"In many ways, these two instruments are similar, yet in almost every
major way (pickups, bridges, frets) they are totally different," the press release reads. "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 comes with a custom sticker sheet and an
indie rock zine with photos, set lists, tech info, interviews and
tuning charts since it's pretty much impossible to play Sonic Youth tunes without using their odd tunings.
You can hear Moore and Renaldo playing prototypes of these guitars on Sonic Youth's latest album, The Eternal, and I wouldn't be surprised if they have them in tow at their July 31 show at the Ogden. More info on the axes here.