The new J Mascis Telecaster from Fender

14 Sep 2021 Author: Content Department

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It is inconceivable that Jay Muskies needs an introduction. In the quarter century since Dinosaur Jr. Muskies has created some iconic songs, albums, and styles. Jay Maskis has released twelve albums with Dinosaur jr. and over a dozen albums and seven-inch records as a solo artist or as part of bands such as Upsidedown cross, J mascis and the fog, J and friends, Witch and many others. As he himself tells it, J got into music when he was 9 or 10 years old, influenced by his siblings' records.

J. Mascis

Perhaps better known for his love of the Fender Jazzmaster, but nevertheless the modified 1958 Telecaster has also been his faithful companion for decades.

Jay Maskis' creative vision is the foundation for the monumental success of Dinosaur Jr. The 1994 album Without a Sound brought the band international recognition with the single "Feel the Pain," which topped the charts worldwide.

Dinosaur Jr. "Without a Sound" album cover

J Mascis Telecaster

J Mascis young

The new J Mascis Telecaster fully replicates the musician's personal 1958 Telecaster. Jay used this instrument to record most of his solo work throughout his career.

In keeping with his unique style, Fender worked closely with Mascis to recreate his famous 1958 Top-Loader Tele guitar, the primary instrument he used in the mid-90s when writing some of his most iconic songs and lead works throughout his career. This stunning model boasts a dazzling Bottle Rocket Blue Flake finish, mirrored chrome pickguard, custom J Mascis single-coil pickups that produce a very clean and dynamic sound, "Road Worn" maple fingerboard with aged hardware, a "C"-shaped profile equipped with jumbo frets for a controlled feel, and a top-loading bridge - the strings run through the bridge rather than through the body, matching the Tele design of the late '50s.

"It means so much to me to work with Fender," Jay Maskis said. "Already, the Tele® represents three decades of licks I've recorded with this guitar. Since I've had it, it's been my go-to stick for recording parts. It's an amazing feeling to have a signature guitar. It's not something I could have ever imagined, but I'm honored."

At the time he purchased the original Telecaster, the instrument was in a different color. Eventually, the musician made the decision to personally update the look with his own efforts, and created his own custom color, which was called Bottle Rocket Blue Flake.

J Mascis Telecaster Fender

Classic Fender signature coatings such as Lake Placid Blue, Candy Apple Red or Burgundy Mist contain very fine metal particles in the paint composition that give the guitars a slight shimmer in the light. The Bottle Rocket Blue Flake treatment uses much larger metal particles that have a more pronounced shimmer effect. The so-called "Sparkle" requires a special paint process and is always an improved premium version.

Fender colours The dazzling Bottle Rocket Blue Flake finish is inspired by an old Maskis drum set from his early days. Although the beloved '58 Telecaster was "yellowish" underneath, this re-finish has stood the test of time, and it now lives on in his signature model.

The J Mascis Telecaster features two J Mascis Custom '58 Tele single-coil pickups that deliver squealing feedback, pulverizing distortion and ear-breaking volume when you pair them with amps running at full power. This all-body electric guitar features a three-position switch that lets you choose between bridge, nak and out-of-phase pickups. If you want that elusive J Mascis lead tone, plug this Telecaster into your favorite fuzz pedal and start chopping! Unlike the standard three-position Telecaster switch, when you select the middle position on the J Mascis Telecaster, the pickups are not phase matched. The result is an unusual, vibrant tone unique to the J Mascis Telecaster.

J Mascis Telecaster Fender detailing

The "C"-shaped fingerboard makes it comfortable to play. The J Mascis Telecaster feels like heaven, thanks in large part to its Road Worn "C"-shaped fingerboard. It is a pleasantly sturdy fingerboard, and its increased weight provides an incredibly natural sound as well as excellent stability. This fingerboard is attached to the alder body of the guitar with a 4-bolt plate and includes a synthetic bone top sill. Another modification Jay made to his Tele '58 was to put a Jumbo fret on the fingerboard. The fingerboard itself is made with Road Worn technology and fully reproduces the special aging effect of the original Tele '58. It is coated with nitrocellulose aged lacquer, which creates a unique tactile sensation.

Top-loading bridge. An unusual configuration used in the late '50s and early '60s, this top-loaded Tele bridge provides slightly less string tension for a softer attack and smoother transitions.

The body underwent less Road Worn treatment, as the Bottle Rocket Blue Flake treatment was a custom modification that Jay made himself -- after first purchasing the guitar.

Like Jay Mascis' original guitar, the J Mascis Telecaster features a striking chrome pickguard.

Like most name models of Fender artists, the J Mascis Telecaster is made in a factory in Ensenada, Mexico. This factory has been in business since 1987, in operation for over thirty years. It is a testament to the quality and craftsmanship of this factory that it produces the name instruments of most Fender artists - H.E.R. Stratocaster, Chrissie Hynde Telecaster and Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster, Jim Root Telecaster and Jazzmaster.

Various photos of J. Mascis with his guitar