In 1958, Fender introduced the Jazzmaster in its ill-fated attempt to enter the jazz guitar market. With a flat offset solid Alder body, 7.25" fingerboard radius, and vibrato tailpiece, the Jazzmaster didn't exactly resemble the hollodbody archtops jazz players preferred. Designed to sound mellower than both the Telecaster and Stratocaster, the original Jazzmaster featured two wide single-coil pickups (often confused with P90s) that are wound flat and wide with Alnico magnets as pole pieces. The result is a thicker, warmer-sounding pickup that still retains single-coil clarity and dynamics. Wired to be reverse wound, the Jazzmaster's middle position is naturally hum canceling. Much to Fender's surprise, the Jazzmaster turned out to be the perfect choice for surf guitar in the '60s, and in the '80s and '90s, alternative rock guitarists discovered their warm sound, unique stylings, and touch-sensitive vibrato system.
By 1962, the Jazzmaster's original specs were perfected, and it sported a tortoise three-ply pickguard and a rosewood slab fingerboard until the middle of that year. The '62-spec is one of the most desirable pre-CBS Jazzmasters, so Fender introduced a '62 Reissue to its American Vintage series in 1999. It has remained a staple of the AVRI series ever since.
Perhaps the only improvement you could make to an AVRI '62 Jazzmaster would be to add a Mastery Bridge. The Mastery Offset Bridge eliminates unwanted buzzing from the saddles, and it improves upon the original bridge design by reducing friction and the unnecessary movement from the vibrato system that inevitably causes tuning issues. Plus, strings won't fall out of the saddle grooves—no matter how hard you play.
This 2001 Fender Amverican Vintage Reissue '62 Jazzmaster features a professionally-installed Mastery Bridge and Evo Gold frets. It shows some vibey wear that makes it feel like a seasoned vintage guitar, but it is set up to play and perform 100% as it should. This one is a fantastic player, and we love the worn look of its Olympic White finish (dig that scrape on the treble side!). Its decal is scratched and worn, too, which only adds more mojo and unique character. This 2001 AVRI '62 Jazzmaster includes a non-original Fender case that has needed a bit of repair itself, but it's a suitable case to protect this guitar on its way to the next gig.