Fender American Professional Jaguar RW Dark Night Electric guitar

Fender American Professional Jaguar RW Dark Night — Modern Offset Performance

The Fender American Professional Jaguar RW Dark Night brings the short-scale offset icon into the modern era with a USA-built alder body, bolt-on maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard in a Dark Night finish. This model targets working players who want the slinky feel and distinctive circuitry of a classic Jaguar, paired with modern playability refinements. A 24" scale keeps string tension light and bending effortless, while the contoured neck heel and rolled fingerboard edges make upper-fret work comfortable for hours on stage.

V-Mod III Pickups and the Iconic Jaguar Dual-Circuit Layout

New V-Mod III Jaguar single-coil pickups are more articulate than ever while delivering the sparkle and chime the Jaguar is known for. The bridge pickup has a tap function on a push/push tone control, giving both a powerful, throaty sound and a lower-output vintage sound without changing guitars. The classic dual-circuit system is fully intact: a slide switch activates the rhythm circuit, routing both pickups in series through dedicated thumbwheel controls for a thicker tone with increased output. The Panorama tremolo with pop-in arm covers everything from classic Jaguar warble to deep, Strat-style dives.

Alder Body and Deep "C" Neck — Built for Hours of Playing

A proven recipe of an alder body paired with a bolt-on maple neck has been the foundation of Fender's professional offset guitars for decades. The body wears a polyurethane finish that protects the wood while letting it resonate, while the back of the neck carries a satin urethane treatment for a smooth, fast feel. A sculpted neck heel carve improves access to the upper register.

• Body Material: Alder — balanced, dense tonewood with punchy bass and clear highs
• Neck: Maple, "Deep C" profile — solid foundation for chords and lead lines
• Rosewood fingerboard with 22 narrow-tall frets and a 9.5" radius (241 mm) for comfortable bending
• Scale Length: 24" (610 mm) — short-scale feel with slinky string tension

V-Mod III Pickups and the Dual-Circuit Switching System

V-Mod III single-coils and the dual-circuit switching system are where this model earns its reputation as one of the most flexible offset platforms ever built. New V-Mod III Jaguar single-coils are more articulate than ever while delivering the sparkle and chime the Jaguar is known for. The lead circuit handles standard volume and tone duties, while the rhythm circuit adds a series routing option that thickens the tone considerably.

• Pickups: Two V-Mod III single-coil Jaguar pickups (SS)
• Lead Circuit: Master Volume, Master Tone (push/push tap for vintage bridge-pickup tone)
• Rhythm Circuit: Thumbwheel Volume and Tone, both pickups in series
• Pickup Switching: 3-position toggle

Panorama Tremolo, ClassicGear J-Bridge, and Deluxe Molded Case

Hardware choices on this model reflect Fender's effort to refine the Jaguar experience without losing its character. The Panorama tremolo system with pop-in arm covers everything from classic Jaguar warble to deep, Strat-style dives, while the ClassicGear J-Bridge keeps every note locked in with superior intonation, stability and tone. Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered tuners hold tuning reliably through heavy tremolo use.

• Bridge: ClassicGear J-Bridge with Panorama Tremolo and pop-in arm
• Tuning Machines: Fender Standard Cast/Sealed Staggered
• Nut: Bone, 42.8 mm width
• Deluxe Molded Case included for safe transport to gigs and sessions

Built for Offset Players Who Want Modern Playability

This model is the right choice for guitarists who love the offset body shape but want a professional-grade instrument with modern playability refinements. The short 24" scale and slinky string tension make it ideal for surf, indie, alternative, and shoegaze players who favor expressive bending and chordal shimmer. The dual-circuit switching system rewards players who like to shape their tone on the fly, from clean rhythm work to thick, series-mode leads. Studio musicians will appreciate the V-Mod III clarity for recording, while gigging players get a road-ready instrument with a hardshell case included.

The American Professional Series and the Jaguar's Offset Heritage

The American Professional Jaguar draws from more than sixty years of innovation, inspiration and evolution to meet the demands of today's working player. The Jaguar was originally launched in 1962 as Fender's top-of-the-line offset model, with a shorter scale and the distinctive dual-circuit switching system that set it apart from the Jazzmaster. After falling out of favor in the 1970s and 1980s, the model was rediscovered by grunge, alternative and indie guitarists in the 1990s. This version carries that heritage forward with V-Mod III pickups, the Panorama tremolo and a sculpted neck heel.