Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Metallic KO – Open Box

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Metallic KO is a highly individual take on the classic Jaguar, developed around Johnny Marr's own playing preferences and his much-loved 1965 Fender Jaguar. Rather than simply adding signature cosmetics to a standard model, Fender reworked the neck, electronics, bridge and tremolo system to create a genuinely distinctive professional instrument.

At its heart are two custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil pickups, controlled by an unusually versatile four-position blade switch. Alongside the familiar bridge, parallel and neck sounds, the fourth position places both pickups in series for a noticeably fuller, higher-output voice. Two additional bright switches expand the tonal options without returning to the more complicated traditional Jaguar rhythm circuit.

The classic 24-inch scale, 7.25-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard and vintage-style frets retain the compact feel associated with the Jaguar, while Mustang saddles, bridge-post inserts and a modified tremolo arm address practical areas that matter to regular Jaguar players.

Finished in distinctive Metallic KO, this Open Box Johnny Marr Jaguar is an outstanding choice for indie, alternative, post-punk, rock, pop, ambient and effects-driven guitarists looking for something far removed from an ordinary Stratocaster or Telecaster.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
Finish	Metallic KO
Condition	Open Box
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	24" / 610 mm
Neck Profile	Custom Shape Based on Marr's 1965 Jaguar
Pickups	2 x Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr Single-Coils
Switching	4-Way Blade plus 2 Bright Switches
Bridge	Jaguar Bridge with Mustang Saddles
Main Appeal	Unique Jaguar switching, short-scale feel and Marr-developed hardware
Best For	Indie, alternative, post-punk, rock, ambient and effects-heavy playing

Open Box Condition Report

Condition: Open Box

This Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar is offered as an Open Box instrument.

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

Please refer closely to the product photography when assessing the exact cosmetic presentation of this individual guitar.

For additional reassurance on this higher-value Open Box instrument, you can also request a video demo from our team.

What's Included?

• Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Metallic KO

Fender's factory specification for this model includes a vintage-style hardshell case. The exact retained accessory package for this individual Open Box example has not been supplied, so no additional items have been assumed.

Condition Notes

No specific cosmetic faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this individual Open Box guitar.

The product photography should be used to assess the exact cosmetic presentation of the instrument available.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before leaving Fair Deal Music, this Johnny Marr Jaguar will be checked by our team for correct mechanical and electronic operation.

Our electric guitar assessment includes:

• Neck and fret condition

• Tuning machine operation

• Nut and string path

• Bridge and saddle operation

• Floating tremolo function

• Pickup output

• Four-position blade selector

• Universal bright switch

• Position-four bright switch

• Master volume and tone controls

• Output socket

• General setup and playability

The bridge and tremolo deserve particular attention on any Jaguar, and this model's Marr-developed hardware refinements make correct adjustment an important part of getting the best from the instrument.

Service / Setup Work

This Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar will be checked and set up before leaving the shop.

The floating bridge and tremolo arrangement benefits from careful setup, particularly if you intend to use the tremolo extensively or move away from the factory string gauge.

As with any electric guitar, setup can shift slightly during transportation because of changes in temperature and humidity.

Why Choose The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar?

Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Pickups

Two custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coils give this model its own voice rather than simply borrowing the electronics from a standard production Jaguar. They retain the clarity and articulation associated with the Jaguar format while working particularly effectively with Marr's expanded switching arrangement.

Four-Way Series And Parallel Switching

The four-position blade switch is one of the guitar's most important features. Alongside the individual bridge and neck pickups, you can combine both pickups in either parallel or series operation.

The series setting provides a stronger, fuller sound that is particularly useful when you want more push into an amplifier or effects chain without changing guitar.

Two Practical Bright Switches

The upper control plate contains two slide switches rather than the traditional Jaguar rhythm circuit. One functions as a universal bright switch, while the second affects the series pickup position.

This keeps the controls powerful without making the guitar unnecessarily complicated.

Neck Based On Marr's 1965 Jaguar

The maple neck uses a custom shape based on Johnny Marr's own 1965 Jaguar, paired with a 7.25-inch rosewood fingerboard and 22 vintage-style frets.

Rather than adopting a generic modern profile, the neck is a fundamental part of the signature specification.

Refined Jaguar Bridge And Tremolo

The Jaguar bridge uses Mustang saddles and nylon post inserts to improve stability, while the vintage-style floating tremolo is paired with a taller arm and nylon sleeve arrangement designed to prevent unwanted arm movement.

These are practical changes developed around how the instrument is actually played rather than cosmetic signature details.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Fender Player II Jaguar

The Player II Jaguar offers a more accessible modern interpretation with a Modern “C” neck, 9.5-inch rosewood fingerboard, medium-jumbo frets and straightforward three-position switching. The Johnny Marr model is much more specialised, with its vintage-radius neck, custom Bare Knuckle pickups, series/parallel four-way switching and modified hardware. Choose Player II for modern simplicity; choose the Marr Jaguar for its unique electronics, vintage feel and artist-developed specification.

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs American Professional Classic Jaguar

The American Professional Classic Jaguar combines a 9.5-inch-radius fingerboard and Modern “C” neck with Coastline '65 pickups, conventional three-way selection and a strangle circuit. The Johnny Marr model feels more vintage under the fretting hand but offers considerably more unusual series/parallel switching. The American Professional Classic is the straightforward contemporary professional option; the Marr is the more individual instrument.

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Vintera III Mid '60s Jaguar

The Vintera III Mid '60s Jaguar is aimed at recreating the feel and functionality of a traditional 1960s Jaguar, including its recognisable switching architecture and period-inspired appointments. The Johnny Marr Jaguar starts with similar vintage Fender DNA but deliberately rethinks the electronics and several pieces of hardware around Marr's preferences. Choose the Vintera III for historical Jaguar character; choose the Marr when usability and expanded sounds matter as much as tradition.

Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Kurt Cobain Jaguar

The Kurt Cobain Jaguar takes the signature Jaguar concept in almost the opposite tonal direction, using two DiMarzio humbuckers for thicker, higher-output rock sounds. The Johnny Marr retains true single-coil articulation and adds series switching when extra weight is required. Players prioritising heavy humbucker tones should consider the Cobain; players wanting clarity, dynamics and a wider range of single-coil textures should favour the Marr.

Who Is The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar For?

This guitar is particularly well suited to:

• Johnny Marr fans

• Experienced Jaguar and Jazzmaster players

• Indie and alternative guitarists

• Post-punk musicians

• Effects-heavy players

• Ambient and experimental guitarists

• Rhythm players who value clarity and articulation

• Studio musicians

• Players who prefer shorter-scale electric guitars

• Guitarists who like traditional 7.25-inch Fender fingerboards

• Musicians who want single-coil clarity with access to a fuller series sound

• Players looking for a signature guitar with genuinely functional design changes

It is particularly compelling if you already like the Jaguar format but want a more intuitive switching system and practical refinements to the bridge and tremolo.

Playing Styles & Applications

The Johnny Marr Jaguar is naturally at home in indie, alternative rock, post-punk, jangle pop, ambient, psychedelic music, rock and effects-driven studio work.

The individual pickup positions provide clear, articulate sounds for rhythm work, while the parallel combination creates another detailed two-pickup texture. Switching both pickups into series provides noticeably more weight and output, making it easy to move into stronger lead or driven sounds without relying entirely on a boost pedal.

Its short scale and floating tremolo also encourage expressive chord work, subtle pitch movement and melodic playing that feels distinctly different from a Stratocaster or Telecaster.

What Makes The Johnny Marr Jaguar Switching Different?

A traditional Jaguar uses multiple slide switches and separate lead and rhythm circuits. Marr's version replaces much of that arrangement with a four-position blade selector, making the core pickup sounds much easier to access during a performance.

The fourth position is especially important because it runs the neck and bridge pickups in series rather than parallel. Instead of the cleaner blended sound produced by conventional parallel wiring, the series mode delivers a thicker and stronger response. Combined with the two bright switches, it gives this Jaguar unusually broad tonal flexibility without overwhelming the player with controls.

Compatibility And Practical Pairing Advice

Guitar Amplifiers

The Johnny Marr Jaguar works particularly well with clean and edge-of-breakup amplifiers, where its pickup definition and switching options remain easy to hear.

British-style amplifiers are an excellent pairing for jangling rhythm work and driven rock sounds, while Fender-style clean amplifiers highlight the clarity and attack of the pickups.

Effects Pedals

This is an exceptionally good guitar for pedal-based rigs. Useful pairings include:

• Compressor

• Boost

• Overdrive

• Fuzz

• Chorus

• Phaser

• Tremolo

• Delay

• Reverb

The series pickup setting is especially useful when driving gain effects harder, while the brighter sounds work brilliantly with modulation and delay.

Strings

Fender specifies .010-.046 nickel-plated steel strings for the Johnny Marr Jaguar.

That slightly heavier gauge makes sense on the shorter 24-inch scale and helps provide a firmer playing response than lighter strings. Moving substantially away from the factory gauge may require a setup to maintain the preferred bridge, tremolo and neck adjustment.

Short-Scale Feel

The 24-inch scale reduces the distance between frets and produces a different string feel from the 25.5-inch scale used on a Stratocaster, Telecaster or Jazzmaster.

Players who enjoy compact neck dimensions or expressive bends may find the Jaguar particularly comfortable.

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

Story & Context

Fender introduced the Johnny Marr Jaguar signature model in 2012, developing it closely around Marr's own approach to the Jaguar rather than simply reproducing a stock vintage model.

One of the most important reference points was Marr's own 1965 Jaguar, which provided the basis for the custom neck profile. Fender and Marr also reworked the switching system, bridge and tremolo details to address the way he wanted the instrument to function in regular professional use.

The Metallic KO finish has its own story. Fender described the distinctive orange-toned colour as being inspired by the appearance of heavily faded Candy Apple Red on one of Marr's favourite 1960s Fender instruments.

That combination of personal history and genuine engineering changes is what makes the Johnny Marr Jaguar significant. It is not simply an artist-branded Jaguar; several of its most recognisable features exist specifically because of Marr's experience playing the original design.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Artist Signature
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
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 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 And Neck Pickups In Parallel
Position 3	Neck Pickup
Position 4	Neck And Bridge Pickups In Series
Auxiliary Switching	Universal Bright Switch; Position 4 Bright Switch
Bridge	Jaguar Bridge with Mustang Saddles
Bridge Features	Nylon 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
Strings	Fender USA 250R Nickel-Plated Steel .010-.046
Factory Case Specification	Vintage-Style Hardshell Case

Specification Note

Individual instrument weight, serial number and exact retained Open Box accessory package have not been supplied and have therefore not been guessed or added as confirmed individual details.

Power Requirements

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

Connect it to a suitable guitar amplifier, effects system, modeller or audio interface using a standard instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar is one of the more convincing examples of what an artist signature guitar can achieve when the artist is genuinely involved in solving practical design problems.

Rather than relying on cosmetic details, the model changes how the Jaguar works. The four-position series/parallel switching is intuitive and genuinely useful, the Bare Knuckle pickups give it a distinctive voice, and the bridge and tremolo refinements address areas experienced offset players will immediately recognise.

Best suited for: Indie, alternative, post-punk and effects-driven players who want a short-scale Fender with vintage feel and unusually versatile electronics.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe Jaguars, Player-series Jaguars and other standard Fender offset models.

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

Our tip: Do not overlook position four. The series setting is one of the features that most clearly separates the Johnny Marr Jaguar from a conventional Jaguar and can give you enough additional weight for lead work without changing instrument.

Showroom feedback: The combination of the 24-inch scale and 7.25-inch fingerboard gives this model a genuinely traditional Jaguar feel, but the switching is far more intuitive than the classic layout. For players who love offsets but want quicker access to useful sounds on stage, that is a major advantage.

Why Buy Open Box From Fair Deal Music?

An Open Box instrument can be an excellent way to access a premium model while making your budget work harder.

Every Open Box guitar we sell is individually handled and checked by our team before leaving the shop. You get the reassurance of buying from an established independent music retailer, along with knowledgeable support if you need advice before or after your purchase.

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, Open Box 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 premium Jaguar and want to compare the Johnny Marr model with another 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, 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 series wiring do on the Johnny Marr Jaguar?

Series wiring routes the two pickups differently from the conventional parallel combination, producing a fuller and stronger overall response. It is particularly useful when you want more body and output for driven rhythm sounds or lead work.

What do the two bright switches do?

One switch provides a universal brighter response, while the other specifically changes the response of the fourth blade-switch position. They allow you to tighten or brighten different sounds without adding a complicated traditional Jaguar rhythm circuit.

Does the 24-inch scale make the Johnny Marr Jaguar easier to play?

It can feel more compact than a Stratocaster or Telecaster because the frets are closer together and the string tension differs. Whether that is easier ultimately depends on personal preference, but players who enjoy shorter scales often find Jaguars extremely comfortable.

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar suitable for heavier rock tones?

Yes. Although it retains single-coil pickups, the series setting adds useful thickness and output, while the guitar works extremely well with overdrive, distortion and fuzz. Players requiring the naturally compressed response of high-output humbuckers may prefer a different Jaguar configuration.

Is the 7.25-inch radius suitable for lead playing?

Yes, particularly for players who enjoy vintage Fender neck geometry. It feels more curved than modern 9.5-inch or flatter-radius guitars, so the main consideration is personal preference rather than whether lead playing is possible.

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar good with effects pedals?

Very much so. Its clear single-coil response, multiple pickup combinations and bright-switch options give effects plenty of detail to work with. It is particularly strong with modulation, delay, reverb, fuzz and overdrive.

Why does Fender use Mustang saddles on this Jaguar?

The Mustang-style saddles provide defined grooves for the strings while retaining the floating bridge concept. On the Marr model, Fender also uses nylon bridge-post inserts to improve stability.

Should I choose the Johnny Marr Jaguar over a standard Jaguar?

Choose the Marr model if its four-way series/parallel switching, Bare Knuckle pickups, custom neck and modified bridge/tremolo setup appeal to you. A more traditional Jaguar is the better choice if recreating the original lead/rhythm switching system and conventional vintage specification are your priorities.