1996 Fender Jazzmaster Ventures

In 1996 Fender honored The Ventures by introducing a line of signature models, designed with the needs of each member in mind. The set consisted of matching Made in Japan Stratocaster, Jazz Bass, and Jazzmaster, each featuring a Transparent Charcoal Burst finish and matched headstocks with gold “The Ventures” logos, pearloid pick guards, bound-and-blocked Rosewood fingerboards, and gold hardware. The Ventures models were only marketed for a single year and then discontinued, and as such are exceedingly rare, making them sought-after collectors pieces.

Black Book Guitars is pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with Don Wilson to offer 18 instruments from his personal collection for sale, which includes vintage Mosrite guitars, Aria Ventures models, and three of Wilson’s own Signature Fender Jazzmaster guitars.

Wilson’s signature Jazzmaster included unique features such as Seymour Duncan pickups which faithfully replicate the sound of the earliest Jazzmasters to leave the Fender factory. The full neck shape is based off of Wilson’s personal 1966 Jazzmaster. At Wilson’s request, the additional Rhythm tone circuit has been omitted, streamlining the control scheme to a simple toggle pickup selector switch, Master Volume, and Master Tone. Each guitar has been set up for easy action and plays beautifully.

#N040553 served as Wilson’s main guitar for the band’s 1998 Japan tour, and as such presents the requisite, hard-earned patina one might associate with a toured instrument: wear on the guard and pickup covers, a few nicks and dings, and oxidized gold hardware. The pickupare low wind for clarity (6.13k and 6.12 for the bridge and neck, respectively) the guitar packs a potent sound. Incidentally, this guitar is the lightest of the bunch at 7.19 lbs.