Fender's Jaguar model debuted in 1962 at the top of the price list at $379.50! It was to be their flagship new solid body electric guitar. They considered it the upgrade from the humble Telecaster at $209.50, the mid grade Stratocaster at $289.50, and even the fancy Jazzmaster model at $349.50. It seems that the model got caught up in a big transition for the popularity of the solid body electric guitar evolution and wasn't as quickly accepted as the prior Fender models.
The offset waist body style with floating tremolo unit was designed with old school archtop guitars in mind. They relied on heavy strings and a steep break angle over the saddle to allow the vibration of the strings to drive the body of the guitar.
