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Average Price: $6,100

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Step back in time with the 1965 Fender Jaguar, a classic embodiment of vintage allure and modern playability. This iconic guitar, with its unmistakable offset body, became a staple for punk, grunge, and indie rockers, thanks to its unique tonal characteristics and distinctive design. Originating in the golden era of electric guitars, the Jaguar set itself apart with a shorter 24-inch scale length, offering a different playability feel compared to its Fender siblings like the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Its two thin single-coil pickups deliver a crisp, articulate sound perfect for cutting through dense mixes, while the innovative floating tremolo system adds a touch of expressive flair to your riffs.

The 1965 model marks a pivotal year in the Jaguar's evolution, coinciding with Fender's acquisition by CBS. This transition introduced new aesthetic features such as the three-ply plastic pickguard and pearloid dot inlays, adding a touch of elegance to its robust build. Constructed with an alder body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard, the Jaguar strikes the perfect balance between solid construction and smooth, fast playability. The lead/rhythm circuit switch and individual pickup selectors provide versatile tonal options, allowing you to tailor your sound to fit any genre or mood.

Key Features:

  • Offset solid body design
  • Alder body with Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard
  • 24-inch scale length
  • Two single-coil pickups with notched side-plates
  • Floating tremolo system
  • Lead/rhythm circuit switch and individual pickup selectors
  • Sunburst finish standard, with rarer colors prized by collectors

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Jaguar
Finish Black, Black with Matching Headstock, Blonde, Burgundy Mist, Burgundy Mist with Matching Headstock, Candy Apple Red, Candy Apple Red with Matching Headstock, Charcoal Frost, Charcoal Frost with Matching Headstock, Dakota Red, Dakota Red with Matching Headstock, Fiesta Red, Fiesta Red with Matching Headstock, Firemist Gold with Matching Headstock, Ice Blue Metallic, Ice Blue Metallic with Matching Headstock, Lake Placid Blue, Lake Placid Blue with Matching Headstock, Olympic White, Olympic White with Matching Headstock, Seafoam Green, Seafoam Green with Matching Headstock, Sherwood Green with Matching Headstock, Shoreline Gold, Shoreline Gold with Matching Headstock, Sonic Blue, Sonic Blue with Matching Headstock, Sunburst
Year 1965
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Grey, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Fender Jaguar
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24"
Series Fender Vintage CBS Era

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the 1965 Fender Jaguar?

The 1965 Fender Jaguar features a mid '60s C-shaped neck profile, offering a comfortable grip and playability, especially suited for players with smaller hands due to its shorter 24" scale length.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on a 1965 Fender Jaguar?

The vintage accurate pickups on the 1965 Fender Jaguar are wound to period-correct specifications, delivering a bright, clear tone with a distinctive jangly sound, ideal for surf rock and indie music genres.

Is the 1965 Fender Jaguar suitable for beginners or advanced players?

The 1965 Fender Jaguar, with its complex dual-circuit wiring and shorter scale, is better suited for intermediate to advanced players who appreciate vintage features and are comfortable with more intricate control systems.

Does the 1965 Fender Jaguar have a tremolo system?

Yes, the 1965 Fender Jaguar includes a vintage-style floating tremolo with a lock button, allowing for smooth pitch bending and stability during performances.

What materials are used in the construction of the 1965 Fender Jaguar?

The 1965 Fender Jaguar features a lightweight alder body, a maple neck with a bolt-on construction, and a bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboard, contributing to its classic look and sound.

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

1965 Fender Jaguar

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Jaguar by Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

1965 Fender Jaguar

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Vintage 'n' Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1965 Fender Jaguar Sunburst | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1965 Fender Jaguar Sunburst | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Jaguar | Guitar of the Day - Lemmo's Birthday Special by Normans Rare Guitars

1965 Fender Jaguar | Guitar of the Day - Lemmo's Birthday Special

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Norman's Rare Guitars - Guitar of the Day: 1965 Fender Jaguar by Normans Rare Guitars

Norman's Rare Guitars - Guitar of the Day: 1965 Fender Jaguar

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for ROUNDUP: A Special 1965 Fender Jaguar by Puisheen

ROUNDUP: A Special 1965 Fender Jaguar

Puisheen

Puisheen

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Jaguar with Matching Headstock | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1965 Fender Jaguar with Matching Headstock | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender Jaguar from 1965 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann. by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Fender Jaguar from 1965 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann.

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Jaguar played by Anthony da Costa by Carter Vintage Guitars

1965 Fender Jaguar played by Anthony da Costa

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for "Pick of the Day" - 1965 Fender Jaguar and Tone King Sky King by Emerald City Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1965 Fender Jaguar and Tone King Sky King

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1965 Fender Jaguar.

Setup and maintenance

  • Frets from this era are typically narrow and short, though they often need minimal work unless damaged, as seen with one requiring replacement due to hammer impact.

    Source
  • It's crucial to reinstall the pickguard promptly to prevent shrinkage; old celluloid can warp quickly and is sensitive to heat.

    Source
  • The rhythm circuit and grounding wire are common areas requiring attention; the 3-way switches may also need fixing for optimal functionality.

    Source

Build quality

  • A 1965 Fender Jaguar with original parts, including the Fender Mute, is rare and adds to its historical authenticity and collector's value.

    Source
  • The older sunburst patterns from the '60s are noted for their vibrant red hues and intricate flamed maple patterns, which stand out more than modern versions.

    Source
  • One owner replaced the original tuners with Gotoh tuners without requiring any guitar modifications, maintaining the neck's integrity.

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User experience

  • Those working in vintage guitar shops often encounter these rare models frequently, benefiting from being in environments that specialize in vintage instruments.

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  • The rhythm circuit on the 1965 Jaguar is reportedly more useful compared to modern Jaguars, offering a distinct tonal advantage.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Fair cash purchases from vintage shops can often yield these rare finds, facilitating both the acquisition and eventual resale of such instruments.

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  • A missing original tremolo unit allowed a buyer to purchase the guitar at a slightly lower price, highlighting the impact of missing parts on value.

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Use cases and applications

  • Older tortoise shell pickguards from this era are praised for their unique aesthetic, adding to the visual appeal of the guitar.

    Source
  • The guitar was formerly owned by a session guitarist for Lee Seung-Hwan, adding provenance and potential appeal for fans or collectors interested in its history.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The original vibrato arm was lost, necessitating a replacement, illustrating common issues with maintaining original parts on vintage models.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Vintage Time Machines: '65 Fender Jaguar

guitar.com

The 1965 Fender Jaguar, initially overlooked, has emerged as a cult favorite thanks to its distinctive short-scale design and unique tonal qualities. While it failed to overshadow the Strat or Telecaster in its early years, its resurgence in the grunge and indie scenes during the '90s proves its lasting appeal. The pre-CBS models, like the one reviewed, are particularly coveted for their vintage allure and historical significance. However, despite its charm, the Jaguar's niche appeal and hefty price tag may not suit every guitarist's needs. For collectors and enthusiasts of offset guitars, though, it's a piece of history worth owning.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kurt Cobain uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, we take an in depth look at Cobain's Fender Jaguar, covering how he acquired the instrument, the modifications made to it, inconsistencies from standard Jaguars made at the time, aswell as past/future owners.

See how J Mascis uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

J Mascis

Singer, Guitarist

Dinosaur Jr

...
Verified via YouTube

"I'm not much of a Jag person. I like the way they look, but I don't like the sound that much, an uh, shorter neck, but I liked the way this looked, but then I just, didn't like playin' it or anything, so... Doesn't have binding, so it must be '63 or 4."

Reverb.com specifies this to be a 1965 model.

See how Matthew Followill uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Matthew Followill

Guitarist

Kings of Leon

...
Verified via Photo

This screenshot of Matthew Followill's Instagram Story features a 1965 Fender Jaguar. The Instagram Story was originally posted on the 30th January 2024

See how PJ Harvey uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

PJ Harvey

Keyboardist, Harpist

The Desert Sessions

...
Verified via Archive

According to PJ Harvey's website, Harvey often played a 1965 Fender Jaguar.

Full article here

See how Chelsea Cutler uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Chelsea Cutler

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In her Instagram story posted on Dec. 29, 2020, Chelsea shares this 1965 Fender Jaguar as her favorite.

See how Eric Erlandson uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Eric Erlandson

Guitarist

Hole

...
Verified via Photo

This is a pic of him with this guitar, he also used it in the hole's "Doll Parts" music video ..

See how Michael Lemmo uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Michael Lemmo

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

This 1965 Fender Jaguar got gifted to Lemmo in this video and he’s posted it on his Instagram

See how Jeffrey Steele uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Jeffrey Steele

Singer, Guitarist

Boy Howdy

...
Verified via Photo

in this photo hes using a 1965 Fender Jaguar

See how Isaac Miller uses 1965 Fender Jaguar

Isaac Miller

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo, Isaac Miller's 1965 Fender Jaguar is shown with a humbucker added in 2023 and a Dot Inlay neck installed in 2026.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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