Versatile by Design: Episode Four. Final Build

From its groundbreaking Fender- and Fishman-designed acoustic engine to its specially voiced Shawbucker pickup to its patented Strings Instrument Resonance System, the American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster is a modern marvel.

But there is a key piece of DNA that ties the American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster to Fender’s rich history - the hand-crafted approach to its build.

The American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster is made in Corona, Calif., the same factory as Fender’s iconic electric instruments have been manufactured for years.

“Although some might look at this guitar and see similarities to our electric guitars with its bolt-on neck and the fact that there are electronics inside of it, make no mistake - this is a crafted, hand-build acoustic electric guitar,” said Fender Executive Vice President of Products Justin Norvel. “It has binding and bracing. It is completely engineered sonically for the top to vibrate and to play like an acoustic guitar.

“These instruments have over 100 hand processes, so it’s not simply, ‘Make a neck, make a body and slam them together.’ The work we have to do is very intense.”

That hard work pulls together the future technology of the American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster together with its sturdy mahogany body, resonant spruce top and warm and playable mahogany neck with natural ebony fingerboard to create an instrument that is already inspiring artists around the world.

“What inspires me a lot is the sonics of the instrument,” North Carolina virtuoso Jordan Hawkins said after testing the guitar in the video above. “Playing guitar with so many options ... like the overdrive setting might inspire you in a completely different way artistically than something smoother, something more body-driven.”

The materials of the body and neck were important considerations during the design process, as Fender’s team sought to make it feel as organic as possible to any player.

“We used an open-pore finish, which allows you to feel the mahogany,” said Fender Vice President of Research and Design Brian Swerdfeger. “You feel it while you play. The neck has a thin, thin satin finish. You can feel this guitar against your body as you play it. The whole thing is moving, so the materials matter!”

As Norvell noted, the American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster was painstakingly built by many trained hands at the factory - the same way Fender instruments have been for years - so it’ll be undeniably comfortable and playable in your hands.

“I really hope that it becomes an important creative tool in the arsenal of singer/songwriters and performers,” said Fender CEO Andy Mooney. “It’s just a really useful instrument to have.”

To learn more about the American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster, click here.