Fender Custom Shop Truetone Tortoise Set 1966 Jazzmaster Closet Classic Target 3-Tone Sunburst

Designed expressly for jazzers (but adopted by surfers) and introduced in 1958, the Jazzmaster combined refined looks with a warm, mellifluous voice and new tremolo system. It evolved over the years, and for some, the mid-60's version is the quintessential "must-have".  That's what we went for with this Custom Shop recreation, but with a twist you've never seen before, creating a Jazzmaster like no other.
 
As part of a close partnership with the Fender Custom Shop, Truetone Music cooked up an exclusive run of instruments, known as "Truetone Color Sets".  It's where we do a quartet of instruments all in the same aesthetic, as a matching set. For this particular run, we did something rarely ever seen: tortoise shell block inlay and binding.  On this particular Jazzmaster , we chose a classic: Target 3-Tone Sunburst (more on that later).  We've done a lot of Custom Shop builds over the years, but this stands out as one of the more unique - this is the first Jazzmaster to exist like it.

 

The reason we can say that is the customization of the block inlays on the maple neck: they're tortoiseshell.  It really catches your eye and matches the neck binding perfectly.  The idea came to us when designing a Custom Shop bass, and we took that straight over to this guitar, thinking it would be a great feature on a '66 Jazzmaster.  The result is actually better than what we imagined.  Tortoiseshell blocks have never been done on a Teambuilt Jazzmaster, until now.  They match the tortoiseshell pickguard nicely.  This, plus the cream pickup covers, knobs and switch tips, creates an all around beautiful aesthetic.

 

The two-piece alder body sports the iconic offset curves, with a Closet Classic lacquer finish, giving it the look and feel of a guitar that was built back in the 60's, stayed hidden for decades, and just reappeared.  Our friends at the Custom Shop picked out light pieces, and the result is a Jazzmaster at just 7.7 lbs.  

 

Another aspect of this guitar that will catch your eye is the color: it's called "Target 3-Tone Sunburst", is one of the best looking sunburst finishes we've seen.  The genesis of this particular style of sunburst stems from a Custom Shop Bass VI we were doing for a very particular customer that wanted the mid-60's style of sunburst, with vibrant yellow, orange and red, and defined separation all the way into the brown and black edges. It came out so well that we asked if we could do it on other instruments - and the Custom Shop then made it an official option.  That's how this color was born.

  
The tinted maple neck sports a 62 Jazzmaster "C" shaped profile, which is the most popular for this model.  It's not too fat to play, and not too skinny - it's the perfect amount of wood to grip.  Throughout the years, most players have gravitated towards a 9.5" radius and 6105 (narrow tall) frets - so those are two tweaks that we made on this guitar.  The result is a vintage vibe with modern playability.  

 
Tied together with ultra-flexible, vintage-style Jazzmaster wiring—including the famous “lead/rhythm” circuit, complete with thumbwheel controls—the vintage styled Jazzmaster single-coil pickups sound mellow and fat; the model’s calling card.
 
Another main feature is that it's equipped with the RSD J-Bridge.  Fender's proprietary take on a new & improved bridge for offset guitars like a Jazzmaster, it's there for better stability, with brass saddles for extra warmth.  This bridge is only available on Custom Shop guitars.  In addition, this one has vintage-style tuning machines, a bone nut and a round string tree. Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.
 
This is a special Jazzmaster - and the only one like it in existence.  Having tortoiseshell block inlays, neck binding and a pickguard, really sets this guitar apart.  Plus, you rarely see maple fretboard Jazzmasters.  This one is truly unique.

 

You can experience it now by coming to Truetone Music, or by ordering right here to be shipped to your home.

• Serial # R122144
• Weight: 7.7 lbs
• Part # 9231015468
• Finish Package: Classic Classic
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Color:  Target 3-Tone Sunburst
• Pickguard: Tortoiseshell
• Binding:  Tortoiseshell
• Block Inlays:  Tortoiseshell
• Neck Pickup:  Vintage Jazzmaster
• Bridge Pickup:  Vintage Jazzmaster
• Pickup Covers: Cream
• Knobs: Cream
• Switch Tip: Cream
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Tint: Medium
• Fretboard: Quartersawn Maple
• Dots: Micarta White
• Neck Shape: 1962 Jazzmaster
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .820"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .900"
• Frets: 21
• Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
  
• Bone Nut
• Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuners: Vintage
• Bridge: Custom Shop RSD Jazzmaster 9.5
• Neck plate: Vintage
• Case: Custom Shop Deluxe Brown