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 Era: After 1968, the headstock logo gets a little larger and a thicker poly finish is introduced. In this period, some Jazzmasters were made with Maple fretboards though these are not very common. Some after 1977 also have black pickup covers.
Body Style: Offset solidbody
Wood Composition: Alder body, Maple neck with Maple fingerboard
Design Elements: Bolt-on neck, block 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 is the most common finish for vintage Jazzmasters.
Notable Players: J Mascis, Elvis Costello, Lee Ranaldo, Kevin Shields
Years of Production: 1958 - 1980
Unique to this Era: After 1968, the headstock logo gets a little larger and a thicker poly finish is introduced. In this period, some Jazzmasters were made with Maple fretboards though these are not very common. Some after 1977 also have black pickup covers.
Body Style: Offset solidbody
Wood Composition: Alder body, Maple neck with Maple fingerboard
Design Elements: Bolt-on neck, block 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 is the most common finish for vintage Jazzmasters.
Notable Players: J Mascis, Elvis Costello, Lee Ranaldo, Kevin Shields