Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst 1961

Fender announced the Jazzmaster at the 1958 NAMM show as a high-end jazz guitar with an array of innovative features and sleek sports-car inspired curves. Though the model never really caught on with jazz players, it was quickly embraced by surf rock players due to its unique floating tremolo system and mellower sounding pickups. Later, the Jazzmaster would find new life as an iconic instrument for a range of indie rock players.

Years of Production: 1958 - 1980

Unique to this Year: Last full year with slab style fingerboard. 

Body Style: Offset solidbody 

Wood Composition: Alder body, Maple neck with slab Rosewood fingerboard

Design Elements: Bolt-on neck, dot inlays, 2 single-coil soapbox pickups, 3-way pickup selector, 25 1/2-inch scale length, treble and bass roll knobs, floating tremolo system, lead/rhythm circuit switch

Finish Specifications: Sunburst was the standard finish for the Jazzmaster in 1961. Rarer colors are more prized by collectable. 

Notable Players:  J Mascis, Elvis Costello, Lee Ranaldo, Kevin Shields