Pre-Owned Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster Dakota Red 1st Run With OHSC
The Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster meticulously recreates mid-60s specs with an alder body, a 1966 "C"-shape maple neck, and Pure Vintage '66 pickups. It's the complete package for someone looking to get the original feel of a classic era Jazzmaster. We just took this one in, which has significant player upgrades, and a unique twist.
To start, it's an alder body with a gorgeous gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, in Dakota Red. The matching painted headstock is characteristic of custom mid-60s Fender color runs. The white pickguard matches the binding and block inlays to complete the look. It's beautiful and super cool at the same time. But where this guitar really stands out is the neck. It has a 1966 "C"-shape profile maple neck with gloss nitro finish, topped with a bound round-laminated rosewood fingerboard featuring white binding. The 7.25" radius with 21 vintage-tall frets and pearloid block inlays keeps the guitar in it's lane as a vintage recreation.
Now for that twist that we mentioned: in 2022, when the American Vintage II run first came out, the initial run of '66 Jazzmaster were made with a small headstock (earlier 60's style). It was then caught and corrected - all of the subsequent builds had the correct larger headstock. This is one of the first run guitars, with the smaller headstock. You normally wouldn't see that, with all of the other year-specific correct specs, making it a rather unique Jazzmaster.
As for the also aforementioned upgrade, this guitar is loaded with Lollar Black Bobbin pickups. They were voiced specifically for the mid-60s sound, with the idea that it's a set that aged over the decades. They use Alnico 2 magnets instead of Alnico 5 magnets to lower the output and mimic the natural degaussing of an old pickup. Black Bobbin worked with Lollar to design these, and the result was amazing. As good as Fender's Pure Vintage '66 Jazzmaster pickups sound, we are really appreciating that the previous owner put this set in this guitar.
It doesn't end there: this Jazzmaster has been upgrade with a Master bridge and tremolo. For nearly 20 years, offset players have gravitated to Mastery hardware. Luthier designed, you lose the buzzing and looseness that have plagued many for years, and get a highly functional and high quality hardware set. You retain the tone and vintage look, but with an improved bridge and tremolo.
Of course you still get the tradition Jazzmaster electronics, with dual circuits featuring independent lead and rhythm circuit controls, slide switches, and volume/tone thumbwheels, and original tuners and other parts. Also, the original case is included.
This '66 Jazzmaster is in very good condition, with some signs of use of course - check out the photos. The techs in our shop have set it up to play perfectly, so it's ready to go. This is a great find!
Serial Number: V2210192