1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst

John Shults

Posted on April 21 2021

1960 Fender Jazzmaster electric guitar

 

This 1960 Fender Jazzmaster electric guitar came through the shop a few years ago. I'm always a Fender guitar buyer but I'm especially looking for 1950s and 1960s Fender guitars including Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Stratocasters, and Telecasters. You can contact me here to sell a Fender guitar

Get help with Fender guitar dating here: How to date a Fender Jazzmaster guitar.

After a slow start in 1958, the Fender Jazzmaster quickly picked up steam as an American classic. While never as popular as the Stratocaster or Telecaster, the Jazzmaster has gathered a cult following as a result of its unique offset styling and proprietary pickups and electronics. The Jazzmaster has been in production in some form since its introduction except for a short hiatus from 1982 to 1986. The Jazzmaster's pickups are unique in that the coils are only 1/8" high but extend out to the edge of the almost inch wide bobbin.

This gorgeous original 1960 Fender Jazzmaster with strap and coily cable has just come in from the wife of the original owner. She said her husband purchased the guitar new and played in a military band until losing a finger in a work accident in 1963. She can't remember him playing it after the accident and they always kept it in their closet- until now. The guitar, marked "6-60" (June 1960) on the neck heel, is in very nice original condition with no modifications or prior repairs. All parts appear to be original to the guitar including the oft missing amber switch tip and bridge cover. The neck is dead straight and exhibits very little fret wear. The truss rod is in good functioning condition. The electronics too are in good working condition with no repairs. The original faded pickguard exhibits mild shrinkage and warping that doesn't affect playability. The finish is original and shows very mild checking and some bumps/scratches. The tuners too are in good working condition although the high "e" string tuner has a broken wing (see pictures). It still holds tune nicely so we've opted to leave it.

Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst electric guitar original case

Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster hang tag

Headstock, original hang tag, Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst electric guitar

back, Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst electric guitar

Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst electric guitar

Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst electric guitar

Headstock, spaghetti Fender logo, Vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst electric guitar

Under pickguard, original electronics, potentiometers, vintage 1960 Fender Jazzmaster electric guitar

Fender Jazzmaster pencil neck date 12/60

1960 Fender Jazzmaster neck pocket

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1 comment

  • Salty: October 27, 2021

    What’s with the extra curved tremolo bar? I want one for my vintage reissue JM.

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