Vintage Fender Stratocaster – USA 1965

This is a late 1965 Fender Stratocaster built in Fullerton USA just after CBS took over the company. This one was built before the boffins at CBS managed to change things too much in the execution of delivering Leo Fender's original design for the Stratocaster. And it is in excellent vintage condition. 

The best part .... it all appears to be original including pickups, tuners, nut, bridge assembly & saddles, knobs, 3 way & switch tip, strap pins and input socket. The pickguard is still flat and in proper shape. A bit of natural shrinkage but no cracks, splits or buckling. 

It has a beautiful one-piece C shape maple neck with and clay dot markers in the curved Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The headstock shows the Fender “transition” logo from 1965. Back and front of the headstock are unmarked, presenting almost as NOS – new old stock. 

We believe the guitar has had a refret at some point, so the medium jumbo frets have plenty of life left in them. 

Features - 

Body – Alder – no modifications  

Tuners – Original Kluson Deluxe 

Original single coil pickups 

Volume & Tone pots unchanged 

Original 3-way switch 

All plastics original 

Original bridge block, saddles & and trem assembly with trem arm 

Original Fender F neck plate and screws 

Original nitrocellulose sunburst finish 

Neck is straight with perfect relief & intonation 

Fender “transition” logo with all details present 

Action: @ 1st fret: 0.75mm @ 12th fret: 1.5mm 

Nut Width: @ 1st fret: 42mm @ 12th fret: 52mm 

Bridge cover “ashtray” is missing 

Weight = 7.86 lbs 

This one presents in excellent condition. The original nitro finish has a lustrous sheen and the 3-colour sunburst is absolutely glowing. 

The guitar shows little wear apart from some tiny dings & dents expected on a 57-year-old instrument. Apart from a few wear spots on the back, the neck is particularly clean and is a delight to play. 

This is a beautiful sounding instrument – bell-like tones with that wonderful woody character from the neck pickup and plenty of snarl from the bridge p/u. 

This is a very original Fender Strat from late 1965 that presents in magnificent vintage condition. 

Comes in its original black tolex Fender case in good condition.