Fender Jazzmaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Fullerton, California, serial # L66749, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a superb example of an "Early CBS" Fender Jazzmaster with a neck dated to February 1965, less than two months after Leo's company had been sold into corporate slavery! The appointments show a mix of period-specific features- the very "tight" sunburst finish with a large yellow center and minimal color blending is typical of 1965, while the unbound rosewood fingerboard still has the older-style "clay" dot inlay, superseded by pearl dots right about this time-this is actually the latest-dated clay dot Jazzmaster we have ever seen. The tortoise plastic (not nitrocellulose) laminated pickguard was also a brand new feature at the time. The neckplate still shows the Pre-CBS style "L" number, typical of this transition period. This very fine-sounding and playing Jazzmaster, with some playwear but overall very well preserved.
Overall length is 41 1/16 in. (104.3 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 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.). A lovely clean and original Jazzmaster, with just some very light play wear overall. There are some small dings and chips, the back has a spot of buckle wear and the back of the neck is worn down to the wood in that classic Pre-CBS Fender way. The face is quite clean with one small spot on the upper horn where it looks like something sticky was applied and removed-there is no finish loss but an inconspicuous bit of residue. The interior is immaculately clean and original down to the masking tape securing the wiring; we just added new foam under the pickups for elevation as the original is hard as rock! The pickguard screws appear newer-we're not sure why but that is the only apparent alteration. This is an excellent player with a bright sparkly sound. The case is an excellent quality re-issue but the original hangtag is still included. Excellent Condition.
