When the Jaguar was introduced in 1962, it became Fender's top-of-the-line electric solidbody. It had a shorter 24-inch scale than Fender's existing models, which the firm said made it "faster, more comfortable," and 22 frets rather than the regular 21.
There was a floating vibrato unit and a string-mute built into the bridge, the pickups were similar to a Strat's but mounted in metal cradles to focus the magnetic field, and the model's lead/rhythm control system was unusually elaborate.
At first, the Fender Jaguar did not match the popularity of the Tele and Strat, but in recent years more guitarists have warmed to its particular style and utility.
Fender has treated the Jaguar to a number of remakes and remodels through the decades since its launch, and today the revived popularity of the Jag means there is a good variety to choose from both in used and new instruments.
In this timeline we've detailed many of the most important, interesting, and unusual Jag models and variations—and as usual space dictates the omission of Custom Shop models.
Fender launched the Jaguar in 1962 as its top-of-the-line solidbody electric. Main features: Double-cutaway alder body, sunburst finish standard, colors optional; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (bound neck from '65; maple board option '67–'75), 7.25-inch radius, dot markers (blocks from '66), 22 frets, 24-inch scale; truss-rod adjuster at body end; ten-screw pickguard with three inset metal control panels; two single-coil pickups, each mounted in metal cradle with notched sides; six-saddle bridge with cover and spring-loaded string mute, separate vibrato tailpiece with trem-lock button.
Lead circuit controls on lower body: panel by bridge has volume knob, tone knob, front-mounted jack; hexagonal panel by neck pickup has tone-cut switch, bridge pickup on/off, neck pickup on/off. Rhythm circuit controls (neck pickup only) on upper body: tone wheel, volume wheel, plus switch for lead circuit (up) or rhythm circuit (down).
Period-vibe model from Fender's new-in-1982 Fender Japan joint venture: body alder (sunburst) or basswood (colors); unbound neck, rosewood board, dot markers; no mute at bridge; JG Vintage pickups; serial number on rear base of neck. Sold in Japan as JG66 (1986–2015) and elsewhere by Fender US as '62 Jaguar (1986–99).
Also: JG66B (2006–15) bound neck, block markers; JG65B (2010–15) bound neck, dot markers.
Early '60s-vibe reissue—made at Fender's recently opened Corona, CA factory—that replaces for Fender US the earlier Japan-made model. This new US model is announced officially as "a re-creation of Fender's premier guitar from the '60s—bikinis, surfboards, and crashing reverb!" Replaced by American Vintage '65 Jaguar in 2013. Models from this series sometimes known as AVRI, for American Vintage ReIssue.
Japan-made revised model: Regular Jaguar features but two Dragster humbuckers, bridge plus separate stopbar. Sold in Japan as JGS (2002–15) and elsewhere by Fender US as Jaguar HH (2005–13). Also known as Jaguar Special HH.
Long-scale Japan-made baritone Jaguar: 21 frets, 28.7-inch scale; bridge plus separate stopbar. JGB version sold in Japan has built-in fuzz effect: onboard 9-volt battery; regular control layout but some differences to original-style functions: master volume and tone on panel by bridge; hexagonal panel by neck pickup has switch to select one of two fuzz styles instead of tone-cut; panel on upper body has fuzz level and fuzz drive wheels instead of neck-pickup tone and volume wheels, and fuzz on/off switch instead of lead/rhythm switch.
Jaguar Baritone Custom version (also known as Jaguar Bass VI Custom) sold elsewhere by Fender US has regular Jaguar-style controls and no fuzz effect.
Also: JGB-H (2004–06) as JGB but two humbuckers, sold in Japan; Jaguar Baritone (Special) HH (2005–09) with two humbuckers and simpler controls (volume, tone, pickup selector), sold by Fender US.
First Jaguar made in Fender's Mexico factory: Tune-o-matic type bridge; vibrato tailpiece slightly closer to bridge; increased neck-pocket back-angle; flatter 9.5-inch fingerboard radius; hotter pickups.
Also: Classic Player Jaguar Special HH (2008–19) similar to Jaguar Special except two coverless Dragster humbuckers, regular control layout but some differences to original-style functions: panel on upper body has blendable coil-split wheels for each pickup instead of neck-pickup tone and volume wheels, and master on/kill switch instead of lead/rhythm switch; Blacktop Jaguar HH (2011–13) with two humbuckers and simpler controls (volume, tone, pickup selector), as well as similar Blacktop Jaguar 90 (2012–13) with two P-90 type pickups; '60s Jaguar Lacquer (2015–18) period-vibe with nitro finish; Road Worn '60s Jaguar (2015–16) with aged finish.
Japan-made semi-solidbody Jaguar: bound alder body with ash top, single f-hole; bound neck; JG Vintage pickups; other features as regular-style Jaguar. Sold in Japan as JG/HO (2011–13) and elsewhere by Fender US as Jaguar Thinline (2012).
Mexico-made signature model reproducing Cobain's modified '65 Jag: Sunburst body (aged Road Worn finish only 2011–13; regular finish or Road Worn options 2014–15; regular finish only 2016–20); Stratocaster headstock with spaghetti logo; bound neck with rosewood fingerboard, 9.5-inch radius; DiMarzio DP103 and DP100 humbuckers; control panel by bridge: neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume, master tone; hexagonal panel by neck pickup: three-way pickup selector.
US-made signature model: Revised body contours; neck shape as Marr's '65 Jag; 7.25-inch fingerboard radius; two Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr pickups; bridge with Mustang saddles; nylon inserts for stability in bridge mounts and vibrato arm mount; control panel by bridge: master volume, master tone; hexagonal panel by neck pickup: four-way selector—bridge/bridge-and-neck/neck/bridge-and-neck-in-series; two recessed switches on upper-body panel: master high-pass switch, treble-boost switch when selector in series setting.
Birthday model: block markers; vibrato tailpiece slightly closer to bridge; increased neck-pocket back-angle; US-made.
Stripped-down budget model: Mahogany body, no pickguard; volume, tone, pickup selector, Strat-style jack; two MP-90 pickups; bridge plus separate stopbar. Made in China.
New year-designation for US-made period-vibe Jag, with bound neck. Replaces American Vintage '62 Jaguar. Models from this series sometimes known as AVRI (as noted in earlier entry). Replaced by American Original '60s Jaguar in 2018.
Shortlived Mexico-made mashup: three-pickup Jaguar (two Strat single-coils plus Atomic humbucker at bridge); volume and tone knob, five-way selector.
Japan-made period-vibe models: 60s version has dot markers, unbound neck, Late 60s version has block markers, bound neck; serial number on rear of headstock.
US-made standard model with revised electrics: V-Mod pickups; control panel by bridge: regular master tone, master volume; hexagonal panel by front pickup: four-way selector—bridge-and-neck/neck/bridge-and-neck-in-series/bridge; panel on upper body: phase in/out switch when selector in both-pickups settings.
Period-vibe reissue upgrading and replacing American Vintage '65 model: Mid-'60s features, with bound neck, dot markers, Pure Vintage pickups.
Shortlived US-made mashup merging Strat body with Jag-style controls and three American Vintage '65 Jaguar pickups: 25.5-inch scale; control panel by bridge: regular master tone, master volume; hexagonal panel by front pickup: five-way selector—neck/neck-and-middle/middle/middle-and-bridge/bridge; panel on upper body: two switches add option for neck-and-bridge or all-three-on when selector in middle position, plus wheel for bridge pickup tone.
Simplified modern Jag: pau ferro fingerboard, 9.5-inch radius; Player Series Alnico 2 Jaguar pickup at neck, Player Series Alnico 3 humbucker at bridge; master tone, master volume, 3-way selector, coil-split switch for humbucker. Made in Mexico.
The Jag entry in a new Mexico-made reissue series: Vintage-Style pickups; period-vibe features and controls with some refinements.
Also: Vintera '60s Jaguar Modified HH (2019–current) with 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, two coverless Atomic humbuckers, panel on upper body has blendable coil-split wheels for each pickup plus master on/kill switch.
US-made birthday celebration: nitro finish; bound neck, block markers; 60th Anniversary pickups; period-vibe features and style.
Also: 60th Anniversary Ultra Luxe Jaguar (2022) with unbound neck, tapered neck heel, ebony board with dot markers, compound radius, 25.5-inch scale, two Custom Double Tap humbuckers, master tone, master volume, 3-way selector, two coil-split switches, bridge and through-body stringing.
About the author: Tony Bacon writes about musical instruments, musicians, and music. His books include The Fender Electric Guitar Book and Electric Guitars: Design & Invention. Tony lives in Bristol, England. More info at tonybacon.co.uk.