Fiesta Red Jaguar

[RUSSET]

I have just bought a new Fiesta Red 'Classic series' Jaguar online from Andertons. I was checking out Fender's latest offerings fom the NAMM convention & spotted this one that I hadn't noticed before. It is in F.Red with a Rosewood board & '60s features. It also has a nitrocellulose lacquer finish & USA vintage pickups. It retails for around £800. Never had a Jag before, but the video demo I saw seems to show it as a decent sounding, although typically 60s tone. I know, I know, I still have GAS, but the way I see it, it is better value having actual goods than cash these days as you can't earn any interest & money always gets gradually devalued. I guess I must be going for a complete F.Red set of guitars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtSsnDjoDZg

Tony.

[abstamaria]

Congratulations, Tony! The Jaguar is an odd fit for me, because the two bands whose music I try to play - the Shadows and the Ventures - didn't use it. Still, it was the guitar to lust for when I was a teenager, so I bought one the other year.

Mine is from the same series as yours, but the now discontinued 1962 spec model. Yours must be the current 1965 spec? I am not up to date on the Fender models.

l have a sunburst.

In any case, enjoy Tony.

Andy

[RUSSET]

Thanks Andy. They don't specify the year; just '60s', & I wouldn't know the difference either. I already have a Classic series Strat in '50s sunburst, so I know they are pretty good quality. It will be interesting to hear what difference the 'Lacquer' finish makes, or whether it is all sales hype. I did treat myself to a Squier Jazzmaster in Sunburst last year, & was pleasantly surprised how good it was for the small price.
I mainly play Rhythm guitar, so it doesn't matter about it fitting in with Shads music as we play all sorts of '60s music; mostly vocals, & from the video demo it has a great Rhythm strumming tone. But it will match up nicely with my co-guitarist's Classic series F. Red Strat.

Tony.

[noelford]

Just watched the demo video - how refreshing to see one that actually demonstrates the guitar rather than the player! Looks and sounds lovely - the only thing I'd say is that when he demonstrated the tone switch, up and down, I couldn't hear any difference. Perhaps it's my computer (or ears).

[abstamaria]

l checked and apparently what I have 'is an ''American Vintage." I am not sure how that differs from the "Classic Series," if at all. Anyway, I bought mine the other year when Fender replaced the 1962 version with the current 1965. The difference is the white binding on the neck on the '65. I was in high school when the Jaguar was released in 1962, and I could not even think of buying one then. So I needed to buy the 1962 reissue. It took me over 50 years.

The Jaguar is named after the car, of course, Leo was mesmerized by the E-Type,,
called "XKE" in the U.S. I would love one of those, too.

Andy

[Tigerdaisy]

Nice variety of sounds on that video. Is that 'Fiesta Red'- looks very pinkish to me and nowhere near the more saturated red sold as Fiesta Red today.

[Uncle Fiesta]

And I see they also do a Surf Green one ... mmmm, tempting.

[RUSSET]

Thanks for your interest, you guys. All I know about this guitar is that it is a Mex 'Classic series' version. It apparently has a nitro-cellulose lacquered body, USA Vintage pickups & it certainly has that more realistic USA/Mex Fiesta Red paint finish. It has that hint of Pink, but not too overdone, & definitely not the Orangey version.
After a quick adjustment of the bridge & pickup heights, it plays very nicely. The tone switch on the lower bout just seems to thin out the tone a little, maybe losing a bit of Bass. The Rhythm circuit switch on the upper bout simply engages the neck pickup on it's own & the tone is very Bassy, even with full treble on the tone roller switch. Good sounds though, The bridge is that typical original style Jag/Jazz bridge, but seems to function OK at the moment.
Surprisingly, it comes, not with a gig-bag, but a very nice Fender rectangular hardcase. Hmmmm .... nice.

Tony.

[RUSSET]

Further to my purchase of a Jaguar last year, I have had more time to re-assess it. Last week, I decided to re-string it with some '10s', as opposed to the '9s' that most Fenders seem to come with these days. It did seem to be 'Clunking out' on the frets above the 12th. Anyway, I thought that 10s would give a fraction more relief with the added tension, while still giving a good low action. At the same time, I decided to install the well-known bridge upgrade; the Mustang bridge unit. The Jag saddles are pretty naff, & tend to allow string slippage sideways, if you tend to strum with any vigour. The Mustang bridge actually has good solid chromed steel barrels with a proper groove in the centre for the string to sit in. Hurrah
It was such an easy job to perform. You just loosen the strings (or change them) until there is enough room to lift the whole bridge unit out of the two steel bushes inserted in the body. Then, simply insert the new bridge in it's place, & restring & tune up. Don't forget to adjust each saddle for the intonation, & it's done. The bridge height is adjustable, with the Allen key supplied, via the hole in the top of each bridge post.
I bought my Mustang bridge from Axes R Us, & chose their own cheaper brand at about £19, as opposed to the genuine Fender bridge which was nearly twice the price. It fits just the same & is good value for money. I also wrapped a couple of turns of PTFE plumbers tape around each of the shafts that slide into the bushes in the body. The new shafts were a fraction slimmer than the originals & it firmed up the fit, so that it didn't rock back & forth when the trem arm is used.
I will do the same upgrade to my Squier VM series Jazzmaster next.

Tony.

[Uncle Fiesta]

The lacquer finish is not really sales hype.

Admittedly, it can't possibly make any difference to the sound because the pickups, being magnetic, can't 'hear' the finish!

On the other hand it will age faster than polyester, which being essentially a plastic coating won't change much over time. A nitro finish will, if you're patient, look like a nice old one, which is a look many of us go for.

And I wish you hadn't told me you can get Surf Green ones!