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Average Price: $599
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$400
$1001+
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Description
Elevate your sound with the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster—a guitar that merges classic style with modern versatility. This electric guitar is designed for musicians who crave tonal diversity and reliability without breaking the bank. The heart of the Blacktop Jazzmaster is its unique pickup configuration: a Seymour Duncan-designed humbucker at the bridge ensures a powerful, aggressive sound that's perfect for rock, while the Jazzmaster single-coil neck pickup provides smooth, warm tones ideal for any genre.
Built with an alder body and a maple neck, this Jazzmaster offers a solid, resonant foundation for your playing. The 21-fret rosewood fingerboard ensures a comfortable playing experience, while the chrome hardware adds a touch of elegance. Whether you're performing blues, surf, or punk rock, the Blacktop Jazzmaster delivers exceptional performance and style.
With its American Vintage Jazzmaster Tremolo system, you can effortlessly add subtle vibrato or dive into dramatic pitch shifts, giving you even more creative control over your sound. This guitar is not just an instrument; it's a statement of your musical identity.
Key Features:
- Body Shape: Jazzmaster
- Body Material: Alder
- Neck Material: Maple with Gloss Urethane Finish
- Fretboard: Rosewood with 9.5" Radius
- Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
- Pickups: Seymour Duncan-designed Humbucker (Bridge), Jazzmaster Single-Coil (Neck)
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Bridge: American Vintage Jazzmaster Tremolo with Adusto-Matic Bridge
- Control Knobs: Skirted Amp Knobs
- Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
- Tremolo Arm: Vintage Jaguar/Jazzmaster Tremolo Arm
- Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Blacktop Jazzmaster HS |
| Finish | 3-Color Sunburst, Black |
| Year | 2011 - 2013 |
| Made In | Mexico |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Black, Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Fender Jazzmaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Fender Blacktop |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster have, and what tones can I expect?
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The Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster features an HS pickup configuration with a humbucker in the bridge and a single-coil in the neck. This setup provides a versatile range of tones, from warm, smooth neck sounds ideal for clean and jazz styles to aggressive, punchy bridge tones suitable for rock and alternative genres.
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Is the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster suitable for beginner guitarists?
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While the Blacktop Jazzmaster offers versatile tones and a unique design, its offset body and tremolo system might require some adjustment for beginners. However, with its comfortable neck and quality build, it can be a great choice for those looking to explore diverse musical styles.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster like?
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The Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile made from maple, offering smooth playability and easy access to all 21 frets. This makes it suitable for a variety of playing styles and techniques.
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Does the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster handle effects pedals well?
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Yes, the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster is known for its compatibility with effects pedals. Its versatile pickup configuration allows it to handle a wide range of effects, from overdrive and distortion to modulation and delay, making it a favorite among experimental and alternative musicians.
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What kind of bridge does the Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster use?
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The Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster is equipped with a tremolo tailpiece bridge, which provides smooth vibrato effects and adds to the guitar's expressive capabilities. This bridge type requires some maintenance to ensure tuning stability, especially with heavy tremolo use.
Videos
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Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster
Reviews
PROS
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Beautiful design with a striking finish
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Neck pickup delivers a pleasing sound
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Build quality of body and neck is impressive
CONS
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Electronics and components like pots and switch are subpar
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Bridge pickup has an overly mid-range, cheap sound
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Tone pot has limited functionality, often just on or off
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Tailpiece design causes awkward string splay onto the bridge
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Requires setup adjustments for optimal playability
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster.
Setup and maintenance
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The Blacktop Jazzmaster's bridge issues can often be resolved with a dot of Loctite in the grub screws to fix rattling.
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Fender Locking Tuners are a direct drop-in replacement, simplifying restringing without requiring any drilling or modifications.
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The American Vintage Reissue (AVRI) tremolo is noted for smoother operation and a tremolo lock, making it a preferred upgrade for enhanced playability.
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Some users find the Blacktop Jazzmaster requires sanding to address fret sprout issues for optimal playability.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners frequently replace the stock bridge with a Staytrem for improved performance.
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Owners recommend swapping the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan JB for enhanced tone, while using a Seymour Duncan Triple Shot mounting ring for versatile wiring options.
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Owners interested in humbucker-sized single coils should consider Fender WRHB models, known for their CuNiFe magnets, but may require routing for other types.
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Comparisons
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The Jaguar's 24" scale length offers a different playing feel compared to the Jazzmaster.
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Tune-o-Matic bridges may not match the 9.5" neck radius, potentially raising the E strings too far, whereas Mastery bridges are a better fit for this model.
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The Blacktop series is compared to American Special models for having simplified controls and a pre-modded feel, appealing to those who prefer less complexity.
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User experience
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Some players find the Blacktop Jazzmaster's humbucker lacking, making it a popular choice for modding.
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The stock middle position pickup configuration is praised for its unique clean tones, although some owners miss it after modifications.
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Users appreciate the Blacktop Jazzmaster for alternative rock, noting its aesthetic appeal despite less sustain than other models.
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Enthusiasts with multiple Blacktop models, including Tele and Strat variations, appreciate the Jazzmaster for its unique sound within the series.
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Features and functionality
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The Blacktop Jazzmaster lacks a rhythm circuit, which may affect tonal versatility.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings
Artist usage
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Community setups
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