Fender celebrates Jazzmaster 60th Anniversary – Three new offsets for 2018
Its the 60th Anniversary of the Fender Jazzmaster
Fender Jazzmaster 60th Anniversary Triple Jazzmaster '58 Jazzmaster and Classic Jazzmaster · Source: Fender
Fender celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the Jazzmaster with three new models launching in 2018. Yes, a whole sixty years have passed since the original ’58 offset design rolled out the Fender factory with its classic design, cool curves and exclusive tone.
Fender Jazzmaster 60th Anniversary
First off, I love Jazzmasters myself and own quite a few, so expect me to get a little overexcited by the announcement today. The Jazzmaster is Fender’s classic offset waist guitar that was originally seen as an instrument to potentially replace the Stratocaster as the premium guitar from the Californian guitar maker.
I have to admit that I find Jazzmasters such cool guitars and many of my childhood heroes played one, and so for me, they will always be a cool guitar. Some players that are used to Stratocasters and Telecasters find the Jazzmaster a bit of an oddball, but those that master their quirks and design idiosyncrasies will know they are awesome guitars in their own right.
Limited Edition 60th Anniversary ’58 Jazzmaster
The first mode being released to celebrate is, of course, the ’58 Jazzmaster. A classic design in a two-tone Sunburst finish, with a gold anodised aluminium pickguard, Jazzmaster pickups, tone circuit and that rosewood fretboard with maple neck design that many associates with the model.
It’s an ash body with nitrocellulose 2-tone finish, it has a C-Profile neck with a vintage 7.25″ radius. The vintage voiced pickups come in black plastic covers.
This one is available as of now and should be in dealers pretty much straight away.
RRP – USD 2299 inc 60th Anniversary hard case.
Limited Edition 60th Anniversary ‘58 Jazzmaster · Source: Fender
Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Triple Jazzmaster
The Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Triple Jazzmaster is offered in Daphne Blue and has three, yes three, Tim Shaw designed Filtertron style pickups loaded into it. These are accessed via a 5-way pickup switch, plus a two-position mini toggle switch, which allows the use of both neck and middle pickups in parallel.
It has a ’60s Oval C-shape neck profile and comes with a 9.5”-radius rosewood fingerboard and is fitted with 21 narrow-tall frets. The body is alder and has a nitrocellulose finish, so should age nicely.
RRP – USD 2299 inc hard case.
Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Triple Jazzmaster · Source: Fender
Limited Edition 60th Classic Jazzmaster
This one is a reproduction of the 1966 Jazzmaster model and comes in either Daphne Blue, Black, Vintage Blonde or Fiesta Red. In 1966 the Jazzmaster added a bound neck, block inlays and a cool matching painted headstock to the design and so these new Classic models follow all these design changes and offer them once more in 2018.
They all feature Classic Series ‘60s Jazzmaster single-coil pickups and have nitrocellulose finishes over an alder body. This time they have a C neck profile with a 9.5”-radius but on a pau ferro fingerboard and again have 21 narrow-tall frets
They should be available in September this year along with the Triple Jazzmaster. So you will need to be patient and tread water over the summer until you can get your hands on one.
RRP – USD 1199.99 inc hard case.
Limited Edition 60th Anniversary Classic Jazzmaster · Source: Fender
Verdict
Yes, I love all of these on paper and like I said before I am a sucker for a cool Jazzmaster. The new triple pickup version is especially interesting and I can see that being one that will divide opinion, but I like it. Pricing is about where you would expect it on all the models and I’m sure some dealers will offer more sensible ‘street prices’ anyway.
Overall, well-done Fender these look ace!
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