Skip to content

Fender Custom Shop 1963 Jazzmaster Heavy Relic Desert Sunset Truetone Color Set

SKU 00FCS289
by Fender
Sold out
Original price $ 5,500.00 - Original price $ 5,500.00
Original price
$ 5,500.00
$ 5,500.00 - $ 5,500.00
Current price $ 5,500.00
Truetone Color Set - Desert Sunset


Ever since the Jazzmaster debuted at the end of the 1950's, it has evolved, even in the earliest days.  The Jazzmaster has continued to change over the years, but for many, stepping back to how it was done in the 60's is the way to go.  The Fender Custom Shop excels at recreating the look, feel and sound of these guitars, often with special tweaks.  That's where we decided to go with this one.    The Fender Custom Shop excels at recreating the look, feel and sound of these guitars, often with special tweaks.  That's where we decided to go with this one.  

As part of a close partnership with the Fender Custom Shop, Truetone Music cooked up an exclusive run of guitars, known as "Truetone Color Sets".  It's where we do a quartet of instruments - Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Jazz bass - all in the same color, as a matching set.  For the colors, we picked unique ones that are rarely ever seen.  In this case, it's Desert Sunset, one of the coolest and most vibrant colors that the Custom Shop offers, and one that is rarely seen.  We believe that this is the first Jazzmaster done in this color.

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 1963 model has become a favorite for many - 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 Heavy Relic lacquer finish, giving it the look and feel of a guitar that’s endured serious use over decades, but stood the test of time and only got cooler with age.   The Custom Shop really went to town on this one, creating a great example of what a Heavy Relic should be.  We were honestly blown away when we opened the case for the first time - not only did they nail it, the result was even more stunning than we expected.  Due to how Desert Sunset is created, this guitar ended up looking like a color over color finish treatment.  It's simply unreal.  The guitar has the appearance of a vintage Jazzmaster that was played heavily over the years, worn in, and looking better than ever, in a color that you'll never otherwise see.

This '63 Jazzmaster is a testament to the Fender Custom Shop's ability to pull off vintage recreations with modern playability.  It has a two-piece select alder body that is lightweight, a rock solid quartersawn maple neck with a '62 Jazzmaster neck shape, dark rosewood fretboard, and all of the correct vintage hardware.   We went with a 9.5" radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets for easy playing and bending - this is one of the most common and popular modifications to vintage-styled guitars out of the Custom Shop.  One thing that really stands out is the  RSD J-Bridge for better stability, with brass saddles for extra warmth.  Most players would agree that this bridge that the Custom Shop developed is a remarkable improvement over the old school Jazzmaster bridge.  We love it so much that we put it on almost every Custom Shop Jazzmaster we do.  

For the pickups, we kept it real, going with the base model Custom Shop Jazzmaster pickup set.  These recreate the sound of a classic 60's Jazzmaster, using Alnico 5 magnets and a vintage stagger, with strong output and a nice, even response across the tonal spectrum.   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.  But don't be mistaken, this guitar can definitely rock, as plenty of players have shown with Jazzmasters.

Other features include vintage tuning machines, bone nut and 3-ply Parchment pickguard. Also includes a Custom Shop brown hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.

This is a special Jazzmaster, as part of a Truetone-exclusive color set in Desert Sunset.  Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to check it out, or order right here to have it shipped to your home.

  • Serial #  R118139
  • Weight: 8.0 lbs
  • Part #   9231014507
  • Finish Package: Heavy Relic
  • Finish: Nitro Lacquer
  • Color:  Desert Sunset
  • Pickguard: 3-ply Parchment
  • Neck Pickup:  Vintage Jazzmaster
  • Bridge Pickup:  Vintage Jazzmaster
  • Body: 2 Piece Select Alder
  • Neck: Quartersawn Maple
  • Tint: Medium
  • Fretboard: Round Lam AAA Rosewood
  • Dots: Vintage Clay
  • Neck Shape: 62 Jazzmaster
  • Frets: 21
  • Fretwire: 6105
  • Radius: 9.5"
  • Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
  • Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .820"
  • Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .900"
  • Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
  • Bone Nut
  • Hardware: Chrome
  • Tuners: Vintage
  • Bridge: RSD Jazzmaster
  • Neck plate: Vintage
  • Case: Custom Shop Brown