Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $865

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Fender Jaguar Special is a modern twist on a beloved classic, seamlessly blending vintage allure with contemporary innovation. This iconic solid body electric guitar retains the signature offset-waist body, reminiscent of the original 1960s design, now crafted from lightweight alder for optimal resonance and playability. Fitted with specially designed hot Jaguar single-coil pickups, this guitar offers a fatter tone and a hotter output, ensuring your sound stands out on any stage.

What sets the Jaguar Special apart are its modern enhancements tailored for today's musicians. The neck pocket has been re-engineered to provide a better pitch and a more comfortable playing experience. Additionally, the Adjusto-Matic bridge works in tandem with the relocated trem plate to improve sustain, while the screw-in tremolo arm adds precision to your vibrato control. Medium jumbo frets make bending notes a breeze, and the 9.5" fingerboard radius ensures a smooth and fast playability.

Whether you're diving into surf rock or experimenting with new genres, the Jaguar Special is versatile enough to meet your needs. Its sleek chrome hardware and black plastic knobs offer a striking aesthetic, while the inclusion of a deluxe gig bag ensures your instrument stays protected on the go. Embrace the past while stepping into the future with the Fender Jaguar Special.

Key Features:

  • Alder body with a classic offset-waist shape
  • Maple neck with a "C" shape and polyurethane finish
  • Rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets
  • Special Design Hot Jaguar Single-Coil Pickups in neck and bridge
  • Fender Adjusto-Matic bridge with vintage-style floating tremolo tailpiece
  • 9.5" fingerboard radius for enhanced playability
  • 24" scale length with 1.650" width at nut
  • Deluxe gig bag included

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Classic Player Jaguar Special
Finish 3-Color Sunburst, Candy Apple Red
Year 2009 - 2019
Made In Mexico
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Brown, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Pau Ferro, 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
Series Fender Classic Player

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Jaguar Special like?

The Fender Jaguar Special features a C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip suitable for various playing styles, particularly favored by those who enjoy fast playing and smooth transitions.

Are the pickups on the Fender Jaguar Special suitable for rock music?

Yes, the Fender Jaguar Special is equipped with Special Design Hot Single-Coil Jaguar pickups, which deliver a fatter tone and more output, making them well-suited for rock music and other genres requiring a powerful sound.

Is the Fender Jaguar Special good for beginners?

While the Fender Jaguar Special offers features that appeal to experienced players, its comfortable neck and versatile tone make it accessible for beginners who are committed to learning and investing in a quality instrument.

Does the Fender Jaguar Special have a tremolo system?

Yes, the Fender Jaguar Special is equipped with a Vintage Style Floating Tremolo, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects.

What is the scale length of the Fender Jaguar Special?

The Fender Jaguar Special has a 24-inch scale length, which provides a slightly shorter reach and can be easier to play for those with smaller hands or those who prefer a more compact feel.

AngelDust Guitars

AngelDust Guitars

Fender Jaguar Special | Nirvana Tribute | fb.com/angeldust.guitars Review Test

Video thumbnail for Fender Jaguar Special | Nirvana Tribute | fb.com/angeldust.guitars Review Test by AngelDust Guitars

Fender Jaguar Special | Nirvana Tribute | fb.com/angeldust.guitars Review Test

AngelDust Guitars

AngelDust Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar DEMO: Fender Jaguar Special (Japan) by Mark Stuart GUITARIST

Guitar DEMO: Fender Jaguar Special (Japan)

Mark Stuart GUITARIST

Mark Stuart GUITARIST

Reviews

PROS

  • Surprising build quality for a Made in Mexico model rivals American versions

  • Short scale makes it easier to play than full-length models

  • Unique metal shields on pickups offer distinct sound

  • Tremolo positioned for better string stability

  • Excellent for surf and retro rock genres

  • Rich vintage aesthetics with modern improvements

  • Wide range of tones suitable for various music styles

  • Smooth Jaguar/Jazzmaster tremolo preferred over Strat style

  • Candy Apple Red finish has an appealing metal flake look

  • Exceptional playability and tonal variety for recording

CONS

  • Controls can be confusing and cumbersome

  • Short scale can result in higher string tension

  • Rhythm circuit may not be widely useful

  • Tremolo proximity to the body can be an issue

  • Neck pickup may be too dark for some players

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

  • Lollartrons pickups can transform the guitar's sound, enhancing tone significantly without further modifications.

    Source
  • Consider using tight tolerance CTS pots and a Switchcraft or Puretone output jack for improved electronic reliability.

    Source
  • The Johnny Marr plate with a Telecaster 4-way switch offers versatile pickup configurations, including series mode for a louder punk sound.

    Source
  • Owners have successfully installed lipstick humbuckers and a Les Trem, enhancing both the guitar's aesthetic and playability.

    Source
  • Transitioning to Wide Range humbuckers and simplifying to a 3-way switch with a single volume pot has been praised for enhancing the sound and playability.

    Source
  • Rewiring the rhythm circuit switch to function as a kill switch is a popular modification among owners seeking versatile tonal control.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Grub screws in the saddles may rattle; applying Loctite Blue can fix this common issue.

    Source
  • Owners frequently experience electrical faults, suggesting a need for periodic maintenance or upgrades to the MIJ Fender's electronics.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Rotating the bridge pickup and adjusting screw poles can mimic a P90 tone without soldering.

    Source
  • The use of humbucker frames on top of the pickguard is preferred by some owners for its superior visual appeal compared to direct mounting.

    Source

User experience

  • The guitar excels with flatwound strings, changing its tonal profile to suit genres not traditionally associated with flatwounds.

    Source
  • The stock humbuckers are noted to sound closer to single coils, which some believe is due to their relatively weak output, potentially altering traditional Jaguar sound expectations.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Early models once sold for $300, but current market prices have surged to $1-1.8k, indicating a significant increase in value over time.

    Source
  • An owner reported paying $530 for a black Jaguar Special, contrasting with a $1300 asking price for a red-burst model, highlighting significant market price variations.

    Source

Other

  • The combination of a black body with chrome hardware is praised for its striking appearance, while a tort pickguard is considered less complementary.

    Source

Build quality

  • The stock Dragster pickups are reported to pick up interference near electronic devices like TVs, indicating potential shielding issues.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
otherside

It's about the vibe

Probably the only thing that I'm not the biggest fan of is the weight of this guitar. But it's a small pay for the sound and esthetic of this Jag. Love it

Genres:
adam_schoenbachler

Versatile guitar with a sleek, beautiful aesthetic

I have owned my Fender Jaguar Special HH for seven years now, and despite heavy use, I have yet to have any issues with it. It has been a perfect guitar for me. Its wide range of tones and low price point make it a great guitar for the starving artist who can't afford a wider array of guitars.

Despite being typecast as one of Fender's least attractive instruments, the silver and black color scheme suits a Jaguar's indie vibe.

My only complaint is that the neck pickup is almost too dark--particularly for those of us playing with round wound strings. The guitar itself benefits rhythm guitar playing just because of its darker overall tone. I offset this by upping the treble on my clean boost, which is almost always on when I play.

Overall, this is one of my favorite instruments that stands up both tonally and aesthetically to guitars three and four times its price. Pick it up if you can find one.

irulsdan

Good

Lots of knobs but good looking and good sounding

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Pat Smear uses Fender Jaguar Special

Pat Smear

Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified via Photo

Around about 13 seconds in, the camera closes in on Pat and Chris and you can see clealry the guitar in Pats hands.

See how Mikey Way uses Fender Jaguar Special

Mikey Way

Bassist

My Chemical Romance

...
Verified via Photo

Mikey can be seen playing this guitar in a guitar shop with Gerard.

See how Daniela Villarreal uses Fender Jaguar Special

Daniela Villarreal

Singer, Guitarist

The Warning

...
Verified via Photo

Daniela Villarreal is seen posing with a Fender Jaguar Special with two humbuckers in a promo-shoot for The Warning's Keep Me Fed album. Photos from this shoot were released to media outlets for articles about the album, and were used in concert promotions.

There is no evidence Daniela Villarreal has played this Fender Jaguar in concert or on a recording.

NOTE: Original product matching is incorrect. This is a 60th Anniversary Jaguar Ultra Lux.

See how Japanese Breakfast uses Fender Jaguar Special

Japanese Breakfast

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast is seen playing a Fender Jaguar Special in the provided photo, where the name "Jaguar" is clearly visible on the color-matched headstock. The word "Special" is visible on the headstock if you look closely enough.

See how 100 gecs uses Fender Jaguar Special

100 gecs

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

100gecs at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, October 23rd. Photographed by user.

See how Jeff Rosenstock uses Fender Jaguar Special

Jeff Rosenstock

Singer, Guitarist

Bomb the Music Industry!

...
Verified via YouTube

at 4:27 in this video, Jeff can be seen playing a Fender Jaguar HH, specifically with a matching black headstock and stopbar tailpiece, which identifies this as a black Fender JGS J- Craft Jaguar Special HH. This video is from the recording sessions for "Worry." and this guitar is being shown during an off-the-floor recording session, so it presumably can be heard on the record.

See how Sarah Longfield uses Fender Jaguar Special

Sarah Longfield

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Sarah Longfield uses a Special Edition Fender Jaguar HH.

See how Paul Klein uses Fender Jaguar Special

Paul Klein

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Paul Klein can be seen using this beautful Fender Jaguar in 2015 during the early years of LANY. Used this guitar with song like 4EVER and ILYSB.

See how Josh Price uses Fender Jaguar Special

Josh Price

Guitarist

The Chats

...
Verified via YouTube

He is seen using it in this video

See how Jean Dawson uses Fender Jaguar Special

Jean Dawson

Guitarist, Rapper

...
Verified via Wikimedia

In this photo we can see Dawson's Fender Classic Player Jaguar HH Special 2008 Olympic White, which was also used when recording the Chaos Now album

See how Jacob Bugden uses Fender Jaguar Special

Jacob Bugden

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Jacob Bugden, guitarist for Beabadoobee, he is seen playing a Fender Jaguar Special with pearloid fret inlays.

See how Julia Shapiro uses Fender Jaguar Special

Julia Shapiro

Singer, Guitarist

Chastity Belt

...
Verified via YouTube

Julia plays the Japanese-made Fender Jaguar special HH. It can be seen throughout the entirety of this solo show, as well as various Chastity Belt and Childbirth videos. (see 12:48 of this Childbirth performance as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfk9Ym6Dy98&t=765s)

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 Jaguar Special, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
romalane

romalane

Gear IQ 64

intersonico

intersonico

Gear IQ 208

creepingnet

creepingnet

Gear IQ 2937

dimiknowsbest

dimiknowsbest

Gear IQ 114

More Fender Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Similar

Gear Guides