Leo Fender hit it out of the park in the early 1950s with three innovative solid body instruments that changed music as we know it. They were the Fender Telecaster, Stratocaster and the Precision Bass.
But in 1957, Leo Fender set out to make another big splash. He decided to build a top-of-the-line sibling to the still new Fender Stratocaster. This one would be something completely different than anything ever created. “The Jazzmaster” was intended to be a solid-body alternative to pricey hollow body arch top guitars that were then the industry standard. But despite its big unveiling at the 1958 NAMM show, it never caught on with jazz players at the time. Today, 55 years after its release, the Jazzmaster has proven to have the ability to adapt to all types of music.
But in 1957, Leo Fender set out to make another big splash. He decided to build a top-of-the-line sibling to the still new Fender Stratocaster. This one would be something completely different than anything ever created. “The Jazzmaster” was intended to be a solid-body alternative to pricey hollow body arch top guitars that were then the industry standard. But despite its big unveiling at the 1958 NAMM show, it never caught on with jazz players at the time. Today, 55 years after its release, the Jazzmaster has proven to have the ability to adapt to all types of music.
New Design, New Tones
The body of the Jazzmaster is much larger than the Strat or Tele models. The “offset-waist” was created for playing while seated, as jazz players often do. A completely new floating tremolo system with a tremolo lock contributed to the guitar’s design. The guitar was heavily shielded to eliminate hum from its wide “soapbar” single coil pickups. These coils had magnet pole pieces and flat wound coils that gave the Jazzmaster a warm tone while maintaining single coil clarity. The tailed bridge provided picking behind the bridge for bell tones. The maple finger boards of early Telecasters and Stratocasters were already showing wear and pitting through to the wood. Gibson had demonstrated a long time commitment to Rosewood fingerboards, so Leo Fender followed suit with the Jazzmaster. Standard on Jazzmasters was the rosewood “slab board” fingerboard.
Surfing to Success
The California-based surf music and instrumental rock craze of the late 1950’s and 1960’s gave the Jazzmaster its first real stage. When Don Wilson of the Ventures played a Jazzmaster, it immediately gained an identity as a surf guitar. Kids with limited music ability, who hoped a Fender could gift them with skills, were attracted to the Jazzmaster. At the height of its popularity, Fender’s headquarters were inSouthern California. Leo Fender himself, was said to been influenced by surf players. His follow up to the Jazzmaster, the Fender Jaguar, was targeted as surf music from the start.
A Dramatic Comeback
Despite being discontinued in 1980, the Jazzmaster’s popularity wouldn’t go away. One reason was Elvis Costello. In the late 70’s, Costello arrived from the UK with a unique image and a Fender Jazzmaster always in-hand. The guitar which had fallen out of fashion came roaring back to life thanks to Costello and Tom Verlaine of the 70’s New York Punk Godfathers, “Television.” Fender created an Elvis Costello Jazzmaster in 2008 which was a replica of the singer’s most famous vintage fender jazzmaster.
Despite being discontinued in 1980, the Jazzmaster’s popularity wouldn’t go away. One reason was Elvis Costello. In the late 70’s, Costello arrived from the UK with a unique image and a Fender Jazzmaster always in-hand. The guitar which had fallen out of fashion came roaring back to life thanks to Costello and Tom Verlaine of the 70’s New York Punk Godfathers, “Television.” Fender created an Elvis Costello Jazzmaster in 2008 which was a replica of the singer’s most famous vintage fender jazzmaster.
Going Grunge
Grunge music and alternative rock provided a musical renaissance in the early 90’s, and the Jazzmaster found its place again. Sonic Youth, who began in New York in the 1980’s, had major label success in the 1990’s. The band showcased double endorsers of Jazzmasters, Thurston Moore and Lee Renaldo. These two took art rock to another level, and earned a new appreciation for the Jazzmaster. Fender later created signature versions for each of them. Both models were highly customized — from pickups to colors to knob/switch variations. Other 90’s endorsers of the Jazzmaster include major label alternative music superstars, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Indie rock hero, Stephen Malkmus of Pavement, and Nels Cline of Wilco. Although his first choices were the Mustang and the Jaguar, Grunge God Kurt Cobain had a Jazzmaster in his surf-guitar arsenal.
Grunge music and alternative rock provided a musical renaissance in the early 90’s, and the Jazzmaster found its place again. Sonic Youth, who began in New York in the 1980’s, had major label success in the 1990’s. The band showcased double endorsers of Jazzmasters, Thurston Moore and Lee Renaldo. These two took art rock to another level, and earned a new appreciation for the Jazzmaster. Fender later created signature versions for each of them. Both models were highly customized — from pickups to colors to knob/switch variations. Other 90’s endorsers of the Jazzmaster include major label alternative music superstars, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Indie rock hero, Stephen Malkmus of Pavement, and Nels Cline of Wilco. Although his first choices were the Mustang and the Jaguar, Grunge God Kurt Cobain had a Jazzmaster in his surf-guitar arsenal.
Here to Stay
The 1990’s created a new demand for the return of the Jazzmaster, and Fender slowly began to reissue the guitar.
It was first reissued in Japan, followed by the US and Mexico, where many variations of the Jazzmaster are currently made. And the Jazzmaster craze continues today. In 2013 Fender Jazzmasters are more popular than ever, with Fender currently producing 10 variations of the now iconic guitar.
The 1990’s created a new demand for the return of the Jazzmaster, and Fender slowly began to reissue the guitar.
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