice of two distinct circuits, lead or rhythm, the first allowing the use of both pickups as previously described, and the second using only the neck pickup with the high frequencies slightly rolled off. This abundance of knobs and switches may seem confusing at first, but the use is relatively instinctive and one can appreciate a beautiful diversity of sounds that cannot be obtained on any other Fender instrument!

The example presented here, although having undergone some modifications, retains the whole essence of Fenders from the 60s:  the black refin works very well with the tortoise pickguard, an unusual combination at the time; the pickups and electronics are original, although having been removed temporarily when repainting the instrument, and give the typical sound of the model that we appreciate for its clarity and grain; with the exception of the tuners, all of the original hardware of the instrument is present; non-original Fender logo. Fully set up for playing in our workshop with a full fret levelling and adjustment of the action and intonation, this guitar is ready to go for another 60 years of music!

Sold in a period hardshell case.