Fender USA VINTAGE Jazzmaster '61 Slab Fingerboard Sunburst/R

The Jazzmaster debuted in 1958. During its original release period until the late 1970s, it didn't enjoy consistently stable popularity or sales. However, advancements in replacement parts broadened its versatility, leading to a resurgence in popularity. Today, it's a guitar widely seen in professional settings and enjoys widespread popularity across all ages and genders as a practical instrument. It has truly become a major model in the guitar world.

This particular guitar, shipped around 1961, is a rare find with a slab rosewood fingerboard. These are becoming increasingly scarce on the market.

【body】
The total weight is approximately 3.5 kg. The two-piece alder body is finished in a sophisticated three-tone sunburst color with just the right amount of redness remaining. Due to age, the pickguard has shrunk and cracked, giving it a vintage look that is difficult to replicate with relicing. There is weather checking commensurate with its age, scratches and paint peeling throughout, paint peeling from the belt buckle, shrinkage and cracking of the pickguard due to age, and tarnishing of the metal parts, which are all part of the charm of this wonderful vintage guitar.

【neck】
The neck is made of maple. The fingerboard is made of the renowned and superb rosewood, in a slab (flat) construction. The brand logo on the headstock is still clearly visible, although there is some slight fading. The back of the neck has a smooth, vintage feel due to paint wear from use. Other metal parts show some tarnishing, and like the body, it is in good condition with a nice vintage feel. The tuners function properly, although there is some slight variation in the tightness of the windings. The frets and nut have been replaced once, and playability is good. The headstock thickness is 14.0mm, and the nut width is 42.1mm. It features a relatively sturdy neck shape.

[Electrical System]
The controls consist of two sections: the familiar Jazzmaster controls (3-way pickup selector, master volume, master tone) and the neck (front) pickup preset mode switch, preset volume, preset tone). The main control potentiometers and tone capacitors have been replaced. The pickups retain their original black bobbins. The wide, flat coil structure provides a wide range and fast attack, while the combination of the alder body and slab rosewood fingerboard brings warmth and depth. The clean tone evokes the early 1960s surf/jazz scene with its glossy, rich sound, while the overdrive tone maintains its definition while transforming into a dry, edgy texture. Combined with the thickness of the neck, the tone is appealing for its combination of thickness and gloss. Many people are probably looking for this sound in an old Jazzmaster.

Included case: Brown Tolex hard case, though it's worn as expected for its age.

Weight: 3.5kg
Body Material: Alder (2 pieces)
Neck Material/Scale: Maple 1 piece/648mm (25-1/2inch)
Fingerboard/Fret Marker/Radius: Rosewood Flat laminate/Cray dot/184.15mm (7.25inch)
Nut Width/Fret Size (width): 42.1mm (replaced)/2.1mm (replaced), 21F
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/12F): 20.8mm/23.3mm/25.1mm
Pickup (Neck/Bridge): Fender Jazzmaster Black Bobbin (7.8kΩ/7.8kΩ)
*The DC resistance value of the pickup is measured through the control section.

Heartman Vintage Guitars is a specialty store for vintage guitars and basses operated by Ikebe Musical Instruments.