Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar, Olympic White Open Box

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Olympic White is one of Fender’s most distinctive artist signature guitars, taking the classic short-scale Jaguar platform and refining it around the preferences of one of Britain’s most influential guitarists.

Based closely on Johnny Marr’s own 1965 Jaguar, this model combines an alder body, 24" scale, custom-profile maple neck and 7.25" radius rosewood fingerboard with a pair of custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil pickups. Rather than using the conventional Jaguar switching layout, Marr developed a far more intuitive four-way blade switch that provides bridge, parallel, neck and higher-output series pickup combinations.

Finished in timeless Olympic White with chrome hardware and a traditional offset silhouette, this Open Box example is a particularly strong choice for players interested in indie, alternative, jangle, post-punk and atmospheric guitar sounds, while its series pickup setting gives it substantially more punch than many players expect from a Jaguar.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Model	Johnny Marr Jaguar
Series	Artist Signature
Finish	Olympic White
Condition	Open Box
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	24"
Pickups	Dual Custom-Wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr Single Coils
Main Appeal	Marr-developed Jaguar with simplified switching and exceptional tonal range
Best For	Indie, alternative, post-punk, pop, jangle, ambient and creative guitar playing
Included Item	Vintage-style hardshell case

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 individual guitar. Please refer closely to the photographs of the actual instrument for its exact cosmetic condition.

Open Box guitars can offer an excellent opportunity to own premium equipment while retaining the specification, construction and performance associated with the standard model.

For a closer look at this individual Johnny Marr Jaguar, contact our team and ask about a video demo.

What’s Included?

✔ Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar in Olympic White
✔ Vintage-style hardshell case
✔ Chrome bridge cover

No additional individual accessories have been confirmed for this Open Box example.

Condition Notes

This guitar is offered in Open Box condition.

No individual faults, repairs, modifications or specific cosmetic defects have been supplied for the listing. The photographs should therefore be used as the definitive visual reference for the Olympic White finish, hardware and overall cosmetic presentation of the exact guitar being offered.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before leaving Fair Deal Music, this guitar will be checked by our team with attention given to the areas that matter during everyday playing and ownership.

The assessment includes the neck and fret condition, tuning stability, bridge and tremolo operation, pickup output, four-way selector, upper-horn bright switches, master volume and tone controls, hardware security and output connection.

Playability, action and intonation will also be assessed before dispatch.

Service / Setup Work

This guitar will be checked and set up before leaving the shop.

The Jaguar’s floating bridge and tremolo system responds particularly well when string tension, neck relief, bridge height and intonation are working together correctly, so these areas form an important part of the overall setup.

As with any guitar, setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in humidity and temperature affect the neck, strings and overall adjustment. Players using alternative tunings, different string gauges or highly specific action preferences may wish to make a small final adjustment once the guitar has settled.

Why Choose The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar?

A Jaguar Redesigned By Someone Who Actually Uses One

The Johnny Marr Jaguar is not simply a standard Jaguar with an artist signature added to it. Its controls, bridge arrangement, neck profile and pickups reflect practical changes developed around Marr’s own playing experience with vintage Jaguars.

Custom Bare Knuckle Pickups

Two custom-wound Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil pickups provide the bright articulation, definition and detailed response associated with the Jaguar format while working specifically with Marr’s revised switching system.

They are particularly effective for layered guitar parts, effects-heavy playing and arrangements where note separation matters.

Four Useful Pickup Settings Instead Of A Complicated Control Layout

The lower chrome control plate houses a four-position blade switch:

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

The series setting is especially useful. Rather than simply adding another variation on the normal Jaguar sound, it combines both pickups for a fuller, more powerful response that can push an amp or drive pedal harder.

Marr-Specific Bright Switching

Two slide switches remain on the upper horn, but their functions differ from a conventional Jaguar.

One works as a universal bright switch, while the second applies a bright setting specifically to the fourth-position series pickup sound. This keeps the Jaguar’s tonal experimentation while making the control system considerably more direct.

Custom Neck Based On Marr’s 1965 Jaguar

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

Combined with a 7.25" radius rosewood fingerboard and 22 vintage-style frets, it retains the curved, traditional feel associated with vintage Fender guitars rather than adopting the flatter radius and larger frets found on many modern instruments.

Improved Jaguar Bridge Stability

Jaguar bridges have a unique feel and response, but traditional examples can require careful setup. Marr’s model uses a Jaguar bridge with Mustang saddles and nylon bridge-post inserts, helping to create a more stable platform while retaining the characteristic floating design.

The taller tremolo arm also uses a nylon sleeve designed to prevent it from swinging freely when positioned for use.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Fender Player II Jaguar

The Player II Jaguar takes a noticeably more contemporary approach with a 9.5" radius rosewood fingerboard, Modern “C” neck and simplified electronics. It is a strong choice for players who want an accessible modern Jaguar experience.

The Johnny Marr model is better suited to players wanting premium construction, vintage-style 7.25" geometry, Bare Knuckle pickups, series/parallel switching and the Marr-specific bridge and tremolo refinements.

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Fender Vintera II '70s Jaguar

The Vintera II '70s Jaguar focuses more closely on period Fender styling, including traditional lead/rhythm circuitry, vintage-style pickups and a late-'70s neck specification.

The Marr Jaguar maintains the vintage 24" scale and 7.25" radius but dramatically reworks the electronics and several hardware details. Choose the Vintera II if historical Jaguar operation is part of the attraction; choose the Johnny Marr if you want vintage character combined with a more practical performance-oriented control system.

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar vs Johnny Marr Signature Special Jaguar

The newer limited-edition Signature Special Jaguar takes Marr’s concept in another direction with a 9.5" radius fingerboard, custom-wound Kent Armstrong lipstick pickups and expanded pickup configuration.

The original Johnny Marr Jaguar remains the better choice for players looking for the long-established Bare Knuckle-equipped design based more directly around Marr’s 1965 Jaguar, while the Signature Special offers a more experimental alternative.

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

• Jaguar enthusiasts wanting a more practical control system

• Players who favour shorter-scale guitars

• Guitarists using chorus, delay, reverb and modulation effects

• Musicians building layered rhythm guitar arrangements

• Post-punk and jangle-pop players

• Studio musicians looking for tones that sit differently from a Stratocaster or Telecaster

• Players who enjoy vintage Fender neck geometry

• Guitarists looking for a distinctive premium offset rather than another conventional solid-body design

Players wanting large frets, a flat modern fingerboard or a conventional 25.5" Fender scale may find a Stratocaster, Telecaster or more contemporary Jaguar better suited to their preferences.

Suitable Genres & Playing Styles

The Johnny Marr Jaguar naturally suits indie, alternative rock, post-punk, jangle pop, atmospheric music and layered rhythm playing, but reducing it to those styles would overlook much of what makes the electronics useful.

The bridge pickup produces articulate rhythm sounds, the neck pickup softens the attack, parallel operation provides classic dual-pickup clarity and the series setting adds enough body and output for stronger overdrive and lead tones.

That flexibility also makes the guitar highly effective with delay, chorus, tremolo, reverb, fuzz and overdrive, particularly when several guitar parts need to occupy different spaces within a mix.

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

What Makes The Johnny Marr Jaguar Different From A Standard Jaguar?

Traditional Jaguars are famous for their extensive collection of switches and separate lead and rhythm circuits. That flexibility is part of their character, but not every player finds the original control system intuitive.

Johnny Marr’s design approaches the problem differently. The four-way selector provides the main pickup sounds immediately, while retaining two upper-horn switches for additional tonal shaping. The particularly useful addition is the series pickup combination, which gives the guitar a bigger, stronger output than the usual parallel two-pickup setting.

The result is still recognisably a Jaguar, but one whose controls have been optimised around real-world performance rather than historical convention.

Story & Context

The original Fender Jaguar appeared in 1962 as one of Fender’s most sophisticated electric guitars. Its short 24" scale, extensive switching system, floating tremolo and offset body eventually found favour far beyond its original intended market, becoming closely associated with alternative and independent guitar music.

Johnny Marr developed a particularly strong relationship with the model. When Fender created his signature Jaguar, the design took inspiration from Marr’s own 1965 Jaguar, including a custom neck profile based on that instrument.

The Johnny Marr Jaguar was introduced in 2012, coinciding with the Jaguar’s 50th anniversary. Rather than simply reproducing a vintage instrument, Marr and Fender refined areas he felt could work better for his own style, including the switching arrangement, bridge stability and tremolo arm.

That distinction is important. This is not simply a guitar associated with Johnny Marr aesthetically; many of its defining features exist because of the way he personally adapted and used the Jaguar platform.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Series	Artist Signature
Body Shape	Jaguar
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Lacquer
Colour	Olympic White
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Shape	Custom Shape Based on Johnny Marr’s 1965 Jaguar
Neck Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Scale Length	24" / 610 mm
Number of Frets	22
Fret Size	Vintage-Style
Nut Material	Synthetic Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Position Inlays	Ivory Dot
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	Bridge + Neck Pickups in Series
Auxiliary Switching	Universal Bright Switch; Position 4 Bright Switch
Bridge	Jaguar Bridge with Mustang Saddles
Bridge Posts	Nylon Inserts
Tremolo	Vintage-Style Floating Tremolo Tailpiece
Bridge Cover	Chrome Bridge Cover
Tuning Machines	6-in-Line American Vintage
Pickguard	3-Ply White
Control Knobs	Black Plastic
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Strap Buttons	Vintage-Style
Factory String Gauge	Fender USA 250R Nickel-Plated Steel .010–.046
Orientation	Right-Handed

Specification Note

The exact weight, serial number and production date of this individual Open Box guitar were not supplied for the listing and have therefore not been estimated.

Power Requirements

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

Connect it to an amplifier, pedalboard, effects processor or audio interface using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Why Buy Open Box From Fair Deal Music?

An Open Box instrument can provide an excellent opportunity to buy a premium guitar while benefiting from the reassurance of purchasing through an established music retailer.

Every Open Box guitar is checked before leaving Fair Deal Music, giving you greater confidence in its operation and setup than you might receive when purchasing privately.

For unique and higher-value Open Box guitars such as this Johnny Marr Jaguar, you can also contact our team to request a video demo of the individual instrument.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar is a rare example of an artist signature guitar where the artist-specific changes genuinely improve the instrument rather than simply changing its appearance.

The four-way selector is particularly clever, the Bare Knuckle pickups retain the articulation that makes a Jaguar interesting, and the series setting gives the guitar a muscular extra voice that considerably expands its usefulness.

Its 7.25" radius, vintage frets and 24" scale mean it has a deliberately traditional feel, so it is not intended to behave like a modern shred-oriented instrument. For the right player, however, that character is exactly the attraction.

Best suited for: Indie, alternative, post-punk and creative guitarists wanting a premium short-scale offset with distinctive electronics.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe Jaguars, Fender Player Jaguars, Player II Jaguars and other mid-range Fender offsets.

Most commonly paired with: Delay, chorus, reverb, tremolo, overdrive and fuzz pedals, plus clean or edge-of-breakup amplifiers.

Our tip: Do not overlook position four. Running both pickups in series gives the Johnny Marr Jaguar a noticeably bigger voice and can make it surprisingly effective for driven rhythm and lead sounds.

Showroom feedback: The combination of short scale, traditional radius and Marr-specific neck shape gives this guitar a very different feel from a Stratocaster or Telecaster. Players who enjoy vintage-style offsets tend to understand its appeal immediately.

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 knowledgeable musician-led team understands the equipment we sell and can help you choose the right instrument for your playing style, setup and budget.

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

• Flexible finance options available, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A large Birmingham showroom

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

• Part-exchange and trade-in options across a wide range of musical equipment

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

Does the Johnny Marr Jaguar feel different from a Stratocaster?

Yes. Its 24" scale is shorter than the 25.5" scale used on most Stratocasters and Telecasters, so the frets sit slightly closer together and the strings can feel more supple at the same gauge. The offset body and 7.25" fingerboard radius also create a distinctly different playing experience.

What does the series pickup setting do?

Position four connects the neck and bridge pickups in series rather than in parallel. This produces a fuller, stronger sound with more output, making it particularly useful when you want the Jaguar to drive an amplifier or pedal harder.

Is the Johnny Marr Jaguar suitable for lead guitar?

Yes, particularly for melodic, effects-driven and alternative lead styles. Players accustomed to very flat fingerboards and jumbo frets should be aware that the Marr Jaguar deliberately uses vintage-style frets and a 7.25" radius.

Why does this Jaguar use Mustang saddles?

Mustang-style saddles provide a straightforward grooved saddle design and form part of Marr’s revised bridge arrangement. Combined with the nylon post inserts, they help make the floating Jaguar bridge more stable while retaining its characteristic operation.

Is a Jaguar good for players with smaller hands?

The 24" scale can be particularly comfortable because stretches between frets are slightly reduced compared with a 25.5" scale guitar. Neck shape remains a personal preference, but players who find longer-scale instruments tiring often enjoy Jaguar and Mustang designs.

Can I use heavier strings on the Johnny Marr Jaguar?

Yes, although moving significantly away from the factory .010–.046 gauge may require adjustments to neck relief, bridge height, intonation and tremolo balance. A proper setup is recommended after substantial changes in string gauge.

Is this guitar only suitable for Johnny Marr or The Smiths-style music?

No. Its association with Marr is important, but the electronics make it capable of far more than recreating his guitar parts. The pickup combinations work particularly well for indie, post-punk, alternative rock, ambient music, pop, studio layering and effects-heavy playing.

How does Olympic White suit the Johnny Marr Jaguar?

Olympic White gives the offset Jaguar shape a clean, classic Fender appearance while allowing the extensive chrome hardware and black controls to stand out. It is a particularly understated option for players who want the unusual Marr specification without an overly elaborate finish.

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