Jazzmaster Sonic Youth Signature Guitars

Hot on the heels of their latest album, The Eternal, Sonic Youth has teamed-up with Fender to create two guitars — the Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo signature Jazzmaster guitars, which should be available beginning July 1.

In many ways, these two instruments are similar, yet in almost every major way (pickups, bridges, frets) they are totally different, according to Fender. Both guitars have alder bodies, “C”-shape maple necks with rosewood fingerboards, American Vintage Jazzmaster tremolos and Black anodized aluminum pickguards.

Moore’s Jazzmaster features Seymour Duncan® Antiquity II for Jazzmaster pickups, an Adjusto-Matic™ bridge and 21 jumbo frets, and is available in Forest Green Transparent satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish with satin black painted headstock. Ranaldo’s guitar features revoiced Wide Range humbucking pickups, Mustang®-style bridge and 21 vintage frets, and is available in Sapphire Blue Transparent satin nitrocellulose lacquer finish with satin black painted headstock.

Each Sonic Youth Jazzmaster guitar comes with a custom sticker sheet and a full-color 24-page indie rock ‘zine containing photos, set lists, tuning charts, illustrations, tech info and extensive interviews. Designed and laid out largely by Ranaldo himself, it’s described as “the definitive insider’s guide to all things Jazzmaster in the world of Sonic Youth.”

For more information on the Sonic Youth guitars, go to www.fender.com/sonicyouth.