Fender Japan J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster – Purple Sparkle – Curtis Novak Wide Range Pickups – Gig Bag – Used Excellent
J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. has been one of the Jazzmaster's most devoted and high-profile champions since the 1980s, playing a central role in rehabilitating an instrument that Fender had discontinued and the vintage market had overlooked. When Fender Japan built the JM-JM signature model, they did it with genuine care — an offset double-cutaway body in that unmistakable Purple Sparkle polyester finish with matching headstock cap, gold anodized pickguard, and a suite of Mascis-requested modifications that make the guitar considerably more practical than a vintage Jazzmaster without sacrificing any of the character. The Adjusto-Matic bridge provides far better intonation and saddle stability than the traditional floating bridge that plagued vintage Jazzmasters in live settings, while the reinforced tremolo arm housing keeps the vibrato arm secure in a way the original design never managed reliably. Jumbo frets and a flatter 9.5-inch fingerboard radius give it a more modern playing feel than a period-correct Jazzmaster, and the satin-finished maple neck is fast and comfortable from the first note. The full Jazzmaster wiring harness remains intact — three-position toggle switch, independent lead circuit volume and tone, and the upper-bout rhythm circuit with its own separate volume and tone controls — giving this guitar the tonal complexity and switching options that made the Jazzmaster so interesting to players who took the time to understand it.
This example has been upgraded with a pair of Curtis Novak Wide Range pickups — one of the most respected aftermarket options available for the Jazzmaster platform, voiced for clarity, output, and a more defined low end than the stock single-coils while preserving the essential Jazzmaster character. Set up and playing great. Condition is superb — one tiny impression on the neck, one small paint chip at the neck joint, both shown in the photos, and nothing else to report. The Purple Sparkle finish is shiny and striking throughout. The knobs have been fitted with googly eyes, which can be removed — but honestly, why would you?
- Make: Fender Japan
- Model: J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster (JM-JM)
- Country of origin: Japan
- Body: Basswood, offset double cutaway
- Finish: Purple Sparkle, gloss polyester, matching headstock cap
- Pickguard: Gold anodized
- Neck: Maple, C shape, satin polyurethane finish
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, large dot inlays
- Fingerboard radius: 9.5"
- Scale length: 25.5"
- Nut width: 1.650"
- Frets: 21, jumbo
- Pickups: Curtis Novak Wide Range Jazzmaster pickups (neck and bridge), upgraded
- Controls: Lead circuit — volume, tone, 3-position toggle; Rhythm circuit — volume, tone, 2-position slide switch
- Bridge: Adjusto-Matic with solid pin saddles
- Tailpiece: Vintage-style floating tremolo with reinforced arm housing
- Tuners: Fender/Gotoh vintage-style
- Hardware: Chrome
- Knobs: Fitted with googly eyes (removable)
- Modifications: Curtis Novak Wide Range pickups installed, googly eyes on knobs
- Condition: Used Excellent – one tiny impression on neck, one small paint chip at neck joint, otherwise superb throughout
- Includes: Gig bag, Strat trem arm
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
