Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Metallic KO, EX-Display

 

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Metallic KO is one of Fender's most thoughtfully redesigned artist-signature guitars, taking the distinctive character of the classic Jaguar and refining its electronics, bridge and tremolo around the needs of one of Britain's most influential guitarists.

Developed from Johnny Marr's own 1965 Jaguar, this American-made signature model combines a short 24-inch scale, alder body, rosewood fingerboard and vintage-style feel with a far more intuitive four-way pickup selector. Two custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single coils provide articulate, detailed tones, while the additional series setting gives the guitar a fuller and more powerful voice when required.

This particular instrument is offered as an EX-Display example, making it an especially attractive opportunity for players looking for the full Johnny Marr Jaguar specification in the distinctive Metallic KO finish.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
Model Number	0116400750
Finish	Metallic KO
Condition	EX-Display
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	24"
Pickups	Dual Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr Single Coils
Switching	4-Way Series / Parallel Blade
Main Appeal	Refined professional Jaguar with custom Marr electronics and hardware
Best For	Indie, alternative, post-punk, ambient, pop, rock and effects-heavy guitar
Included	Hardshell Case and Vintage-Style Cable

EX-Display Condition Report

Condition Category: EX-Display

This instrument has been designated as an ex-display guitar.

No individual cosmetic marks, faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing, so none have been added or assumed.

For the closest assessment of the exact guitar, please refer to the product photography or contact our guitar team for further condition information before purchase.

What's Included?

• Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar – Metallic KO

• Hardshell Case

• Vintage-Style Instrument Cable

• Chrome Bridge Cover

• Tremolo Arm

Condition Notes

This listing is for the individual ex-display instrument shown rather than untouched boxed stock.

No specific damage, repairs or modifications have been supplied for the listing.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before leaving Fair Deal Music, this Johnny Marr Jaguar is checked by our guitar team with particular attention paid to the features that make this signature model different from a conventional Jaguar.

Our assessment includes:

• Custom-wound Bare Knuckle neck and bridge pickup operation

• All four blade-selector positions

• Parallel and series pickup combinations

• Universal bright switch

• Position-four bright switch

• Master Volume and Master Tone controls

• Output socket

• Jaguar bridge and Mustang saddles

• Floating tremolo operation

• Tremolo arm fit

• Tuning machines

• Frets and general playability

• Hardware security

• Overall functional condition

Service / Setup Work

The guitar is checked and set up before leaving Fair Deal Music.

As with any guitar, setup can shift slightly during transport because changes in temperature and humidity can affect neck relief, string action and tuning stability.

Why Choose The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar?

Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Pickups

The two Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil pickups retain the detailed, responsive character expected from a Jaguar while providing the definition needed for intricate chord voicings, arpeggios, layered effects and driven sounds.

Four-Way Switching Instead Of Traditional Jaguar Controls

Marr replaced the conventional Jaguar pickup-switching arrangement with a much more immediate four-way blade selector.

You can move quickly between bridge, both pickups in parallel, neck and both pickups in series without navigating multiple individual pickup switches.

Fuller Series Pickup Sound

The fourth selector position connects the two pickups in series. This produces a stronger and fuller response than the normal parallel combination and gives the Jaguar extra authority for bigger rhythm parts, overdrive and lead playing.

Two Additional Bright Switches

The upper control plate carries two carefully chosen tone-shaping switches rather than the traditional Jaguar rhythm circuit.

One is a universal bright switch, while the second specifically affects the series pickup position, giving you additional control over the guitar's top-end response.

Neck Based On Johnny Marr's 1965 Jaguar

The custom neck profile was developed from Marr's own 1965 Jaguar, retaining a deliberately traditional feel rather than adopting a generic modern Fender neck.

Its 7.25-inch rosewood fingerboard and vintage-style frets reinforce the old-school Jaguar playing experience.

Improved Bridge And Tremolo Details

The bridge uses Mustang saddles with nylon bridge-post inserts, helping improve stability while retaining the movement and response associated with the Jaguar platform.

The taller tremolo arm also uses a nylon sleeve system designed to keep it securely positioned rather than swinging freely.

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Popular Alternatives

Fender Player II Jaguar

The Player II Jaguar is the better choice for someone who wants a simpler, more contemporary everyday Jaguar with a Modern “C” neck and flatter 9.5-inch fingerboard. The Johnny Marr model is considerably more specialised, with its Bare Knuckle pickups, vintage-style radius, series switching and refined bridge and tremolo system.

Fender Vintera II '70s Jaguar

The Vintera II stays closer to the traditional Jaguar control format, including the separate lead and rhythm circuits and individual pickup switches. Choose the Vintera II if the original switching architecture is part of the experience you want; choose the Johnny Marr if quick, intuitive control is more important.

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar

The Classic Vibe offers the short scale, offset body and traditional Jaguar concept at a much more accessible level. The Johnny Marr is the substantial professional upgrade, with American construction, bespoke Bare Knuckle electronics, custom neck profile, specialised switching and premium hardware refinements.

Limited Edition Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar

The newer Signature Special takes Marr's collaboration with Fender in a different direction, including an alternative three-pickup electronics concept. The original Johnny Marr Jaguar remains the natural choice if you specifically want the established dual Bare Knuckle pickup design and four-way series/parallel switching that made the signature model so distinctive.

Who Is The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar For?

This guitar is especially well suited to:

• Indie guitarists

• Alternative and post-punk players

• Johnny Marr and The Smiths fans

• Shoegaze musicians

• Ambient and experimental players

• Effects-heavy guitarists

• Players who build layered rhythm parts

• Pop and session musicians

• Guitarists who prefer shorter scale lengths

• Vintage-radius Fender players

• Jaguar enthusiasts wanting more practical electronics

• Players wanting a premium USA-made offset

• Collectors of Fender artist models

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender Jaguar, offset electric guitar or Johnny Marr-style effects setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store at our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The Johnny Marr Jaguar excels whenever clarity and articulation are important.

Its individual single-coil pickup settings work particularly well for layered chord voicings, melodic rhythm parts and arpeggiated playing where individual notes need to remain distinct.

The parallel two-pickup combination provides a more open blended sound, while the series position introduces noticeably greater body when a track or live arrangement requires something stronger.

That versatility makes it an excellent choice for indie, alternative, post-punk, pop, ambient, shoegaze and effects-driven music, but it is by no means limited to those styles.

The bridge pickup can produce sharp, articulate rhythm tones, while the neck pickup provides a rounder voice for cleaner passages and smoother lead work. Add overdrive or fuzz and the series setting becomes particularly useful for moving into heavier sections without changing guitars.

Why Is The Johnny Marr Jaguar Switching Different?

Traditional Jaguars are famous for their extensive switching system, but the original layout can be more complex than many working players require.

Johnny Marr approached the problem differently. The four-position blade selector puts the core pickup sounds in one familiar control:

1. Bridge Pickup

2. Bridge + Neck in Parallel

3. Neck Pickup

4. Bridge + Neck in Series

The series setting is especially significant. Rather than simply blending the two pickups in the usual Fender-style parallel configuration, it connects them sequentially for a thicker and stronger response.

This gives the Johnny Marr Jaguar access to a sound that sits somewhere beyond the normal expectations of a vintage-style Jaguar without requiring active electronics or a humbucker.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The Johnny Marr Jaguar works particularly well as the centre of a pedal-based guitar rig.

Useful pairings include:

Compression – ideal for clean arpeggios and tightly controlled chord work.

Overdrive – works especially well with the fuller series pickup setting.

Fuzz – a natural partner for alternative, shoegaze and more experimental sounds.

Chorus and modulation – complements the detailed single-coil response particularly well.

Delay – ideal for rhythmic patterns, layered lines and atmospheric guitar parts.

Reverb – an obvious choice for spacious indie, ambient and offset-style textures.

Loopers – the four pickup selections make it easy to layer noticeably different guitar sounds from one instrument.

The guitar works with conventional guitar amplifiers, modelling systems, pedalboards and audio interfaces using a standard 1/4-inch instrument connection.

Story & Context

The Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar first appeared in 2012, following extensive collaboration between Marr and Fender.

The starting point was Marr's own 1965 Jaguar, but the aim was not simply to reproduce a vintage instrument. Marr worked with Fender to address the details he wanted to change for practical professional use, particularly the pickup switching, bridge behaviour and tremolo system.

The Metallic KO finish is itself part of the story. Fender developed the colour from the appearance of the heavily faded Candy Apple Red finish on one of Marr's favourite vintage Fender instruments, giving the guitar an orange-toned metallic appearance with a direct connection to his personal collection.

Marr's career extends far beyond his defining work with The Smiths. His playing has also featured with The The, Modest Mouse, The Cribs and through an extensive solo career, but the qualities that made his guitar work so recognisable have remained remarkably consistent: detailed voicings, melodic rhythm playing, layered textures and an ability to make the guitar serve the arrangement rather than simply dominate it.

The Johnny Marr Jaguar reflects that philosophy exceptionally well. It is not simply an artist's preferred finish on a standard production guitar; its electronics and hardware were deliberately reworked around how Marr wanted a Jaguar to function.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Manufacturer	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
Model Number	0116400750
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Metallic KO
Condition	EX-Display
Body Shape	Jaguar
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Lacquer
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Custom Shape Based On Johnny Marr's 1965 Jaguar
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
Main Switching	4-Position Blade
Position 1	Bridge Pickup
Position 2	Bridge + Neck Pickups in Parallel
Position 3	Neck Pickup
Position 4	Neck + Bridge Pickups in Series
Auxiliary Switching	Universal Bright Switch; Position 4 Bright Switch
Bridge	Jaguar Bridge with Mustang Saddles
Bridge Stabilisation	Nylon Bridge-Post Inserts
Tailpiece	Vintage-Style Floating Tremolo
Tremolo Arm	Taller Tremolo Arm with Nylon Sleeve Insert
Bridge Cover	Chrome Bridge Cover
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
Factory Strings	Fender USA 250R Nickel-Plated Steel .010-.046
Case	Hardshell Case

Specification Note

An exact individual instrument weight has not been supplied, so no estimated weight has been added.

This model deliberately retains a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, vintage-style frets and vintage-style butt-adjust truss rod as part of its vintage-influenced specification.

Power Requirements

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar uses passive electronics, so there is no battery or external power supply required.

Its four-way selector, series wiring and both bright switches are all passive.

Connect the guitar to your amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar remains one of the strongest examples of a signature guitar where the artist-specific modifications make the instrument genuinely more useful for other players.

The streamlined switching system is the standout. You retain the detailed single-coil character and unmistakable short-scale Jaguar feel but gain instant access to a powerful series combination without the control complexity of a traditional Jaguar.

The Bare Knuckle pickups, bridge refinements and improved tremolo-arm system all contribute to an instrument that feels carefully developed rather than simply customised cosmetically.

Best suited for: Indie, alternative, post-punk and effects-focused players who want a professional short-scale Fender offset.

Main benefit: Classic Jaguar character with considerably more intuitive switching.

Value proposition: A premium American Fender artist model with meaningful hardware and electronics modifications, offered here as an ex-display example.

Standout feature: Four-way series/parallel pickup switching with custom-wound Bare Knuckle pickups.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Jaguars, Fender Player offsets, Vintera models and other mid-level short-scale electric guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Compression, overdrive, fuzz, chorus, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Spend time comparing positions two and four. Both use the two pickups together, but the difference between parallel and series wiring makes them behave like genuinely different guitar sounds rather than minor variations.

Showroom feedback: The short scale and vintage-radius board give this model unmistakable Jaguar feel, but the switching layout is far easier to navigate during a performance than the traditional Jaguar circuit.

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.

Our Birmingham showroom is backed by a knowledgeable musician-led team who understand how much details such as scale length, pickup wiring, bridge setup and neck radius affect the way an instrument performs in the real world.

Whether you're choosing your first offset guitar, adding a specialist Fender to an established collection or comparing artist-signature instruments, we're here to provide friendly, practical advice before and after your purchase.

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

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

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

For a distinctive individual instrument such as this EX-Display Johnny Marr Jaguar, you can also Request a Video Demo for a closer look before purchasing.

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, 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

What does EX-Display mean?

This particular guitar has been designated as an ex-display instrument rather than standard untouched stock. For exact cosmetic condition, refer to the photographs of the individual guitar or contact our guitar team for a closer assessment.

Does the Johnny Marr Jaguar have the normal Jaguar switching system?

No. Marr replaced the conventional Jaguar pickup switches with a four-way blade selector that provides bridge, both pickups in parallel, neck, and both pickups in series.

What is the advantage of the series pickup setting?

Series wiring produces a fuller and stronger output than the conventional parallel two-pickup setting. It is particularly useful for driven rhythm parts and leads where the normal Jaguar single-coil sound would be too lean.

Does the Johnny Marr Jaguar require a battery?

No. The Bare Knuckle pickups, series switching and bright switches are entirely passive.

How does the 24-inch scale affect the playing feel?

The shorter scale reduces string tension compared with a Fender 25.5-inch scale when using equivalent strings and tuning. This contributes to the Jaguar's softer, more compact feel and can make bends and vibrato particularly comfortable.

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar good with effects pedals?

Yes. Its articulate single-coil pickups work particularly well with modulation, delay and reverb, while the series setting provides extra weight for overdrive and fuzz.

Can I use heavier strings?

Yes. The guitar is supplied to Fender's specification with .010-.046 strings. Significant changes in gauge can require adjustments to neck relief, bridge height and intonation.

Is the 7.25-inch radius suitable for lead playing?

Yes, provided the guitar is correctly set up. It provides the curved fingerboard feel associated with vintage Fender instruments. Players demanding extremely low action and very large bends may prefer a flatter modern radius.

Why does the bridge use Mustang saddles?

The Mustang-style saddles provide secure string positioning while retaining the floating-bridge principle of the Jaguar. On the Marr model, Fender also adds nylon post inserts for improved stability.

Johnny Marr Jaguar or a standard Jaguar?

Choose a traditional Jaguar if the original lead/rhythm switching arrangement is an important part of the experience you want. Choose the Johnny Marr Jaguar if you want short-scale Jaguar character with simpler controls, series wiring and several practical bridge and tremolo improvements.

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Metallic KO EX-Display combines one of Fender's most distinctive offset designs with some of the most useful artist-driven modifications in the company's catalogue. From its custom Bare Knuckle pickups and four-way switching to its short scale and carefully refined bridge system, this is a Jaguar designed to be played rather than simply admired.

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