Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Metallic KO Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Metallic KO takes the classic short-scale Jaguar platform and reworks it around the playing style and practical preferences of one of Britain's most influential guitarists.

Rather than simply recreating a vintage Jaguar, this Artist Signature model combines an alder body, 24-inch scale and 7.25-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard with a custom maple neck profile based directly on Marr's own 1965 Jaguar. The result retains the compact, distinctive feel of a traditional Jaguar while introducing a much more intuitive control system.

Two custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil pickups provide the articulate, detailed response required for layered clean parts, rhythmic playing and effects-heavy textures. Instead of the traditional Jaguar pickup-switch layout, Marr's model uses a four-position blade selector offering bridge, both pickups in parallel, neck, and both pickups in series.

A pair of upper-horn bright switches, Jaguar bridge with Mustang saddles, nylon bridge-post inserts and a specially modified floating tremolo system complete one of Fender's most individual Artist Signature instruments.

The Metallic KO finish gives this particular version a bold, distinctive appearance while retaining the unmistakable offset shape that makes the Jaguar one of Fender's most recognisable designs.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
Finish	Metallic KO
Condition	New
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Neck Profile	Custom Shape Based on Marr's 1965 Jaguar
Fingerboard Radius	7.25"
Scale Length	24"
Pickups	2 x Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr Single-Coils
Switching	4-Way Series / Parallel Blade Selector
Additional Controls	Dual Bright Switches
Bridge	Jaguar Bridge with Mustang Saddles
Tremolo	Vintage-Style Floating Tremolo
Included Case	Vintage-Style Hardshell Case
Main Appeal	Marr-specific Jaguar ergonomics, switching and pickup voicing
Best For	Indie, alternative, post-punk, pop, rock, ambient and effects-driven playing

What's In The Box?

• Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Metallic KO

• Vintage-style hardshell case

• Chrome bridge cover

Why Choose The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar?

Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Pickups

The Johnny Marr Jaguar uses two custom-wound Bare Knuckle single-coil pickups developed specifically for this model.

They retain the clarity and immediate attack that make the Jaguar so effective for rhythmic and effects-driven playing while giving the instrument its own distinctive response rather than simply reproducing a standard production pickup set.

Four-Way Pickup Selector

Marr replaces the conventional Jaguar pickup-switch arrangement with an intuitive four-position blade selector.

You get the bridge pickup, bridge and neck in parallel, neck pickup, plus both pickups wired in series for a noticeably fuller and stronger alternative voice.

Two Dedicated Bright Switches

The upper horn retains Jaguar-style switches, but their functions have been completely rethought.

One provides a universal bright setting, while the second bright switch works specifically with the fourth-position series sound. This gives you additional tonal shaping without cluttering the main control area.

Neck Based On Marr's 1965 Jaguar

The maple neck uses a custom profile based directly on Johnny Marr's own 1965 Jaguar.

Combined with the traditional 7.25-inch radius, vintage-style frets and 24-inch scale, it retains a genuine old-school Jaguar feel rather than adopting a generic modern Fender neck.

Improved Jaguar Bridge Stability

The bridge uses Mustang saddles and nylon post inserts, helping stabilise an area of traditional Jaguar design that some players find demanding.

It retains the characteristic floating offset system while incorporating practical changes developed around Marr's own requirements.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs American Professional Classic Jaguar

The American Professional Classic Jaguar takes a more contemporary approach with a Modern “C” neck, 9.5-inch radius, medium-jumbo frets and Coastline '65 pickups. It also uses simpler three-way pickup switching. Choose the Professional Classic for modern mainstream playability; choose the Johnny Marr for its 7.25-inch vintage feel, Bare Knuckle pickups and unique series/parallel electronics.

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Vintera III Mid '60s Jaguar

The Vintera III Mid '60s Jaguar stays much closer to the conventional mid-'60s formula, including traditional lead/rhythm circuits, individual pickup switches and a vintage-style mute. The Marr keeps the vintage-radius neck but radically simplifies and expands the electronics. Choose Vintera III for historical Jaguar operation; choose Marr for a more performance-focused interpretation.

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Player II Jaguar

The Player II Jaguar offers a more accessible modern route into the offset design, with a Modern “C” neck, 9.5-inch rolled rosewood board, medium-jumbo frets and straightforward three-way switching. The Marr is the premium specialist choice, adding its custom neck, signature Bare Knuckle pickups, series switching and modified bridge/tremolo details.

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Limited Edition Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar

The Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar takes Marr's ideas in a more experimental direction with three custom-wound Kent Armstrong lipstick pickups and a flatter 9.5-inch fingerboard. The standard Johnny Marr Jaguar keeps the two-pickup Bare Knuckle arrangement and 7.25-inch board that have defined his established signature model. Choose according to whether you want the familiar Marr specification or the more unusual three-pickup Special.

Who Is The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar For?

This guitar is particularly well suited to:

• Johnny Marr and The Smiths fans

• Indie and alternative guitarists

• Post-punk players

• Effects-heavy musicians

• Ambient guitarists

• Rhythm-focused players

• Studio and session guitarists

• Players who prefer short-scale electric guitars

• Jaguar enthusiasts

• Guitarists who enjoy vintage Fender neck geometry

• Musicians wanting both series and parallel pickup sounds

• Players looking for a distinctive premium Fender Artist Signature model

Its appeal extends well beyond anyone attempting to reproduce Marr's own sound. The switching system and compact scale make it a genuinely practical alternative to a conventional Jaguar.

Playing Styles & Applications

The Johnny Marr Jaguar is particularly effective for indie, alternative, post-punk, pop, rock, ambient, psychedelic and effects-driven guitar.

The individual pickup positions provide the articulation required for layered rhythm work, while the parallel combination gives you a clear, open two-pickup texture.

Moving to the series setting changes the personality significantly, producing a thicker response that works particularly well when you need more weight for lead parts, overdrive or fuller rhythm sections.

That tonal contrast makes the Marr Jaguar unusually versatile for a passive two-pickup guitar.

How Does The Johnny Marr Jaguar Four-Way Switch Work?

The four-way blade selector is one of the biggest practical differences between the Marr model and a traditional Jaguar.

The positions are:

Position 1: Bridge pickup
Position 2: Bridge and neck pickups in parallel
Position 3: Neck pickup
Position 4: Bridge and neck pickups in series

Parallel operation gives you the familiar clear two-pickup sound, while series wiring produces greater output and a fuller response. This gives the guitar access to a stronger voice without adding a humbucker or active boost.

Compatibility And Practical Pairing Advice

Guitar Amplifiers

The Johnny Marr Jaguar works particularly well with amplifiers that preserve clarity and playing dynamics.

Clean Fender-style amplification is an excellent match for articulate rhythm playing, while British-voiced amps can push the series setting into stronger indie and alternative rock territory.

Effects Pedals

This is an especially capable pedal-platform guitar and pairs naturally with:

• Compressor

• Overdrive

• Boost

• Fuzz

• Chorus

• Phaser

• Tremolo

• Delay

• Reverb

• Pitch and octave effects

The clear pickup response makes it particularly effective for complex delay and modulation sounds where note definition needs to survive multiple effects.

24-Inch Scale Length

The Jaguar's 24-inch scale is shorter than the 25.5-inch scale used by Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters.

With the same string gauge and tuning, this generally creates a slightly softer string feel. Players moving from a Strat or Tele may therefore notice that bends and stretches feel different.

Strings

Fender supplies the Johnny Marr Jaguar with .010-.046 nickel-plated steel strings.

The slightly heavier gauge works particularly well with the shorter scale length and floating bridge/tremolo design.

Cases And Transport

A vintage-style hardshell case is included, providing appropriate protection for this premium Artist Signature guitar.

Looking for advice on choosing between a Jaguar, Jazzmaster or another Fender offset? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

The Fender Jaguar was originally introduced in the early 1960s as an ambitious addition to Fender's offset range. Its short 24-inch scale, floating tremolo and elaborate switching made it fundamentally different from the simpler Stratocaster and Telecaster.

Johnny Marr became closely associated with the Jaguar through his preference for vintage examples, particularly a 1965 Jaguar whose neck provided the basis for his Fender signature model.

Rather than preserving every aspect of the original electronics, Marr worked with Fender to reshape the Jaguar into something more directly suited to his playing. Traditional switching was replaced with the four-way blade selector, while the bridge and tremolo were refined to improve stability without removing the expressive feel of the original offset design.

The result is an interesting piece of Fender history in its own right: a signature instrument that respects the character of a vintage Jaguar while changing several of its most recognisable features to suit the requirements of a working guitarist known for intricate rhythm parts, melodic layering and expansive guitar textures.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
Model Number	0116400750
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Metallic KO
Body Material	Alder
Body Shape	Jaguar
Body Style	Solid Body
Body Finish	Gloss Lacquer
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Custom Shape Based on Johnny Marr's 1965 Jaguar
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Scale Length	24" / 610 mm
Number Of Frets	22
Fret Size	Vintage-Style
Position Inlays	Ivory Dot
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Bridge Pickup	Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr Single-Coil
Neck Pickup	Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr Single-Coil
Pickup Configuration	SS
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Selector	4-Position Blade
Position 1	Bridge Pickup
Position 2	Bridge + Neck in Parallel
Position 3	Neck Pickup
Position 4	Bridge + Neck in Series
Auxiliary Switching	Universal Bright Switch; Position-4 Bright Switch
Bridge	Jaguar Bridge with Mustang Saddles
Bridge Stability	Nylon Post Inserts
Tailpiece	Vintage-Style Floating Tremolo
Tremolo Arm	Taller Marr-Spec Arm with Nylon Sleeve Insert
Bridge Cover	Chrome Bridge Cover Included
Tuning Machines	6-in-Line American Vintage
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Pickguard	3-Ply White
Control Knobs	Black Plastic
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Vintage-Style
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Strings	Fender USA 250R Nickel-Plated Steel .010-.046
Case	Vintage-Style Hardshell Case

Power Requirements

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar uses passive single-coil electronics and does not require a battery.

The four-way switching and both bright switches operate passively.

Connect the guitar to a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar is one of the strongest examples of an Artist Signature model that stands on its own merits even if you are not buying it because of the artist's name.

The Bare Knuckle pickups and four-way series/parallel switching solve one of the biggest questions many players have about a traditional Jaguar: how to get more tonal range without losing the distinctive short-scale offset character.

Its custom 1965-inspired neck, Mustang saddles, bridge-post inserts and modified tremolo arm also demonstrate how carefully the guitar has been adapted around real-world playing rather than cosmetic signature details alone.

Best suited for: Indie, alternative, post-punk, pop and effects-driven players who want a premium short-scale offset with unusually practical electronics.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe Jaguars, Fender Player Jaguars, Player II Jaguars and more traditional vintage-style offset guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Clean or edge-of-breakup amplifiers, compression, overdrive, modulation, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Do not overlook Position 4. The two pickups in series provide a noticeably stronger alternative to the familiar bright Jaguar sounds and can be particularly useful for pushing an overdrive or amplifier harder.

Showroom feedback: The 24-inch scale and vintage-radius neck give this guitar a genuinely different feel from a Strat or Tele, while the four-way selector makes the electronics considerably easier to navigate than those of a traditional Jaguar.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps customers choose guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, drums, studio equipment and much more.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned musical instruments and equipment

Considering a Jaguar, Jazzmaster or another premium Fender offset? Speak to our team by phone, online or in-store for friendly, practical musician-to-musician advice.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, bass, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar a short-scale guitar?

Yes. It uses the traditional Jaguar 24-inch scale length, making it shorter than the 25.5-inch scale found on Stratocasters and Telecasters.

Are the Johnny Marr Jaguar pickups standard Fender pickups?

No. It uses two custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil pickups developed specifically for the signature model.

What does the fourth pickup-selector position do?

Position 4 connects the neck and bridge pickups in series, creating a fuller and stronger sound than the normal parallel two-pickup combination.

What do the two switches on the upper horn do?

One is a universal bright switch that can affect the guitar's overall sound. The second bright switch works specifically with the Position-4 series pickup setting.

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar easier to operate than a traditional Jaguar?

For many players, yes. Marr's four-way blade selector replaces the traditional lower-horn Jaguar pickup switches with a familiar guitar-style selector while retaining additional tonal options through the upper switches.

What is different about the bridge?

It uses a Jaguar bridge fitted with Mustang saddles and nylon bridge-post inserts. The design keeps the floating Jaguar concept while addressing stability around the bridge assembly.

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar suitable for heavier rock sounds?

Yes. Although naturally excellent for clean and effects-driven music, the series pickup combination provides considerably more weight and works particularly well with overdrive, fuzz and driven amplifiers.

Should I choose this or a Player II Jaguar?

Choose the Player II Jaguar if you want a more affordable instrument with a flatter 9.5-inch board, medium-jumbo frets and simplified three-way switching. Choose the Johnny Marr Jaguar if its vintage-radius neck, Bare Knuckle pickups, series/parallel switching and specialised bridge/tremolo features justify the step up.