By C.

In the shop today is a rather unique guitar that we’re very pleased to be offering. Take a good look, because you may not see another one like it for quite a while. Please welcome this 1963 Fender Jaguar, in see-through blonde finish!

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Now, right off the bat, you may notice something different about this guitar. It’s left-handed! This is truly a rare one for all our southpaw strummers out there. But before we dive in, let’s cover a bit of background.

The Fender Jaguar was first introduced in 1962 and was initially intended to be Fender’s new flagship instrument, but instead it found its place a bit later in a variety of musical genres of the 80’s and 90’s, including alternative rock, punk, shoegaze, and indie.

One of the most striking features of the Jaguar is its offset waist body shape, which was a departure from Fender’s traditional guitar designs at the time. This design not only contributes to its aesthetic appeal but also enhances its balance and comfort, making it a favorite among performers who appreciate both style and functionality.

The Jaguar’s overall sound is largely attributed to its electronics setup. Equipped with dual single-coil pickups, the Jaguar offers a wide range of sounds that can be further sculpted using its unique control layout. The guitar features a plethora of switches, knobs, and sliders, including the famous “strangle switch” which cuts the bass frequencies, resulting in a thinner, brighter tone. Additionally, its rhythm circuit, located on the upper bout of the guitar, provides players with a distinct set of tone controls, allowing for quick adjustments during performances.

This ’63 features all of its original Pre-CBS parts, including black bottom single-coil pickups and rare factory gold-plated hardware that often had to be special ordered through Fender. The body and neck have been expertly refinished in nitrocellulose lacquer with a worn-in feel and look of original finish. Being a 1963, this is only the second year of the Jaguar’s production and has a veneer Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with clay dots. The electronics feature Stackpole pots dating to 1964 with cloth wiring, another hallmark of Pre-CBS Fenders.

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Despite its initial popularity among the surf players of the 60’s, the Jaguar’s sonic capabilities found favor among musicians exploring new sonic territories. Its bright, articulate sound became synonymous with the surf rock genre, famously used by bands like The Surfaris and The Beach Boys. As musical tastes evolved, the Jaguar found a new home in the emerging punk and new wave scenes of the late ’80s and early ’90s. Its ability to produce aggressive, cutting tones made it a staple for bands like Sonic Youth and Nirvana, as well as cleaner tones favored by The Smiths, further cementing its place in music history.

Originally, these guitars had small frets both in width and height, which tend to have a short lifespan depending on how often the instrument was played. This guitar has been professionally refretted, which greatly enhances its playability across the fingerboard. It’s likely that the refret was performed a while back, as there is some fret wear and signs of use, but the frets play great across the entire fingerboard and feel superb!

Jaguars, while similar in look to their bigger sibling the Jazzmaster, have a shorter 24″ scale length that’s very comfortable for first and second position chording and really makes this model stand out as a songwriters Swiss Army knife. This Jag has clearly been played and enjoyed and deserves to go to a good home. And being a lefty, this rare piece will surely make someone’s dream guitar in a sea of right-handed versions.

Beyond its sonic prowess, the Fender Jaguar’s unique aesthetic has also contributed to its enduring popularity. Its sleek lines and retro vibe have made it a favorite among collectors and players alike. Like most of Fenders designs from this era, there’s just something inviting about how a Jaguar looks, making you have to split your time between gazing in awe and relishing in its sound.

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The Fender Jaguar has proven itself to be a timeless icon and this example is no exception. They’re cherished by musicians across all kinds of genres for their distinctive tone, playability, and unmistakable style. Whether this guitar piques your interest due to the sheer rarity of being a left-handed model with factory gold hardware, or that it’s a fairly priced original Pre-CBS guitar that you can feel comfortable playing and performing with, this 1963 Jaguar longs to be in the hands of a player or collector that will cherish it for many years to come.