Older AVRI Jazzmaster Colors

[RIORIO]

They offered Fiesta Red in 1999 and a Thin Skin version in 2008, iirc. CAR was also a stock color early on, along with Inca Silver, Sherwood Green and Dakota Red, but I can't remember which years and how long they were available. (Inca Silver was 2001, I think.)

Here are the colors that were offered from 2006 to 2012. Unfortunately, it appears that Fender doesn't archive their older Frontlines online.

2006 & 2007:

010-0800-800 Three Color Sunburst
010-0800-805 Olympic White
010-0800-806 Black
010-0800-808 Ocean Turquoise
010-0800-857 Surf Green
010-0800-883 Ice Blue Metallic

2008-2012:

010-0800-800 Rosewood Fretboard, 3-Color Sunburst
010-0800-805 Rosewood Fretboard, Olympic White
010-0800-806 Rosewood Fretboard, Black

They offered a LOT more colors in the early years before they pared the choices down to the most boring options imaginable: black, white, and sunburst. Yay. (And I say that as someone with a sunburst AVRI Jag.)

AFAIK, the only time Lake Placid Blue was offered was on the Thin Skin series offered in 2007, but I could be wrong. They also offered Shoreline Gold, Burgundy Mist, Aztek Gold, Ocean Turquoise, Surf Green, Candy Apple Red, Fiesta Red, Sunburst, and Blonde as Thin Skins. (Sunburst and Blonde for the '59 Thin Skins.)

Edit: Thin Skins were also offered in Sonic Blue and Daphne Blue.

Can a blanket statement be made that none of the non-Thin Skin AVRIs sport matching color pegheads, and all of the Thin Skins do...??

Thanks in advance...

That is correct.

[tonewoods]

Thanks!!

[luau]

The '59 thin skins didn't have matching headstocks.

There were a few AVRIs made with matching headstocks. See here.

So no, that blanket statement can't both be made and be true. It's mostly true.

[Johnny Alien]

I never saw an AVRI with matching headstock. Interesting.

[Ursa Minor]

Man I wish they'd start offering better custom colors like the earlier AVRI runs. I got my black AVRI JM in late '07 / early '08. It was right after they stopped offering anything but black, white or sunburst. I would have totally gone for IBM or Inca.
This time frame was also just before they raised the prices - something I never understood. Offer fewer colors for MORE money! Makes sense if your a business that know people will them no matter what. Bottom lines. :/

I guess now its a moot point. If I ever get tired of my black AVRI, I'll probably just have a body painted in the color I want and do some part swappin'.
My lust for AVRI Jags and JMs has depreciated heavily. So many great builders / finishers who can give you exactly what you want - usually for less or same as a new Fender.

[gusman2x]

There's an IMB on UK ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazzma ... SS:GB:1123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's collection only, so if you wanted it, you'd need a UK brother to help you out.

There was also a guy on here selling one recently I think?

[Johnny Alien]

There's an IMB on UK ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazzma" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... SS:GB:1123

It's collection only, so if you wanted it, you'd need a UK brother to help you out.

There was also a guy on here selling one recently I think?

Thanks. That one might end up being a good deal but who knows after shipping is considered. I will keep my eyes on it.

I hit 50 posts and am just waiting until they activate my account to see the for sale stuff.

On topic: I used to have a bunch of old Frontlines but none prior to 2000 and I have a few left from the mid-90's but that was when they came from Japan.

[jakeisjake]

you also might regularly check the gear page...i often see jm and jags on there. in fact, i got an avri ibm jm and a ts sonic blue jag on there...

[spacecadet]

There were a few AVRIs made with matching headstocks. See here.

A CAR model with matching headstock from that run came up on Ebay a while back, but there was some question about the seller - I wonder what happened with that. Only CAR AVRI I've ever seen with matching headstock, and I wanted it real bad. I think it only went for about $1,000 too, if the deal actually went through.

[Johnny Alien]

There were a few AVRIs made with matching headstocks. See here.

A CAR model with matching headstock from that run came up on Ebay a while back, but there was some question about the seller - I wonder what happened with that. Only CAR AVRI I've ever seen with matching headstock, and I wanted it real bad. I think it only went for about $1,000 too, if the deal actually went through.

This is starting to ring a bell for me. I remember a special run of avri jazz basses that had matching headstocks as well. It was an exclusive to a store wasn't it?

[Johnny Alien]

It seems like the early years did have the best colors:

2001 Fiesta Red:



2001 Sherwood Green:



2002 Dakota Red:

[windmill]

I've got a dakota red AVRI JM

and CAR AVRI jag

both early 2000's

[Johnny Alien]

Dakota Red could not have been made long. I never even saw one until I found that picture on the internet. If you can, post some photos.

[Johnny Alien]

So using the internet archive and a bunch of old Frontline catalogs this is what Fender has listed as being available.

2001, 2002 - Sunburst, White, Black, Inca Silver, Dakota Red, IBM
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 - Sunburst, White, Black, Ocean Turquoise, Surf Green, IBM
2007, 2008, 2009 - Sunburst, White, Black, Ocean Turquoise, Surf Green
2010, 2011, 2012 - Sunburst, White, Black

While this seems accurate there is no mention of Sherwood Green or Fiesta Red which were both colors that are proven to have existed. So I am not sure where they belong.

[Ursa Minor]

Nice list. Good sleuthing.

Is it possible Sherwood or Fiesta were late 90s? I always thought AVRI JMs came out in like '98 or '99???