SOLD - Vintage L-Series Fender Stratocaster – USA 1965

By 1965, custom colour Stratocasters were still produced in relatively small numbers compared to standard sunburst models, with finishes like Lake Placid Blue sitting among the rarer and more desirable options available through Fender’s custom colour chart. While exact production figures were never documented by Fender, vintage market estimates place custom colour Stratocasters from this period at only a small percentage of overall Strat production, with clean original examples becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly in metallic finishes like Lake Placid Blue which often faded heavily over time.

This 1965 Fender Stratocaster carries an L-Series serial number, placing it firmly within Fender’s pre CBS period before major specification and production changes began to appear later in the decade. Finished in its original Lake Placid Blue, it remains one of the cleaner and more original examples from the period, with the finish still retaining remarkable depth and vibrancy throughout.

The guitar features a one piece maple neck paired with a beautifully figured Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and pearloid dot inlays. The original grey bottom staggered pole pickups dated 8-30-1965 remain intact alongside the original cloth wiring and untouched solder joints. Tonally, the guitar delivers the sharper attack and stronger midrange associated with mid 1960s Stratocasters, while still retaining the clarity and openness expected from a good pre CBS example.

Originality throughout the instrument is particularly strong. The pickups, bridge assembly, saddles, tremolo, tuners, nut, frets, electronics, and hardware all remain original, while the pickguard sits flat with no significant shrinkage or warping, something increasingly uncommon on guitars from this era.

Condition overall is excellent. There is some light finish checking visible to the rear alongside a small dent near the jack plate, a light indentation on the back, and several minor chips revealing the white undercoat beneath the Lake Placid Blue finish. Outside of that, the guitar presents at an exceptionally clean level for its age and remains a very strong collector grade example.

It comes supplied with its original black tolex Fender hard shell case.

Specifications:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th Fret: 1.5mm

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 20.84mm

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 24.77mm

Nut Width: 42.64mm

Width at 12th Fret: 51.89mm

Weight: 3660g (8.06lb)

Year: 1965

Model: Fender Stratocaster L-Series

Finish: Original Lake Placid Blue

Body: Alder

Neck: Maple

Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood

Scale Length: 647.7mm (25.5")

Pickups: Original grey bottom single coils dated 8-30-1965

Electronics: Original cloth wiring and untouched solder joints

Bridge: Original bridge block, saddles, and tremolo assembly

Tuners: Original Kluson Deluxe

Case: Original Black Tolex Fender Hard Shell Case

Crafted in: Fullerton, California, USA