Fender Custom Shop 1959 Jazzmaster “Chicago Special” Journeyman Aged Ebony Transparent Fender

Our goal with our Custom Shop Jazzmasters was to make the absolute best sounding and playing JMs out there. Seems pretty simple right? Combining a mix of vintage specs, and modern mods we think you’ll agree that we hit the mark. From 1959 to 1966, our “Chicago Special” Jazzmasters have a 7.25” radius, a slab rosewood fretboard, and a rift sawn maple neck. The magic really happens under the guard with the combination of a 250k volume pot and our Chicago Specials. Based on a set of 1961 Jazzmaster pickups, George Bland helped us craft our set to have higher output in the neck position than the bridge. The bridge pickup is slightly overwound giving it a smooth and round presence, while the neck pickup is moderately overwound giving it a huge bottom end with with round highs. Both Alnico 5 pickups are potted in shellac to give them a wide and open dynamic range, and wound with 42 gauge enamel wire. When you put everything together, you get the most balanced Jazzmaster on the market!

“Chicago Special” Jazzmaster pickups

• Custom set modeled after CME’s favorite 1961 Jazzmater AlNiCo 5 magnets
• 42 gauge enamel wire for round highs
• Potted in shellac for open wide range frequency response
• BRIDGE: Slightly overwound for high end punch but still still smooth and round
• NECK: Moderately overwound for huge bottom end but with clear, round highs

Model Number: 9237101213
Serial Number: R120147
Finish Package: Relic
Case: Fender Custom Shop Brown
Weight: 8lbs 1oz

Body Wood: Alder
Body Color: Aged Ebony Transparent
Body Finish: Lacquer
Sort for Lightweight: Yes

Hardware Plating: Chrome
Bridge Assembly: Adjustable Jag/Jazz
Neck Plate: R Serial Vintage
Tuner Keys: Vintage w/Fender Logo
String Gauge: .010-.046

Neck Finish: Medium Tint Nitro Lacquer
Neck Blank: Rift Sawn Maple
Fingerboard: AAA Rosewood
Sort for Dark Rosewood? Yes
Truss Rod: Early 60s
Head Style: Small
Neck Head Thickness: 0.590″
Dot Spacing: Wide
Face Dot: Vintage Clay
Side Dot: Vintage Clay
Fret Wire: Medium Vintage Jescar 47095
Number of Frets: 21
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25″
Neck Back Shape: 59 Esquire “C”
Neck Nut Width: 1.650″
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .790″
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .970″
Neck Butt Width: 2.200″
Nut Material: Bone
Number of Bolts: 4
Head Cap Decal: 62 Jazzmaster
Neck Notes: Heavy Relic Neck

Pickguard: Anodized Gold
Pickup Neck: Hand-Wound “Chicago Special”
Pickup Bridge: Hand-Wound “Chicago Special”
Switch Knobs: Amber
Pots: 250K