Collection: Fender Jazzmaster
Browse our selection of Jazzmaster guitars at Chicago Music Exchange, celebrated for their unique sound and innovative design. Ideal for alternative, indie, and jazz musicians, the Jazzmaster offers unparalleled versatility. Buy the best Jazzmasters online, featuring new, used, and vintage options. Discover the perfect guitar to enhance your sound and appreciate the legacy of this exceptional instrument.
Fender Jazzmaster
Offset attitude. Vintage tone. Indie-rock identity.
The Fender Jazzmaster is one of the most culturally influential electric guitars ever built. Known for its warm, wide single-coil tone, floating tremolo system, and unmistakable offset body, the Jazzmaster offers a sonic personality that no Strat or Tele truly replicates.
At Chicago Music Exchange, we carry one of the most complete Jazzmaster selections available — including American Vintage II, American Professional II, American Performer, Vintera II, Made in Japan, Player Series, Noventa, and exclusive CME finishes. Whether you want a vintage-correct ’60s recreation, a modernized studio workhorse, or a limited-run offset in a rare colorway, CME has the right Jazzmaster in stock.
Originally introduced in 1958 as Fender’s top-of-the-line model, the Jazzmaster found its voice first in surf music, then later became the defining instrument of indie, alternative, shoegaze, and experimental rock. Its 25.5" scale length, dual-circuit wiring system, and floating vibrato create a uniquely expressive platform — shimmering cleans, textured overdrive, and expansive ambient tones.
Players choose Jazzmasters because they:
- Deliver warm, full single-coil clarity
- Offer smooth, expressive tremolo response
- Sit comfortably thanks to the offset body
- Provide rhythm/lead circuit versatility
- Handle surf, indie, shoegaze, punk, and alternative effortlessly
From the explosive textures of J Mascis to the experimental mastery of Nels Cline and the wall-of-sound atmospheres of Kevin Shields, the Jazzmaster continues to define alternative guitar tone.
Every Jazzmaster at Chicago Music Exchange includes detailed photography of the exact instrument, professional setup and inspection, and fast worldwide shipping.
If you’re on the hunt for the best Jazzmaster, a MIJ Jazzmaster, or even just curious how Jazzmaster compares against a Jaguar, you’re exactly where you should be.
FAQ – Fender Jazzmaster Guitars
Fender Jazzmaster: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Jazzmaster best known for?
A: Beyond its iconic offset waist, the Jazzmaster is beloved for its proprietary "floating" vibrato system, which allows for smooth, pitch-bending textures that define surf and shoegaze. It delivers a uniquely warm yet clear single-coil tone that sits perfectly between the bite of a Telecaster and the glassiness of a Stratocaster. This versatility has made it a staple for artists seeking a sophisticated, alternative aesthetic and a wide, atmospheric sonic palette.
Q: Is a Jazzmaster good for beginners?
A: Absolutely. While vintage-spec models require a bit of setup finesse, modern versions like the Player Series or Vintera II are incredibly approachable. The offset body is arguably Fender’s most ergonomic design, distributing weight evenly whether you are sitting or standing. Beginners will find the "C" shaped necks comfortable for learning chords, while the distinct looks provide plenty of inspiration to keep picking the instrument up and practicing every day.
Q: What pickups does a Jazzmaster use?
A: Many people mistake them for P-90s, but Jazzmaster pickups are their own breed. They feature large, flat, wide coils that sense a greater portion of the string's vibration. This results in a much warmer, fuller response with a "mellow" top end compared to the thinner, taller coils found on a Stratocaster. This unique construction is what gives the Jazzmaster its signature "thump" and rich, complex harmonic overtones when played through a tube amp.
Q: Is the Jazzmaster good for modern music?
A: It is arguably more popular now than ever. The Jazzmaster has become the primary tool for indie-rock, worship, post-rock, and ambient musicians who rely on its incredible clarity and resonance. Its ability to handle "washy" effects like heavy reverb and delay without losing note definition makes it a powerhouse for soundscapes. Plus, the rhythmic "glide guitar" technique—playing while holding the vibrato arm—remains a foundational element of modern alternative guitar playing.
Q: What’s the difference between a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar?
A: While they share an offset silhouette, they feel and sound quite different. The Jazzmaster uses a standard 25.5" scale length and large, warm pickups, giving it a familiar Fender tension and "big" sound. The Jaguar features a shorter 24" scale length, which makes the strings feel "slinkier" and easier to bend. Tonally, the Jaguar’s shielded, narrower pickups are much brighter and more percussive, offering a sharp "lead" voice compared to the Jazzmaster’s "rhythm" warmth.
Q: What are the most popular Jazzmaster models at CME?
A: The American Professional II is a massive hit because it solves traditional offset quirks with a "Panorama" tremolo and a simplified bridge. For the purists, the American Vintage II series is a top seller, as it painstakingly recreates the exact specifications of the 1966 "Bound and Block" models. Both series represent the gold standard of American-made quality, offering the perfect balance of heritage looks and professional-grade reliability for the touring musician.
Q: Are there humbucker or P-90 Jazzmasters?
A: Yes, the Jazzmaster platform has evolved significantly. While traditionalists love the wide single-coils, modern variants like the American Ultra or specific Player models often feature humbuckers for players who need high-gain stability without the 60-cycle hum. You will also find "simplified" versions that remove the complex upper-bout rhythm circuit, providing a more streamlined control layout for rockers who just want to plug in, turn up, and play without overthinking their settings.
Q: Does CME carry limited or exclusive Jazzmasters?
A: We take pride in our CME Exclusive runs, which often feature "Pre-CBS" custom colors like Sherwood Green, Shell Pink, or Olive Drab that you can’t find anywhere else. We also work closely with the Fender Custom Shop to commission special-run builds with hand-selected woods and unique pickup pairings. These exclusives are designed specifically for the CME community, blending rare vintage aesthetics with the specific hardware upgrades that modern offset enthusiasts frequently request.
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American Vintage II vs American Professional II Jazzmaster
Deciding between "vintage-spec" and "modern-player" is the ultimate crossroads for offset fans. At CME, the AVII vs. American Pro II Jazzmaster debate comes down to how you want the guitar to fight back.
The American Vintage II is a love letter to the early ’60s—featuring the period-correct 7.25” radius, nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, and "lead/rhythm" circuits that made the original a surf and indie icon. Conversely, the American Professional II modernizes the blueprint for the touring musician, swapping the traditional "floating" bridge for a more stable Mustang-style saddle and adding a "Deep C" neck profile and sculpted heel for effortless access to the high frets.
Jazzmaster vs Jaguar
When it comes to the "Offset" crown, the Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar debate is a rite of passage for any player looking to step outside the Strat-and-Tele box. While they share that iconic, asymmetrical body shape, they are entirely different animals under the hood.
The Jazzmaster is the elder statesman of the two, sporting a full 25.5” scale length (the same as a Strat) that provides a snappy, resonant string tension. Its "soapbar" pickups aren't P90s—they are unique, wide, and shallow single-coils that produce a warm, "hi-fi" chime that indie and shoegaze players crave for their pedalboards.
The Jaguar, introduced in 1962 as the top-of-the-line model, features a shorter 24” scale length. This makes the strings feel "slinkier," allowing for easier bends and a more compact feel that’s perfect for players with smaller hands or those who prefer a "punchier" response. With its shielded, high-output single-coils and chrome control plates, the Jag delivers a brighter, percussive "plink" that defined the surf-rock era and later became the snarling voice of the '90s grunge movement—most notably in the hands of Kurt Cobain.
Jazzmaster’s presence in Indie, Shoegaze & Surf
The Jazzmaster’s offset allure has made it the definitive "alternative" icon. While it failed to dethrone the Stratocaster among jazz purists, it became the sonic backbone of Shoegaze, with Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) using the floating tremolo to create "glide guitar" textures.
In the Indie and Post-Punk realms, the Jazzmaster’s biting lead tones defined the sound of J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Nels Cline (Wilco), and Elvis Costello. It even found a modern home with The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys, proving that its unique mid-range punch is as relevant in 2026 as it was in the surf-rock 1960s.
Modern Jazzmaster Variations
While the vintage purists live for the "lead/rhythm" slider and the traditional floating bridge, there is a new guard of players demanding a different kind of horsepower. Here at CME, we’ve seen a massive surge in demand for modernized offsets that strip away the complexity in favor of raw power and "set-it-and-forget-it" reliability.
For the high-gain crowd, configurations featuring humbuckers or P-90s have transformed the Jazzmaster from a "shimmer" machine into a heavy-hitting alternative with pickups providing a mid-range "growl" and/or noise cancellation needed for modern rock and metal, without losing that offset aesthetic.
Not looking for all of the bells and whistles? You can also find some with hardtail bridges and simplified switching. By removing the traditional rhythm circuit and replacing the complex toggles with a simple 3-way switch, these models eliminate the risk of accidentally hitting a slider mid-performance. It’s the perfect evolution for the player who wants the ergonomic "hug" of an offset body but needs the bulletproof functionality of a vintage workhorse.
Buy Fender Jazzmaster Guitars Online
Chicago Music Exchange offers one of the largest Fender Jazzmaster inventories in the U.S., including USA, MIJ, MIM, and Custom Shop builds. Every instrument is professionally set up, carefully photographed, and ready to ship worldwide.
Vintage & Used Fender Jazzmasters
Step into the rich heritage of the Fender Jazzmaster with our meticulously curated collection of vintage and used models. We pride ourselves on sourcing exceptional examples of these iconic offset electric guitars, spanning their illustrious history from the Pre-CBS era Jazzmasters of the late 1950s and early 1960s to desirable CBS-era instruments and sought-after Made in Japan (MIJ) reissues. Discover the distinctive character of a 1958 Jazzmaster, featuring the original anodized pickguard, or explore the legendary 1962 Jazzmaster with its transitional slab or veneer rosewood fingerboard. Many of these collectible Jazzmasters showcase the classic sunburst finish, though you might uncover rare custom color Jazzmasters like Fiesta Red, Olympic White, or Lake Placid Blue, often with desirable matching headstocks. Each pre-owned Jazzmaster in our inventory is carefully inspected for authenticity, ensuring you acquire a genuine piece of musical history that embodies the unique tone and feel that has captivated generations of players. Whether you're searching for a vintage Fender Jazzmaster to complete your collection or a used Jazzmaster ready to inspire your next sonic adventure, our selection highlights the very best of this timeless design.
Fender Custom Shop Jazzmasters
For discerning guitarists demanding the pinnacle of craftsmanship, our Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster guitars offer ultimate sonic artistry. Since 1987, the Fender Custom Shop has been where over 50 artisans meticulously craft Fender guitars to exacting specifications, from neck shaping to aging. Explore our Masterbuilt, Team Built, and Limited Edition Custom Shop Jazzmasters, showcasing precise relicing levels from NOS to Heavy Relic, capturing authentic vintage feel.
Elevating the Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster experience, we proudly present our exclusive "Chicago Special" Jazzmaster line—guitars you won't find anywhere else. The "Chicago sound" starts with the pickups, offering a range of tones epitomizing each instrument's broad appeal. Our "Chicago Special" Jazzmaster pickups were designed by Chicago Music Exchange in collaboration with Mike Lewis of Fender Custom Shop, and are only available here or through Custom Shop orders from CME. Each set is precisely calibrated with preferred enamel wire and alnico magnets, then shellac-potted for open, wide-range frequency response. Discover the unparalleled tonal depth of a Custom Shop Jazzmaster, or the truly unique voice of a CME exclusive "Chicago Special" Jazzmaster—the pinnacle of boutique electric guitars.