Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster Journeyman Relic Oxblood

The Oxblood Jazzmaster

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, but the 1959 Jazzmaster is known as the most influential model that helped define new musical genres - that's what we went for with this Custom Shop recreation, but with a few twists for modern players.

The two-piece alder body sports the iconic offset curves designed for guitarists who usually played seated, and also wears a Journeyman Relic lacquer finish, giving it the look and feel of a guitar that’s survived over five decades of playing.  We went for "sort for lightweight" to make sure it didn't come out too heavy.  Our friends at the Custom Shop picked out the lightest piece of alder on hand at the time.  And for the color, we chose something rarely seen: Oxblood.   Rarely found on a Fender (ever seen a Jazzmaster like this?), it creates a gorgeous aesthetic, especially with the anodized gold pickguard.

The tinted, riftsawn maple neck sports a period-accurate “ ’62 Jazzmaster”-shaped profile, while the rosewood fingerboard has been updated to 9.5”-radius and holds 21 6105 frets. 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.

 Other features include the RSD J-Bridge for better stability, with brass saddles for extra warmth.  It has vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut and a round string tree. Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.