Fiesta Red Jaguar

[JimN]

If that Jaguar is a USA Vintage '65 Reissue (with period-correct neck binding but position dots and not blocks), it was an absolute bargain at £800.

The RRP is more like £1500.

Has it got the flick-over-centre damper? That's the easy way to tell a USA built Jaguar from any Japanese or Mexican production.

The Jag started with an unbound neck and dots (like the Strat and Jazzmaster). In 1965, it and the Jazzmaster, Jazz Bass and even a few examples of the Stratocaster) moved to a bound neck, but still with dots.

By late 1966, all the "upmarket" Fenders (Jaguar, Jazzmaster, Jazz Bass, Electric XII, Bass VI, Bass V) had moved to binding and block markers. The Stratocaster had reverted to the unbound neck with dots (perhaps because Fender thought it was never going to be popular again in those pre-Hendrix days).

I'm not sure that Fender USA has produced a VR Jag with blocks and binding yet (except as a one-off Custom Shop order), but it will probably happen in due course.

[RUSSET]

If you look to my opening post, I explained that the Jag is a Classic series model, made in Mexico. It is part of an issue of Mex guitars in Nitro lacquer. Hence the price of around £800. It has dot markers & no neck binding, which I prefer. There is no bridge-cover/damper unit. There isn't even a trem-lock switch. They do Jazzmasters too, & maybe other models, but I can't remember any of the others. It doesn't bear a particular year vintage.

Tony.

[Billyboygretsch]

There are often big discussions on the exact colour of Fiesta Red and the accuracy of many items. Many then want them to fade to a vintage finish. Who knows what it's going to fade to. These N/C colours are not to the original formulations and will probably fade in the same way. Unfortunately H&S won't allow
Don't let's forget that many Strats were resprayed as most were coming in sunburst. Most of these companies were not specialist guitar sprayers but vehicle companies.

[RUSSET]

I now understand that in this new MIM 'Lacquer' series, there are 50s & 60s Strats & Teles, P. Bass & J. Bass, & Jags & Jazzes. I believe the 50s models come with a Tweed case, but my Jag came with a Grey Tolex one.
I'm not convinced about the Nitro finish myth, but it plays & sounds OK. The current prices for them are around £860, apparently, but they will vary from retailer to retailer.

Tony.