Vintage Fender L-Series Stratocaster Refin - USA 1965

Here is a vibey and highly desirable 1965 Fender Stratocaster, a pre-CBS L-Series example professionally refinished in a stunning Lake Placid Blue-style nitro that has aged naturally over time. With its worn-in character and authentic vintage presence, this Strat delivers both visually and sonically in equal measure.

This example features a 2SEP65B neck date and a Brazilian rosewood veneer fingerboard, consistent with late 1965 specifications. All three original grey-bottom pickups remain intact, factory-marked in pencil with inspection initials, and deliver the classic Strat tone—bold, airy, and highly responsive, with signature vintage chime and bite. The potentiometers are dated to the 49th week of 1965, and while some service work has been carried out, the core character of the instrument remains original and intact.

Playability is excellent, with a straight neck, professional refret, and a smooth, effortless feel across the entire fingerboard. The guitar resonates freely and responds with clarity, warmth, and dynamic sensitivity, making it equally suited to studio work or live performance.

The body has been refinished in a vintage-correct Lake Placid Blue nitro finish, now aged to a tasteful patina with natural lacquer sink and edge wear that enhances its period-correct aesthetic. Hardware shows honest ageing, with upgraded Grover Deluxe tuners, a replaced 5-way switch, and updated knobs and nut, while the original trem block remains intact and fully functional.

Specifications: 

Year: 1965
Country: USA
Model: Vintage Fender L-Series Stratocaster Refin
Finish: Lake Placid Blue (refin)
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood
Scale: 25.5”
Pickups: Original grey-bottom single coils
Tuners: Grover Deluxe (replaced)
Case: Non-Original Fender HSC