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Pete’s Gear: Fender Jazzmaster

Click to view larger version. 27 May 1967, Grand Marquee, Oxford, with Fender Jazzmaster, vibrato bar removed. After this gig, the Jazzmaster was stolen.

Click to view larger version. 27 May 1967, Grand Marquee, Oxford, with Fender Jazzmaster, vibrato bar removed. After this gig, the Jazzmaster was stolen.

Pete Townshend occasionally used (and abused) Fender Jazzmaster guitars on stage in 1967 and 1968. He had one stolen in 1967.

He also used a Jazzmaster later in the studio, including 1985.

General Fender Jazzmaster specs

  • Contoured body with offset waist.
  • Two rectangle white covered single-coil pickups.
  • Gibson-like three-way selector switch.
  • Volume and tone roller knobs on bass side; two master volume and tone knobs on treble side.
  • Floating tremolo and bridge (individual saddles).

Selected quotes from Pete Townshend

All quotes and references are copyright their original owners and are included for reference only.

From Guitar Player, October 1967

Excerpts from an interview with John Entwistle and Pete Townshend conducted 18 June, 1967, in San Francisco, just prior to the Who’s appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival.

Townsend [sic]: I have a Fender Stratocaster, a Telecaster, and I did have a Jazzmaster, one which I quite liked, but it got nicked . . . stolen. I’ve had a wide variety of guitars; one of the best was a Gibson Stereo; I shoved it into the amp, once, and it broke.

27 May, 1967, Grand Marquee, Oxford, with Jazzmaster, vibrato bar intact. Amps are Sound City, pedal is Marshall Supa Fuzz. After this gig, the guitar was stolen. Photo: Chris Morphet

27 May, 1967, Grand Marquee, Oxford, with Jazzmaster, vibrato bar intact. Amps are Sound City, pedal is Marshall Supa Fuzz. After this gig, the guitar was stolen.

Click to view larger version. 20 July 1968, Virginia Dome. Photo: The Who Concert Guide, Bill Stokley

Click to view larger versions. 20 July 1968, Virginia Dome, with first known use of Sound City gear in the States. Guitar is Fender Jazzmaster in sunburst.

23 July, 1968, the Mosque, Richmond, Virginia

23 July, 1968, backstage at the Mosque, Richmond, Virginia, with two Jazzmasters.

Click to view larger version. Pete’s home studio, with brothers Paul on drums and Simon on guitar.

Click to view larger version. Pete’s home studio, with brothers Paul on drums and Simon on Fender Jazzmaster guitar.

Later use

Ca. 1985, recording with the gold Schecter.

Ca. 1985, recording with the gold Schecter model. The original 1968 Gibson J-200 clearly visible at left, 1952 Fender Telecaster in middle, and Fender Jazzmaster behind Tele. Amp is likely a blonde 1963 Fender Twin.

Ca. 1990, television appearance with sunburst Jazzmaster.

Ca. 1990, television appearance with sunburst Jazzmaster.

Resources and Information

Manufacturer

Fender: fender.com

More information

Vintage Guitars Info: guitarhq.com/fender2.html#jazzmast

This page last updated 24 September, 2014