1966 Fender Jaguar – Gold Sparkle “Prototype”
The Story:
We present an exceptional piece of history. We purchased this Fender Jaguar from a big guitar collection. This guitar is an all original and 100% original 1966 Fender Jaguar in its original Gold Sparkle Sparkle finish with matching headstock. This custom-made prototype instrument was at some point purchased from the son of the original owner, and the provenance of this guitar is absolutely incredible.
The letter included in the case reads:
“Eddie Miller”, who co-wrote the standard ‘Release Me’ ran the Artist Relations office for Fender in the 1960’s. I was hosting an early morning show on WSM T.V. Eddie Miller gave me the Prototype Jaguar so it would be seen. I used it occasionally on the show, and played gigs with it. In recent years, my son Trey has been using it in his home studio. I hope it will be used and enjoyed by it’s new owner.” – ED BRUCE.
Ed Bruce was a famous country songwriter and singer noted for writing “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and other well-known top 10 hits. (For more info, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Bruce ) This guitar was given to him from Fender and then given to his son from him.
Originality & Condition:
Prototypical Qualities = Gold Sparkle finish w/matching headstock, Genuine Mother of Pearl block inlays, first block inlays documented on a Fender instrument, Pearloid pickguard. Made in Fullerton, California.
We know for sure that two of these Gold Sparkle exists and are well documented.
This 1966 Fender Jaguar is absolutely, without a doubt, all original and 100% complete. To state that Fender guitars were rarely made with Sparkle finishes is an understatement. It would be more appropriate to say that Fender guitars were almost NEVER made with Sparkle finishes. Custom Colors are one thing, but Sparkle colors are something totally different never offered in the Fender Custom Color catalogues. Sparkle finishes are the only real custom (in the real sense of the word) colors, in that they were offered on a special order and special production basis only. It is also important to note that contrary to myth, sparkle finishes were performed inside the Fender factory by the Fender factory, and were not out-sourced to the car paint and body outfit down the street in Fullerton.
The guitar has the original matching Gold Sparkle finish on the headstock with the original transitional gold and black Fender logo decal in pristine and completely intact condition. The decal is attractively and appropriately faded. The Fender “F” tuners are in perfect cosmetic and functional condition. The Indian rosewood fingerboard and original frets and nut are like new with minor wear. The inlays are real Mother of Pearl and not plastic. Fender inlay is never Mother of Pearl material, and from our experience only prototype Fender guitars feature real Mother of Pearl inlays. It is also the earliest guitar we know of with block inlays. The bound neck is stamped “1JAN66B,”. The neck pocket has original factory stamps.
At the time of its production, the Fender Jaguar was the most expensive and most intricate Fender guitar available. The original pickguard is pearloid. Jaguars never had pearloid pickguards, and this feature is unique to this Jaguar only. It is important to recognize that the pickguard material is the thickest variety- specific to Fenders from 1965 and 1966. The backside of the pickguard, which is solid white, has a hand-taped shield. Pickups and electronics/wiring are untouched and intact, with no broken solder joints, no re-wound pickups. All original and correct.
This guitar is in near mint condition. All of the chrome and metal parts exhibit no oxidation. The finish exhibits no fading and no scratches. The neck has slight weather-checking and minimal fading, but appears to never have been used. Everything on this guitar is extremely well-preserved. The neck is unbelievably straight, and the guitar works perfectly. The guitar includes a copy of letter from Ed Bruce.
Comes complete with its original Fender hardshell case. Latches and handle are in perfect working order.
- Neck date: January 1966.
- Pots dated: 304 6545 – 45th week of 1965.
- Neck pickup: 6.52 kOhm.
- Bridge pickup: 6.13 kOhm.
- Weight: 4.38 Kilograms.
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With your purchase you get picture documentation on a USB drive and a Certificate of Authenticity. Read more
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