The Re-imagined Fender Player II Series Jaguar.

Photos provided by Fender

GEAR SPECIALIST | GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE

Eric Dahl

Eric Dahl is a TV/Streaming/Radio/Podcast show host, writer for multiple magazines and a published author. His hobbies include guitar collecting, playing guitar, singing, songwriting, winemaking, and he is a Harley motorcycle enthusiast based in Nashville, TN. Dahl was the third generation of his family born in Peoria, IL and raised in rural Southeast Missouri. He has played guitar since he was 5 years old thanks to his father, Jerry Dahl, who was a bassist. Dahl holds a BA in Mass Communications and a Music Minor in Jazz and Classical guitar from Southeast Missouri State University and briefly studied at Belmont University.

Re-imagined sounds like something happening at a Disney theme park, but the word fits when it comes to the Player II Series Jaguar.  Fender has taken their Jaguar and updated it with features that today’s musicians want.  Right out of the box the first thing you notice is the easier to manage “C” shaped Satin finish neck on the new Jag.  The rolled edges on the rosewood fingerboard are also a nice touch.  The body is a gloss polyester finish that is smooth to the touch and the Aquatone Blue, as tested, looks like a vintage car with chrome bumpers. Other updates on the Player II Series Jaguar include a tremolo arm that doesn’t screw in but pushes in to engage.  The dual Alnico II Single-coil pickups are selected with a 3-position blade pickup selector at the bottom of the body.  Parchment pickguard fits the aesthetic of the guitar and has a retro vibe. 

Machine heads at the top of the headstock are Fender Classic Gear tuners with closed backs.  A Mustang style bridge has been installed on the new Jag featuring individual string adjustments and the tremolo moves smoothly. When I plugged the Jag in it delivered some bite with increased mids without the overly treble highs.  My favorite pickup section was the neck pickup and the middle, both of which delivered versatile tones.  The bridge pickup on the Jag was fine for soloing and more rock tones but you do give up the fatter low end also. When plugged into a distortion pedal the Player II Jaguar was full and defined with no ambient noise or feedback. The Alnico II Single-coil pickups sound closer to P90 pickups to my ear, but without the noise those sometimes come with.

The Player II Series Jaguar looks like a conventional Jag on a guitar stand, but as soon as you plug it in and play it you discover this is a modern approach to a classic design. Standout features for me are the modern “C” 9.5” radius neck, Satin finish back of the neck, upgraded tremolo and solid Alder body for sustain. If you are looking for something that looks, plays and sounds different, the Player II Series Jaguar is the electric guitar for you.  This Jag is priced at only $829.99 and is loaded with user friendly features.  If you do purchase the new Fender Player II Series, I would suggest that you also add a gig bag or hard case to protect it.  Body finish choices include Aquatone Blue (as tested), 3-Color Sunburst, Polar White, Coral Red and Hialeah Yellow.  If you have avoided Fender Jaguar’s in the past, go into this one with an open mine and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Nice job Fender.

www.fender.com

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