Fender Jaguar, blonde finish, made in USA 1965. The Jaguar launched in 1962 as a top of the line offering for Fender: all their fanciest ideas in one gorgeous package. This stunning example dates to 1 February 1965, a very short while into Fender's storied history. That birthday means this Jaguar got a few specific features: bold gold logos, un-bound fretboard with pearloid dot markers, four ply tort guard, patent number stamped tailpiece and a serial number starting with an L. These L serial guitars date from the transitional period before Leo Fender had passed full ownership and control over to CBS, and they're certainly not getting any easier to find in this part of the world. Now, the finish: it's an original factory blonde finish, which was considered a 'custom color' at the time. A previous owner refinished the guitar in a bright red over the top, but it's been lovingly restored back to its original blonde colour, as that was left underneath the whole time. You can see a few flecks of the red in the neck pocket and on the bottom side near the jack, but it must be said: whoever brought this back to the original finish has done a truly remarkable job. So, it's the original custom colour, but it's not totally untouched, and that is reflected in the (very sharp) list price. It looks outstanding too: the blonde lets the wide, wavy grain of the ash body show through, and contrasts beautifully with the vibrant red tort and rich Brazilian rosewood board. Aside from a re-fret, new tremolo arm and fresh foam on the  mute, it's all original: pots, switches, bridge, tuners, pickups, the lot... it's all there. The neck is a comfy slim sixties C shape, and with the frets in good order, it's playing very smoothly and feels great in the hands. Not all 60s era Fenders feel this good, it really does play very smoothly indeed. The pickups sound excellent too. The bridge pickup is snappy and crisp with a wide open  top end and plenty of midrange sizzle. The neck pickup is thick and fat with a glassy top end and a gorgeous, rich musicality. Engage the rhythm circuit for a satisfying, syrupy howl that's perfect with fuzz. If you're looking for a superb example of an original L series Jag that will deliver the goods both as a working player's tool for the trade and a smart investment for the future, look no further.

Model: Fender Jaguar
Made: Fullerton USA, neck date 1 Feb 1965
Serial: L68891
Finish: blonde, gloss nitro, original finish, see description above
Body: ash
Neck: maple, radius laminate Brazilian rosewood fretboard, 24" scale, 7.25" radius, slim C profile
Weight: 3.915kg
Mods: frets replaced, mute foam replaced, refinished in fiesta red and then restored back to the original finish
Pickups: Jaguar single coil x2, original
Accessories: original case, non-original trem-arm, laminated vintage docs

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples along the end and bottom edge, scuffs on the top edge, minor dimples on the front along the bottom and near the 'offset custom body' decal and on the back in the round section and near the bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's one small dent on the treble side of the back behind the fourth fret approx, as well as minor dimples and rub wear on the rest of the back of the neck, The fretboard has minor playwear and very minor signs of a re-fret. The back has rub wear through the finish in the middle of the body, along the belly carve, back edge, elbow area and bottom edge, as well as scuffs in the middle of the body, scuffs on the horns and near the neck plate and some dimples in the elbow area, middle and bottom corner. The sides have rub wear and dimples on the top horn, a decent bald patch and some dimples on the elbow area and around the rear strap pin, another decent bald patch with some dimples and signs of the removed red finish near the jack as well as some dimples and scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has bald patches in the elbow area and along the back edge, rub wear along the bottom edge and horns, dimples near tailpiece and on the top horn and some standard play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only, frets have been replaced by a previous owner