Up for sale, a 1966 Fender Jaguar in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Finished in original custom color Lake Placid Blue nitro lacquer with matching peghead, this Jaguar has a feature set indicative of the '66 model year including a bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard with pearloid dot inlay, gray bobbin pickups, "F" tuners and neck plate, and a parchment wide-bevel pickguard.

This Jaguar weighs 9lbs 2oz with an alder body and authoritative acoustic voice that's lively and clear. The original pair of gray bobbin single coils deliver the raw twang, chime, and cut for which these pickups are known, and in design and output they're virtually identical to a Strat pickup, albeit with the metal "claw" surrounds that both focus the magnetic field of the pickups and reduce unwanted hum. The myriad of switching options and original 1Meg potentiometers cover the traditional Fender single coil territory, yet with the cutting top end that only comes with a Jag. In the Lead Circuit (hexagonal control plate), the "strangle" switch cuts low end and can make for great tic-tac tones. The Rhythm Circuit on the guitar's lower horn introduces a set of darker tonalities exclusive to the neck pickup, with a richness and low end girth that fills things out nicely and is great for driving a tube amp or your favorite fuzz box. We've professionally setup this guitar here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 11-49 roundwound strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.

The maple neck has a full-feeling medium depth C-shaped profile carve, offering full shoulders in every register, measuring .850" deep at the 1st fret and .920" at the 12th. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard features pearloid dot inlay and original slender frets which have their full factory height, showing only light wear, predominantly beneath the plain strings, on the crowns of frets 1-5. The guitar plays cleanly in every register with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width, and the matching Lake Placid Blue headstock retains the original flawless "Fender Jaguar" waterslide decal. The Fender "F" tuning machines have gleaming chrome plating, turning smoothly and holding pitch as intended. On the neck heel, the April, 1965 date stamp is present, with a flush truss rod nut that has needed sparingly little adjustment in the last half century. The correct "paint stick" markings are also present in the neck pocket.

On the body, all of the electronics function as intended, with untouched solder joints and gray bobbin pickups that both retain their original windings. The pickup bobbins are hand-dated 5-19-66 and 5-24-66, and the Stackpole pots date to the 17th week of '66. The chrome-plated hardware is exceedingly well-kept, and even the original bridge cover is included. The stock bridge works in concert with the vibrato unit, and this Jaguar can execute everything from very subtle warbles and shakes at the end of notes, all the way to deeper dives that jump back to the original pitch with ease. The original flip-up mute has been fitted with fresh foam. The wide bevel parchment pickguard sits flat with no undue warping.

The Lake Placid Blue nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, with faint vertical lacquer checking. There is sparingly little aging of the clear coat, and cosmetic wear is limited to some minor marks and light finish scratches consistent with very careful, limited use. The neck profile retains its smooth nitro lacquer gloss, free of palm wear.

The original black tolex hardshell case with raised Fender logo on the exterior is included. The case is in great shape, with clean black leather ends, functional latches, and the original handle.