The Fender Jazzmaster: A Short History

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First I need to apologize for the typo on Michael Lemmo's name in the text in the video (I typed Lemma (!). He's a great and interesting guitar player and you should all check him out here:

OK, I think that the Jazzmaster has been the most requested topic since I started doing the "Short Histories". So here you go. Let me just say, that I'm sure you'll all be disappointed. I say this because I can't think of another guitar that is so divided among its fans. I have the sense that folks dig Jazzmasters because of their favorite band/player and though this describes how we often come to like a particular guitar style, it feels ever more so with the Jazzmaster somehow. Tell me if you think I'm completely wrong about this. I'm always up for being educated (but be kind :).

I need to thank Zac Childs from the "Ask Zac" YouTube channel for sharing his depth of knowledge in all things Fender and vintage. Subscribe to his channel here. You'll be glad you did.

I need to thank Perry McManis and Dave Onorato for their unique brands of gear "nerdiness" that contributes so much to the five watt world. As I say in the video, it wouldn't be the same without them. You can find Dave on Instagram: @DojoGuitarRepair

I am indebted to Tony Bacon for his excellent "The Fender Electric Guitar Book". To learn more you can buy it here***:

And "Fender: the Golden Age" by Kelly, Martin and Kelly. You can get that here:

Until next time, thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith

*I was not paid in any way to produce this video.
***Five watt world participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions by linking to Amazon. In simpler language, this means that whenever you buy something from Amazon from a link on here, I receive a small percentage of its price.

[Forest_V]

Amazingly, shoe gaze is having a MASSIVE resurgence all over the world right now. Being in the indie/shoe gaze scene myself, I’d really love a jazzmaster in my hands. Specs and sound aside, they just look so cool. Classy, different, retro, just awesome.

[bassfishingwiththeantichri]

I remember taking lessons at guitar showcase in 78' and looking for my first guitar.
A salesman tried to steer me towards a used Mustang, Jag or Jazzmaster for $150. But they were all nicked up with cracking finish and old hardware.
I wasn't about to be sold an old junky guitar by a slick salesman so I opted for a brand new candy apple red Kramer Pacer with a single Humbucker pickup wired to a single volume knob.
A guy at school begged me to trade it for a Les Paul Custom Black Beauty but I knew the Kramer would hold its value over time.
Yeah, I have a lot of regrets in life.

[charlie-obrien]

Leo built a guitar for the Jazz greats, who turned up their noses and it fell right into the hands of surf daddys, Elvis C and alt rockers. He might not have hit his mark, but he sure did catch the wave.

[leocomerford]

17:38 Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins and Robert Smith of the Cure (and Siouxsie Sue's Banshees) deserved mention here. Cocteau Twins in particular are seen as progenitors of shoegaze, and Guthrie is probably either where the Jazzmaster begins its long association with effect-heavy "ambient" sounds or pretty close to it.

[MichelLamblin]

Brilliant. Now do Jaguars, to THOROUGHLY confuse me, lol.

[stepvanjoe]

"In an age when a Cadillac was actually a Cadillac " words of wisdom. I like the Jazzmaster and Jaguars I find them a very comfortable couch guitar. The latter with the shorter scale keeps my wife safer too

[djohnson]

While I've grown to appreciate Strats and Les Pauls, for a long time I didn't want anything to do with one. All I wanted were Jazzmasters, Jaguars, and Mustangs. Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, Mudhoney, were the bands that got me to play guitar and those offsets were all I wanted.

[RickBeato]

Once again Hypes, I learned so much from your video! This is What Makes YouTube Great!

[gameoftones]

I have a love/hate relationship with your channel, man!! I love the amount of detailed history you put in this, I love how you can make gear I have always dismissed look freaking awesome and desirable; I hate that as soon as I watch one of your videos I feel compelled to spend money. Keep doing what you do!!

[sprintingforsigns]

I thought Robert Smith might’ve got a mention as a player. The record company bought it for him as they didn’t want him playing his Woolworths guitar. He ended up taking a pick up out of it and mounting it in the central position.

[davearchbell]

I just started playing. Didn't understand anything about guitars and I bought the Squire Jazzmaster. I questioned my purchase as I rarely see anyone playing. This vlog makes me good about my purchase. Thanks.

[Themoodypainter]

Let's take a moment and say thank you to this man.

[ozu]

My first “big boy” guitar was a J. Macis Jazzmaster. It was a monumental step up from my Epiphone LP special. I’ve never played anything like it and even though it’s a Squire it surpasses some of my higher end guitars.

[rome]

A burgundy mist Jazzmaster is truly one of the most beautiful guitars.

[visvge]

Shoegaze has a strong scene in Japan currently

[robertgandy]

This was a somewhat costly video for me. Ended up buying a Jazzmaster although it was a Squier Classic Vibe 60’s Jazzmaster. Always been curious about these guitars. Your video was very informative and I enjoyed it very much. I especially love your short history videos.

[miahconnell]

Keith, you are RIGHT ON for giving Kevin Shields & MBV attention in this video ! Love your videos, Sir: you do great work !

[isaackizzz]

Thank you for mentionning My Bloody Valentine. I was scared you wouldn't mentioned them, they're a must in the jazzmaster history. Great video !!!

[divebomb]

Amen on your comment about the MIJ pickups. My first JM was a "66 Big Block" Made in Japan in CAR. I plugged it in and was overwhelmingly underwhelmed by the pickups. So I replaced them with a pair of Curtis Novak's. It went from "what the fkuck?" to "fkuck yeah!".

[lorddoberman]

*This is a certified SHOEGAZE CLASSIC!!!! <3*