Fender Elvis Costello Jazzmaster
Elvis Costello Jazzmaster
The Fender Jazzmaster is 50 years old in 2008, and one of a series of special events to mark this anniversary is the launch of the Elvis Costello Jazzmaster, a detailed replica of the instrument that appeared on the cover of Costello´s iconic 1977 debut My Aim Is True.
The original instrument has undergone numerous modifications since the late 1970s, so Fender´s Justin Norvell examined archive footage and worked closely with Costello to ensure that details such as the hue and lustre of the walnut finish are correct.
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Costello says of his Jazzmaster: “This is a brutal sounding guitar. It suits the way I play. But this guitar, it´s had a funny life. And I´ve just always stuck with it; I always come back to it. I´ve done all sorts of different music, but whenever it´s involved electric guitar, I don´t think there´s one record I´ve made on which the Jazzmaster doesn´t feature somewhere.”
Fender´s new Elvis Costello Signature Jazzmaster replicates the guitar as it existed at the time he recorded My Aim Is True. Unique features include a post-´68 neck design, a walnut stain finish and a tremolo with easier and greater travel, essential for that Watching the Detectives tone, or what Costello calls that ‘spy movie´ sound.
To hear that wiry ‘spy movie´ sound in action, check out this great clip of Elvis Costello & The Attractions performing I Don´t Want To Go To Chelsea in 1978.
The new Elvis Costello Jazzmaster is available now, with a UK RRP of £1499.99. Visit the official Fender Jazzmaster 50th anniversary website for more.