Offered a 1965 Jag but not sure abiut it

[MarkE]

This is my first post, so a big hi.

I've been offered a 1965 Fender Jaguar. I've wanted a Jag or Jazzmaster for some time but hadn't got around to it. I've just bought a Fender Stratocaster from this guy (an acquaintance rather than friend). The Strat is fine and he seems to be an honest person.

He says it's a pre-CBS Jag but the neck date stamp says Oct 1965, which I thought was after CBS take over but I'm not sure.

Here are snippets of what he has said to me:
   
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First email:

i just thought i'd let you know i have an original 1965 Fender Jaguar in sunburst i am planning to sell. Beautiful guitar with original white 60s Tolex case [rare]. I would accept £1950 for a quick sale. There is an identical guitar on Ebay from Fender_Factors at £2500.


Second email:

I have enclosed pic's of the Jag. How's this for a 43 year old Fender. This is a seriously good investment, and has to be a £5000 guitar in 5/6 years time. All original 1965 Pre-CBS Jaguar in superb condition. Dated Oct 65 on neck butt. I can supply serial no if required. It even has the clip on bridge cover [usually missing like the one on Ebay]. The white Tolex case is rare - they were only made in 63/64 for Pre-CBS Fenders and alone can make £500/£600.
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Here are the pics that he has sent me.
                           




   


Here is a link to the one on EBay that he mentions:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1965-Vintage-Fend ... m153.l1262

So, my questions are; Is this a pre-CBS Jag? Does it look genuine? Is it worth it? Any other info or advice would be great.

Thanks
Mark

[zhivago]

the price is outrageously high (even for the UK)....since the neck date shows October of 1965, the guitar is definitely a CBS model (CBS takeover was 5th of January 1965)

the dots and binding guitars are really nice...this one looks great and clean-ish, but there is no way in cold hell I'd pay that much for it.


*edit to add: it has the wrong case as well

[BenHagerty]

I would pass, There are better deals out there.

[blacktiger]

As others have already said:
1) it's lovely
2) it's not pre-CBS
3) it's overpriced

[MarkE]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I didn't think it was pre-CBS.

Does anyone have any idea what might be a fair price (UK price, fair for both myself and the seller)?

As I said, I've wanted one of these for quite a while and this one is very attractive.

Thanks
Mark

[sookwinder]

not that it should influence you or cause any increase in the cost/value  ...  but it does have the somewhat rae mid 65 - late 65  two line patent nos. decal.

[OffYourFace]

it's nice looking, looks like an Ash body too.  Hmm...  what would $2200 translate to... £1100?    £1250 at best?

[eggwheat]

Anything Fender marked 65 is CBS

I paid £1000 for my sunburst '66 on ebay about 4 months ago 100% orignal with case..8/10 condition. My friend just bought a '66 sunburst Jag on ebay 3 weeks ago  for £1150 in near mint condition with original case. Mine was a buy it now but it had been up for a day..his was a standard 7 day auction..I agree these were cheap but these prices are still easily attainable.

Sadly a few dealers have decided to ask ridiculous money for guitars on ebay that in turn filters down to those not in the know and then they believe they guitars to be worth that too..I have to say that guy is talking utter shit though. Sunburst Jaguars have risen in price very, very little in 15 years..they have little investment value. 5 to 6 thousand in 5 years is absolutely ridiculous. They are not rare at all..in fact probably one of the most common vintage offsets ever. I have never ever seen or heard of a 64 jazz/jag case achive £5-600 ..total rubbish.

That guitar being slightly earlier '65 and a transitional model..ie binding only no blocks..plus the nice case...I would value it between £1250 and £1500 max on a good day.

[mezcalhead]

I'll add to the chorus - nice guitar, looks like the real deal but way overpriced now and since the market is dipping a little I doubt it will ever be worth £5000.

I've seen people ask $800 for the blonde cases but I've never seen one actually sell for more than $400-$450, even though they're lovely cases. Same with the Jag itself as eggwheat says .. there are a lot of guys asking stupid prices that they're never going to get, just in an attempt to drive the market up.

BTW not only is '65 post-CBS, binding is a post-CBS feature so the seller couldn't even claim it's still being made to pre-CBS specs. (Not that post-CBS Fenders are bad guitars as such.)

Anyway, if you watch ebay or even look at the websites of reasonable dealers in the States you'll be able to do much better.

[Paolo_ray]

He has it on Gumtree for £2650 .... 

http://www.gumtree.com/london/22/20977322.html

[shadowplay]

I can only concur with the prevailing view.  £1500 max, but in reality two hundred less if he wants rid in the first bidding cycle.  I'm currently looking for a similar guitar as i've just let my AVRI go in a buy back deal for my old jag and I need something nice but less sentimental for live use.  There are some seriously overpriced guitars out there.  3K is laughable especially on Gumtree where it's generally MIJ's all the way.  In someways financially this is the least desirable 60's jag, post CBS, Burst, bound but no blocks.  It's sweet looking though.

[IPLAYLOUD]

Oct. '65 was close. If it had an L-Series number on the plate, it would be closer to Pre-CBS (on the edge!).

I have never seen a small circled "2" on a neck. Has anyone seen this before?