Late 64 or Early 66 Jaguar NOW WITH ADDED PICS

[Axolotl]

^^^ + 1. In my experience, some 66 necks can be pretty narrow at the nut. Both my Mustang and JM from this year are about 1.5 inches wide at the nut. The Jazzmaster -B&B neck- also has a really thin profile. Both of them have a very slight taper. The feel really nice and fast for my not-so-big hands. I've also tried a 66 Jag and a Coronado that had a very similar feel. I'd assume a 64 or early Fender neck would have a fatter tapper by the 12th fret or so.

But also profiles can vary a lot according to the woodworker. Try to try before you buy. Good luck and let us know!

[i love sharin foo]

Definitely the earlier one. Late '64/ early '65 is a solid time for Jaguars. I have 3 from that timeframe and all are fantastic! The earliest is a sunburst '64 with clay dots, and then a CAR '64 with pearl dots, and lastly an OW '65 with dots. The sunburst has the thickest tone, maybe a bit more aggressive than the others. A bit more mid heavy it seems. The '65 has this elastic quality that is unique to it. The highs are very present but not harsh. It is really clear and rings with such definition. The red one is somewhere in between the other two. I used to have a '66 with dots and binding. It never felt as special as the others. It sounded good, not great. Nothing particularly stand out in any area. I can easily get on with or without binding, but I do prefer the feel without it. The fretboard edges roll more and feel better to me without it.

Obviously these things are all unique unto themselves. No two ever sound or feel the same. But there are some generalities among them.

[Pacafeliz]

As much as I love the look of a bound neck, the ones without feel so much better.
My crackwhore Jag has a JAN65 neck and it's a dream.

[JVG]

I'd be concerned about the credibility of a music store that somehow "loses" a vintage fender case and casually offers to strip a vintage guitar of its string tree for you.

In any case, do your best to play them both before making a decision. In 10 years from now you won't regret a 5-hour drive or extra few hundred bucks, provided you got the best guitar.

Have fun!
J.

[Pacafeliz]

Thanks everyone. I'd need to buy a mute and a period trem arm for the 66 but the general consensus is correct - £400/£500 is another guitar!

I would like to try the 64 but that's a hell of a drive just to make sure. And I'll definitely prefer the chunkier neck...

Well I guess then the 66 is the one for you!

[simonhpieman]

Some pics...

https://imgur.com/gallery/LHmiREO

[simonhpieman]

I'd be concerned about the credibility of a music store that somehow "loses" a vintage fender case and casually offers to strip a vintage guitar of its string tree for you.

In any case, do your best to play them both before making a decision. In 10 years from now you won't regret a 5-hour drive or extra few hundred bucks, provided you got the best guitar.

It's one of the reasons I've held off. They seemed to be very casual about how they'd lost £200+ worth of trem arm and other bits that may have been in the case, as well as how easy it would be to take bits off the other guitar or give me that one's case instead. He says he's ordered a replacement reissue trem arm but I think he's missed the point, somewhat.

Good advice on the drive, though. I've got a quiet day so I'd only have been sat on the sofa getting fatter...!

[gringopig]

That '66 has been kicking about for years! I've been seeing it on Reverb. For me the choice would be super easy. So easy I wouldn't even think about it.

Go for the lovely sunburst dot neck 64 without a doubt. It looks ace and is complete. The '66 has been languishing without interest for ages and there is probably good reason for it.

[simonhpieman]

That's pretty unequivocal! I'm hoping to see the 64 this week. Will keep y'all in the loop.

(And I thought the 66 was quite nice nontheless!)

[spiffy chap]

My friend has a 1968 Jag which I found here in the BST sub-forum. I don’t know if his neck is chunkier than my 1965 or 1964, but it definitely feels fuller in the shoulders.

[blackbox]

Agree, no-brainer to go with the '64 there unless the BB neck is just a dream guitar for you or something.

[fuzzjunkie]

That '66 has been kicking about for years! I've been seeing it on Reverb. For me the choice would be super easy. So easy I wouldn't even think about it.

Go for the lovely sunburst dot neck 64 without a doubt. It looks ace and is complete. The '66 has been languishing without interest for ages and there is probably good reason for it.

Sounds like he’d kick in a free toaster or electric kettle just to see that ‘66 gone at this point!

[JVG]

Is the free toaster a '64 or '66?
Is it all original?

[Kinx]

I would go for the 64, I wouldn't trust the shop selling the '66 as mentioned before - god knows how many nasty surprises may be ahead of you with that one.

[leokula]

Agree, no-brainer to go with the '64 there unless the BB neck is just a dream guitar for you or something.

That would be the case with me

I'd totally get the 66, but thats entirely personal choice based on aesthetics.