FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The Fender Jazzmaster was manufactured from 1958 to 1981 and was at the top of the Fender line from 1958 to 1962. Leo Fender designed the pickups to produce a mellower tone than the Stratocaster and Telecaster in hopes that jazz guitarists would use it. However, very few jazzers played it and this model, ironically, became one of the favorite axes of surf guitarists in the early '60s. Always the innovator, Leo Fender designed an all-new vibrato system and electronics circuit for the Jazzmaster. In addition, the Jazzmaster was the first Fender to be offered with a rosewood fingerboard. In 1966, the Jazzmaster underwent a minor cosmetic change with the addition of a bound fingerboard, block markers, and Stratocaster-like headstock shape. This Jazzmaster is one of the last to feature the famed “clay” dot markers that Fender used from 1959 to very early in 1965. In fact, most Fenders had switched from clay dots to pearloid dots by the end of 1964. In addition to surf guitarists, Jazzmaster players also include the Chicago blues guitarist Magic Slim, progressive rocker Elvis Costello, C&W artist Roy Lanham, and numerous modern rock guitarists.

 Body: Solid, 2-piece alder

 Finish: Sunburst, nitrocelluslose lacquer

 Neck: 1-piece maple, bolt-on

 Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood, clay dot markers

 Number of Frets: 21

 Pickguard: Tortoise/white/black/white plastic laminate

 Bridge: Fender steel; Floating Tremolo tailpiece, chrome

 Nut: Plastic

 Tuners: Kluson Deluxe, enclosed, nickel

 Pickups: Two, Fender single coil

 Controls: Master tone, master volume, 3-way pick-up selector, rhythm circuit selector, tone and volume for rhythm circuit

 Scale Length: 25 1/2 inches

 Neck Width at Nut: 1 5/8 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout: 14 inches

 Body Depth: 1 5/8 inches

 Weight: 7.7 lb