Fender Jazzmaster Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964), ser. #L40716, black hard shell case.

Fender Jazzmaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964), made in Fullerton, California, serial # L40716, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case. This is a lovely and very nicely preserved original example of a late pre-CBS Fender Jazzmaster, built less than a year before Leo's company was sold into corporate slavery! The neck is dated May 1964; CBS took over the company in January 1965 bringing a host of changes. There is often something special about these spring/summer '64 Fenders; Leo's company had gotten everything perfected and in our experience many of them are among the best of their breed. The appointments include a fairly bold sunburst finish with a deep red layer and more color blending than just a year later. Apart from the finish this beautiful Jazzmaster is loaded with classic pre-CBS Fender features. These include a "round-lam" unbound rosewood fingerboard with the pre-'65 "clay" dot inlay. The pickguard is the nitrocellulose tortoiseshell style Celluloid which was a Fender trademark at the time. The pickups are the standard white-covered Jazzmaster units with the two-circuit wiring introduced with this model. The neckplate sports a mid-series "L" serial number, typical of 1964.Although it never won over most jazz artists as Leo intended the Jazzmaster was quite a successful guitar at the time, seen with many period players in a variety of musical genres and widely imitated overseas. After a period in the shadows the Jazzmaster has been increasingly popular over the last couple of decades with new generations of performers re-discovering its particular charms. This one has survived the years mostly resting in its original early black no-logo Tolex hardshell case. At 8.13 pounds it is lighter and handier than many 1960's Jazzmasters and survives in better shape, played in just enough with a major mojo and sounding fantastic, ready for its next 55+ years.Overall length is 41 in. (104.1 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.)., 8.13 lbs. This Jazzmaster has all original finish and hardware, showing some light general wear but a fine example overall. The thin nitro body finish is largely unfaded, with some dings, dents and scuffing overall but no large areas of wear. The edges have the most wear as is typical, with a few small touched-in spots. The face remains relatively clean with some wear through the top coats from contact with the player's arm in the usual spots. The back shows some fairly minor belt-buckling, mostly scrapes into but not through the lacquer. The neck finish is somewhat worn down on the back, with that glorious played-in Fender feel. The original frets have recently been recrowned and have plenty of life left in them, the fingerboard has some light wear in the lower positions. All hardware is original and complete except as is often the case the small snap on bridge cover has gone missing. This is a really fine sounding and playing guitar, complete in a very clean first-generation black Tolex Fender HSC. Excellent - Condition.