Some guitars are simply great instruments. Others have that elusive quality that makes you want to keep picking them up long after you've stopped playing. This Fender Custom Shop '62 Jaguar Journeyman Relic is very much the latter.
 
Built in Corona, California in 2023, this stunning Time Machine recreation captures everything that made the early '60s Jaguars so iconic, while incorporating the subtle refinements that modern players appreciate. Finished in classic Black over a lightweight two-piece alder body, the tasteful Journeyman Relic treatment has been kept deliberately restrained, allowing the guitar to age gracefully without looking overdone. It's the kind of relic that feels authentic in your hands rather than shouting for attention.
 
The specification is exceptional throughout. A beautifully figured AAA rosewood fingerboard sits atop a plain grain maple neck carved to the wonderfully comfortable '62 Jaguar profile. The vintage-correct 7.25" radius and medium vintage frets deliver an unmistakably authentic feel, while the matching painted headstock and gold hardware give the guitar a striking, elegant appearance that's rarely seen on a Jaguar.
 
Plugged in, the pair of Fender Custom Shop '62 Jaguar flat magnet pickups produce everything you'd expect from a world-class offset. Crystal-clear cleans, articulate rhythm tones, shimmering chord work and that unmistakable Jaguar bite are all here in abundance. The traditional lead and rhythm circuits, together with the famous strangle switch, provide an enormous palette of sounds that have inspired everyone from surf pioneers to alternative icons.
 
As expected from a Fender Custom Shop instrument, the craftsmanship is second to none. Every detail feels considered, from the perfectly rolled fingerboard edges to the silky nitrocellulose lacquer finish that allows the guitar to resonate beautifully. It feels alive in your hands in a way that's difficult to describe until you've experienced it.
 
This example comes complete with its original Fender Custom Shop tweed hard case, Certificate of Authenticity, Custom Shop leather binder, shop floor traveller, inspection card, design guide and all original case candy.
 
If you're looking for one of the finest modern interpretations of a vintage Jaguar available today, this is an exceptional example.