1961 Fender Jazzmaster Olympic White Refinish

John Shults

Posted on May 29 2020

Vintage 1961 Fender Jazzmaster guitar white refinish

 

I bought this 1961 Fender Jazzmaster with white refinish back in 2014. I loved the guitar despite all its updates including white refinish, 1970 serial number and parts, changed tuners, etc. I'm always a Fender guitar buyer but I especially love Jazzmaster guitars. Please contact me here to sell a vintage Fender guitar. 

If you're looking for more information on a vintage Fender Jazzmaster guitar then check out my article on How To Date A Vintage Fender Jazzmaster Guitar

Check out a few other vintage Fender Jazzmaster guitars that have come through the shop:

1960 Fender Jazzmaster Blond

1961 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst

1962 Fender Jazzmaster Lake Placid Blue

1971 Fender Jazzmaster Black

While the Jazzmaster model never really appealed to the Jazz musician market, it seems to have a lasting appeal to just about all other types of guitar players. The offset body and endless tonal combinations were just what the burgeoning Surf scene musicians were looking for. The Jazzmaster model has been in production in some form since late 1958 with the exception of a short hiatus from 1982-1987.

This Jazzmaster has been out of service for the last 30 years according to the previous owner. This was a family guitar that has gone through some changes down the road. The slab board neck features and heel stamp line up nicely for 1961 but has changed tuners and nut. The electronics, pickguard and pickups are all 1961 with pot code dates that verify the year. The neck plate serial number dates to 1970 which lines up with the Olympic White polyurethane finish on the body. The neck pocket stamps appear correct for 1970 as well.  The neck finish appears to be original but has some overspray on it. The bridge patina seems to line up with a 1961 guitar while the tremolo piece appears to be from 1970. The knobs are late 1960s and the pickup selector knob is a recent manufacture. The bridge pickup was dead so I sent it to Lindy Fralin Pickups for a period correct rewind. The frets are original to the guitar and are in great playing condition. The case is an actual 1960s Jazzmaster case that is in solid structural condition with some of the felt pealing off in the bottom bass side. The original tuners and five of the original tuner bushings are also included. All the patina on the body and neck has occurred naturally. The lacquer has worn nicely on the back of the neck so it has that great played in feel.

This is a great player's Jazzmaster with all the cool vintage features. It's also solid as a rock and ready to go on the road (edit: sold!).

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