Fender 62 Jazzmaster A3CS Relic

Fender 62 Jazzmaster A3CS Relic review

The Fender 62 Jazzmaster A3CS Relic is a U.S.-made Custom Shop instrument based on the Jazzmaster design. Its selected alder body, one-piece maple neck, and round-laminated rosewood fingerboard keep the build close to the materials named in its specification, while the aged three-color Sunburst finish gives it a worn-in look. The supplied case and certificate complete the package. It was released as a limited 2022 run and has been available since August 2022.

The asking price listed for this model is 6599. That is a substantial outlay for a new guitar, especially when compared with an older late-1960s instrument. The question is whether the Custom Shop build and its playing feel make sense for a player choosing among current Jazzmasters. A hands-on comparison with current U.S. Models and a 1968 example offers a useful, if necessarily subjective, answer.

Build and neck feel

The guitar arrived well set up, though the action was higher than the reviewer preferred and would need adjustment to suit their playing style. That is worth noting before treating the setup as ready for every player. String height is a personal preference, and a properly adjusted setup can make a noticeable difference to comfort and response.

The neck was one of the most compelling parts of the instrument in hand. Its 1962 Jazzmaster profile measures.820 inches at the first fret and.900 inches at the twelfth. The 9.5-inch fingerboard radius and 21 medium vintage frets add practical detail to a neck shaped around an older Jazzmaster reference. White binding edges the fingerboard, and the one-piece rift-sawn maple construction gives the neck a distinct visual character.

The reviewer found the neck and overall feel markedly better than those of standard U.S. Jazzmaster models. That judgment is personal, but it carries weight because it came from direct comparison rather than a spec-sheet impression. The Relic treatment contributes to the instrument's appearance and touch, although it should not be mistaken for decades of actual playing. The reviewer noted that the guitar did not yet have the broken-in feel of the older instrument.

Pickups and controls

Two Custom Shop handwound Jazzmaster single-coil pickups provide the main voice. The controls include a three-position toggle and a two-position slide switch. Fender pairs these electronics with a four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard, vintage-style tuning machines, nickel hardware, and an RSD J bridge fitted with compensated brass saddles.

The guitar was tested exclusively through several tube amplifiers in a studio setting. In a blind comparison, the Custom Shop model sounded better to the reviewer than the current U.S. Standard Jazzmasters. That is a meaningful endorsement, though it reflects one player's equipment, preferences, and listening conditions. The comparison did not establish a universal ranking, and players should expect their own amplifier and setup to shape the result.

Against the 1968 Jazzmaster, the newer guitar fell short in depth and three-dimensional character. The reviewer considered that gap clear, while also recognizing that the older guitar had decades of playing history behind it. The A3CS Relic offers a persuasive take on a seasoned Jazzmaster, but its aged finish cannot reproduce the accumulated response of a genuinely old instrument.

Verdict

Among the current Jazzmasters in the comparison, the Fender 62 Jazzmaster A3CS Relic was the reviewer's first choice across the aspects they assessed. Its neck feel stood out against standard U.S. Models, and its handwound pickups delivered a strong showing in the blind test. The high action may call for a setup change, and the tonal difference from the 1968 guitar is a reminder that vintage character is not something a Relic finish can promise.

At 6599, the price places this model in a serious purchase category. It costs more than an older guitar from the late 1960s, according to the reviewer, so the decision rests on priorities. Players seeking a current Custom Shop Jazzmaster with an aged three-color Sunburst finish, a specified 1962 neck profile, and a strong comparative showing will find a lot to consider here. Those who value the depth and dimensionality of a genuinely old instrument may still prefer the vintage example.

Specifications at a glance

• Model: Jazzmaster, limited 2022 run
• Body and neck: Selected alder and one-piece rift-sawn maple
• Fingerboard: Round-laminated rosewood, 9.5-inch radius
• Frets and scale: 21 medium vintage frets, 648 mm scale
• Pickups: Two handwound Jazzmaster single-coil pickups
• Bridge: RSD J bridge with compensated brass saddles
• Included: Deluxe case and certificate
• Country of manufacture: United States