It’s probably been a while since you heard your favorite Grant Green or Wes Montgomery licks played on a Fender Jazzmaster. But, as writer and musician Derek See uncovered in a Fretboard Journal #28 article, over the decades Fender’s poorly named instrument has found followers in the worlds of punk, indie and improv music. In his piece, See explains why the likes of Tom Verlaine, Elvis Costello, J. Mascis, Thurston Moore and Wilco’s Nels Cline have all embraced the Jazzmaster. In conjunction with that essay, we asked Cline to do this quick video demonstration showcasing why he loves this model so much. Fender fans should also note the Fretboard Journal #28 issuesports an interview with one of the Jazzmaster’s earliest practitioners, George Tomsco of the Fireballs. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal here.

Editor’s note: Due to the extreme range of volume in this video, some clipping occurred. We apologize. And our ears are still ringing.