Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis may be known best for his work onstage with the Jazzmaster, but with this newest Fender Artist Signature model, Mascis’ behind-the-scenes legacy with the Telecaster comes to the surface. The alt-rock icon’s Telecaster sound can be heard across the Dinosaur Jr. discography from “Start Choppin'” to “Feel the Pain” and numerous spots elsewhere (check out Mascis perform on David Letterman in 1994 and you’ll see the exact guitar in action!).
This new re-creation features unique Mascis-approved specifications and is dripping with that ’90s rock style we all know and love. The guitar features a resonant alder body decked out with a Bottle Rocket Blue Flake finish and mirrored chrome pickguard. A maple neck in a custom J Mascis “C” shaped profile is fashioned with Fender’s Road Worn treatment to make it feel experienced and well-loved from the minute you pick it up. Taking direct influence from Mascis’ 1958 Telecaster, this new model throws back to an early Telecaster feature, a top-loader bridge. This bridge provides lower string tension and makes for a slinkier feel in hand – perfect for slamming chords and working wild bends into your solos. Two custom J Mascis ’58 Telecaster pickups run hot for all your high-octane fuzzy leads and thick walls of distortion.
Mascis’ top-loader Telecaster is something of alt-rock legend, and with this replica, that same grungy power is ready to be shared with the players of today. Break out this Tele and start choppin’.