Custom Color 1963 Fender Jaguar

Fender introduced the Jaguar in 1962 as its flagship model and promoted the custom color options in the catalog literature. With an April ’63 neck stamp and potentiometer date codes from the 9th week of 1963, this Candy Apple Red Jaguar was produced very early in the production run. The signature early features include pickups with flat polepieces, clay dots on the fingerboard, brown tolex case and a serial number that predates the introduction of L plate series numbers.

Look closely and you’ll notice another distinctive feature of the early custom color Jaguars – the “stacked” finish. The Fender factory often sprayed one guitar with multiple custom colors one over the other. Examining the neck pocket and the worn areas of the body, you can see the base layer sunburst finish, then Shoreline Gold, then the top coat of Candy Apple Red with its silver undercoat. The finish shows a beautiful patina with wear, flaking, and a small scar on the back from a coily cord. Under the neck plate the finish mirrors perfectly to help confirm the originality.

Aside from a nearly undetectable professional refret, all parts and electronics are original, and the solder joints appear undisturbed. The guitar includes the original bridge cover, tremolo arm and hardshell case. Wear and tear is evident on the leather ends of the original brown tolex case. This custom color pre-CBS Jaguar sounds great and the Candy Apple Red finish with matching headstock always gets attention. Pairs wonderfully with the 1963 Fender Deluxe amplifier1963 Fender Deluxe Amp 6G3 available separately.