Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
archtop.com
1966 Fender Jazzmaster
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial #: 173179, four bolt neckplate. Neck stamp: 13OCT66B
Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 10/16"
Finish: Original candy apple red, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Materials: Alder body; solid one-piece maple neck; Brazilian rosewood 'slab' fingerboard with pearloid block inlays.
Hardware: All original hardware includes three ply white pickguard; spring tremelo with white tipped arm; white single coil pickups; white bonnet volume and tone controls; three-way pickup selector switch with original switchtip; double line nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners; single butterfly string retainer in peghead; "Micro-adjustable" bridge saddles with nickel bridge cover; adjustable truss rod.
Notes: Introduced in 1958, the Fender Jazzmaster was the company's top-of-the-line guitar. Aimed squarely at the jazz guitar market, the Jazzmaster had unique pickups, wider and flatter than those on other Fender models, for a smoother, warmer voice. Innovative circuitry combined conventional wiring (three way pickup switching with master volume and tone controls) with an additional set of controls for the neck pickup only. These thumbwheel volume and tone controls were controlled with a dedicated selector switch, which also activated an extra tone capacitor, for a mellow 'rhythm' mode. Finally, the contour of the body was specially configured for comfortable playing from a seated position, customary in jazz combo and big band settings. Discontinued in 1980, the model was reissued in 1986, and finally revived in 1999, remaining in production to this day.
Notable Jazzmaster players have included Joe Pass (who recorded his first album with one) and Ventures lead guitarist Nokie Edwards, who cut their hit recording of Johnny Smith's 'Walk Don't Run' on the model. Johnny Cash guitarist Luther Perkins was an early adopter, and both Elvis Costello and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco brought the Jazzmaster to prominence in later years as well. Pete Townsend played one early on, and no less a picker than Jimi Hendrix himself strapped on a Jazzmaster from time to time, both as an R&B sideman, and in concert with the Experience.
This fine example is from the first year for the block inlay fingerboard, fully bound neck and larger scroll peghead, and is one of the last with a true Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Finished in a lustrous candy apple red, the instrument has original finish, hardware and electronics, and has been maintained in superb condition. The instrument shows a few incidental lacquer nicks, mostly around the peghead and tailpiece area, and a bit of spot finish touchup here and there. Pickups measure 7.63K at the neck and 7.48 at the bridge, and the neck is gently rounded and nicely full, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup.
Fuller tone from Fullerton: one only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge nickel strings (.010). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original Fender black tolex hardshell case with orange plush lining.
