Fender American Performer Jazzmaster, Rosewood, Vintage White Overview
The story of the Jazzmaster is a unique rollercoaster ride of idiosyncrasy, unforeseen events, and alternative ideas. Aimed specifically at Jazz players, the Jazzmaster was originally designed to be Fender's top of the range guitar, but initial sales were disappointing and it wasn't until its adoption by Surf bands in the 1960s that the JM's fortunes began to improve. In the mid 1970s, notable NYC bands acquired Jazzmasters due to their (then) low resale value, and despite its initial run ending in 1980, it is here that we find the root of the JM's late but continuing success, which was further inspired by influential "alternative" and "indie" artists who sung its praises in the 1980s and 1990s. Always different, and always venturing somewhere unexpected, Fender's American Performer Jazzmaster is the latest incarnation of this elegant and unique instrument - an American made Jazzmaster at an accessible price.
Featuring a superbly contoured Alder body, this Jazzmaster feels as vibrant and comfortable as ever, and finished in a Vintage White polyurethane finish, its eye catching design is more than ready for the rigours of the road. The satin finished Maple neck is just as impressive too, and has been sculpted to a “Modern C” profile, while the 9.5" radius Rosewood fingerboard features jumbo frets - making ease of accurate and expressive playing.
Several noticeable changes to the original design are immediately evident; the "Rhythm" circuit and its accompanying controls have been removed, while the three way pickup selector switch has moved upwards to replace them, and most startling of all - a Strat style trem system has replaced the traditional synchronised floating tremolo. But please, Jazzmaster aficionados - don't feel the need to write in and complain! This new system works extremely well, and while the simpler electronics have streamlined the JM, the new hardware dispenses with many of the problems that can be associated with the traditional floating bridge.
Pickups are two YosemiteTM Jazzmaster Single-Coils; handcrafted in California, these pickups are specifically voiced for each model, and each position, to enable wide sonic versatility, which when combined with Fender's Greasebucket circuitry, allows for excellent tone shaping options.
Features
Born in Corona, California, the elegant American Performer Jazzmaster delivers the exceptional tone and refined feel you expect from an authentic Fender—with new player-oriented features that make it even more inspiring to play.
- American Performer Jazzmaster®
- Series: American Performer
- Body Material: Alder
- Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane, Satin Polyurethane (302)
- Neck: Maple, Modern “C”
- Neck Finish: Satin Polyurethane
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5” (241 mm)
- Frets: 22, Jumbo
- Position Inlays: White Dots (Rosewood)
- Nut (Material/Width): Synthetic Bone, 1.685” (42.8 mm)
- Tuning Machines: Fender ClassicGearTM
- Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
- Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
- Pickguard: 4-Ply Brown Shell
- Pickups: YosemiteTM Jazzmaster Single-Coil (Bridge/Neck)
- Pickup Switching:
- 3-Position Neck Pickups, Toggle: Position Position 3. Neck 1. Bridge Pickup
- Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
- Control Knobs: Aged White
- Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
- Strings: Fender® USA 250L, NPS (.009-.042 Gauges)
- Case/Gig Bag: Deluxe Gig Bag