For sale is this vintage 1966 Fender Jaguar electric guitar. This
particular custom color example, serial number 156989, is in very
excellent 100% all original condition, and includes the original case,
original hangtag with warranty card, original tremolo arm, original
bridge cover, original case keys, original Fender polish cloth, original
tuning tool, and the original Fender strings. The Jaguar was Fender’s
top-of-the-line guitar, and featured a very advanced electronic
arrangement which was intended to make it the most dynamic guitar
offered, but this incredibly rare example also features every single
additional upgrade, including; a custom color Lake Placid Blue finish, a
maple cap fingerboard, and gold hardware. Most certainly a special
order instrument, this would have been the most expensive guitar Fender
offered at the time. It is unlikely that even the most prodigious Fender
collections include such an incredible specimen, so this may be a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy a one-of-a-kind guitar!
Serial Number: 156989 (F plate)
Potentiometer Codes: 137-6549
Weight: 8 lbs. 8 oz.
Preserved in near impeccable condition, this Jaguar remains in
extremely excellent 9+/10 cosmetic shape. With several random
superficial dings caused from free-floating extraneous case candy, the
back of the body is otherwise perfect. The unfaded polyurethane finish
is vibrant and very attractive, and even the gold hardware retains its
original golden yellow shine.
While the original owner, lead singer of the wedding band The
Reflections, claimed to have ordered this guitar in 1966, he didn’t
remember exactly when he took receipt of it. Interestingly, just as such
a custom piece would be expected, it features a combination of rare
transitional features, which indicates it was most likely completed in
1968. With colored wire of both plastic and cloth kinds, such a detail
would be specific to an early ’68 instrument, and since both the neck
and body share a polyurethane finish, those would have been completed
sometime in late-’67 to early-’68. While the CTS pot codes indicate a
late-’65 production, it was common practice for Fender to utilize pots,
especially those with ’66 codes, for almost 5 years after they were
ordered. Since there was never a neck date stamp issued on the neck heel
of the guitar, nor a body date, it is rather difficult to assess
exactly when it was made.
The large profile deep neck shape is extremely comfortable, and the
action is fantastic. The guitar is average weight, and the overall
playability is excellent. While it was played lightly, it was very
respected, and taken care of extremely well. It comes with additional
accessories, such as, a stack of the previous owners’ band’s business
cards, the deluxe large 3′ black & gold guitar strap, the original
instrument coily cable, and some extra Fender strings.