1966 Fender Jazzmaster

The 1966 Jazzmaster is a CBS-era model. F-stamped tuners. Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Production was declining as the Jazzmaster lost market share to the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Despite lower market position, these are excellent instruments that would later be rediscovered by alternative rock musicians. Serial numbers on the neck plate with F prefix (six digits). For 1966, numbers should match documented CBS-era ranges. Neck date stamps (now often ink-stamped rather than penciled) on the heel remain important. Potentiometer date codes (typically CTS or Stackpole pots with EIA source codes and date stamps like '304-6' + last two digits of year + week number) help verify the production date. F-stamped tuners. Floating tremolo assembly — verify completeness. Rhythm/lead circuit. Two Jazzmaster pickups. Pot codes corresponding to 1966. Serial on neck plate. Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Nitrocellulose finish likely. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer. Nitro finishes check (develop fine cracks) and wear naturally over decades, showing wood underneath at contact points. The aging pattern should be consistent — even checking across the body, not localized. Refinished guitars often have a 'too perfect' look or inconsistent wear. Under UV/blacklight, original nitro fluoresces differently than modern polyester or polyurethane. Original custom color finishes are verified by examining the color in the pickup cavities and under the pickguard where it has been protected from light. CBS-era Jazzmasters were often unloved and heavily modified. Many have had pickups, bridges, tuners, and wiring replaced. The floating tremolo parts are frequently missing. At lower price points, modifications may be acceptable for players, but verify if the guitar is sold as 'all original.' The alt-rock resurgence has increased demand and prices for these instruments. CBS-era Jazzmasters (1966) share similar specifications. Production declined through the 1970s. Brazilian rosewood fingerboard distinguishes pre-1970 from later models. The Jazzmaster was discontinued in 1980 before being revived.