This Fender Jazzmaster 1961 in original white Blond finish came through the shop recently and is a spectacular example of one of my favorite Fender guitars. The yellowed cream white finish that Fender called Blond is very attractive against the red faux tortoiseshell pickguard! Not only that, but this Jazzmaster was also a great playing guitar after a set up with new foam and neck shim. The sound of this bridge pickup was everything I hoped it would be with fat drive but also rich complexity.
As a Fender guitar collector, I'm always on the hunt for nice examples of Fender Jazzmaster guitars from the late 1950s and early 1960s. If you've inherited a Fender Jazzmaster and would like to check the serial number then check out Fender Serial Numbers. Or if you're curious about how much I would value your Jazzmaster then you can contact me here: Sell a Fender.
Fender Jazzmaster Serial Numbers
The serial number on a Fender Jazzmaster from the late 1950s and 1960s is found on the back of the guitar on the metal plate that connects the neck to the body (learn more here: Fender Serial Number lookup). Since the model debuted in 1958, the serial numbers for Jazzmaster guitars start in the 30,000 range. By 1961, the Fender serial numbers had reached the 61,000 like the one found on this guitar. It's important to remember that Fender serial numbers in the 1950s and 1960s were generally consecutive, but the plates weren't necessarily assigned in exactly consecutive order. Fender serial number 31,000 was certainly made in 1958 but serial number 30,500 may have come a few months after it.
The serial number found on this Fender Jazzmaster indicates that it was made in 1961 but we can use other aspects to date the guitar even closer. The neck heel and bridge pickup body cavity indicate they were made in 4/61 and 5/61. The potentiometer codes indicate they were made during the 43rd week of 1960. It also has the slab Rosewood fretboard, patent applied for tremolo tailpiece, and early peghead logo which are all features that would match a Jazzmaster made in 1961. It weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz and had a neck profile measuring 0.80" at the first fret and 0.98" at the 12th fret. You can check out more pictures of this beauty here: Fender Jazzmaster 1961 Blond.
Fender Jazzmaster Values
The value of a Fender Jazzmaster from the 1950s and 1960s depends heavily on the exact year it was made, color, condition, and originality. If you're curious about how much I would value your Fender Jazzmaster then contact me here: Sell a Fender. Fender increased production of guitars each year from 1958 until 1965, so each successive year is more common for Fender guitar collectors to find. A 1958 Fender Jazzmaster is significantly more difficult to find than a Jazzmaster made in 1964.
The color is also a very important aspect of the value of a Fender Jazzmaster. The Jazzmaster was offered in a standard Sunburst color at the lowest price. A Blond finish or a custom color finish could be ordered at a 5% upcharge from the standard Sunburst, but many players didn't want to pay extra for a custom color. The majority of the Fender Jazzmasters from 1958 throughout the 1960s were finished in the standard Sunburst. Some custom colors are more rare than others including Fiesta Red and Lake Placid Blue. I am actively looking for custom color Fender Jazzmaster so contact me if you're looking to sell. Values for custom color Jazzmasters are often much higher than the standard Sunburst finishes.
The condition of a Jazzmaster is generally a subjective part of the guitar's value, but originality is easier to factor in. The finish of a Jazzmaster isn't a part necessarily, but an original finish is usually the most important part of its value. Small changed parts like tuners or switches or potentiometers usually have a small affect on their value, but pickups will have a large affect. They're the second most important part of the guitar's value. You can contact me here if you're curious about how much I would value your Fender Jazzmaster: Sell a Fender.
