Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster®, Rosewood Fingerboard, Candy Apple Red, Electric Guitar

Quick Product Summary

The Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® in Candy Apple Red is built for players who want the character, feel and distinctive electronics of a classic mid-1960s Fender offset without moving into American Vintage territory.

Its combination of an alder body, Mid '60s “C” maple neck, 7.25" radius round-laminated rosewood fingerboard and vintage-tall frets gives it a deliberately traditional playing feel. Two Vintage-Style Mid '60s Jazzmaster® single-coil pickups provide the wide, detailed and expressive voice that makes the Jazzmaster so distinctive, while the original-style lead/rhythm circuitry gives you considerably more tonal flexibility than a simple two-pickup layout might suggest.

Finished in Candy Apple Red with a 3-ply Mint Green pickguard, this is a particularly strong choice for surf, indie, alternative, shoegaze, atmospheric pop and players who simply want a genuine vintage-inspired Fender offset.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Series	Vintera® III
Model	Mid '60s Jazzmaster®
Finish	Candy Apple Red
Condition	New
Body	Alder
Fingerboard	Round-Laminated Rosewood
Radius	7.25"
Pickups	2 x Vintage-Style Mid '60s Single-Coil Jazzmaster®
Main Appeal	Vintage-inspired mid-'60s Jazzmaster tone, feel and controls
Best For	Surf, indie, alternative, shoegaze, pop and expressive ambient guitar
Included	Deluxe Gig Bag

What's Included?

• Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® in Candy Apple Red

• Fender Deluxe Gig Bag

• Pop-in vintage-style Jazzmaster® tremolo arm

• .050" hex saddle-height adjustment wrench

Why Choose The Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster®?

Authentic Mid-'60s-Inspired Playing Feel

The Mid '60s “C” neck profile is comfortably rounded and develops more substance as you move up the neck. Combined with the traditional 7.25" fingerboard radius, this produces a distinctly vintage Fender feel rather than the flatter, more contemporary geometry found on many modern electric guitars.

Vintage-Tall Frets Add Practical Playability

Fender pairs the curved vintage-style radius with 21 vintage-tall frets. They retain the traditional character of the instrument while providing useful fret height for controlled vibrato and expressive lead playing.

Proper Jazzmaster Single-Coil Character

The two Vintage-Style Mid '60s Single-Coil Jazzmaster® pickups are voiced specifically around the character associated with this era. Expect an open, articulate sound with strong definition, a broad frequency response and the ability to move from rounded neck-pickup textures to sharper bridge-pickup attack.

Jazzmaster pickups are not simply Stratocaster pickups underneath larger covers. Their construction and voicing are an important part of the wider, distinctive Jazzmaster sound.

Classic Lead And Rhythm Circuits

One of the Jazzmaster's defining features is its dual-circuit control system.

With the lead circuit selected, you have access to the three-way pickup selector alongside master volume and tone controls. Switch to the rhythm circuit and the guitar moves to a dedicated neck-pickup setting with independent thumbwheel volume and tone controls.

That makes it possible to prepare two contrasting sounds and switch between them quickly — useful for moving from a darker rhythm sound into a clearer lead or effects-driven tone.

Expressive Floating Tremolo

The vintage-style floating tremolo is central to the way a traditional Jazzmaster feels and responds. Rather than being designed purely for dramatic pitch drops, it excels at subtle movement, chord shimmer and smooth vibrato.

For surf textures, atmospheric indie parts, ambient playing and shoegaze-style pitch movement, it remains one of Fender's most expressive tremolo systems.

Candy Apple Red With Classic Fender Detailing

Candy Apple Red is complemented by a 3-ply Mint Green pickguard, vintage-white pickup covers and controls, nickel/chrome hardware and traditional Fender appointments. The result feels unmistakably vintage without being artificially aged.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® vs Fender Player II Jazzmaster®

Choose the Player II Jazzmaster if you prefer a more contemporary playing experience. Its 9.5" radius, Modern “C” neck, 22 medium-jumbo frets and Mustang-style saddles are aimed more towards modern everyday playability. The Vintera® III is the stronger option when the traditional 7.25" radius, classic dual-circuit electronics and period-inspired feel are major reasons you want a Jazzmaster.

Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® vs Vintera® II '50s Jazzmaster®

Both focus heavily on vintage Fender design, but they represent different periods. The Vintera® II '50s Jazzmaster uses '50s-style pickups and earlier styling, while this Vintera® III concentrates on the mid-'60s Jazzmaster experience with its Mid '60s neck profile, round-laminated rosewood fingerboard and matching era-inspired pickup voicing.

Fender Vintera® III vs American Professional II Jazzmaster®

The American Professional II Jazzmaster is better suited to the working player looking for modern performance features including a 9.5" radius, 22 frets, V-Mod II pickups, a wider-ranging Panorama tremolo and revised electronics. The Vintera® III takes the opposite approach, putting traditional Jazzmaster feel and vintage-inspired specifications first.

Fender Vintera® III vs American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster®

The American Vintage II 1966 Jazzmaster moves further into premium period recreation, with Pure Vintage '66 pickups, nitrocellulose lacquer, bound rosewood fingerboard and detailed 1966-style appointments. The Vintera® III is the more accessible choice for players who want a convincing vintage-style Jazzmaster experience without stepping up to the American Vintage II price category.

Who Is The Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® For?

This Jazzmaster is particularly well suited to players who:

• Prefer vintage Fender neck profiles and fingerboard radii

• Want traditional Jazzmaster lead and rhythm circuitry

• Use tremolo as an expressive part of their playing

• Like articulate single-coil tones with plenty of character

• Want something different from the usual Stratocaster or Telecaster

• Play surf, indie, alternative, shoegaze, pop or atmospheric guitar

• Want vintage-inspired Fender specifications without moving into the American Vintage II range

Players coming from very flat-radius or large-fret modern guitars should be aware that the 7.25" radius is intentionally traditional. That is part of this guitar's appeal rather than an attempt to make a vintage-style Jazzmaster feel like a modern super-Strat.

Suitable Genres And Playing Styles

The Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® works particularly well anywhere clarity, texture and expressive vibrato matter.

Surf and instrumental guitar: The bridge pickup's attack and the floating tremolo make it naturally suited to reverb-heavy melodic parts.

Indie and alternative: Its distinctive single-coil response works exceptionally well with overdrive, modulation, delay and reverb without immediately losing definition.

Shoegaze and ambient: The floating tremolo allows chords to move organically while the pickups retain enough clarity for layered effects chains.

Pop and clean rhythm work: The neck and combined pickup sounds provide detailed clean tones, while the separate rhythm circuit offers an immediately available alternative voice.

Experimental guitar: The unusual electronics and highly expressive tremolo make the Jazzmaster particularly rewarding for players who treat effects and dynamics as part of the instrument.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Jazzmaster, Fender offset guitar, amplifier or effects setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

What Makes A Mid-'60s Jazzmaster Different From A Modern Jazzmaster?

A traditional Jazzmaster is about more than body shape. The 7.25" fingerboard radius, vintage-style neck profile, floating bridge and tremolo system, wide single-coil pickups and separate lead/rhythm circuits all contribute to an experience that feels noticeably different from a modern offset built around simpler electronics and flatter neck geometry.

The Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® is therefore best viewed as a guitar for somebody who actively wants those traditional characteristics. If you want a Jazzmaster shape with more contemporary ergonomics, the Player II makes more sense. If you want the vintage-inspired Jazzmaster experience itself, the Vintera® III is the stronger fit.

Story & Context

Fender originally introduced the Jazzmaster in 1958 as a premium solid-body electric intended to appeal to jazz players. Its offset-waist body, unusual electronics and floating tremolo represented a significant departure from the Telecaster and Stratocaster designs that had come before it.

The intended jazz audience never became the model's defining market. Instead, the Jazzmaster developed strong associations with surf music before later becoming an important instrument within punk, alternative, indie and experimental guitar music.

That history explains why the Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® feels so different from a conventional modern Fender. Its controls, tremolo and playing geometry are not decorative retro touches — they recreate key parts of the design language that made the Jazzmaster distinctive in the first place.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product	Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster®
Model Number	0149290309
Series	Vintera® III
Orientation	Right-Handed
Colour	Candy Apple Red
Body Shape	Jazzmaster®
Body Material	Alder
Body Finish	Gloss Polyester
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Profile	Mid '60s “C”
Neck Finish	Gloss Urethane
Neck Construction	4-Bolt Standard
Fingerboard	Round-Laminated Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Number of Frets	21
Fret Size	Vintage Tall
Scale Length	25.5" / 648 mm
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.650" / 42 mm
Position Inlays	Clay Dot
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Bridge Pickup	Vintage-Style Mid '60s Single-Coil Jazzmaster®
Neck Pickup	Vintage-Style Mid '60s Single-Coil Jazzmaster®
Pickup Configuration	SS
Lead Circuit Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Rhythm Circuit Controls	Neck Pickup Volume and Tone Thumbwheels
Pickup Switching	3-Position Toggle – Lead Circuit
Circuit Switching	2-Position Lead/Rhythm Slide Switch
Bridge	6-Saddle Vintage-Style Adjustable with Floating Tremolo Tailpiece
Tremolo	Vintage-Style Floating Tremolo with Tremolo Lock Button
Tremolo Arm	Pop-In Vintage-Style Jazzmaster®
Tuners	Fender® Vintage-Style
Pickguard	3-Ply Mint Green
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Control Knobs	Vintage White
Pickup Covers	Vintage White
Neck Plate	4-Bolt Vintage-Style
Strings	Fender® USA 250R Nickel-Plated Steel .010-.046
Case / Gig Bag	Deluxe Gig Bag

Power Requirements

The Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® uses passive pickups and requires no battery or external power supply.

For amplified use, connect the guitar to a guitar amplifier, pedalboard, modeller, audio interface or other suitable equipment using a standard ¼" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® is a strong choice for somebody who wants a genuinely vintage-inspired Jazzmaster rather than simply an offset-shaped modern guitar.

Its biggest strength is how many of the elements that give a traditional Jazzmaster its personality have been retained: the curved 7.25" rosewood fingerboard, Mid '60s neck profile, dedicated Jazzmaster pickups, dual-circuit electronics and floating tremolo.

Best suited for: Players wanting vintage Fender offset character, expressive tremolo and classic Jazzmaster electronics.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmasters, entry-level Fender offsets or more modern instruments when moving towards a more traditional Jazzmaster feel.

Most commonly paired with: Clean or edge-of-breakup Fender-style amplification, reverb, fuzz, overdrive, delay and modulation effects.

Our tip: Spend some time learning the rhythm circuit rather than treating it as an extra switch. Setting the darker rhythm sound independently gives you a genuinely useful second voice available instantly.

Showroom feedback: Expect the 7.25" radius and traditional controls to feel noticeably more vintage than a Player II Jazzmaster. For players specifically looking for that older Fender experience, that difference is exactly what makes the Vintera® III appealing.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham showroom is backed by a knowledgeable musician-led team who understand guitars, amplifiers, effects and the practical questions that come with choosing the right instrument.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Flexible finance options available, subject to status

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Whether you're choosing your first serious electric guitar or comparing different Fender offsets, we're happy to help you work out which model best suits your playing style and setup.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're upgrading your guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of gear you no longer use while making your next instrument more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fender Vintera® III Mid '60s Jazzmaster® suitable for modern music?

Absolutely. Despite its vintage-inspired specifications, the Jazzmaster design remains extremely effective for modern indie, alternative, shoegaze, ambient and effects-heavy guitar styles. Its clear single-coil response can help complex pedal chains retain definition.

How does a 7.25" radius feel compared with a 9.5" Fender fingerboard?

A 7.25" fingerboard has a more pronounced curve and feels distinctly traditional, particularly for chord work. A 9.5" radius feels flatter and is generally more familiar to players accustomed to modern Fender guitars. Choosing between them largely comes down to whether you prioritise vintage feel or contemporary geometry.

Is a Jazzmaster pickup the same as a Stratocaster single coil?

No. Although both are passive single-coil designs, traditional Jazzmaster pickups use a different physical construction and have their own tonal character. The wide Jazzmaster pickup design contributes to the model's distinctive clarity, body and response.

What is the Jazzmaster rhythm circuit useful for?

The rhythm circuit gives you a dedicated neck-pickup sound with its own volume and tone settings. One practical approach is to set it warmer or quieter than your main lead circuit, allowing instant switching between contrasting sounds during a song.

Does the floating tremolo work well for subtle vibrato?

Yes. Subtle pitch movement is one of the traditional Jazzmaster tremolo's strengths. It works particularly well for gently moving chords, surf-style vibrato and atmospheric playing rather than simply extreme dive-bomb effects.

Is the Vintera® III better than the Player II Jazzmaster®?

Neither is universally better. The Vintera® III is better suited to players seeking vintage-style radius, electronics and feel. The Player II makes more sense for somebody wanting a flatter fingerboard, larger frets and more contemporary playing characteristics.

What string gauge is fitted from the factory?

Fender specifies .010-.046 nickel-plated steel strings. This is also a sensible starting gauge for the traditional Jazzmaster bridge and tremolo system.

What amplifiers and effects work particularly well with a Jazzmaster?

Jazzmasters work especially well with clean or slightly driven amplifiers where their clarity can come through. Reverb, delay, tremolo, chorus, fuzz and overdrive are natural partners, making this format particularly flexible for surf, indie, alternative and atmospheric guitar setups.