Fender 1965 Jaguar question.

[Ric1983]

I have a 1965 Jaguar it has the block inlay type
neck. My question is why are the dot necks more
highly sought after than the block inlay ones. I
would think the Block inlays are more of a Deluxe
appointment. Also I only seem too see dot ones
on ebay and such. Just wondering. It has the lowest action Ive ever played. And man can this thing Shred with slight help of a pedal. The original pickups are toneful but a bit weak.

Ric

[ April 06, 2003, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: Ric1983 ]

[GWARGHOUL]

Re: Fender 1965 Jaguar question.

I think that would be fake.

[JimmyApollo]

Re: Fender 1965 Jaguar question.

You could ask over at the Fender Forum. They have a whole forum for Jaguars and Jazzmasters.

[Jim Shine]

Re: Fender 1965 Jaguar question.

Block necks began during spring 1966, there are no all original '65 block neck Fender's outside of a few pre-production Coronado's.

There are a few reasons why block neck Jaguar and Jazzmaster's are less valuable than dot neck models. One is that all block neck guitars are CBS, which are less desireable guitars than pre-CBS. Another reason is most people who dig these guitars hate the look of block inlays. You see more dot necked guitars because the peak years of production were 1963-5. Here is a list of differences between a block era Jaguar/Jazzmaster versus a pre-CBS model:\

Pre-CBS guitars have smaller headstocks and a more popular neck profile.

Block necks 99% of the time feature the Fender made "F" tuner which was inferior to the older Kluson Deluxe tuner.

Less desireable wood was used to make bodies (sometimes they are made of as many as 6 pieces of wood) in the block neck era.

The finishes changed first to a Fullerplast sealed body (like poly) in '65, then to a full poly finish in '67. Nitrocellulose finishes are more desireable.

The frets got wider during 1966, which is less desireable.

The rosewood changed from Brazillian to Indian in 1965.

Pickguard material changed from nitrate celluloid to a plainer looking regular plastic in 1965.

I have had all of the different years of Jaguar's and Jazzmaster's. I actually like different years for the two. Jazzmaster's made in '59 are my fave (I do own a January '66 Jazzmaster with binding and dots which is okay, but it is no where near as nice feeling or good sounding as my '59). Jaguars were their best in 1964 as that year they changed to staggered pickups, had a nice neck shape, most have clay dots, and the bodies were still nicely shaped with the rounder bevel bit and woods were still nicer on average than later guitars.


Here is a prime example of CBS manufacturing Bad ideas. This block neck Jaguar features a butcherblock body with veneer on the back and front. The body was then painted white, a glaze was used to simulate wood grain, painted transparent yellow, then a traditional sunburst finish applied. AKA "Bogus Bursts" these crazy finishes appeared on all Fender models and was only used on and off for a brief period of time.

[ April 16, 2003, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: Jim Shine ]