New here - picked up a '59 JM

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
Post Reply
User avatar
jazzbro
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:03 am

New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by jazzbro » Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:28 am

Just picked up a '59 and am having fun drilling down into all things vintage Jazzmaster.
Image

Bridge p/u pocket says 8/59 -
Image

Neck markings - just a 3 (or an M or E or W), possibly a fainter 4 and an embossed/stamped II. No date on neck or neck pocket. I assume original. I haven't seen examples of the stamp on this site but just got here.
Image

Bridge height adjustment holes appear a little different than some I've seen from the period - some seem to have the edge of the holes domed upwards.
Image

Anyway - enjoying exploring this piece and this site!

User avatar
Pacafeliz
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 18518
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:34 pm
Location: Cococologne, Germany

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by Pacafeliz » Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:15 am

Nice!!! But that bridge looks like a recent (japanese?!) one
.. ???

Welcome, enjoy your stay!
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

User avatar
will
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1113
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:36 pm
Contact:

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by will » Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:34 am

Lovely guitar!

It does look original other than the bridge (though the photos are teeny.)

Be sure to try metric allen screws first if you're looking to replace the missing height adjustment screws on the bridge.

User avatar
jazzbro
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:03 am

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by jazzbro » Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:08 am

Thanks for the responses - was wondering about the bridge.
Not sure how to get the pics bigger.

User avatar
seenoevil II
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1307
Joined: Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:59 pm

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by seenoevil II » Sat Aug 22, 2020 8:42 am

1958/9 were such fantastic years for guitars.

There's something about the first generation of Jazzmasters, ES-335s, and Explorers. They were all a bit wonky- not yet the iconic prototype of the model.

The color palette of that late 50's moment- lots of gold and earth tones- korina wood grain, blonde finishes, yellow sunburst- It's very satisfying. The wood under the bridge pup with the center sunburst tone is *chef's kiss*

Also, in '58, the bedrock of guitar culture was already establish- strats, teles, LPs etc. But that was year that the designs were aspirational. The companies were reaching, extending themselves. Radical ideas and shapes. Looking at these interior "under the hood" pics, you get the sense that this truly was cutting edge. That's fascinating as, for decades now, the design of these guitars are viewed as "classic" guitar design cannon that we must not change. It's like seeing a picture of your grandpa as a handsome young man.

Anyway, beautiful specimen.
If it wasn't for disappointment, I wouldn't have any appointments.

User avatar
krossfader
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:43 pm

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by krossfader » Sun Aug 23, 2020 1:39 pm

That thing is fantastic. Looks to be in great shape with just enough wear to show it was played. The trem arm has a nice curve to it. How's the neck profile? I read these earlier ones were alum but I've never had one in my hands.

User avatar
zenarcade
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1101
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:57 am
Location: Munich, Germany

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by zenarcade » Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:07 am

Super nice :? Sold a guitar to a rich dude (not a blues laywer but something similar) last week, and he had a 59 Strat! Well, hardtail but still amazing. Also super light. The neck was a dream, not too fat/not to thin. How heavy is yours?

User avatar
CorporateDisguise
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 777
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:56 am
Location: NY

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by CorporateDisguise » Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:50 am

Gorgeous!

User avatar
jazzbro
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:03 am

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by jazzbro » Wed Aug 26, 2020 10:43 am

Finally figured out how to post bigger pics. ::)

Image

Replaced tuners with more vintage appropriate, got it refretted as the originals were virtually gone, removed the extra string tree that was added later. Tech fixed the bridge - I mean made it fixed so it doesn't rock.
Still thinking about whether to replace the bridge - not original so could go Costello on it (Mastery) or try to find something period-correct but it's probably not worth it - would look virtually the same and I'm not THAT much of a purist.
Don't love the X scratch mark but what're you gonna do...

User avatar
WillPhistre
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 7:04 am

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by WillPhistre » Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:26 pm

Congrats! And welcome!

User avatar
MattK
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3569
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:51 pm
Location: Hobart, Australia

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by MattK » Thu Oct 01, 2020 3:37 pm

oh that's lovely, have fun with it!

Normdigsit
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Sep 02, 2020 12:49 pm

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by Normdigsit » Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:37 am

Nice looking guitar! Still learning here though...what are the telltale signs of non original bridge?

User avatar
jazzbro
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:03 am

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by jazzbro » Sat Oct 10, 2020 7:11 am

Normdigsit wrote:
Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:37 am
Nice looking guitar! Still learning here though...what are the telltale signs of non original bridge?
A couple of things I've learned - the bridge height adjustment port holes on an original bridge are slightly pushed out/upwards around the edge of the hole - quite noticeably different if you're looking for it. Also the small allen screws for adjusting the intonation are metric on some non-original bridges.

User avatar
Joey Ace
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:00 am

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by Joey Ace » Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:40 am

That's a a fantastic piece of history! Enjoy it. I'm planning on shopping for an early JM as soon as this pandemic opens the borders. (preferable white)
I would want to visit/try it before purchasing. The cost of a trip pales compared to the cost of the guitar, plus it would be fun.

User avatar
Veitchy
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1525
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:12 am
Location: Robe, South Australia

Re: New here - picked up a '59 JM

Post by Veitchy » Tue Nov 24, 2020 1:55 pm

seenoevil II wrote:
Sat Aug 22, 2020 8:42 am
1958/9 were such fantastic years for guitars.
I agree - I don't think anyone reputable was building bad guitars in the late 50s.

This JM is a prime example of that. I even dig the X. Beautiful instrument.

Post Reply