Fender Japan Jazzmaster JM66-85 Candy Apple Red 2004
Fender Japan Jazzmaster, candy apple red, crafted in Japan 2004-5. Few guitars set hearts aflutter like the Jazzmaster. This one dates to the mid-00s, when Fender were making plenty for the Japan market and not much for the rest of us. It's wearing a glorious coat of candy apple red, including a fetching matching headstock, which looks superb. The mint green guard, aged cream plastics and cute headstock logos tie it all together nicely. The bridge has been replaced with a single-slotted Mustang style affair, which combined with a gentle neck shim means a many of the string-slippage and sympathetic ring issues associated with the Offset Vibrato bridge are kept well under control. The slim mid-60s style C shape neck is very agreeable; it's easy on the hands and a fast friend. There's plenty of tonal options on tap: thick, lumpy stoner chord tones from the rhythm circuit, snappy leads abounding in definition and warmth on the lead circuit. The abundant clarity and brightness on offer allows notes to slice through even the thickest layers of fuzz, modulation and ambience, so if you're after a guitar to pair with an oversized pedal board, this one will be great. Slick stuff.
Model: Fender Jazzmaster JM66-85
Made: Japan, 2004-5, Dyna Gakki factory
Serial: R037314
Finish: candy apple red, gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, slim vintage C shape
Weight: 3.645kg
Mods: bridge replaced
Pickups: Fender Japan JM-Single x2
Accessories: basic gig bag, trem arm
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples and a scuff on the end, dimples on both edges and some small paint chips on the front near the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples along the belly carve, in the elbow area and along the bottom edge, as well as some scuffs along the back edge and in the middle of the body. The sides have dimples on the top horn, small dents and scuffs in the elbow area, some dents and dimples near the jack and some scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has dimples near the knobs and jack, scuffs around the tailpiece, dimples along the back edge and in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 6/10, normal wear inc minor pitting, playing smoothly with no major buzz issues