1996 Fender Jazzmaster Ventures Signature JM-165VR Midnight Black w/ USA Pickups, Japan MIJ, Featherweight
$2,499.99
$2,499.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1996 Fender Jazzmaster The Ventures Signature model JM-165VR in perfect working order. Among the rarest and most sought-out Jazzmaster models released by Fender Japan in the last 40+ years, this unique guitar was produced in very limited quantities as one of three signature models for the first “big in Japan” band, the Ventures. This Jazzmaster was designed in conjunction with founding guitarist Don Wilson, with features including a pair of USA-made black bobbin Seymour Duncan pickups, a satin neck finish, and a streamlined control configuration.
A featherweight example at 6lbs 15oz, this Jazzmaster features an ash body sporting a Midnight Black Transparent finish, accented by gold hardware and gold foil "The Ventures" logos on the bass-side body horn and headstock. This guitar has a bold, detailed acoustic voice that is translated faithfully through the factory-installed Seymour Duncan pickups. These pickups are true in wind and construction to Fender's Jazzmaster pickups of the late '50s, with black fiber bobbins, flat pole alnico magnets, and cloth covered leads. Wound to the edges of the bobbins, these pickups offer plenty of sparkling snap and woody, percussive cut, with more upper midrange growl in the bridge position and a fat, bell-like quality at the neck. Each position on the three-way switch is distinct and vital, with the midrange complexity and note attack inherent in ash as a tonewood. This Ventures Jazzmaster JM-165VR benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Round C, measuring .850” 1st fret, .975” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, 7 ¼” radius, pearloid block inlay, oversized position markers
-Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 ½”
-Nut: 1.650” (42mm), bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style
-Serialization: Five-digit stamp (neck plate)
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Seymour Duncan JM single coil x2
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Vibrato, bridge with spiral (threaded) saddles
-Plastics: Three-ply pickguard (replacement), witch hat knobs
The gloss Midnight Black Transparent finish highlights the grain of the ash body, and there are a few small, cleanly-doweled mounting holes on top between the bridge and vibrato, likely for some sort of MIDI pickup. Further cosmetic wear includes buckle rash on the lower bout of the back and some small dings and finish scratches. The satin finish on the neck profile is smooth and fast-feeling in the palm, with a few shallow marks along the profile length that don’t impact playability.
A gigbag is included.
A featherweight example at 6lbs 15oz, this Jazzmaster features an ash body sporting a Midnight Black Transparent finish, accented by gold hardware and gold foil "The Ventures" logos on the bass-side body horn and headstock. This guitar has a bold, detailed acoustic voice that is translated faithfully through the factory-installed Seymour Duncan pickups. These pickups are true in wind and construction to Fender's Jazzmaster pickups of the late '50s, with black fiber bobbins, flat pole alnico magnets, and cloth covered leads. Wound to the edges of the bobbins, these pickups offer plenty of sparkling snap and woody, percussive cut, with more upper midrange growl in the bridge position and a fat, bell-like quality at the neck. Each position on the three-way switch is distinct and vital, with the midrange complexity and note attack inherent in ash as a tonewood. This Ventures Jazzmaster JM-165VR benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Round C, measuring .850” 1st fret, .975” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, 7 ¼” radius, pearloid block inlay, oversized position markers
-Frets: Slender, refret, no wear
-Scale Length: 25 ½”
-Nut: 1.650” (42mm), bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style
-Serialization: Five-digit stamp (neck plate)
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Seymour Duncan JM single coil x2
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Vibrato, bridge with spiral (threaded) saddles
-Plastics: Three-ply pickguard (replacement), witch hat knobs
The gloss Midnight Black Transparent finish highlights the grain of the ash body, and there are a few small, cleanly-doweled mounting holes on top between the bridge and vibrato, likely for some sort of MIDI pickup. Further cosmetic wear includes buckle rash on the lower bout of the back and some small dings and finish scratches. The satin finish on the neck profile is smooth and fast-feeling in the palm, with a few shallow marks along the profile length that don’t impact playability.
A gigbag is included.
