NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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Lo-Fi
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NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Lo-Fi » Fri May 01, 2020 12:51 pm

After a nail biting few weeks navigating its way through the Coronavirus-riddled streets of Europe from Belgrade to Edinburgh this guy is finally safely in my hands. Many thanks to Z*Z*Z for dealing with all my nervous emails as the guitar slipped into the black hole of our respective postal services without trace for what felt like forever.

Anyway, what a guitar! I’ve had a couple of Jazzmasters (AVRI and CIJ) but this one is next-level stuff. The guitar is so resonant and the black-bobbin, pre-CBS pickups are much darker, richer and clearer than I’m used to, even more so than the Antiquities in my CIJ. It’s exactly what my ears have been craving.

The wiring seems slightly crazy. The three way selector works even when the rhythm circuit is activated, however the volume and tone knobs function correctly depending on which mode you’re in. Seems almost like a bonus feature!

I have a bad rep for churning through guitars and my one keeper has been an early 70s Thinline Tele which I’ve had forever now. I reckon that guy has finally been usurped.

So, to the provenance of the guitar: three owners before me including Z*Z*Z from this forum. It appears to be a 1960 body including all original electrics mated to a 1968 neck. The markings on the body suggests a factory refin although there has been some speculation about whether it is indeed a factory refin. Either way it’s a complete body with a neck transplant and a matching headstock. Tuners are all that seem to have been replaced. Oh, and a mid-60s pickguard apparently?

Most of what needs to be said about its history can be read here:
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 1&t=108374

Everything is immaculate and beautifully nicotine stained. The checking looks great too. I’ve taken a few photos but my phone camera is goosed so these are as good as I could get.

I can’t wait for lockdown to be over and the chance to get into my practice space and make a RACKET!

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by s_mcsleazy » Fri May 01, 2020 1:16 pm

im gonna be honest. ive been tempted by this since i first seen it.
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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Z*Z*Z » Sat May 02, 2020 2:14 am

That is one mighty jazzmaster :) Im glad he's safe in your arms Brian, use it fiercely ;)

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by hverlind » Sat May 02, 2020 5:50 am

Congrats! This one looks amazing.
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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by algeriet » Fri May 08, 2020 2:16 pm

Man, that guitar is so neat!
I love all eras, but the blocks and binding really get me going.

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by boss302bass » Sat May 23, 2020 5:40 pm

Tasty looking JM! Great score - I’m on week 8 of waiting for delivery of the neck and body of a 68 Telecaster Bass from LA to me in UK.
I recently picked up a 66 JM and it has the moulded brass swimming pool style shielding tub in the big cavity and I was wondering if anyone knew when those came about? I’ve seen them in a wide spread of JM’s production-year wise but have no clue as to whether they came and went in a specific timeframe.

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Kinx » Sun May 24, 2020 8:42 am

I've been drooling over this guitar ever since it appeared on this forum :) Congrats on great score ! If I would have some extra offset dedicated funds, I would definitely snag it :D
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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by OffYourFace » Mon May 25, 2020 12:40 am

That's a 1959 body. You can tell by the rout where the pots go. That's the rout for a 9-hole gold anodized guard. They added a piece to accept a screw from the later 13-hole pickguard. But it also looks like you have a screw that doesn't screw into anything. The one just below the tone knob. Is it glued onto the guard?

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Mon May 25, 2020 1:13 am

That there is what I had in my head when I was looking for my first Jazzmaster. Pretty much perfect in my eyes, but if you ever have an option and want to swap in a '59-'60 neck, please, please, pretty please place me at the front of the queue for the B&B one.

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Surfysonic » Tue May 26, 2020 11:25 am

Congrats, she's a beauty! :?
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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Trout » Tue May 26, 2020 11:33 am

:w00t:
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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by jc808 » Tue Jun 09, 2020 1:57 pm

Wow. That guitar is perfect! Congrats!

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by jagjaguar » Tue Jun 09, 2020 2:18 pm

The checking! Looking fab, mate. ;D
Block and binding on a Oly is a favourite combo, especially when it gets a bit yellow out as the rest.

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Retro » Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:49 am

Stunning!
I agree with OffYourFace, als the brass shielding is a part of a 50’s JM.
Further the trem has no pat. Number indicates that also and fir what i can see the high thimbles.
Love to see more pics.

Does it sound good as well?

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Re: NGD 1960/8 Jazzmaster

Post by Lo-Fi » Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:25 pm

OffYourFace wrote:
Mon May 25, 2020 12:40 am
That's a 1959 body. You can tell by the rout where the pots go. That's the rout for a 9-hole gold anodized guard. They added a piece to accept a screw from the later 13-hole pickguard. But it also looks like you have a screw that doesn't screw into anything. The one just below the tone knob. Is it glued onto the guard?
Just catching up on this now. Sorry for the mega-delay!

Well spotted. The screw basically goes to nowhere, but there is enough resistance in the shielding to hold it in place.

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