For Sale: 1997 Fender Japan CIJ JG66-85 ’62 Reissue Jaguar – 3-Tone Sunburst w/ Gig Bag

Up for sale is a 1997 Fender Japan Crafted in Japan JG66-85 ’62 Reissue Jaguar in classic 3-Tone Sunburst, complete with a gig bag.

Built during Fender Japan’s highly regarded Crafted in Japan era, the JG66-85 is one of the more desirable vintage-style Jaguar reissues from this period. Featuring an alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, vintage 7.25" radius, short 24" scale, and original Fender Japan Jaguar single-coils, it delivers the unmistakable look, feel, and character that have made the Jaguar one of Fender’s most distinctive offset designs.

The combination of the 3-Tone Sunburst finish, red tortoiseshell pickguard, and rosewood fingerboard gives this guitar a timeless early-’60s Fender appearance, while the unique Jaguar electronics and floating tremolo provide a playing experience completely different from a Stratocaster or Telecaster.

Condition

Very Good – 8/10

• Light scratches throughout from normal use
• Small dings throughout
• Tarnish and aging to the hardware
• Honest cosmetic wear consistent with its age

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

There are no cracks, breaks, repairs, or structural issues.

The neck is straight and stable, and the frets are in excellent condition with plenty of life remaining. The guitar has also been professionally inspected and set up by our in-house luthier and plays cleanly up and down the neck with comfortable action, accurate intonation, and no buzzing or dead spots.

A gig bag is included.

Specifications

• Model: Fender Japan JG66-85 ’62 Reissue Jaguar
• Year: 1997
• Crafted in Japan (CIJ)
• Serial Number: O026939
• Finish: 3-Tone Sunburst
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Radius: 7.25"
• Scale Length: 24"
• Frets: 22 Vintage-Style
• Nut Width: 1.67"
• Neck Depth: .82" at the 1st Fret
• Neck Depth: .95" at the 12th Fret
• Pickups: Original Fender Japan Jaguar Single-Coils
• Electronics: Traditional Jaguar Lead & Rhythm Circuits
• Bridge: Vintage-Style Jaguar Bridge
• Tremolo: Floating Jaguar Tremolo with Tremolo Lock
• Pickguard: 3-Ply Red Tortoiseshell
• Weight: 8 lbs 6 oz
• Case: Gig Bag

Electronics & Features

One of the defining features of the Jaguar is its unique dual-circuit electronics, and this JG66-85 retains the traditional layout that gives the model so much of its personality.

The lead circuit provides the bright, articulate Jaguar sound, with individual pickup switching and the distinctive bass-cut circuit that can produce an even sharper, more percussive attack.

Switching to the separate rhythm circuit engages the neck pickup with its own volume and tone controls, producing a noticeably darker and warmer voice. Together, these controls give the Jaguar a surprisingly broad tonal range that goes far beyond its reputation as simply a surf guitar.

The 24" short scale is another major part of the Jaguar experience. Compared with the 25.5" scale of a Stratocaster or Telecaster, the shorter scale creates a softer, slinkier string feel that makes the guitar incredibly comfortable and fun to play.

The floating tremolo system provides smooth, expressive vibrato and includes the traditional tremolo lock that is synonymous with the original Jaguar design.

Tone & Feel

This guitar delivers the unmistakable character of a vintage-style Jaguar—bright, articulate, punchy, and slightly percussive, with excellent clarity and note separation.

The original Fender Japan Jaguar single-coils provide plenty of chime and attack, making the guitar equally at home playing surf, indie, alternative, shoegaze, punk, rock, and experimental music.

The combination of the short 24" scale, vintage 7.25" fingerboard radius, and comfortable neck gives it an authentic old-school Fender feel. The shorter scale also makes bends easier and gives chords a distinctive response that separates the Jaguar from Fender’s longer-scale models.

At 8 lbs 6 oz, the guitar feels substantial and nicely balanced without being excessively heavy.

Transparency & Photos

As with all Guitar Chimp listings, detailed photos are provided of the exact instrument—no stock photos.

At the end of the photo set, you’ll find close-up images taken under direct lighting to clearly highlight the scratches, dings, hardware tarnish, and other cosmetic wear.

We don’t just describe the condition—we show it in detail so there are no surprises.

Many customers tell us their guitars arrive in better condition than expected.

Why Buy From Guitar Chimp?

With over 18 years of experience, Guitar Chimp is trusted by players and collectors worldwide for high-quality, player-ready instruments.

Every guitar is thoroughly inspected and professionally set up by our in-house luthier.

We are experts at shipping and have safely shipped thousands of guitars all over the world. Every instrument is professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.

📞 Call/Text: (801) 317-9013

💬 Message anytime—we’re always happy to help!

This 1997 Fender Japan CIJ JG66-85 ’62 Reissue Jaguar in 3-Tone Sunburst is a great-playing example from Fender Japan’s highly regarded Crafted in Japan era. With its alder body, rosewood fingerboard, original electronics, vintage 7.25" radius, classic short-scale feel, and unmistakable Jaguar tone, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a vintage-inspired Japanese-built Fender offset.

🎸 Jerald – Guitar Chimp

Providing The Finest Guitars, Basses & Amps Since 2006