1961 Fender Jazzmaster Sunburst
No sales tax for customers outside California!
This truly beautiful Jazzmaster is in fantastic condition, but there are changed solder joints under the hood that is a hit on the price it would otherwise command.
The pickups were changed when I bought it a few weeks ago, but I managed to get my hands on some original black bottom pickups, and they’re signed “Mell”, which is pretty cool! Pickups measure 7.38 k in the neck and 7.46k in the bridge. The covers and pickups screws are original. There is evidence of soldering under the pickguard, where someone (not me!!) ham-handedly soldered the bridge pickup ground wire to the shielding. See pics.
All other parts are original, including the trem arm and bridge cover.
The weight is a delicious 8lbs 0.8oz!
The neck and body dates are both 1-61, January of 1961. Color on the body is really nice, as is the overall condition of the finish on the body and the neck. There is one area on the back of the body where the finish reacted with the case lining or something that sat in the case years ago. This is very, very common for old Fenders, and it is pretty subdued as well as hard to photograph.
The pickguard has shrunk, but it is not cracked and still lays flat, not interacting with the bridge as they can when they shrink drastically.
The neck feels amazing, but the original frets have been leveled and are getting low. It plays well all over the neck, but those who like modern frets are going to want to get this guitar refretted.
There is wear through the finish here and there, some edge dings as well. The fretboard is in really nice shape, a sweet dark slab with the desirable clay dots. The neck sets up great, and the truss rod is still effective.
The original case is in nice shape, like the guitar. Inside is a small notebook, apparently belonging to the original owner, loaded with sings - the guy must have been a human juke box in his day!
Overall, this is a guitar that is very much worth putting some work into. It is beautiful, the hardware is very clean, the neck feels amazing and sets up superbly, and it just has the killer look we all want in a Jazzmaster!
• Color: 3 Tone Sunburst
• Weight: 8lb 0.8oz
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood Slab
• Inlay: Clay Dots
• Frets: Original, very low/leveled
• Fret count: 21
• Nut material: Original, Bone
• Nut width: 1 5/8"
• Scale: 25.5"
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .8"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: .97"
• String Gauge: 9-46
• Hardware: Original
• Neck Pickup: Period correct Fender black bottom, “Mell” signed, 7.38k, solders changed
• Bridge pickup: Period correct Fender black bottom, “Mell” signed, 7.46k, solders changed
• Tuners: Original
• Pots: Original
• Case: Original
• Notes: Pickups are the only change. Will need new frets fairly soon. Original owner's song notebook in case.
Buyer to pay prior to shipment via Paypal, wire transfer, credit card or other electronic means. Payment must clear before shipping. Certified checks and trades are accepted, however checks must clear before we will ship and trades must be received here and evaluated prior to shipment of our item.
All orders ship within three business days of the receipt of an order, usually faster. Tracking information will be automatically forwarded to all buyers. Buyers must retain all shipping materials in the event a return is necessary.
Returns accepted if the purchaser responds within 48 hours of receipt of an item and there is a discrepancy relating to the condition or originality of an item. Returns are not accepted for items that do not meet the needs or sonic tastes of clients due to the subjective nature, unless such concern is stated prior to the purchase. Any return for reasons other than incorrect advertising of condition or originality on the part of Mahar's Vintage Guitars shall be the responsibility of the buyer, which shall result in the buyer paying all shipping costs (to and from) their location.