Ordered in 2017 after a fascinating few weeks discussion with Greg Fessler, then supplied via Rainbow Guitars in Tuscon slightly over 2 years later, R96908 still makes us smile all these years later. This very characterful Masterbuilt Jazzmaster was one of several equally characterful guitars ordered around this time to celebrate the conclusion of a particularly busy American chapter – a substantial but meaningful reward that could serve as a reminder should English drizzle or stop-start traffic on Norwich ring road dampen the spirits. It manages this very well.
This guitar is a celebration; a slight rebellion too obviously. The colour scheme is officially Canary Yellow and Olympic White; the finish grade is NOS. It is an Alder body and tips the scales at a comfortable 3.68kg (8lbs 1oz). The quartersawn Maple neck is based on a 1962 Jazzmaster – a 1.65” nut, 0.82” at the 1st fret and 0.9” at the 12th. The white dots and pearl scratch plate complete the general look of this Jazzmaster.
The rather radical specification continues – 3 Lollar Goldfoil pick-ups connected in traditional Strat configuration via the 5-way rotary switch where you expect to find the toggle. These Goldfoils give very specific responses to both light delicate playing and harder more percussive styles. The clarity and treble responses are amazing – more than just “bright” – these have an expressive nature that a standard Jazzmaster pick-up can’t do so well. These pick-ups were not simply specified for their looks, they are there for how they sound and allow you to play. We have mostly played this guitar through clean undriven amps, but its talents (greater than ours!) extend to a bit of cranking. For some additional versatility, the volume knob pulls up to add the bridge pick-up to positions 1 and 2 – proper surfing.
The original case, all the candy, the documentation and the baubles such as saddle cover are all present and correct.
It is always dangerous to say this is the only one in the world – up to the point of ordering it, no-one had asked for this kind of radical for a Jazzmaster. We are not aware of any more made since. We would confidently suggest it will take a few years to have another one made.
Of course it is stratospherically priced – we are in no hurry to part with it, we still shudder at the amount it cost us to own it. But we don’t resent it – this guitar transcends traditional value. There are lots of guitars in the same bracket, but we’ve yet to see another Custard Cream Jazzer on which to base a value.
It is here at the Hall to be played and inspected. If further afield, by all means call or WhatsApp us to discuss it and the various options to appropriately ship it to where you are.
