1962 Fender Jazzmaster with Original Case Candy in Hartford, Connecticut

1962 Fender Jazzmaster with Original Case Candy in Connecticut

Do you have a Fender Jazzmaster from the 1950s or 1960s you’re interested in selling? Contact me

I recently had the chance to buy this 1962 Fender Jazzmaster in Connecticut from the nephew of the original owner. His uncle bought it new with no intention of learning to play, he just wanted to look at it. It spent most of its life sitting in its case, and it survived in exceptional condition. I was blown away when I first showed up to buy it and opened the case, it remains one of the cleanest Pre-CBS Fenders I have had the chance to own today. 

1962 Fender Jazzmaster Case Candy

One of the coolest things about this Jazzmaster is how much of the original case candy is still with it. It came with the strap, case keys, bridge adjustment wrench, original Jazzmaster instruction manual, three picks from the music store it was originally purchased from, a pitch pipe, and a Fuller polishing cloth. Case candy almost always gets lost or thrown away over the years, so finding this much of it together is rare. It also still had a set of very heavy strings on it when I got it, which shows how little it was played.

Fender Jazzmaster History

Fender introduced the Jazzmaster in 1958 as their top of the line guitar, aimed at jazz players with its offset contour body and dual rhythm and lead circuits. It didn’t catch on with jazz players, but it became a favorite during the surf craze of the early 1960s. 1962 Jazzmasters like this one have the tortoiseshell pickguard, three tone sunburst finish, and clay dot rosewood fretboard that are classic pre-CBS features. Check out this 1964 Fender Jazzmaster in custom color black I had to read more about Fender custom colors, and how the Jazzmaster’s electronics work.

In mid 1962, Fender switched from the slab rosewood fretboard to the thinner, curved veneer rosewood fretboard. Since this neck was made in December of 1962, it has the veneer board. Check out this 1962 Fender Precision Bass in blond I had to see one of the last slab boards.

Dating a 1962 Fender Jazzmaster by its Serial Number

This Jazzmaster has a 5-digit serial number, 88305, stamped on the neck plate. From 1954 to 1963, Fender stamped serial numbers on the neck plate, and this number falls right in the range Fender used in late 1962. Since Fender serial numbers can overlap slightly, the neck date and pot codes can be used to get a more specific date.

Wondering how to date your Fender from its serial number? Check out my Fender Serial Number Lookup.

1962 Fender Jazzmaster Originality and Authentication

The neck date on this Jazzmaster is December of 1962. The first number in the stamp is the model code, and 4 is the correct code for a pre-CBS Jazzmaster. The neck pocket is fully painted, which is correct for a Fender made before mid 1963, when Fender started using a paint stick and leaving a mark in the neck pocket. You can also see the yellow stain Fender used on the body under the black around the edges of the neck pocket.

Since it was barely played, this Jazzmaster has very little wear. The finish, pickups, electronics, and hardware are all in exceptional condition, and it is still in its original brown case with orange lining.

How Much Is a 1962 Fender Jazzmaster Worth?

The value of a 1962 Jazzmaster depends mostly on its originality and condition. Pre-CBS Jazzmasters made before 1965 are very desirable, and examples in exceptional condition with their original case and case candy are worth significantly more. Custom colors are worth more than sunburst, while refinishes, replaced parts, and modifications lower the value. Wondering what yours is worth? Contact me for a free appraisal.

Sell Your Vintage Fender Jazzmaster

Do you have a Fender Jazzmaster made in the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s that you’re looking to sell? I am always a buyer, especially for clean, original examples like this one, and I offer free appraisals as well. I am based in New Hampshire, but I buy throughout New England and nationwide. Contact me, or reach me at 603-921-7449 or rainydayvintageguitars@gmail.com.