Fender Classic Series ’60s Jaguar Lacquer

The Fender Classic Series ’60s Jaguar Lacquer is a modern reproduction of the original Jaguar that was first released in the ’60s.

Fender Classic Series '60s Jaguar Lacquer

Related Feature:
The Fender Jaguar Story

This guitar is designed to be as close to vintage models as possible and was among the new releases that took center stage at Fender’s booth in the recently concluded 2015 NAMM Show.

First released in 1962, the Jaguar was intended to be Fender’s top-of-the-line model, but unfortunately it did not sell as well as the more popular Telecaster and Stratocaster. Still, there were pockets of guitarists that appreciated the design causing its popularity to bloom – it soon became a mainstay guitar for surf, punk rock, and grunge and has since branched out to various other music styles in the present.

The Classic Series ’60s Jaguar Lacquer is meant to capture the vibe of the original top-of-the-line model release in the ’60s. It is described by Fender as having the “original-era Jaguar sound, look and feel”, they add that it “epitomizes the instrument during its debut decade, when guitarists from coast to coast used it to ride waves of reverb-drenched surf and instrumental music”.

The alder body of the guitar is carved into the offset shape that is distinctly Jaguar, wrapped in the same gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish that were used when the model was first released.

Another unique feature of this guitar is its wealth of knobs, switches and thumbwheels that give you control over the guitar’s tone shaping capabilities. The switches include Neck Pickup On/Off Slide Switch, Bridge Pickup On/Off Slide Switch, Normal/Low Cut Slide Switch and Lead Circuit Control Slide Switch. Note that the two thumbwheels control the neck pickup volume and tone when the Rhythm Circuit is engaged.

The complicated pickup switching and circuitry is meant to control two American Vintage ’65 Single-Coil Jaguar, which may seem a bit over-kill, but experienced players and fans of the Jaguar know that this sophisticated circuitry sets the Jaguar apart from conventional electric guitars with basic pickup switching.

The Classic Series ’60s Jaguar Lacquer has a maple neck with rosewood fretboard, carved into a comfortable “C” shape and carries with it a short scale length of 24″, a departure from the usual long scale Fender guitars like the Stratocaster. It has 22 vintage style frets, 1.650″ nut width and pearloid dot inlays.

Other features of the guitar include vintage style tuners, a 6-saddle vintage-style adjustable bridge with “Floating” tremolo tailpiece and a 3-ply white pickguard. The guitar is currently only available in classic Fiesta Red finish.

The Classic Series ’60s Jaguar Lacquer is currently retailing for just under $1000. Head over to Fender for further details.

Related Articles:

Fender The Edge Strat

Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster

Sub 1000 Electrics
Looking for great electric guitars for under $1000? Check out our top picks!
 

Leave a Reply