This 1964 Fender Jaguar was Jessica’s first vintage-guitar purchase and was eventually used as a sort-of business card when auditioning for the Beck gig. Coming through a Smiths phase and loving Johnny Marr’s guitar work, she scored it from a humble music store in her hometown of Fullerton, CA. “I really like that they’re similar to a Jazzmaster in feel and appearance,” says Dobson. “But I think the Jaguar is a bridge towards a Strat—this one has a buttery midrange to it—and I grew up playing a Strat-style Yamaha Pacifica, so I instantly felt comfortable with the ’64.” The only change she’s made on the instrument has been upgrading the stock bridge to a Mastery. (This decision was partly made because during her audition for Beck, she was playing “Devils Haircut” and the 6th string flicked right off the bridge. Luckily, she had worked through a few other songs and wasn’t seen as a deterrent as she still got the job.)
Rig Rundown: Deep Sea Diver's Jessica Dobson
“Strangled cat" and "glassy Jonny Greenwood” are just two attitudes the former Beck and Shins sidewoman engages in her band’s adventurous indie-rock.
By Chris KiesOct 14, 2020
Chris Kies
Chris Kies has degrees in Journalism and History from the University of Iowa and has been with PG dating back to his days as an intern in 2007. He's now the multimedia manager maintaining the website and social media accounts, coordinating Rig Rundown shoots (also hosting and/or filming them) and occasionally writing an artist feature. Other than that, he enjoys non-guitar-related hobbies.