Jaguar 66 Refin - Original or Partscaster

[Eljaguar]

Last week, I came across a ‘66 Refin Jag on Reverb. After a call with the store owner, who runs a reputable shop with positive reviews on Reverb, I had several questions about the guitar’s authenticity. The price being on the lower end for a refinish raised suspicions of it being a partscaster.

Despite limited information about its origin – the previous owner had it for a year or two, having bought it online – the store owner, who has experience with vintage Fender guitars, believes the Jag is genuine but can’t guarantee it. According to the store’s luthier, it’s an old refinish with a non-original pickguard and some replaced block inlays. However, the pickups are original, and the stamp on the neck’s heel is rubbed off.

As I’m receiving the guitar this week, I’m concerned about the neck’s lack of serial number. I wonder if a black light would reveal more details and if it’s indeed an original neck. I’m eager to hear your thoughts or experiences with necks having rubbed-off stamps or no serial – is that plausible? In the pictures, you can see something, but uncertainty remains.

I opted for this Jag because crafting a convincing fake and relic for such a specific, less significant year model seems intricate. Seeking a consensus to ease my concerns, I’d appreciate your input. What are your thoughts and gut feelings about this guitar based on the pictures? I’ll share more details after playing it, but for now, I’d like to hear your insights.

Thanks!

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j80f73px ... aklcp&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ukzniv8v ... 02uc6&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xovo0tpy ... swo2p&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dzetn4fr ... xfk0s&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sg5xqv05 ... fqu3b&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yhv3jimd ... tatzt&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/in2awr8c ... qph5t&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ufpk70vt ... yfrvl&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j9stb2sk ... isa2e&dl=0

[JohnnyS]

You can still make out a little of the neck stamp. I can't read it but it seems to be the right size, shape and colour.

Looks like it could say 66B or 68B to my eyes, which would check out.

[Pacafeliz]

Oh geez that's NICE

[Eljaguar]

Oh geez that's NICE

I'm hoping that it is as good as it looks.

[Eljaguar]

You can still make out a little of the neck stamp. I can't read it but it seems to be the right size, shape and colour.

Looks like it could say 66B or 68B to my eyes, which would check out.

Thanks! That's what I thought too.

[armensguitars]

Looks like a really cool guitar, and if the neck plate is replaced but body and neck are both original that is near best case scenario, which it appears to be. Look for the dowel marks on the body when you get it.

[spiffy chap]

This Jaguar has already been discussed on the forum. I see you’re new and don’t have the 50 posts required for the FS section.

Neck doesn’t seem suspicious to me. The shop did buy it for <$1800 and swapped the bridge back from the Mastery bridge. Original ad didn’t know whether the electronics or pickups were original.

[Eljaguar]

This Jaguar has already been discussed on the forum. I see you’re new and don’t have the 50 posts required for the FS section.

Neck doesn’t seem suspicious to me. The shop did buy it for <$1800 and swapped the bridge back from the Mastery bridge. Original ad didn’t know whether the electronics or pickups were original.

Oh thanks! This is good to know! Do you have any more intel?

[spiffy chap]

This Jaguar has already been discussed on the forum. I see you’re new and don’t have the 50 posts required for the FS section.

Neck doesn’t seem suspicious to me. The shop did buy it for <$1800 and swapped the bridge back from the Mastery bridge. Original ad didn’t know whether the electronics or pickups were original.

Oh thanks! This is good to know! Do you have any more intel?

Nothing really more is known. Nobody locally checked it out and that shop picked up in a few days after posting.

Intonation with Mastery seemed almost maxed out, but the listing went down on CL and the shop put a Mustang bridge when listed.

[Eljaguar]

This Jaguar has already been discussed on the forum. I see you’re new and don’t have the 50 posts required for the FS section.

Neck doesn’t seem suspicious to me. The shop did buy it for <$1800 and swapped the bridge back from the Mastery bridge. Original ad didn’t know whether the electronics or pickups were original.

Oh thanks! This is good to know! Do you have any more intel?

Nothing really more is known. Nobody locally checked it out and that shop picked up in a few days after posting.

Intonation with Mastery seemed almost maxed out, but the listing went down on CL and the shop put a Mustang bridge when listed.

Yeah the store included the mastery bridge as well I will just need to wait and inspect it once I get it!

Thanks again for the info!

[mekhem]

Let us know when you get it.

I was definitely interested but the shop got there first....

[Eljaguar]

Finally got the guitar! fedex almost lost it so I had to drive to the station to recover it. I spend the last two days on the phone trying to figure out what happened!

I will unbox it today and post pictures soon.

Thanks you all for the advise and comments!

[armensguitars]

Looking forward to seeing it!

[Eljaguar]

Upon inspecting the guitar, I noticed a few discrepancies that were not mentioned in the listing. Firstly, the neck doesn't fit snugly into the body pocket, resulting in an angled gap and misalignment of the high E string. Additionally, the neck is thinner than my preference, and the body feels somewhat too thin as well. These observations led me to wonder if this guitar was originally assembled as advertised or pieced together from different parts.

While the sound quality is satisfactory, it leans towards a twangy tone, which isn't quite what I'm after. Comparatively, I recall the exceptional sound and perfect neck profile of the 60s Jaguar AVRI that I sold last year.

Seeking clarity, I consulted Mike Adams, also known as Puisheen, who kindly examined some photos I provided. He pointed out that the pickups and pickguard were reissues and mentioned the common issue of serial numbers rubbing off on '66 necks. While he didn't raise any red flags indicating it was fake, he noted that with refinished guitars, authenticity can be challenging to determine without in-person inspection.

Ultimately, my main gripe with the guitar lies in its neck profile. Realizing it wouldn't see much playtime in my hands, I decided to return it to the store to avoid the inevitable relisting in six months.

Despite its need for some tender loving care, it's undeniably a decent guitar with Jaguar characteristics. My quest continues for the perfect match.
I am leaving some pictures here in case anyone is interested. The original listing was $4150, but I managed to get it for $3400. I am sure the store owner can go down further. He was really fair and nice about the return.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ryn178f8 ... xmko&dl=0"
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xphq55c6 ... wfeaw&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0dvex2pe ... poghv&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wq2hpdh7 ... gl8a5&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2u9acspp ... r53lw&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/43vzfjux ... mu0pg&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ofh8znyq ... 5llll&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ecllhqix ... onzsl&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z6n8tm7e ... dcf5s&dl=0

[mekhem]

Upon inspecting the guitar, I noticed a few discrepancies that were not mentioned in the listing. Firstly, the neck doesn't fit snugly into the body pocket, resulting in an angled gap and misalignment of the high E string. Additionally, the neck is thinner than my preference, and the body feels somewhat too thin as well. These observations led me to wonder if this guitar was originally assembled as advertised or pieced together from different parts.

While the sound quality is satisfactory, it leans towards a twangy tone, which isn't quite what I'm after. Comparatively, I recall the exceptional sound and perfect neck profile of the 60s Jaguar AVRI that I sold last year.

Seeking clarity, I consulted Mike Adams, also known as Puisheen, who kindly examined some photos I provided. He pointed out that the pickups and pickguard were reissues and mentioned the common issue of serial numbers rubbing off on '66 necks. While he didn't raise any red flags indicating it was fake, he noted that with refinished guitars, authenticity can be challenging to determine without in-person inspection.

Ultimately, my main gripe with the guitar lies in its neck profile. Realizing it wouldn't see much playtime in my hands, I decided to return it to the store to avoid the inevitable relisting in six months.

Despite its need for some tender loving care, it's undeniably a decent guitar with Jaguar characteristics. My quest continues for the perfect match.
I am leaving some pictures here in case anyone is interested. The original listing was $4150, but I managed to get it for $3400. I am sure the store owner can go down further. He was really fair and nice about the return.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ryn178f8 ... xmko&dl=0"
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xphq55c6 ... wfeaw&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0dvex2pe ... poghv&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wq2hpdh7 ... gl8a5&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2u9acspp ... r53lw&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/43vzfjux ... mu0pg&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ofh8znyq ... 5llll&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ecllhqix ... onzsl&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z6n8tm7e ... dcf5s&dl=0

Thanks - I have been checking in wondering what your "in hand" thoughts on this were.

Neck Pocket: I had a body only refin 66 as well and the neck pocket on that was not ideal. I "suspect" that the jaguars were one of the first models to get the "CBS" treatment. It hits the OCD pretty hard.

Puisheen: Yeah - That guy knows his stuff (he is kind of controversial around here and some members really do have issue with him). I think its interesting that he sussed re-issue pickups and guard. When I was messaging the he original CL listing he thought that the pickups were non-original but the Reverb shop listed them as Original. (I woudl have returned it on the spot for that alone).

Too bad about the neck profile. I wonder if we will see that pop up again....