Another 1965 Fender Stratocaster anyone?

As with many historic events, the transition of the Fender brand over to CBS was not like flipping a switch and even though the pre-CBS instruments are held in high regard, post 1965 instruments still hold a lot of that Leo Fender magic. 

The finish is in good but as you can see, played condition. It has faded a little but has kept the defined shades of the sunburst. There are a few  dinks and some forearm and lower bout wear though this doesn’t seem to detract from the overall look which is a look of super coolness and one the Custom Shop cannot replicate.

The neck has retained its worn gloss finish with only the slightest of wear around the 1st position, the headstock shows no such signs of wear. The fretboard is in excellent shape with newer frets that are in great shape and sympathetically done to keep the original feel.

The plastics as you’d expect have faded a little but there is not too much wear. 

There has been some changes under the pickguard. The pots have been changed in the late 80s as we can see from the serial number. In a nice touch, the correct capacitor has been retained and it has a 5 way switch. If you look closely you will see for whatever reason the holes for the switch have been slightly enlarged. Maybe there was a different switch in there at some point...

As this is a fairly early 1965 we see 2 x grey bottom pickups and 1 x black bottom pickup, all dated 1965. The neck one looks to be rewound although you would never suspect when you plug it in.

The guitar comes with its correct early 1965 Black Tolex case which like the guitar is in good condition.

Many of those classic Strat tones live in these mid-60’s guitars. These guitars really deliver a fantastic tone that hasn’t yet drifted too far towards the thinner end of the spectrum and still retains some of the fullness of the earlier incarnation Fender singe coils.

These mid 60's Strats have so much to offer, this one is a prime example from that transition era. Grab it before it gets away.