A Short History on the Fender Elvis Costello Jazzmaster

Follow me on Instagram! / algeriet
I made this video for anyone who is in the market for the elusive Fender Elvis Costello Jazzmaster, and what originally started out as contemporary review of the guitar ended up becoming a short history on Elvis' original two Jazzmasters as well.
0:00 Get Me - Dinosaur Jr
0:47 Seinfeld comes alive
0:57 Intro and history
3:00 Delving deeper into the guitar, then and today
4:02 No Action - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
4:48 Rig for this recording - pedals etc
5:49 (we are the) Mods
6:18 Fly By Night - Rush (pickup comparison)
7:18 General specs of the guitar
8:46 Breaking news!!
9:05 Specs - Addendum
9:40 Case and case candy/accessories
10:06 Accidents Will Happen - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
10:28 So...(wrapping things up)
Super special thanks to Jake Brown @in.strument (Instagram handle) for building me the not-so-green Green Russian style Big Muff pedal used in this video!
Thanks to Anton Bertlin for lending me his EHX Holy Grail as well as his Zvex Box of Rock aka the "Single Rock".
Also thanks to Fender Custom Shop Master Builder @calopez_fender for allowing me to mention that he is working on a new Squier Vista Series Venus XII through the Fender CS.
Lastly thanks to Torsten Beekhuis for sending me a picture of his rare Fender Don Wilson Jazzmaster signature.
Collin @high.numbers, thanks for the pics, unfortunately they were left on the cutting room floor... :///
The setup guide "Demystifying the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar" article series that I mentioned in the video:
mmguitarbar.wordpress.com/201...

[@FabianSalomonsson]

Great stuff. Looking forward to the next video!

[@adrianseifi8209]

T. Hanks, buddy!

[@meipr]

Haha, awesome! Great job. Looking forward to the next vid!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@dha2635]

Great video! I love my Elvis Costello Jazzmaster. I got a Mastery Bridge and a full setup and it’s definitely made me a happy boy. Hope to see more videos.

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks so much! I can imagine that you're happy over it. Video three in the beginning stages!

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Hugely useful, thank you! And gave me the giggles. So thanks for that too.

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thank you so much, glad to hear that this may help you when looking at making a potential Elvis Costello purchase in the future!

[@tonyfdesign]

Great video - very entertaining. Well done!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks, T! Have a great day.

[@mdcguitar]

Subbed. You should definitely start uploading more, loved the Squier Venus video you did a while back. Nice to see someone chilled talking about this stuff and not being super cringey haha!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thank you so much! video three already in the beginning stages. Thanks for watching!

[@LordFuzzman]

Really nice video buddy 👌

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks so much, friend!

[@collinwhitley3543]

Nicely done. Seinfeld intro FTW!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Seinfeld for life! This was done in anticipation for the Netflix premier lol.

[@nosferatu7325]

Nice video. I have one and really love it. It can be a bit grouchy sounding at times (very percussive & very bright). But with a little time you can get plenty of great tones. Fantastic cleans (like most Jazzmasters). Looking forward to your next video!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks! I will pretend that you are Roger Moore (RIP!) and that you secretly own Jazzmasters. All jokes aside, which bridge do you use on yours?

[@nosferatu7325]

@@adrianseifi8209 I have the Mastery Bridge on the Costello. The only other Jazzmaster I own has the Fender RSD bridge. Both are great! If I had Roger Moore money I would own more of them. Haha

[@adrianseifi8209]

@@nosferatu7325 Haha I own too many Jazzmasters as it is, but no money. I haven't really given the RSD bridge a proper try other than quickly in a music shop, but own both a guitar with a Mastery and several Staytrems.

[@Bigsbeee]

Enjoyed that mate ..

[@adrianseifi8209]

Haha, glad to hear!

[@MetalCoreMonster]

Great video dude! I just finished my parts-master inspired by the Costello jazzmaster. Except I went for gold anodized guard instead and it looks classy as hell!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks, and that sounds like a tasty Jazzmaster. Enjoy!

[@freshprinceofbeleren3022]

So awesome, funny and informative! Subbed, hoping to watch any other videos you come up with! In addition, when you showed Jake's Insta, I noticed that he also has the shell pink JM I got last week!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thank you so much! Wait, you bought Jake's JM or did you get one just like it? Haha

[@freshprinceofbeleren3022]

@@adrianseifi8209 I got one just like it, same color and everything.

[@adrianseifi8209]

@@freshprinceofbeleren3022 Ace, and while I don't mean to stress you; go ahead and get another JM now!

[@karimarfaowi]

This guy knows his stuff, gaw damn!!

[@adrianseifi8209]

"If you ain't knowin', you ain't goin'!" - Adrian Seifi, just now

[@maggieo]

Thank goodness I'm not the only person that plays "Fly By Night" on my EC Jazzmaster!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Cheers, good seeing a fellow OSG:er here!

[@AB-wo8pr]

Thanks for showing my dogs Stella and Tekla to the world! Hope you enjoyed my holy grail and “single rock” and thank you for helping me require these pedals! I must be forgetting something… great video Adrian

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thank you! *acquire

[@mchammerclark5]

Good stuff

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks, buddy!

[@tommygungd]

Just found your channel after purchasing an Elvis Costello Jazzmaster. Wish you had more videos... really great quality, content, info, effort for a new channel. Cool that you are working for Baguley now. I ordered a neck from Dirk when he first opened and bolted it onto a univox ripper. Has been my #1 ever since. My neck is number 98. I had an original black 70's travis bean TB-1000s that I sold because I liked the Baguley ripper more.

[@adrianseifi8209]

Hi Tommy, and thanks so much for your kind words and taking the time to leave this comment. Your Baguley/Univox bass sounds insane, would love to see pics. Anyway, I do intend on making more videos so be sure to subscribe! Take care /Adrian

[@j.r.parker6216]

I love my EC JM! Would love to get a chance to hear how the pickups are different from the AVRI ones. I used to have an AVRI but it has been a long time.

[@adrianseifi8209]

That would be an interesting comparison video for sure.

[@cjones132002]

I have the Elvis Costello prototype that Fender built him that he toured with and would later become the signature model. It is definitely different than the signature model but same finish etc...

[@adrianseifi8209]

Cool! In what ways is it different?

[@cjones132002]

@adrianseifi8209 decal turned out differently, proto is more matte than production model, no signatures, bridge and pickups are different as well. I have photos of mine. I can email and show ya if you want to share your email. Pretty cool. The body of mine is signed by Elvis as well. If you search Fender elvis costello jazzmaster on youtube, you'll see a video of him released by Fender playing the prototype, and that's the guitar I own. I guess Fender used it in advertising and sales example as well as being at the Namm show the year prior to releasing it.

[@DelScully]

man that is some tasty playing! I've always wanted one of these but they're so hard to find..Recently picked up a TVL Jazzmaster and love that, but still..!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks so much!! TVL rules though so enjoy it! Which colour? I was close to buying the original Oxblood one as my first Jazzmaster, but finally went for the AV65 which I am grateful for as it's my number one guitar to this day.

[@DelScully]

@@adrianseifi8209 I got the Oxblood one! Has been my dream since it came out! Was going to go for either the Dark Knight finish on the American Pro II or an AV65 as well but was super lucky to find a TVL for literally half price with a mastery bridge already on it! Still mind boggled at the price as its mint! I still want an AVRI one day though, the nitro finish would be ideal!

[@adrianseifi8209]

@@DelScully Ace, nothing better than a great gear score.

[@gaulpict]

Hey, waddaya know? Liked and Subscribed! Away to watch your Venus XII video (big fan of the 4 way split coil sound of Electric XII, havent heard of the Venus). All the best

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks for tuning in! Big fan of the Electric XII in general and hope to own either an OG one of those or a Rickenbacker 360/12c63 in the near future. Have a good one!

[@MarcNeilson1]

First saw this model of guitar when I saw Mizuki Iida from Japanese band Cinema Staff use it in most of their music videos and live footage. It took me years to figure out what model it was. I’ve always loved the finish just something about it is special imo. Plus having that 70s style fender logo is so nice as well.

[@adrianseifi8209]

Completely agree, the later-era logo is a very nice touch actually.

[@smurphy28]

This was great! I have been on a Deep Sea Diver kick and was wondering how similar this model was to the AVRI 62 I have. Literally called Fender the other day for more details but even the customer service rep I spoke with wasn’t sure. Thanks for all the info!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks so much for leaving this comment. This was precisely why I made this video - to help out those who were curious but couldn't get any first hand experience of the guitar. I've got an earlier video on the Squier Vista Series Venus XII if you ever want to know more about those. Take care!

[@ethansapp3473]

Deep Sea Diver is the reason I got my jazzmaster

[@smurphy28]

@@ethansapp3473 Same!

[@ethansapp3473]

@@smurphy28 which one if you don't mind my asking 👀

[@smurphy28]

@@ethansapp3473 62 AVRI in Olympic White. I've replaced the pickups with Black Bobbin Lollars, swapped the pots for 280k and installed a Mastery bridge and vibrato. It's my favorite! How about you?

[@yollydelatorre2106]

Great 👍

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks mom! ❤️

[@adrianseifi8209]

Addendum: Found this piece of text that I unfortunately wasn't aware of while making the video: “The original guitar this model is based upon has been refinished, rebuilt, and has a new neck with Elvis’ name inlaid into the fingerboard, so we had to reference a lot of ’70s-era photography, as well as Elvis’ personal anecdotes, to get it right,” said Justin Norvell, Fender marketing manager for electric guitars. “Elvis dialed in the finer details-the points that photos can’t tell you, like the feel and setup and the exact hue and luster of the finish-things only he would know.” Personally I highly doubt the neck was replaced and only the fretboard was changed. What do you think?

[@DelScully]

Do you find the mastery vibrato is better than the typical one found on fenders? I got a mastery bridge on my TVL but am considering switching the the vibrato as well, as I would love to have an arm that doesn't flop around and stays where I want it.. But I've also heard possibly better sustain?

[@adrianseifi8209]

Hmm, I'd look into the Descendant as well as it is by far my favorite vibrato. If it were between getting a new Descendant or a secondhand Mastery then of course the Mastery, but when buying new it is a no-brainer for me personally; Descendant all the way! People have reported that they experience increased sustain as well. With that said, the AVRI on your guitar is great as well. If you've got money to spend then go for it! Maybe try and see if you can use some pliers and (carefully) tighten the collet around the arm a little?

[@DelScully]

@@adrianseifi8209 yeah I'll try the plier thing soon forsure, hopefully that will prolong it! I wonder if the Descendant trem with a mastery bridge would cause any issues at all. I know with the Descendant the benefit is not really needing a new bridge system!

[@adrianseifi8209]

@@DelScully Yeah the plier thing ought to help if done right. I've done it twice, on both an AVRI unit as well as a MIJ one and it did the job. Just be careful because the collet doesn't take well to pressure from pliers. And the Descendant works perfectly with a Mastery bridge. Trust me, I've had that exact combo on one of my custom Jazzmasters!

[@onlyshallot]

jazzmaster cult!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Heck yeah!

[@nosferatu7325]

Is your guitar hum-canceled in the middle position? Thanks!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Yes I believe so! Don't have it anymore though.

[@nosferatu7325]

@@adrianseifi8209 thanks for the response!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Anything for my favourite James Bond; Mr. Roger Moore!

[@frankiechong5906]

funny vid, really loving the style of the vid!

[@adrianseifi8209]

Thanks so much Frankie!

[@AdamCampettiVideo]

Definite Dinosaur Jr. sound in the opening. #DinosaurJr #JMascis

[@adrianseifi8209]

THANK YOU!

[@christianboddum8783]

It sounds kind of more "muscular" than normal Jazz masters in a good way, to my ear.

[@adrianseifi8209]

Sorry, completely missed this! I think I understand what you mean, and with that said, I am confident that I could achieve similar tones through the same setup with a different Jazzmaster. Lots of different variables that lead to what we finally end up hearing, although I am sure you already are aware.

[@christianboddum8783]

@@adrianseifi8209 I am ;-)

[@adrianseifi8209]

@@christianboddum8783 Well that makes two of us, buddy! 😎