Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $960

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

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Description

The Fender Japan Jaguar JG66 is a dynamic reissue of a classic, capturing the essence of Fender's legendary craftsmanship with a touch of Japanese precision. This iconic solid body electric guitar combines vintage charm with modern playability, making it a favorite among both collectors and performers. Originally produced during the era when Fender Japan focused on reissuing historic American models, the JG66 pays homage to its heritage while delivering a distinctly unique sound.

The JG66 features a sleek offset body and a short 24-inch scale, providing a comfortable playing experience for musicians of all styles. Its dual single-coil pickups offer a plethora of tonal options, from warm, rich lows to bright, crisp highs, making it a versatile instrument for various genres. The floating tremolo system adds an extra layer of expression, allowing for smooth, precise pitch alterations.

Crafted with the attention to detail that Japanese manufacturing is renowned for, the JG66 boasts a fast, smooth neck and responsive controls, perfect for those who crave precision and reliability. Whether you're navigating complex chord progressions or soaring into solos, this guitar offers exceptional control and comfort.

Key Features:

  • Solid body with an offset design
  • Short 24-inch scale length
  • Dual single-coil pickups
  • Floating tremolo system
  • Fast, smooth neck for effortless playability
  • Renowned Japanese craftsmanship and attention to detail
Paul Reno

Paul Reno

Best Fender Jaguar? American Vintage 65 vs Crafted in Japan vs Johnny Marr Comparison

Video thumbnail for Best Fender Jaguar? American Vintage 65 vs Crafted in Japan vs Johnny Marr Comparison by Paul Reno

Best Fender Jaguar? American Vintage 65 vs Crafted in Japan vs Johnny Marr Comparison

Paul Reno

Paul Reno

Video thumbnail for Fender Japan Jaguar Jg-66 / All Along the watchtower by Hideki Tanimoto

Fender Japan Jaguar Jg-66 / All Along the watchtower

Hideki Tanimoto

Hideki Tanimoto

Video thumbnail for Fender Jaguar JG66B CIJ 2002 3TSB Blocks and Binding Japan by NOIZEMAKER GUITARS

Fender Jaguar JG66B CIJ 2002 3TSB Blocks and Binding Japan

NOIZEMAKER GUITARS

NOIZEMAKER GUITARS

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Japan Jaguar JG66.

Setup and maintenance

  • The stock bridge can function well with a proper neck pitch and loc-tite, preventing rattles and string movement during aggressive vibrato use.

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  • Owners recommend removing the neck to check for dates or factory identifiers, though sometimes these markings are faded or missing entirely.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Fender PV '65 pickups are recommended for a classic Jaguar tone with bright, shimmering highs and a fat low end, though they are very mid-scooped.

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  • JBE pickups and upgraded wiring, along with a TOM bridge and buzzstop, are common mods for enhanced sound and stability on the JG66-85.

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Features and functionality

  • Mastery bridges offer a unique sound and improved setup ease, especially in reducing string slip and enhancing sustain, though not essential for everyone.

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  • The rhythm circuit switch modification is queried, suggesting potential functional changes when paired with non-standard pickups.

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Comparisons

  • Lollar pickups are praised for quality but considered expensive, with alternatives like the '62 AVRI pickups offering a balanced tone with pronounced mids.

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Use cases and applications

  • The JG66's plinky sound works well for shoegaze, but some players prefer a warmer tone akin to P90s for more versatility.

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  • Modified JG66-85 Jaguars with features like JBE pickups and Sperzel tuners are popular as travel guitars due to their reliability and ease of transport.

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  • The consistency in build and feel makes these guitars highly reliable, with owners often noting their satisfaction with multiple models from different years.

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User experience

  • Owners highlight the comfort of the satin finished neck and medium jumbo frets, enhancing playability.

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  • Japanese Fenders, particularly those with U-shaped neck profiles, are praised for their consistent feel across decades, often described as some of the best necks available.

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Build quality

  • The sunburst finish on 90s Japanese Jaguars is described as more red/orange compared to the more yellow USA versions, indicating a distinct visual characteristic.

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Other

  • Despite claims of rarity, these models, particularly in sunburst, were produced in large quantities for the Japanese market, making them more prevalent domestically than internationally.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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A

cool

i own this late-nineties '66 RI with lollar pickups. the sound is incredible but it had/has exactly the problems you'd expect from a 20-yr-old Fender offset: significant fret buzz from wear/swelling/whatever and an amusing but almost totally non-functional original bridge. i got mustang saddles installed per a luthier's advice, but this is obviously a band-aid fix as the high e goes through its saddle at quite an angle and seems to sit either a bit too far up or down the fretboard at most times. other than that and the goddamn fret buzz, which i'm assuming i'll need treated with a general leveling or even plek job, the guitar is real nice. tone has the plink, bite, and elusive "bounciness" of vintage surfy Fender offsets, and the playability is good. worth the $900 for me but i'd advise not buying one unless you can try it out in person to check for usual aging-related issues that can get amplified by the Jag's short scale. also know that a Mastery, Staytrem, or even US Fender bridge should help substantially with the infuriating string jump thing.

Artist usage

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See how Hisako Tabuchi uses Fender Japan Jaguar JG66

Hisako Tabuchi

Singer, Guitarist

Number Girl

...
Verified via Photo

Not sure about year of manufacturing, but it is absolutely Fender Japan Jaguar Candy Apple Red. In this special issue of Guitar Player magazine Tabuchi's guitars are listed on page 86

See how Gareth Liddiard uses Fender Japan Jaguar JG66

Gareth Liddiard

Singer, Guitarist

Tropical Fuck Storm

...
Verified via YouTube

In the linked video (https://youtu.be/6z1WZDyLEHg?list=PLPSOX00TLs7-qmqFF3X8-CewdMmig-D2a) Gareth Liddiard can be seen going through his gear and showing off his 1995 Fender Japan Jaguar. Though it is heavily modified, the body is still that of a Fender Jaguar.

See how Jonny Woods uses Fender Japan Jaguar JG66

Jonny Woods

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

at 24:38 of this interview "This here is a Japanese Jag, which has had loads, and loads of mods."

He lists the modifications done to the Candy Apple Red Fender Jaguar (a "trem arm collet, a Lace Sensor Red pickup and a lazer-cut plate to hold a toggle switch")

He also played this guitar at Reading Festival 2015 with R51 (Wynona Bleach's original band name)

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Japan Jaguar JG66, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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jasperb05

jasperb05

Gear IQ 213

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