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1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTURES)

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:28 pm
by spyeman
Hello,

I just bought an Olympic White 1962 Jazzmaster at auction. What a great fun guitar! The finish is literally perfect, very much Olympic White with no fading or discoloration or checking. In checking the neck, pots, etc. it's clear it's a 1962. The finish is so nice and perfect, I have to assume it's been stripped and refinished. There is no paint stick mark (the neck pocket is fully painted) and the nail holes in the body are still there, although it looks like some paint might have dripped in there a bit, but the holes are still open.

Is it possible that with the finish this nice, that it could be original? I would post pics, but trust me, it's pure Olympic White and in perfect condition, the pics aren't going to really show you anything except something that looks like it just came off the production line. Just based on intuition and common sense, could something this old be in this good condition? I say no, must be a refinish, but anyone have any other comments? Thanks.

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refinished, or not???

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:30 pm
by spacecadet
Pics of the neck pocket and under the pickguard are the only way to tell you definitively. No way to say by a description alone.

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refinished, or not???

Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:53 pm
by FrankRay
The lack of fading could simply be no varnish overcoat; quite common with early white JMs, and the white itself wouldn't discolour. First half oi 62 wouldn't have used a paint stick, either, so no reason to doubt it there either if it's a slab board.
we need photos though, obviously. In general I'd say that if the finish is immaculate it's quite unlikely to be refinish. Fender had much higher QC than just about anyone else who might have repainted it.

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refinished, or not???

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:40 am
by spyeman
Finally got some pics of neck pocket and interior. Nail holes are visible. Neck (May 62, slab and truss rod in rosewood), pots, etc. all confirm 62. If anyone can shed any thoughts on whether they think this is an original paint or refin, would really appreciate it.

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Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:03 am
by Telliot
It sure looks like a refin to me, especially given the lack of tan lines under the pickguard and trem plate. Also, normally there is a fair amount of checking that should be visible in the body; that looks very well 'preserved' in the pics.

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 1:17 pm
by andrewaward
yeah refin

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 2:08 pm
by Ursa Minor
I concur. Not a bad thing though. it looks like a nice job. Any pics of the whole guitar?

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:52 pm
by zip73
refin

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 8:24 pm
by spyeman
Thanks for the feedback, its in such nice condition I figured it had to be a refin. What is anyone's guess at value? It's in great shape, only issue is some fret wear in the first few frets, but completely playable and no buzzing or fretting out.





(post edited by the mods)

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:18 pm
by zakmaster
:fp:

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 3:02 am
by FrankRay
Bearing in mind the nail holes are still clearly visible and the finish is immaculate, I'd say it could easily be original. Jazzmasters were originally aimed at the more *mature* player, after all. All it would take is a careful owner who didn't often play it.

Re: 1962 Fender Jazzmaster - Refin or not??? (NOW WITH PICTU

Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 4:25 am
by Tree's
Finish is nicely done but not original, in contrast to the condition of all the other parts it's too nice.. Not the slightest discoloration or a nick, the pickup covers have seen a lot of nicotine, the pickup mounting screws and trem plate are rusted.
The definite giveaways are the lumpy cold looking solder on the ground wire in the tub and pickup shield from when they were removed, except for the rhythm circuit one, they left it in to not have to pry out the glazer point, and you can see paint overspray on that shield also.