For sale is an original 1964 Fender Jazzmaster, of which I'm the second owner.
 
The original owner was a guitarist from around Surbiton way, who bought it new in 1965. Being from the 'L Series', those guitars produced between 1963-65 featured an 'L' serial prefix, assumably as a nod to Leo Fender. This model dates *just* before Fender's acquisition by CBS and as such retains all of the desirable features, and is further *just* before any of the 'transitional' features came in (bound neck, etc). As such, this is one of the last 'original' spec Jazzmasters, featuring a Brazilian rosewood board, clay dots and an unbound neck.
 
Interestingly, this guitar originally left the factory as a custom order - with a Black finish and gold hardware. The factory Black finish is still visible in the neck pocket and all of the cavities - and is even visible in 'dings' that escaped the refin. This also accounts for the white pickguard, which is original with its original shielding plate - and only ever used on custom colour orders (they never paired solid colours with tortoiseshell). 
 
 All of the original hardware, while faded on their exterior, retain gold-plating to their backs and bases (e.g., the neck plate, screw shafts - see pictures). 
 
This was the original owner's pride and joy, so they had both the neck and body fully stripped and refinished to Natural in the 70s (as many a 70s Fender owner did to 'preserve' their guitar). Obviously this isn't something one would do with hindsight, but this was the prevailing logic at the time. As such, the finish and decal aren't original - though fortunately the date stamp was spared, clearly reading 4th June, 1964.
 
Desptite the above, the electronics and hardware are nearly all original. Again, this was the original owner's sole guitar and they were a working musician, making running repairs as/when necessary. As such, 1 pot appears non original, as does a blue-covered wire. The main pickup switch is a very good, but modern repro. The rest of the electronics however appear original, with many of the components retaining their original 60s tape wrappings, with some later insulating tape (easily removed) applied to reduce noise. 
 
Both pickups are original and hand-signed, dating to December 1964 and January 1965 (pickups were grabbed from a pile by the employees installing them - they were seldom ever date-matched). 
 
The tuners are original, though one appears to be a 60s replacement (one is a single line Kluson rather than a double-line - again, another running repair). The ferrules appear to have been replaced. 99% of the screws appear original, though there is the odd (again, period) replacement and the strap buttons also appear to be repros.
 
It includes its original tremolo arm (a rarity in its own right) and its original 'no logo' black case - which were used by Fender up until 1965. It is rather tattered, but solid and complete, with all latches working and its neck compartment in tact. 
 
The bridge is original - again a rarity given these are almost always swapped out for a Mustang bridge. I am a purist where possible and have kept it on for this reason, though anyone who cares for Jazzmasters will know that a Mastery/Staytrem is an easy drop-in, should you wish to. 
 
It is an excellent player, set up with 11s (as Jazzmasters should be) and benefitted from a relatively recent refret by Dicky at Fontaine Guitars Nottingham (highly recommended) using period spec fret wire, retaining the 7.25 radius of course. And naturally, it sounds like a dream. 
 
I believe this guitar presents a great option for someone looking for a pre-CBS Jazzmaster that's break-free and largely original, but doesn't want to spend custom colour, pre-CBS money. A custom colour Jazzmaster can go for a high as £20k - I'm asking about 1/4 of that, changes considered. 
 
I am happy to send further pics of anything required and of course happy to meet mutually, given the value of this guitar. Any question - please ask!