Conference napalm::guitar

>    The serial number is L91020.

    I think the serial number puts it at around '66 or '67. I'll have to
    check some of the serial number lists that I have though. Serial numbers
    are tough to go by because they were usually grossly out of sequence. I
    have a '62 Stratocaster with a serial number that is typical of '60 and
    '61 models.

    If you're adventurous, there's a date marked at the butt end of the
    neck, i.e. where the truss rod adjustment is. That's the NECK date.
    There might be a date pencilled into the control or pickup cavities if
    the unit hasn't been refinished. Pickups also sometimes have dates
    written or stamped on their undersides. All of these things together
    give you an idea of the time the piece was manufactured. 

    I think the guitar is older than 66. The date is stamp on the neck.
    At least the older fenders that I had. I had a 63 Jaguar which had
    a L serial number.
    

>    I think the guitar is older than 66. The date is stamp on the neck.
>    At least the older fenders that I had. I had a 63 Jaguar which had
>    a L serial number.

    I have a '65 Stratocaster with a neck date of Jan-65 (ahhh that infamous
    month). The serial number is L71--- and according to the serial number
    lists its typical for '65 and '66 models. That's why I estimated
    the Jazzmaster to be around '66 to '67 or '68.
    
    --rjb

    
    BTW, if the peghead is smallish (as opposed to the latter ones with
    exagerated features), its probably '65 or earlier. If it's the larger
    peghead, it's probably '66 or later. They made them both ways in '65.

    
    I looked it up and it probably was made in '65.

    Thanks for the information. THe peghead is the larger style, with the
    exaggerated features. 
    
    I just restrung it last week, before writing this note. I'll check the
    neck and internal dates at the next restringing.
    
    Now I wonder what this Jazzmaster is worth. It cost me $140 back in
    '68.
    
    ed

>    Now I wonder what this Jazzmaster is worth. It cost me $140 back in
>    '68.

    My guess is somewhere between $300 and $600 depending on
    whether or not it has any unusual features (factory custom color) and
    its condition.

    A recent flier from a vintage instrument dealer listed 3 Jazzmasters as
    follows:

    1965 lefty, sunburst, very good cond+, w/ orig hard case        $1295
    1962, olympic white, w/ white peg head, exc cond, brown case    $1150
    1963, blonde, very good cond-, brown case                       $ 700
    1964 Jazzmaster neck, no decal                                  $ 175

    note that these guitars are all unusual in one way or another.

    The Jazzmaster is just factory stock, no special color schemes or
    customized anything... THe only non-original thing is that the 
    original white plastic tone and volume knobs located near the 
    cord jack were replaced with some brown knobs with brass inserts, back
    in 1971, because one of the original ones cracked and split.
    That, and there is a blemish on the back, near the lower "horn".
    So I guess it's not a real hot collector's item...
    
    I'll probably hang on to it for at least another 23 years.

    Hey, I've got one of these too, although it's not as old (circa 79/80).
    Does yours have a fat neck like mine? It's a lot deeper than yer
    average Fender neck, but is still comfortable to play.
    
    Bob

    I think the neck is "fender standard" - not having anything else to 
    compare it against. Definitely not a skinny neck like some of the old
    mosrites and rickenbackers.
    
    Just bought a small second-hand Peavey amp, and the fender and the old
    hofner still sound pretty good. Now to get back into shape...