1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
- lemming
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1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
This 1965 Jazzmaster I got recently has an "A-size" neck. Before I got this guitar, I wasn't aware that Fender had a formalized system of different neck widths / thicknesses. After I got the guitar, I started doing some internet searching to help me decipher the various neck codes, so I learned what the A means. I haven't played the guitar enough to decide whether or not I really like the neck. I don't necessarily dislike it, but it's pretty darned thin. Are there people out there who actually prefer these A necks? I mean, do people seek them out?
- Embenny
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
I have three 60's A-width necks (one jag, two mustangs) and love them.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
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- Surfysonic
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
My '65 Fender Mustang has a B neck and is very thin to me. In your decyphering efforts, is the B thinner or thicker than the A?
My '66 Fender Mustang neck is a little fuller for these big ol' hands. Just checked photos of my '63 Jaguar - also a B and a perfect neck for my hands. My '63 Jazzmaster's neck has no A or B designation but feels like the '63 Jaguar neck. Were these A and B designations for short scale guitars only?
My '66 Fender Mustang neck is a little fuller for these big ol' hands. Just checked photos of my '63 Jaguar - also a B and a perfect neck for my hands. My '63 Jazzmaster's neck has no A or B designation but feels like the '63 Jaguar neck. Were these A and B designations for short scale guitars only?
The doofus formerly known as Snorre...
- lemming
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
Based on what I've read, A is the thinnest.Surfysonic wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:40 amIn your decyphering efforts, is the B thinner or thicker than the A?
Apparently not. From what I've read, Fender put these designations on bass necks as well. Based on what I've read, the sizes ranged from A (the thinnest) all the way to D.Surfysonic wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:40 amWere these A and B designations for short scale guitars only?
- lemming
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
By the way, sweet Mustang!Surfysonic wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:40 amMy '65 Fender Mustang has a B neck and is very thin to me.
- Surfysonic
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
Cool, thanks for the info and the kind words for the '65 Mustang - it was a special order/promotional blue sparkle that I stumbled across 6 years ago at a used guitar shop here in Maryland. More about that can be found here: http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 41&t=81168
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- thisisnickpaige
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
All vintage necks have a margin of error/variance, but the general markings stand:
A is thinnest, B is normal, C is thickest.
I've had several A necks and they were all shredders. My 64 Jazzmaster A neck did get a bit tight down by the nut but other than that it had an awesome feel to it. Over the years i have seen a greater number of short scale necks with A markings, but i've also seen a handful of A Jazzmaster necks too. So it may have been a special order thing at the time.
I had never heard of D before. And i've only ever seen or heard of maybe a few C necks. I think one was a Jazzmaster and one a P bass.
A is thinnest, B is normal, C is thickest.
I've had several A necks and they were all shredders. My 64 Jazzmaster A neck did get a bit tight down by the nut but other than that it had an awesome feel to it. Over the years i have seen a greater number of short scale necks with A markings, but i've also seen a handful of A Jazzmaster necks too. So it may have been a special order thing at the time.
I had never heard of D before. And i've only ever seen or heard of maybe a few C necks. I think one was a Jazzmaster and one a P bass.
Jesus
- randym
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
From Fretboard.com:
As to the letter designations, "A", "B", "C" and "D". These were stamped on the end of the necks from the early 1960s to about 1973 and refer to the neck width at the nut - not the shape. So when people refer to a "C" neck, referring to its shape, they're wrong. Here's what they represented:
A = 1½"
B = 1⅝"
C = 1¾"
D = 1⅞"
In general, the current production necks have a B nut width; The American Standard is slightly wider, somewhere in between the B and C measurements at around 1 11⁄16"
As to the letter designations, "A", "B", "C" and "D". These were stamped on the end of the necks from the early 1960s to about 1973 and refer to the neck width at the nut - not the shape. So when people refer to a "C" neck, referring to its shape, they're wrong. Here's what they represented:
A = 1½"
B = 1⅝"
C = 1¾"
D = 1⅞"
In general, the current production necks have a B nut width; The American Standard is slightly wider, somewhere in between the B and C measurements at around 1 11⁄16"
- thisisnickpaige
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
Also, forgot to mention for all things vintage Fender this website is incredible.
http://www.guitarhq.com/fender.html
http://www.guitarhq.com/fender.html
Jesus
- Embenny
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
Well, you're both right and wrong there. You're right about the numerical values of A (1.5), B (1 5/8) etc. You're right that, if someone thought the stamp meant a "C" shaped neck, that they're wrong.randym wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:23 amFrom Fretboard.com:
As to the letter designations, "A", "B", "C" and "D". These were stamped on the end of the necks from the early 1960s to about 1973 and refer to the neck width at the nut - not the shape. So when people refer to a "C" neck, referring to its shape, they're wrong.
But "C" is absolutely a neck profile in wider guitar parlance, as are "V", "D" and "U". They all represent cross-sectional profiles that resemble the letter, with "C" having no shoulder, "D" having a shoulder, "V" being tapered more sharply, etc. They are definitely valid terms, and a "C"-shaped neck is a thing - it's just a different thing than a C-width neck.
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
Yassss!
I love them.
I don't even have particularly small hands, I'd say medium.
I managed to snag an A width Musicmaster neck, which will be going on my '66 Mustang at some point, even if that will make it less original.
Been looking for an A'ish neck for my partscaster Strat (at an affordable price point) for ages, but the closest I've gotten is a 2003 Squier Affinity neck at 39.7 mm, which is not bad, but the neck has some other slight annoyances that may not be worth fixing on such a cheap neck (needs fretwork, basically). Did also buy a 2013 Affinity neck, but that one's much thicker and deeper, don't care for it.
I have to disagree with this. Maybe if you're very lax on tolerances. Most of the modern ones I've looked at universally have 42 mm or 43 mm nuts (on paper, anyway) and a very select few are listed as 41.3 mm (1 5/8"). There's a noticeable difference if you tend towards small necks
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
My post was from fretboard.com, not my opinion. I agree with what they say about American 'Standard' (or whatever the name is this year) being 1 11/16, but I'm not sure when they mention 'In general, the current production necks have a B nut width' if they're talking about current vintage reissues, or what.
I have a 63 Musicmaster with an 'A' neck that I like. And a MIJ 67 reissue neck that's almost an 'A' at the nut.
I have a 63 Musicmaster with an 'A' neck that I like. And a MIJ 67 reissue neck that's almost an 'A' at the nut.
- offkeyericdee
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Re: 1965 A-size Jazzmaster Neck
Alternate neck widths on vintage Fenders are a wonderful thing. You don't see the A-neck on a Jazzmaster all that often - hang on to that special lady. I've seen a couple on Jaguars over the years, and a ton on Mustangs, Duo-Sonics, and Musicmasters, plus exactly one on a Strat. My go-to guitar, a '68 Jazzmaster, has a C-width neck.
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