As the name implies, the Jazzmaster was was in the hands of someone who had a deep sales, and marketing combined. My role at
designed to serve as Fender’s foray in the Jazz affection for the instrument itself, as well as the Guitar Center was in marketing for four years,
world. The revolutionary dual tone circuit was man who invented it! and then as director of purchasing guitars and
designed to make it easy for Jazz players to
basses for seven years. Having the perspective
toggle between comping chords and soloing, [WM] Joey, thanks for joining us! You and of being the creator of product, the seller of
all with the flick of a switch. This is part of why your team at Fender are responsible for the product, the marketer of product, and being
this instrument was introduced in 1958, it was trio of 60 th Anniversary Jazzmaster guitars. Can responsible to the end user who will purchase
the most expensive instrument in the Fender you add some depth of field to what you do? the product gives you perspective.
[Joey Brasler] We are responsible for [WM] This is the 60th Anniversary of the
dreaming up the next several years worth of Jazzmaster. As a company, what does this
Although the Jazzmaster met with resistance guitars that are going to thrill musicians. We mean to you?
from hollow body purists in the Jazz world, it have to spec them up carefully for our R&D has been madly embraced by the likes of The team so we can get prototypes and find out [Joey] When Jimmy Page was asked about
Ventures, Elvis Costello, My Bloody Valentine, if we really had the right idea in the first place. the history of Led Zeppelin, he exclaimed
Nirvana, Jesus Culture, and Hillsong. If there After that we plan the product, working carefully proudly, “We were right!” It is a proud, wonderful
was ever an anti-hero guitar in the Fender line, with the new product team, manufacturing, history of a guitar that weaved in and out of
the Jazzmaster is it! sales, and marketing. We are the hub of the different genres and has served many different
electric guitar and bass world at Fender. kinds of musicians. We have all kinds of plans
line. It was also the first instrument Leo Fender
designed to feature a Rosewood fingerboard.
In celebration of the Jazzmaster’s 60 , we
for it to continue serving musicians until the end
th
wanted to do something a bit different. To help [WM] You’ve worked for a number of the well- bookend the story of this iconic instrument known companies in the business including we interviewed Fender’s Joey Brasler and Line 6, Yamaha, and Guitar Center. What are [WM] There are three 60 th Anniversary Models.
Hillsong’s Michael Guy Chislett. some of the roles you’ve had and how did they How did you decide to choose these three
prepare you for what you’re doing now? specific models to market?
Development at Fender for Electric Guitars [Joey] My roles were not all product roles. [Joey] We on the product development team
and Basses. As you hear him talk about the For instance, my role at Line 6 was in a sales were musicians and customers who loved the
Jazzmaster, you quickly realize that this project leadership role. My role at Yamaha was product, guitar before we ever got into the business.
of time!
Joey is the Vice President of Product
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September 2018
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