Fender Blacktop Jaguar 90
A pocket-friendly way to (over-) drive a Jag
This latest version of Fender's sixties offset switches out the dual humbuckers of the existing Blacktop Jaguar HH for a pair of sweet-sounding P-90s. Like the HH, the new Jag comes sans the vibrato unit that plagued/made the original guitar.
In its place, the Jaguar 90 features a chrome Adjusto-Matic bridge and anchored tailpiece that suffers none of the tuning problems often present in the sixties guitar and its reissues.
"There's more edge on this alder- fuelled guitar than you'd expect from mahogany-bodied P-90 planks"
This Jag's alder body, slim-profile maple neck, big headstock and the crucial 24-inch scale length offer just enough Jag-style vibe to keep this guitar clinging to a branch on its family tree. Those looking for a cool alternative to a Gibson Les Paul Special should give it a go.
Sounds
If P-90s have passed you by, imagine them as fat-sounding single-coils; the chubby vibe is here in the Jaguar 90. Clean tones are bright, yet well-rounded, in all positions on the three-way switch. Add some overdrive for a lovely clang when you hit power chords with the bridge pickup engaged.
There's more edge on this alder- fuelled guitar than you'd expect from mahogany-bodied P-90 planks, but all those rock, mod and punk tones are in here. That edge also helps the clarity of the overdriven neck pickup, making it perfect for upper- fingerboard blues licks.
MusicRadar Rating
Pros
Tones. Playability. We don't miss the vibrato.
Cons
It's a Jaguar only in shape.
Verdict
As much as we like the existing Jaguar HH, we had our fingers crossed for a twin-P-90- loaded version. The Jaguar 90 is every bit as great as we hoped it would be.
Review Policy
All MusicRadar's reviews are by independent product specialists, who are not aligned to any gear manufacturer or retailer. Our experts also write for renowned magazines such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Computer Music, Future Music and Rhythm. All are part of Future PLC, the biggest publisher of music making magazines in the world.
Specification
Country of Origin
Mexico
Available Controls
3-way Pickup Selector Master Tone Master Volume
Available Finish
Candy Apple red (as reviewed), two-colour sunburst
Body Style
Jaguar
Bolt-on Neck
Yes
Bridge
Chrome Adjusto-Matic bridge and fixed tailpiece
Fingerboard Material
Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius
241mm (9.5-inch) radius
Guitar Body Material
Alder
Hardware
Vintage- style tuner
Neck Material
Maple
No. of Frets
22
Nut
Synthetic bone/42mm
Scale Length (Inches)
24
Scale Length (mm)
610
String Spacing
52
Year of Origin
2012
Pickup Switching
Three-way pickup selector toggle switch
Pickup Type
Two Blacktop Jaguar 90 single-coil pickups
Tremolo
No






