1965 Fender Stratocaster

The Fender Stratocaster is without doubt the most iconic guitar in the history of rock and roll, with vintage examples now becoming more and more sought after by players and collectors alike. This 1965 Fender Stratocaster is a superb example of a factory custom colour '60s Fender guitar in clean, original condition.

Constructed from an Alder body, this guitar features the Candy Apple Red factory custom colour, allegedly Leo Fender's favourite Fender finish. The Maple neck is in excellent condition, with a Rosewood veneer fretboard and pearl dot inlay markers, first introduced in late 1964. The pickups on this guitar are lively, with the typical bell-like chime and clarity you would expect, with a nice smooth, round tone to the neck and a much more cutting bridge position. The headstock features the 'transition' period logo, with the spaghetti font Fender logo replaced with a thicker gold decal, although still on the smaller headstock shape. 

The original Candy Apple Red custom colour finish is in wonderful condition, with only the smallest amounts of play wear and patina showing the finishing process of this particular colour, with the with the separation between red lacquer and metallic silver under coat being showcased perfectly. The neck pocket reveals the paint stick method used at the time by Fender for spraying and drying, along with yellow stain and white primer applied to the bodies before colour coats were sprayed. Candy Apple Red is without doubt one of the more desirable Fender custom colours, and is arguably the only genuine 'custom' colour the company offered, being the only finish developed in house rather than repurposed from an automative colour. 

This guitar is in excellent condition, and is one of the better condition examples of a custom colour Fender guitar that we have been lucky enough to have in store. It is internally and externally original, with an early transition JAN 65 neck heel stamp. The finish is original and correct, with the paint stick shadow appearing correctly for an original finish, and the solder joints on both the jack input and tremolo claw untouched. The electronics are original, with all pots dating to the 1st week of 1965 (137 6501). The pickups are the original grey bottom single coils, with date codes of 2-16-65 & 2-17-65. The original orange drop cap is present and correct. All hardware including the single line Kluson tuners, bridge, 3 way switch, tremolo arm and bridge cover are original, along with the mint 3 ply pickguard and other plastic parts. This guitar also includes its original no logo, black tolex hard case. 

This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 3 year warranty.