Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,482
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster is a timeless tribute to the mid-20th century, a period of innovation and progression in guitar design. This iconic instrument, renowned for its versatility and distinctive sound, continues to be a favorite among guitarists across various genres from surf and grunge to new wave, shoegaze, and black metal.
At the heart of its construction lies an Alder body that provides a resonant base for the Jazzmaster's full-bodied, rich and warm tones. This is further enhanced by the maple neck's tight, articulate projection and the shimmering veneer of the rosewood fingerboard. The Pure Vintage '66 Single-coil Jazzmaster pickups capture the seminal sounds of the era, offering an authentic vintage output.
The Jazzmaster's unique features include the classic "witch hat" knobs and thumbwheels, allowing you to dial in and balance your tone to perfection. The period-precise "C" shaped neck, complemented by a 7.25-inch fingerboard radius, accommodates players of multiple styles. With the addition of a bone nut, Fender Deluxe tuners, and a vintage-style tremolo, this instrument is more than just a guitar; it's a piece of music history.
Key Features:
- Era-accurate design includes “witch hat” knobs and bound fingerboard
- Alder body maintains resonant, rich tones with incisive mids and lush lows
- Maple neck contributes to tight, articulate tones across the spectrum
- Rosewood fingerboard offers a balanced, glassy tonal topcoat
- "C"-shaped neck is highly resistant to twisting and warping, thanks to its maple construction
- 7.25-inch fingerboard radius houses 21 vintage tall frets for premium range
- 25.5-inch scale length, complemented by Pure Vintage tuners and Jazzmaster bridge
- 1.65-inch bone nut and threaded steel barrel saddles ensure buzz-free tones
- Pure Vintage ’66 Single-coil Jazzmaster pickups accompanied by classic switch slide and thumbwheel controls
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Jazzmaster |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | 1966 C |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 7.25" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Pearloid Blocks |
| Number of Frets | 21, Narrow Tall |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.650" |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Pure Vintage Jazzmaster with Threaded Steel Barrel Saddles |
| Tuners | Fender Deluxe Pure Vintage |
| Neck Pickup | Pure Vintage '66 Single-coil Jazzmaster |
| Bridge Pickup | Pure Vintage '66 Single-coil Jazzmaster |
| Controls | 1 x volume, 1 x tone, 2 x thumbwheel (neck volume/tone) |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch, 2-way switch (lead/rhythm circuit) |
| Strings | Fender, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster?
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The neck profile is a 1966 C shape, which offers a comfortable grip for players who prefer a vintage-style neck with a slightly rounded feel.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster?
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The Pure Vintage '66 single-coil Jazzmaster pickups deliver a classic, full-bodied tone with rich overtones, suitable for surf rock, indie, and alternative music.
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Is the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster suitable for beginners?
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While beginners can certainly enjoy this guitar, its vintage specifications and price point may be more appealing to experienced players seeking authentic vintage tones and feel.
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How does the switching system work on the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster?
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The guitar features a 3-way toggle switch for pickup selection and a 2-way switch for lead/rhythm circuit selection, allowing versatile tonal options.
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What is the finish of the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster?
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It features a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, which enhances resonance and gives the guitar a classic, vintage appearance.
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Does the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster come with a case?
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Yes, it comes with a hardshell case to protect the guitar during transport and storage.
Videos
Puisheen
Fender Changed the Headstock
Reviews
PROS
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Outstanding tone, versatile across multiple genres and decades
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Comfortable chunky neck, great for chords and solos
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Excellent tuning stability, even straight out of the box
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Nitro finish with attractive vintage vibe and color options
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High-quality craftsmanship with flawless finish and binding
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Impressive intonation, enhancing overall playability
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Vintage charm with modern reliability
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Tremolo system superior to Strat, encourages focus on sound quality
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Lightweight build for a Jazzmaster, adding to playing comfort
CONS
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Inconsistent initial quality control, issues with tremolo arm sizing and pickup functionality
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Stock case lacks modern protection features
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Playability not ideal for rock solos, better suited for rhythm work
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Pickup outputs may be hard to balance, limited glassy sound options
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster.
Setup and maintenance
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Out-of-box setups may require attention; some owners found that their Fender AVII '66 needed adjustments unlike MIJ models that typically require no setup.
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Owners note that a 7.25" fretboard radius offers a vintage feel, though it may be less ideal for modern playing styles that favor easier note bending.
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Some AVII models lack threading in the original tremolo tip, leading to replacements for better fit and function.
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The high E string can appear close to the fretboard edge; an easy fix is available via online tutorials.
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Comparisons
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The Vintera 60’s Jazzmaster is noted for louder pickups compared to both the AVII '66 and the MIJ Traditional 60’s Jazzmaster with black bobbin pickups.
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The AVII series is likened to a Custom Shop level guitar for nearly half the price, appealing to those seeking period-correct features without the premium cost.
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Mods and upgrades
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Black bobbin pickups are a popular upgrade for MIJ Jazzmasters to enhance tone consistency with other high-end models.
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The Halon bridge, while not essential, is praised for its aesthetic brass accents and potential tonal improvement over the stock bridge.
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Brass tremolo arm tip, originally from the 70s, is a genuine Fender part and enhances the guitar's vintage look.
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Value and pricing
User experience
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AVII '66 is praised for its vintage accuracy, appealing to players seeking a period-correct Jazzmaster experience.
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Build quality
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The AVII '66 Jazzmaster features a poly sealer coat under the nitro finish, aligning with historical accuracy, but it can chip around strap buttons and neck pockets.
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Owners report that the painted headstock significantly enhances the guitar's visual appeal, aligning with vintage aesthetics.
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Features and functionality
Critic Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
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In the YouTube video of Fontaines D.C. performing "Starburster" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conor Curley can be seen using a Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster in Lake Placid Blue. It is certain that he has been using this guitar for every performance of "Starburster" during the Romance Tour.
In the music video "so american (Live From Glastonbury)" by Olivia Rodrigo, she is seen playing a Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster in fiesta red. The distinctive features, such as the plastic-like paint finish and unique headstock design, align with the characteristics of the American Vintage series. This performance is available on Olivia Rodrigo's official YouTube channel, OliviaRodrigoVEVO.
Lucia de la Garza was photographed performing at the Coachella Festival on April 15, 2023, using a Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster in Dakota Red. The Getty Images photo distinctly shows the guitar's pearl inlay blocks on the fingerboard and the matching painted headstock, confirming the specific model.
Kevin Grimmett has recently started to use the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster accompanying the Wallows Model tour, as evidenced by a self-portrait he posted on Instagram.
In a YouTube video titled "Black Mountain Roto-Echo Delay Pedal | Third Man Hardware collab," R.J. Ronquillo is seen using the Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster. The guitar's distinctive features, such as the block inlays, Dakota red matching headstock, and white pickups and control knobs, confirm its identity as the Vintage II model.
Album Usage
The Fender American Vintage II '66 Jazzmaster has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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