Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Plugin Week 2023
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • Best free lo-fi plugins
  • Top EQ plugins
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Guitarist

Old gold: 1962 Fender Jaguar

By Guitarist
published 3 August 2016

Up-close with an original first-run

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Introduction

Introduction

The Jaguar was introduced in 1962 as a flagship for the Fender line. With a body design and features that borrowed heavily from the Jazzmaster (launched two years earlier), the Jaguar was seen initially as Leo Fender’s most sophisticated model yet.

Jaguars featured a short-scale neck, just 24 inches, as opposed to the Stratocaster’s and Telecaster’s 25.5-inch scale length, and they also had a 22-fret fingerboard.

The model shown here is a great example of the very early Jaguar: sleek, curvy and ready to catch a wave!

Initially aimed at guitarists on the very fashionable surf-music scene, the switch-laden Jaguar boasted twin circuits so that either lead or rhythm electronics could be employed.

The pickups also featured a metal claw-like surround that was said to enhance the efficiency of their magnets. Not quite so popular was the rubber pad just by the bridge, which could be levered into place by the player to mute the strings.

These quickly became known as tone-killers and were usually either removed or never used by the players of the day - certainly, they were generally not featured on subsequent reissues.

Other innovative ideas employed on the Jaguar included the ‘floating tremolo’, which Leo said was an improvement on his original design for the Stratocaster.

However, it had its shortcomings, with players complaining that it was difficult to mute the strings with their palms while playing, and its strings would occasionally pop out from the string saddles.

The Fender Jaguar reigned for 13 years, between 1962 and ’75, and was initially seen in the company of players like The Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson, but just after it was taken off the production line, it found a new lease on life in the hands of punk rock and New Wave players. A little later on, Thurston Moore and John Frusciante took up the cause before Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain came along and made the instrument his own.

The model shown here is a great example of the very early Jaguar: sleek, curvy and ready to catch a wave! (Guitar courtesy of Vintage Guitar Boutique, London).

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Switching

Switching

The switch-laden Jaguar boasted twin circuits so that either lead or rhythm electronics could be employed.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Pickups

Pickups

The pickups also featured a metal claw-like surround that was said to enhance the efficiency of their magnets.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Neck

Neck

Jaguars featured a short-scale neck, just 24 inches, as opposed to the Stratocaster’s and Telecaster’s 25.5-inch scale.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Rubber pad

Rubber pad

The rubber pad by the bridge could be levered into place by the player to mute the strings.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

  1. Arturia Pigments 4
    1
    Best synth plugins 2023: synth VSTs to suit all styles and budgets
  2. 2
    Rick Rubin on Paul McCartney's bass playing and 'simple' songwriting: "He’s using this technique that any child could do, then it morphs into one of the greatest songs of all time"
  3. 3
    "He got a lot of his style playing with Ringo, because Ringo’s a very basic drummer" - Denny Laine on Wings as a three-piece with Paul McCartney on drums
  4. 4
    This new Fender Charcoal Frost Player Plus Strat with US pickups is giving us serious GAS
  5. 5
    Pete Thorn demos his touring pedalboard for classic rock tones
  1. Fender
    1
    This new Fender Charcoal Frost Player Plus Strat with US pickups is giving us serious GAS
  2. 2
    Rick Astley hires Blurred Lines lawyer to sue rap artist over vocal impersonation
  3. 3
    Trikk: "FL Studio allowed me to become who I am today as an artist. It gives you a platform, it empowers you - it's more than just software"
  4. 4
    Soundghost's Scatter granular effects plugin transforms any sound into an ambient soundscape
  5. 5
    Rick Rubin on Paul McCartney's bass playing and 'simple' songwriting: "He’s using this technique that any child could do, then it morphs into one of the greatest songs of all time"

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.